Housing research summary for 2017

Managing client relationships

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is the Government of Canada's premier research organization supporting industrial innovation, the advancement of knowledge and technology development, and fulfilling government mandates. At the NRC's Construction Research Centre, our diverse research facilities, expertise, and customized technical advice make us an important innovator in the construction, transportation, energy, and automotive industries.

We have business advisors available to help advise you on the range of support available at the NRC for your projects from acoustics to building envelope, fire safety, human factors and indoor environment issues. We approach your projects with integrated expertise in materials science, building engineering and performance evaluation to examine whole-building effects.

Work with us if you're interested in:

• advancing Canadian building regulations
• compliance assessments, allowing for commercializing more innovative building products
• improving and harmonizing building regulations
• collaborating on strategic research projects to help de-risk your innovative ideas
• reducing your start-up costs and accelerating your commercial development timelines
• accessing the NRC's facilities and experts to advance your innovations.

For more information on this topic, contact Tony Jenkins, Director, Business Development, at 613-990-8084 or by email at Tony.Jenkins@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Chemical emissions from building materials

The NRC partnered with Health Canada to study the impact of construction materials on indoor air quality (IAQ) in homes newly built in accordance with the CSA O160 approach “Formaldehyde Emissions Standard for Composite Wood Panels.”

Composite wood products and paints were collected during the construction of two single-detached homes by a local builder and applied at the NRC's Canadian Centre for Housing Technology (CCHT) facility. Fourteen-day emissions tests were completed for these products and IAQ measurements were

The results showed that IAQ levels can be predicted within a factor of 2 of the measured levels for aldehydes, including formaldehyde, and Texanol, which are typically emitted from composite wood products and paints, respectively. With this modelling approach, the main contributors were able to be identified for each chemical found indoors.

The study demonstrates the benefit of emissions testing and subsequent modelling in accordance with CSA O160.

For more information on this topic, contact Doyun Won, at 613-993-9538 or by email at Doyun.Won@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Balanced ventilation and its IAQ impact

Beginning in 2016, NRC researchers undertook a two-year project at the Canadian Centre of Housing Technology twin test houses to assess the potential indoor air quality (IAQ) benefits of a balanced ventilation system. The project compared the whole-building pressure, IAQ and ventilation performance of a balanced energy recovery ventilation (ERV) system against an exhaust-only ventilation system.

Testing and analysis were done during a shoulder season, a heating season, and a cooling season. The shoulder season testing was conducted in the fall of 2016 as a baseline followed by winter testing and data analysis, which were completed from the end of 2016 to the beginning of 2017. The cooling season testing was completed in summer 2017 and data analysis is now in progress. The final report will be available in March 2018.

The winter testing results have shown that the house operated with an ERV was under low positive pressure (2-3 Pa) and that the house operated with an exhaust-only system was under a negative pressure (-1 to -4 Pa). The effect of positive pressure on IAQ has shown that relevant IAQ pollutants were significantly reduced in the house operated with a balanced ERV system. Concentrations of formaldehyde were reduced by 12% (partial mixing) and by 43% (no mixing). The concentrations of two volatile organic compounds such as toluene and α-pinene were significantly reduced by 15%-35% and 18%-44% respectively for tests done with partial mixing and with no mixing. The average weekly saving in space heating and ventilation total energy consumption varied between 4% and 10%.

The project is part of a larger effort to investigate support of ventilation and IAQ credit for better performing ventilation systems, and to find the best combination of technology to achieve the best IAQ, low energy and high value ventilation solutions.

For more information on this topic, contact Boualem Ouazia, at 613-993-9613 or by email at Boualem.Ouazia@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Passively measuring formaldehyde emissions

Formaldehyde is one of the most recognizable indoor air pollutants owing to its telltale pungent odour. It is found in many products and is carcinogenic at high concentrations. The major source of formaldehyde indoors is composite wood products. Various laboratory methods exist to measure formaldehyde emissions from these products but, because of their complexity, they are not suitable for use in homes and buildings.

The NRC aimed to create a practical tool for measuring formaldehyde emissions in buildings by developing a passive flux sampler. This sampler can detect formaldehyde emissions from existing indoor surfaces like floors, desks, shelves, and doors.

