The Energy Step Code, a set of incremental performance steps for new buildings that go from the BC Building Code to net-zero energy ready buildings, was released in November. The Province of British Columbia will introduce the Step Code for voluntary use by local governments in the Province’s Climate Leadership Plan. In addition to supporting action on climate change, the Step Code will improve consistency of building requirements across B.C. because it will replace existing requirements that are unique to each local government, as mandated by the Building Act.
The Climate Leadership Plan released by the Province of British Columbia in August 2016 states that it is implementing a number of policies to encourage the development of net-zero buildings. One of those policies is to develop energy efficiency requirements for new buildings that go beyond those in the BC Building Code.
As of December 2017, the Building Act will prevent local governments from requiring energy performance greater than that of the current BC Building Code through local bylaws or policies, however the Step Code will allow them to do so through a consistent regulation, available throughout the province, for adoption by local governments to meet local community needs.
The Building and Safety Standards Branch convened the Energy Efficiency Working Group, comprised of industry stakeholders and technical experts, to examine how such a ‘Step Code’ could be implemented. The Architectural Institute of British Columbia’s (AIBC) Practice Advisor Maura Gatensby Architect AIBC served on the Energy Efficiency Working Group as one of the key voting members. The AIBC will continue its involvement as a member of the Step Code Advisory Committee in order to oversee successful implementation of the Step Code.
Please visit the Province’s website for the full report.
Intended next steps include the development of Energy Step Code technical requirements that will be enacted by Regulation in the coming months, but followed only as a voluntary measure to allow stakeholders to gain familiarity with the content. Throughout 2017, it is expected that local governments already leading in energy conservation policies will be early adopters of the Step Code, with others following by opting in throughout 2018 and beyond.
As active stakeholders in the Step Code development process, the AIBC will be working with the other industry participants and the Building and Safety Standards Branch to develop Step Code continuing education resources for practitioners. We may offer a session on the current status of the Step Code implementation at the AIBC Annual Conference in May. Stay tuned!