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New Part 3 and Part 9 Compliance Checklists

The beta testing period for the checklists is over and the edits have been finalized. The updated materials are available on the Energy Step Code website as listed below:

Part 3 Design Checklist

The Part 3 Energy and Zero Carbon Design Checklists are a voluntary Excel-based checklist for energy modellers and design professionals to be submitted to local authorities to verify compliance with the BC Energy and Zero Carbon Step Codes.

The tool gives industry and local authorities a consistent way to gather and review modelled performance characteristics of Part 3 Energy and Zero Carbon Step Code buildings at both the pre-construction and as-built stages.

Download the beta version of the new Part 3 Checklist and the user tip sheet under the heading 2018 BC Building Code Rev. 5, effective May 1, 2023 (beta).

Part 9 Design Checklist

The BC Energy and Zero Carbon Step Code Design Checklists provide a standardized report template for Part 9 buildings complying with Subsection 9.36.5., 9.36.6. or Section 9.37 of the BC Building Code.

Download the new Part 9 Checklist and the instruction manual for energy advisors under the heading Building permit date: May 1, 2023 to present.

CPD Opportunity – LGMA Effective Report Writing Online Course

This interactive online course has been developed for local government professionals who need to write, edit, and submit reports.

Do you want to improve your written communications skills? In today’s world of information overload, it is vital to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively. The better your writing skills are, the better the impression you will make and the more successful you will be in ensuring your advice and ideas get noticed, assessed, and implemented. Improve your writing skills, avoid common pitfalls, and fix those pesky grammatical mistakes with this online course offered by experts in writing effectively and communicating successfully in a local government context.

Provider: Local Government Management Association of British Columbia

Presentation Topic: LGMA Effective Report Writing

Date: Monday, October 23rd, 2023 – Tuesday, November 7th, 2023

Time: 1:30 PM PST

Where: Online course, with 3 modules plus an introduction

Cost: $610 + GST LGMA member or $700 + GST Non-member

Registration: Register Online

Review the brochure and register online by October 9, 2023.
Webinar log-in information will be sent to registered participants prior to the course start.

CPD Eligibility: 5 points under Category A3 (you will need to self report these points)

Course Format:

This three module online course features three x 90-minute, interactive webinars with Q&As and an overview of the assignments. Participants attend the live webinars; review additional resource documents and participate in online discussions in the Moodle virtual classroom; work on the assignments on their own time; and submit their assignments for review, coaching, and direct feedback. Recordings of live webinars will be posted to Moodle so that participants may review if they are unable to attend a live session.

NOTE: To receive a certificate of completion, all 3 assignments must be completed and submitted prior to the deadlines noted in the course outline on page 2. Extensions will only be considered in extenuating circumstances.

Guide for meeting Accessible BC Act Requirements

In June 2021, the provincial government passed the Accessible BC Act in an effort increase accessibility in BC and remove barriers for persons with disabilities.

Local governments are among over 750 public sector organizations listed in the Accessible BC Regulation and are required by September 1, 2023 to establish:

  • An accessibility committee
  • An accessibility plan
  • A tool to receive feedback on accessibility

These requirements are intended to get organizations planning for accessibility in a way that is informed by people with disabilities. The provincial government has advised that the requirements are flexible and that there are several ways that local governments will be considered compliant with the requirements.

To support local governments, the Province and the Disability Alliance of BC have created a guidance document that provides information about the requirements, shares resources, offers strategies to comply, and highlights current funding opportunities.

BC Building Code Amendments Update Revision 5

The BC Building Code revisions effective May 1, 2023, have now been consolidated within the online content.

To view the consolidated content online go to: www.bcpublications.ca.

Where can I view content prior to May 1, 2023 online?

For any sections impacted by these recent revisions, a “Point in time” folder has been created which allows you to view the content as it read prior to May 1, 2023. The “Point in time” folders are accessible within each Part if applicable.

How do I update a binder copy?