Among five different designs tested in 2016, the design that produced emission rates comparable to those of a conventional chamber test method (e.g., ASTM D 5116) was selected for further evaluation in an NRC research house. The formaldehyde emission rates measured in the house were used to predict the indoor formaldehyde level, which showed good agreement with the measured IAQ.

Although limited to one field trial, it has been proven that the newly developed passive flux sampler is a practical and convenient technique to identify formaldehyde sources in existing buildings.

For more information on this topic, contact Doyun Won, at 613-993-9538 or by email at Doyun.Won@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Passively measuring long-term ventilation rates

Of interest to builders and building officials, the NRC is developing a way to measure long-term ventilation rates that is less costly and more convenient. Long-term ventilation information is essential for understanding indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy conservation. However, there are currently no Canadian laboratories that offer a measurement service in actual buildings.

The new measurement technique developed at the NRC in 2016 was evaluated in 2017 against conventional methods in the Canadian Centre for Housing Technology (CCHT) twin test houses and in newly constructed homes. In addition to showing comparable ventilation results to those of conventional methods, the technique demonstrated an additional advantage of measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) simultaneously with ventilation rates.

Further validation work is planned in 2018 for a field study involving approximately 60 residential homes.

For more information on this topic, contact Doyun Won, at 613-993-9538 or by email at Doyun.Won@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Radon control in Canadian homes

Since 2011, the NRC and Health Canada have been working on a study to develop safe, cost-effective solutions to minimize the health risks of radon gas exposure in Canadian homes. The study is part of the Government of Canada's National Radon Program to provide guidance for radon prevention and mitigation.

The intent of the multi-year study is to:

• support the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes Standing Committee on Housing and Small Buildings to address proposed changes to Part 9 of the National Building Code (NBC);
• provide input on updating and adopting guides as standards, such as the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) for Radon Mitigation in Residential Buildings; and
• help verified technologies and products get market access for the benefit of Canadian health.

In response to requests from Canadian regulators, manufacturers, builders, and homeowners, the NRC has been conducting projects in Canadian homes to answer the following key question:

1. Can full-size passive radon stacks control radon in the habitable space, maintain negative pressure in sub-slab areas, and create sufficient chimney effect in the stacks in Canadian homes?
   Since December 2014, British Columbia's provincial building code for Zone 1 radon-prone areas has required the installation of a full-size vertical passive radon stack extending upwards through the building and terminating above the roofline. In 2014 and 2015, the NBC Standing Committee on Housing and Small Buildings received two code change requests to include such stacks in the NBC.
   To help the Standing Committee address the code change request, the NRC's radon research team is undertaking a field study of extended passive radon stacks in 5 homes in the National Capital Region. The outcomes from the field study, combined with two years of lab work in the Canadian Centre for Housing Technology and the Indoor Air Research Laboratory at the NRC, will help determine the efficiency of these stacks for radon control. The study will further facilitate development of a passive radon stack practice guide for builders and contractors and ultimately assist the NBC Standing Committee to address the code change requests.
2. Which spray foam products can be used as a sub-slab air barrier to prevent radon entry?
   The NRC has developed a “Technical Guide for Medium Density (MD) Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation (SPUF) for Soil Gas (Radon) Control beneath Concrete Slabs-on-Ground.” Two SPUF products have been evaluated following this technical guide using the Radon Infiltration Building Envelope Test System (RIBETS) and the Radon Diffusion Test Chambers (RDTC), resulting in the successful evaluation and listing of both products by the Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC), thereby helping the product gain market access.
3. Can any other materials be used as a sub-slab “radon barrier”?
   The NRC's radon research team has also evaluated the effectiveness of a foam insulation board for radon prevention using the RDTC.
4. Can a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) be used to control the indoor radon level?
   Measurements were conducted in a house in Ottawa in summer 2017, and positive results were observed.
   In May 2017, the NRC joined The Take Action on Radon (TAoR) team to launch Radon Action Month to improve public awareness of radon. The team also published “Combating Radon with Scientific Research” in Construction Canada Magazine.

