The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes invites Code users and stakeholders to participate in the review of proposed changes to the National Building Code of Canada 2010 (NBC). This national public review takes place from January 9 to March 2, 2012. Its purpose is to provide Code users and stakeholders with a detailed look at proposed technical changes and to seek comment on each proposed technical change as to whether it should be approved, altered or rejected.

The winter 2012 public review deals with proposed changes to incorporate energy efficiency for housing and small buildings into Part 9 of the 2010 NBC. These proposed changes relate to technical requirements covering the building envelope; heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment; service water heating and performance compliance options for housing.

The new energy objective originally developed for the 2011 National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB), to which the proposed Part 9 energy requirements are attributed, is also being introduced. The energy efficiency of larger non-residential and mixed-use buildings falling under Part 9 is addressed by requiring compliance with the NEC. Click here for the steps to submit comments.

The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) is an independent committee of volunteers established by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC).

The Province of Alberta has committed to adopting the national changes without further review in Alberta. CHBA – Alberta is encouraging its members to look at the proposed changes and provide comments directly through the NRC process, or participate in the provincial review that will be coordinated by CHBA – Alberta and which also began in early January.

For more background information, click here. For further information, contact Joan Maisonneuve, manager, technical and safety at CHBA – Alberta at Joan.Maisonneuve@chbaalberta.ca.