The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) continues the development of an updated version of the National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB). In 1997 the Model National Energy Code for Buildings was published, but it was never adopted by any of the provinces. This code is for commercial buildings and multi unit residential buildings.

The task group working on building envelope components for the NECB has been meeting regularly for about 18 months; CWDMA Technical Consultant Jeff Baker is a member of this task group. The task group is looking at setting U-factor requirements for buildings covered by the NECB for fenestration products. They will not be setting any requirements for Solar Heat Gain for NECB buildings; they will leave this choice in the hands of the building designer.

There will be a public review copy of the proposed changes to the NECB available for comment later this year. Once this document becomes available for comment, Baker will see that it is submitted to the CWDMA Technical Committee for review.

The CCBFC has just begun work on the revision to the National Model Energy Code for Houses (MNECH). The MNECH was originally written in 1997 and was never adopted by any province. The CCBFC has refocused the work and will be developing new language to be included in Part 9 of building (Housing and Small Buildings) to provide energy efficiency requirements for all buildings covered by Part 9 of the building code. CCBFC has formed a task group to develop this new language. Jeff Baker’s application to participate in this task group was accepted and he is a member of this task group. The task group met for the first time recently to begin its work. It has an ambitious agenda to complete the new language in 18 months and publish an interim change to the National Building Code by the end of 2012. As soon as the task group has language to go out for public review it will be submitted to the association’s Technical Committee.