Additional reading:
Combating radon with scientific research

For more information on this topic, contact Liang (Grace) Zhou, at 613-990-1220 or by email at Liang.zhou@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Testing the removal of formaldehyde by wall and ceiling panels

Formaldehyde is volatile and potentially harmful to human health at elevated concentrations. To reduce indoor airborne formaldehyde, manufacturers have developed passive air-cleaning technologies in the form of wallboards, wallpapers, floorings, and acoustic tiles. These panels mainly act on sorptive or chemical mechanisms and claim to trap or destroy airborne pollutants, including formaldehyde, to improve indoor air quality (IAQ).

The NRC has developed a way to scientifically evaluate the performance of passive panels by testing them in the most authentic conditions, using chambers that range in size up to 31 m³ . Tests will be expanded to field studies in order to fully understand the efficiency under realistic conditions.

The research will provide sound knowledge and evaluated remediation solutions for homeowners, builders, retrofitters and manufacturers to ensure that the indoor panels reduce formaldehyde concentrations in real-life conditions and follow Health Canada guidelines.

It is anticipated that selecting low-emitting building materials in combination with the appropriate use of passive panels will protect occupants against harmful concentrations of formaldehyde and provide healthier indoor environments in residential buildings in Canada.

Additional reading:
Read the section on Passively measuring formaldehyde emissions, in this publication.

For more information on this topic, contact Mitra Bahri, at 613-991-0891 or by email at Mitra.Bahri@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.
Hans Schleibinger, at 613-993-9702 or by email at Hans.Schleibinger@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Climate-Resilient Buildings and Core Public Infrastructure initiative

Canada's climate is changing, and climate model projections suggest that greenhouse gas emissions will influence the climate for decades. Canada's buildings and core public infrastructure systems, like bridges, roads, water and wastewater systems, and transit, are designed based on historical data. They are not designed to accommodate our changing climatic conditions and extreme weather events. As such, there is a growing risk of building and infrastructure failure.

The Government of Canada invested $40 million over five years in the National Research Council to integrate climate resilience into building and infrastructure design guides, standards, and codes. The project began in 2016 to revise codes, guides and decision support tools by 2021 for residential, institutional, commercial and industrial buildings, as well as highway bridges, roads, water, wastewater and transit assets.

For residential construction, solutions will be developed to adapt new and existing homes to help mitigate the impacts of climate change as it relates to events such as urban wildfires like those experienced in Fort McMurray in 2016 and floods seen in Calgary in 2013, and in Montréal, Ottawa and Gatineau in 2017. Improved design methods will also be developed to account for the new climatic load values (snow, wind, rain, ice) using projected climate values over the next 10, 50, 75 and 100 years. Guides integrating climate resilience into the design and rehabilitation of buildings and public infrastructure are expected to be ready for use by 2021.

Work is currently underway and several projects are described below.

For more information on this topic, contact Marianne Armstrong, at 613-991-0967 or by email at Marianne.Armstrong@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Updating code climatic data and loads

Current codes and standards for building design reference climatic data based on historical observations and based on the assumption that the climate is stationary.

Under the reality of a changing climate, the NRC's five-year climate change project will propose updates to the climatic data and related loads in national model codes, including the National Building Code, National Energy Code for Buildings, the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code, and related standards. The work will consider the design impacts of anticipated climate change trends such as temperature, snow, rain, ice and wind, and will address extreme weather events like tornadoes and hurricanes. In doing so, the NRC plans to address:

• the design of new resilient buildings and core public infrastructure;
• the rehabilitation of existing buildings and core public infrastructure; and
• the safety, maintenance, and durability of buildings and infrastructure in the face of climate change.

Proposed code changes and provisions will be prepared to address climate resilience for consideration by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes for the 2025 code cycle. New guidelines will also be developed for the retrofit of existing buildings and core public infrastructure.

For more information on this topic, contact Marianne Armstrong, at 613-991-0967 or by email at Marianne.Armstrong@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Improving the durability of building systems and materials

While the NRC works to ensure the durability of buildings in a changing climate, we must also ensure that performance is as expected; for example, the changing energy performance of insulation under different temperature conditions.

We are examining the hygrothermal performance of wall assemblies and the development of guidelines for the retrofit of existing building envelopes. Work has also begun, in conjunction with the roofing industry, to develop guidelines for commissioning and certifying in-situ roof resilience to extreme wind loads and to develop roofing guidelines for extreme weather conditions.