For all binder users, the revised sections are accessible and printable on your own device. To access and print the revised sections visit:

BC Building Code: https://www.bccodes.ca/BCBC_Revision_5.01.pdf

For a convenience copy of the changes, visit https://energystepcode.ca/requirements/#bcbc-2018-rev-5

To help interpret the Code changes, the Province has released three technical bulletins which provide further information. Two bulletins provide clarity regarding application of the new energy efficiency compliance pathways and the Zero Carbon Step Code, while a third is an overview of interest to planners and other local government staff regarding how the BC Building Code changes may affect local bylaws or incentives.

To facilitate compliance with the Code, updated compliance tools for Part 9 and Part 3 buildings have also been released for user testing and feedback.

If you have questions or feedback, please contact building.safety@gov.bc.ca

BC Building Code Update for Cleaner, More Energy Efficient Buildings

Effective May 1, 2023, the BC Building Code (the Code) will require 20% better energy efficiency for most new buildings throughout the province. The Zero Carbon Step Code, which has also launched, provides tools to local governments to incentivize or require lower emissions from new buildings.

This is a significant milestone in B.C.’s transition towards energy efficient and zero carbon buildings.

To help interpret the Code changes, the Province has released three technical bulletins which provide further information. Two bulletins provide clarity regarding application of the new energy efficiency compliance pathways and the Zero Carbon Step Code, while a third is an overview of interest to planners and other local government staff regarding how the BC Building Code changes may affect local bylaws or incentives.

To facilitate compliance with the Code, updated compliance tools for Part 9 and Part 3 buildings have also been released for user testing and feedback.

In the coming days, bccodes.ca will be updated to include the new Code language.

For questions regarding the new Code language or feedback regarding the new Energy Design Checklists, please email building.safety@gov.bc.ca

Zero Carbon Step Code Updates

Introducing the Zero Carbon Step Code PowerPoint Deck

During the last Energy Step Code Council meeting on Mon Feb 13th, 2023, the Province revealed a first communications primer on the new Zero Carbon Step Code (previously referred to as Carbon Pollution Standard).

The Zero Carbon Step Code is a new addition to the BC Building Code that allows Authorities Having Jurisdiction to limit operational carbon from new buildings. While an optional standard at this time, the Province intends to make operational carbon limits mandatory over time, with the ultimate objective for all new buildings to be zero carbon by 2030. This first slide deck serves as an open-source document for industry and local governments to get a better understanding of why the standard exists, what it is, and what implementation could look like. Over the next few months, further resources for both industry and local governments will be developed and highlighted through the Energy Step Code Stakeholder Update newsletter.

View Slides

 

Zero Carbon Step Code Peer Cohort for Local Governments 

  • Step Code Office Hours – for local government staff who have questions about the May 1st, province-wide mandate of 20% more energy efficiency, a staff member from CEA will be available to answer questions and direct you to more resources. Pre-register for an appointment on April 6, 17, 20, or 24.
  • Step Code Lunch & Learn – to support local government staff and elected officials to do what it takes to update their bylaws and processes to be ready for the May 1st province-wide implementation of Energy Step Code changes and minimum requirements. This takes place Wed April 19, 2023 from 12 – 1pm PDT.

CPD Offerings – Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association

The Building Officials’ Association of BC (BOABC) is collaborating with the Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association (CASA) once again to offer a series of educational seminars in 2023.  The seminars will review the appropriate NFPA Technical Standards and National Building Code & National Fire Code requirements, to help educate and offer best practices to the attendees on where to find the appropriate information in the referenced NFPA Standards, as well as how best to interpret and understand the intent of the many clauses found in the National Building Code & National Fire Code requirements. The seminars will be presented in a virtual format via Zoom Video Conferencing, and all attendee’s will be provided with an attendee workbook so that they can follow along and work an example exercise to help better understand the content.

Update on 2019 Version of NFPA 13, NFPA 13R, NFPA 13D – Tuesday, October 3, 2023 @ 11:00am – 4:00pm (EST)

 

The 2020 National Building Code of Canada now references the 2019 Version of NFPA 13 and NFPA 13R.  Many Provinces across Canada are in the process of or will be adopting the 2020 National Building Code in the coming year.  This program will review and highlight the technical and editorial changes between the 2019 Versions of the NFPA 13, NFPA 13R, & NFPA 13D compared to the older referenced standards.

