Type of Building Code

Type of Building Code

• Cooling Based
• Prescriptive Codes
• Trade Off
• Performance Codes for Refurbishments

  Not entirely, the residential rule is that if you change a building component you are required to improve or replace it.

• Performance Codes for New Builds

  All new residential buildings are required to meet performance requirements of the HERS rating scheme (65-70 points), based on a comparison with 2006 reference building.

• Energy Declaration
• Model / reference Building

  A performance based code requiring a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) maximum index score. 121 municipalities have adopted the HERS Index Score. A 2006 reference home is used. A performance-based code for large buildings is also available.

• Mix of different models / Hybrids

Energy Covered

Basis for Energy Requirements

• Overall performance frame

  Maximum HERS ratings for Residential buildings or proven energy reduction compared to 2006 Massachusetts Energy Code for Commercial buildings.

• Final Energy

  Partially, the calculation determines 'Site Energy'.

• Primary Energy
• Life Cycle Assessment considered (embedded energy)

Energy Uses and Functions Covered by the Code

• Heating

  Calculation of heating loads shall include an accurate representation of the building envelope, lighting, ventilation and occupancy loads based on the specific design characteristics of the project.

• Cooling

  Calculation of cooling design loads shall include an accurate representation of the building envelope, lighting, ventilation and occupancy loads based on the specific design characteristics of the project.

• Dehumidification

  Humidistats used for comfort purposes shall be capable of being set to prevent the use of fossil fuel or electricity to reduce relative humidity below 60% or increase relative humidity above 30%.

• Ventilation

  Specific requirements for ducting including insulation and air-tightness - 3rd party duct tightness testing required.

• Airtightness

  Mandatory air-tightness requirements and blower door testing (

• Thermal bridging

  Some requirements for Commercial buildings, including continuous insulation. No linear value required at this stage. The next draft code is currently addressing envelope commissioning.

• Hot water

  Use of high efficiency water heaters such as instantaneous 'tankless' units.

• Technical installations
• Lighting

  All commercial buildings shall be equipped with automatic control devices to shut off lightingin compliance with one of the following automatic control technologies: Occupancy Sensors, Time Clock Controls and Automatic Daylighting Controls

• Appliances

  Not known at this stage.

• Design, position & orientation of building

  Partially, there are no explicit incentives for these features, but the performance based modeling required for homes and large buildings rewards these approaches.

• Heat recovery

  Rewarded but not required, Loads shall be adjusted to account for load reductions that are achieved with energy recovery systems.

• Passive solar
• Passive cooling

  Not known at this stage.

• Natural ventilation
• Solar protection

  Not known at this stage.

• Daylighting requirements

  Automatic controls installed in day lit zones must control lights in the day lit areas separately from the non-day lit areas. Controls for calibration adjustments to the lighting control device shall be readily accessible to authorized personnel.

• Renewable Energy (solar, PV, others)

  No requirement for Residential buildings, but it is encouraged. Commercial buildings or surrounding properties shall incorporate an on-site renewable energy system that supplies 3% or more of total building electrical loads.

• Local renewable sources
• Energy Offsets/Green Certificates

Enforcement

Type of Enforcement

• Local enforcement
• Third party inspection
  HERS Rating can be performed ONLY by a certified HERS raters.
• Central enforcement
• Accreditation of applicants
• Post Occupancy control
  Post Certificate of Occupancy required for commercial buildings - See commissioning requirements.

On-site Inspections Occur

• On-site inspections
• During construction
• Post completion
  Equipement functional performance testing, controls functional performance testing, preliminary and final commissioning reports are required.
• Post occupancy

Certification to Support Enforcement of Code

• Energy Performance Certificate support BC
  HERS Rating for residential buildings.
• Positive labeling for building beyond the minimum BC level
  HERS Rating for residential buildings.
• Existence of EPC register database at national level
• Inspection of boilers
  Upon installation, not required post occupancy.
• Inspection of HVAC systems
  Upon installation, not required post occupancy.

Penalties for Non-compliance

• None
  Not known at this stage.
• Fine
  Not known at this stage.
• Imprisonment
  Not known at this stage.
• Refusal of permission to occupy
  Non-compliance if identified during the construction period results in refusal of permission to occupy. Post occupancy there is no recourse.
• Refusal of permission to construct
  Not known at this stage.
• Demolition
  Not known at this stage

Measures Supporting Enforcement

• Commissioning requirements
  Minimal general requirements for commercial buildings, including controls functional performance testing, preliminary and final commissioning reports. Similar to IECC.
• Airtightness testing required prior to compliance
  Blower door testing required.
• Mandatory Computer Modeling
  To calculate a home’s HERS Index, a rater uses a computer program — most commonly, REM/Rate.
• Training of Inspectors
  Building inspectors receive free training or subsidized training is available for HVAC, Builders, designers and other interested parties.
• Other

Values for New Buildings

Code History and Future Targets

• How far in advance are future targets set?

  3 years
• Are stakeholders informed of future targets far in advance?

  Yes

Zero Energy Targets

• Are all end uses considered in the target?
• Is there a realistic roadmap towards ZEB
• National Target date for nZEB

  There is no nZEB target as yet.

• Special Requirements for public buildings

Supporting Measures

• Incentives/Rewards to Encourage People to go beyond Minimum Level?
• Involvement of Stakeholders in the Development of Codes
• Level of Training Provided to Stakeholders Following Implementation of Code?
• Supporting Certification Schemes
• Codes Free to Access?