The NRC is also working closely with standards organizations to update standards and guidelines including: the CSA series of Canadian Fenestration Standards (CSA/CSA A440); the CSA S478 Guideline on Durability in Buildings; Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems EIFS (S700A-01); and ULC Air Barriers (S700B-01).

For more information on this topic, contact Marianne Armstrong, at 613-991-0967 or by email at Marianne.Armstrong@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Protecting homes from wildland fire

Over the last decade in Canada, there has been an average of 7,084 wildland fires each year, involving 2.72 million hectares of wildland area. Between 1980 and 2007, there were 547 evacuations involving over 200,000 people due to wildland fire events. Approximately 90,000 people were evacuated during the 2016 Fort McMurray disaster alone. The estimated insured loss from this event alone is approximately $3.8 billion (source: FACTS of the Property and Casualty Insurance Industry in Canada 2017, Insurance Bureau of Canada 2017).

Wildfire urban interface incidents are likely to become more severe. The NRC is working on many initiatives to support a national effort to mitigate the risk posed by these incidents, particularly considering the increased frequency of these events as a result of climate change.

Work is underway to develop a national wildfire urban interface guide for Canada with complementary tools to facilitate use of recommendations in the guide. This will include the development of new protocols or improvements to existing protocols for modelling these incidents and testing construction components to access their resilience to wildland urban interface fires.

For more information on this topic, contact Marianne Armstrong, at 613-991-0967 or by email at Marianne.Armstrong@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Improving flood resilience

In July 2017, the NRC brought over 70 Canadian stakeholders and international experts together to discuss how to improve the resilience of buildings to flooding. The outcomes from the workshop are being used to generate a plan for codes and guidelines to address the flooding resilience of Canadian buildings.

A focused task group is being put in place to guide the development of code provisions and guidelines, supported by research in key areas such as performance-based design and ice jamming. Priority activities have been identified to address design criteria around flooding at a national level, including requirements for the design of buildings to resist or adapt to flood-related loads. The task group will also develop requirements for the design of building materials and systems to resist damage from flooding and required data sets to assess flash flooding in urban and fast-responding areas. Additionally, the NRC is funding the development of a new CSA guideline to protect against, reduce and mitigate the impacts of flooding in basements due to severe weather events.

The Climate-Resilient Buildings and Core Public Infrastructure (CRBCPI) initiative is also funding research at the University of Waterloo to develop two buoyant foundation prototypes for retrofit and new construction applications to demonstrate the concept and feasibility of this novel technology. From this effort, a best practice guide for amphibious foundation technology will be developed for use by municipalities, contractors and individual homeowners wishing to adopt the technology.

For more information on this topic, contact Marianne Armstrong, at 613-991-0967 or by email at Marianne.Armstrong@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Preventing overheating

In conjunction with Health Canada, the NRC will develop guidelines and potentially a tool to address overheating in buildings. These resources will help building owners and designers implement passive methods like insulation, mass, window choice and shading to prevent overheating of interior spaces during heat waves and power outages, and to ensure the health of high-risk populations.

For more information on this topic, contact Marianne Armstrong, at 613-991-0967 or by email at Marianne.Armstrong@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Thermal and hygrothermal performance of highly insulated and zero-energy ready wall assemblies

In a Canadian climate, a key component of energy-efficient homes is the highly insulated wall assembly. Over the years, the walls of residential buildings have been constructed using increasingly more insulation.

This poses certain challenges to home builders, as increased insulation can incur changes in overall moisture performance and affect the durability of wall assemblies. Additionally, building code authorities require evidence that highly insulated wall systems do not adversely affect long-term insulation performance in spite of diverse climates. Other concerns include the possible effects of climate change on building design, indicating a growing need for information related to the resilience of wall assemblies for use in high-performance housing and small buildings.

In response to this need, the NRC studied the movement of heat and moisture (hygrothermal performance) through buildings of highly insulated wood frame wall assemblies to determine whether these walls perform as well as or better than requirements for houses in Section 9.36. of the National Building Code or those for buildings in the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings when subjected to the extremes of the Canadian climate.