CPD Eligibility: 5 points – Category A3 (you will need to self report these points)

Cost: $165 plus tax

Registration: Click here 

Sprinkler Selection for High-Piled Storage – Tuesday November 7, 2023 @ 11:00am – 4:00pm (EST)

 

Explore the selection and application of automatic sprinklers for storage arrays where solid-pile, palletized, bin-box, shelf or rack storage commodity configurations exceed 12 feet. The course addresses the influence of various commodity and ceiling heights in sprinkler selection and system design.

CPD Eligibility: 5 points – Category A3 (you will need to self report these points)

Cost: $165 plus tax

Registration: Click here 

Sprinkler System Plan Review – Tuesday December 5, 2023 @ 11:00am – 4:00pm (EST)

 

Examining fire sprinkler shop drawings, cut sheets and hydraulic calculations is a primary duty of the authority having jurisdiction. This course will provide a method of reviewing plans and other fire sprinkler documents that is efficient and thorough. Attendees will learn what documents to accept to start a review, what steps to take through the fire sprinkler design and systems review, and how to have confidence while reviewing hydraulic calculations.  This course applies current codes and standards to fire sprinkler systems from the initial site plan review, through the construction documents, to the as-built drawings. Significant time on how to effectively communicate deficiencies to the design professional. Students will receive a handout that provides detailed checklists with expert commentary that is useful to the fire sprinkler plan reviewer for years to come. Attendees must bring a copy of NFPA 13 to class.

CPD Eligibility: 5 points – Category A3 (you will need to self report these points)

Cost: $165 plus tax

Registration: Click here 

CPD Offering – Mass Timber Construction and the BC Building Code – Pre-recorded Presentation

Presentation Topic: Mass Timber Construction and the BC Building Code

Please Note: This is a pre-recorded presentation

CPD Eligibility: 1.5 points – Category A4

Registration Fee: No Charge

Presentation Link: Mass Timber Construction and the BC Building Code

Presenter:

Bob is a Registered Building Official who has worked for a variety of local governments in BC for the last 20 years. In addition, he worked for several years as a code consultant and Technical Advisor for the Canadian Wood Council, WoodWorks BC, focusing on mass timber products and construction. Prior to becoming a Building Official, Bob worked in the construction industry as a journeyman carpenter.

Bob also serves as a director of the Canadian Lumber Standards Accreditation Board which oversees lumber grading in Canada, his role with the CLSAB is to represent Canadian Codes and construction.

Bob is currently working as an auxiliary Building and Plumbing Official on Vancouver Island and has put together this presentation on mass timber construction to share with his colleagues some of the knowledge that he has gained over the years.

 

BC Building Code Changes Coming May 1, 2023

These building code changes enable 20% better energy efficiency and provide an opt-in Zero Carbon Step Code (formerly known as the Carbon Pollution Standard), and were signed by the Minister of Housing last week.  

Here are some highlights:

  • These Code changes take effect May 1, 2023. By that date, most new construction in BC must be 20% more energy efficient than base 2018 BC Building Code.
  • The opt-in Zero Carbon Step Code will also be available for local governments to reference starting May 1, 2023.
  • Read the amendment to the Building Act General Regulation online. 
  • Read a PDF convenience copy of the BC Building Code changes (for information only). 
  • The performance approach for Step 3 in Part 9 construction remains the default option. Local governments wishing to enable a prescriptive energy efficiency approach for Step 3 in Part 9 construction must pass a bylaw to enable that approach. This responds to feedback from rural or remote communities who wish to maintain a prescriptive-based option, while also meeting requests from other local governments wishing to retain the performance-based approach.
  • Backup heat from wood stoves and decorative gas fireplaces will be excluded from GHG modelling in Part 9 buildings. This responds to feedback from communities that experience frequent power outages.

The Building and Safety Standards Branch will release more information in the coming weeks to support a smooth rollout of the change. Email building.safety@gov.bc.ca if you have questions.

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