{"id":23,"date":"2021-10-28T12:36:26","date_gmt":"2021-10-28T16:36:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/environmentaldesignguide\/?post_type=chapter&p=23"},"modified":"2021-12-15T13:06:46","modified_gmt":"2021-12-15T18:06:46","slug":"chapter-5","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/environmentaldesignguide\/chapter\/chapter-5\/","title":{"raw":"Chapter 4: \tCodes, Standards & Regulations","rendered":"Chapter 4: \tCodes, Standards & Regulations"},"content":{"raw":"
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In This Chapter<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

An overview of the relevant aspects of building codes and regulations that govern performance of building systems and of regulations which govern how the natural world must be taken into consideration.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\nBuilding codes articulate the minimum acceptable standard of construction and have been developed to require industry wide adherence to quality and life safety systems standards. Areas that have emerged that are particularly relevant to the design of environmentally responsive buildings include energy performance and water systems.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n
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Architectural Building Codes<\/h1>\r\n

National Building Code of Canada (NBCC)<\/h2>\r\nThe NBCC is updated regularly on a five year cycle. All provincial building codes use the NBCC as the base document and add \/ delete specific aspects to address local practices and concerns.\r\n\r\nDownload the NBCC<\/a>\r\n\r\nThe Illustrated User's Guide: NBC 2015 Part 9 of Division B: Housing and Small Buildings<\/a> is helpful to explain many confusing aspects of the Code.\r\n

Provincial Building Codes<\/h2>\r\nConstruction standards and public safety are under provincial jurisdiction which allow for regional differences. In general terms the provincial codes are updated following the revision schedule,\u00a0 and revised codes are usually issued shortly after the NBCC.\u00a0The current version of the BCBC is available here<\/a>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n
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Energy Codes<\/h1>\r\nIn Canada energy usage in complex buildings governed by Part 3 of the NBCC is regulated by\u00a0 the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB)<\/strong> and by Part 9 of the NBCC - for small buildings. Having recently committed to a long-term strategy to develop and implement more stringent energy performance targets, each iteration of the code has raised the minimum standard which may be built.\r\n\r\nDownload the NECB<\/a>\r\n\r\nUser's Guide: National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2017<\/a>\r\n\r\nWhat you need to know about the new building codes<\/a>\r\n

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British Columbia Step Code<\/h2>\r\nAfter introducing energy performance targets in 2008, an alternate compliance path for the BC Building Code (BCBC) - has also been defined \u2013 the BC Step Code - which offers an optional\u00a0 performance based approach to meet BCBC energy efficiency requirements to local Authorities.\r\n\r\nThe Step code has a tiered approach as indicated in Figure 5.1 and Figure 5.2 below with the overall objective of requiring buildings to be net-zero ready by 2032.\r\n\r\nMore detailed information on the intent and details of the implementation of the BC Step Code.<\/a>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=xlij7oG40pY\r\n\r\nFollowing the lead of the BCBC, the NBCC is also intending to introduce similar tiered energy targets will\u00a0 also be introduced in the 2020 NBCC.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_30\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1501\"]\"\" Figure 5.1 Pathway to 2032, see How it works<\/a>[\/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_31\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1501\"]\"\" Figure 5.2 Pathway to 2032, see How it works<\/a>[\/caption]\r\n\r\n
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Plumbing Codes<\/h1>\r\nThe systems and appliances that convey water within buildings are governed by Plumbing Codes, which are developed in conjunction with the Building Code. The BC Plumbing Code addresses safety, health & sanitation, environmental protection concerns and efficiency\r\n\r\nDownload the 2015 National Plumbing Code of Canada<\/a>\r\n\r\nDownload the 2018 British Columbia Plumbing Code<\/a>\r\n\r\nBuildings within rural contexts cannot depend on the centralized systems & services available in urban areas for either their domestic potable water needs or to convey waste water away, but must depend on site-based systems. Domestic water may be obtained from subsurface aquifers or from water bodies on the site if present, or from rain falling on the site. Site-based sanitary disposal systems are also \u00a0generally a requirement \u00a0\u2013 these systems offer a range of levels of waste water treatment depending on the treated quality of water that is desired.\r\n\r\nDespite the technological advances in recent years that enable the tertiary treatment and polishing of water to meet the a range of standards for human consumption and other uses, The Code has not been updated to address this\u00a0 and still\u00a0 defines the use of water using just 2 distinct water qualities: Potable or Effluent.\r\n\r\nThere are 3 areas of\u00a0 concern for buildings in rural settings:\r\n

Potable Water<\/h2>\r\nFor the vast majority of buildings in Canada, potable water is available at the property line, provided by the local AHJ. As the Code requires that all buildings in Canada be provided with potable water, buildings in remote locations must include for a water treatment system to upgrade water available at the site to potable standard.\r\n\r\nAll buildings in Canada regulated by the Building Code are required to be supplied with a potable water supply.\u00a0 Health Canada regulates Potable water quality through its Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality<\/a>\r\n\r\nIn BC, potable water \u00a0is regulated by the Drinking Water Protection Act<\/a>.\r\n

Waste water<\/h2>\r\nThe treatment of all wastewater to recognized health standards, its separation from clean water sources\u00a0 and from coming into contact with people are fundamental principles of how wastewater is regulated in Canada.\r\n\r\nOnce potable water has been used, it is considered by the Code as effluent. Building Codes & Health guidelines\u00a0 require all effluent to be kept physically separated and treated prior to discharge. For buildings in urban areas, this requires simply being connected to the local sanitary sewer which transports liquid waste to a central processing facility. For buildings in rural or remote locations, all sanitary wastes must be treated prior to being discharged to the environment.\r\n\r\nIn BC, The Sewerage System Regulation<\/a> governs the management and performance of on-site sewerage systems.\r\n

Grey Water<\/h2>\r\nGray water is a term used to label used water that has not been heavily contaminated with pathogens. According to the State of Victoria department of Health (Australia) grey water is \u201cWaste water from non-toilet plumbing systems such as handbasins, washing machines, showers and baths \u2026\u201d see\u00a0https:\/\/www.epa.vic.gov.au\/for-community\/environmental-information\/water\/about-wastewater\/about-greywater<\/a>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIn Canada there is an abundance of fresh water in comparison with many other jurisdictions that are located within drier climatic zones such as Australia and California. Both of these jurisdictions have been forced to adapt to chronic water shortages using reclaimed water to supplement the limited fresh water supply available. In response to increasing interest in water reclamation, the federal government developed a regulatory framework to allow the reclamation of gray water for re-use.\r\n\r\nThe Federal Government has published the Canadian Guidelines for Domestic Reclaimed Water for Use in Toilet and Urinal Flushing [PDF]<\/a>\r\n\r\nIn British Columbia, the Reclaimed Water Guideline<\/a> has been developed as a companion document to the BC Municipal Wastewater Regulation<\/a> which regulates how grey water can be re-used.\r\n\r\nOther Guidelines:\r\n