The insulated wall assemblies that were tested were those whose thermal performance ranged from RSI 4.8 to RSI 7.9. These wall specimens were installed in a side-by-side test bay of the NRC's Field Exposure of Walls Test Facility where they were instrumented with pressure, temperature, relative humidity, and moisture sensors in various places throughout the bay.

Both experimental and simulation results confirmed that highly insulated assemblies are capable of adequate thermal and hygrothermal performance, ensuring a building's expected longevity. In summary, mineral fibre-based thermal insulation performs better in dry climates (Edmonton, Yellowknife) whereas extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam insulation outperforms if used in walls located in humid climates (Vancouver, St. John's).

For more information on this topic, contact Michal Bartko, at 613-952-7151 or by email at Michal.Bartko@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

A holistic approach to next-generation residential roofs

The roofs on Canadian homes are subjected to extreme climatic conditions in both winter and summer. Their longevity depends on the intensity of the changing climate and the resistance of the roofing materials to weather the elements.

In response to the concerns of Canadian homeowners, the NRC began a multi-disciplinary project to improve the longevity of roofs in a holistic manner. Homeowners have three common concerns, namely:

1. asphalt shingles degrade faster than the manufacturer's warranty since shingles are not evaluated for appropriate Canadian weather conditions, causing granule loss, cracking, blow off, curling, and clawing;
2. condensation on the underside of the wood sheathing leads to mould growth, structural damage and ice damming at the eaves due to ventilation inadequacy; and
3. energy loss through the eaves, vents and attics due to poor air seals.

Part 9 of the National Building Code (NBC 2015) provides material specifications as per CSA A123.5-16 for asphalt shingles made from glass felt and surfaced with mineral granules. The manufacturer warranties (20, 30, and 50-year shingles) are not considered in the CSA A123.5, nor is the durability of the materials. Thus, the labelled roof life expectancy is misleading. Wind uplift requirements in the CSA A123.5 standard omit both the requirement for cold weather performance and the correlation to the climatic data provided by the NBC 2015.

Ventilation requirements in Article 9.19.1.2 of the NBC 2015 indicate that the unobstructed vent area shall not be less than 1/300 of the insulated ceiling area. A minimum of 25% of the vents should be located at the top of the space and a minimum of 25% of the vents should be located at the bottom of the space. Also addressed is the vent's distance from the edges and intersections for the eave protection and underlayment materials to minimize and prevent precipitation ingress and ice damming.

Energy efficiency requirements are specified in Section 9.36. of the NBC 2015, as well as by the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) 2015. Research efforts are in progress to refine specifications for balancing ventilation and thermal performance and to define an effective thermal resistance, accounting for energy losses from flow paths, such as those in wall and roof interfaces.

By considering Canadian home-owners' three most common concerns, this project takes a holistic investigative approach. It is anticipated that this multi-disciplinary R&D project will develop practical strategies and solutions to improve the longevity of Canadian roofs.

For more information on this topic, contact Bas Baskaran, at 613-990-3616 or by email at Bas.Baskaran@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Update on CCMC product evaluations

All product evaluation reports and listings are contained in the Canadian Construction Materials Centre's (CCMC) Registry of Product Evaluations, indexed to the Masterformat™ system used throughout North America. With this publication, thousands of subscribers have quick access to up-to-date technical and regulatory information on hundreds of evaluated construction materials, products and systems.

New CCMC evaluations

For more information on this topic, contact Dino Zuppa, at 613-949-0073 or by email at Dino.Zuppa@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Magnesium oxide boards advisory

The Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) is aware of premature failures of some magnesium oxide (MgO) boards in other countries. Due to the increased use of MgO boards in Canada, and the CCMC's role supporting Canada's building officials, provinces and territories, and the construction industry, we published a technical advisory on MgO boards. The advisory is for consideration during the product acceptance for building permits in local jurisdictions.

In this advisory, we address two scenarios:

1. the use of non-CCMC evaluated MgO boards; and
2. the use of CCMC-evaluated MgO boards and the associated applications, conditions and limitations.

When considering non-CCMC evaluated MgO products for approval, please consider the information provided in the advisory or request that the manufacturer obtain a CCMC evaluation report. When using CCMC evaluation reports, it is important that conditions, limitations and application requirements stated in the reports are clearly understood and followed.

Recommended reading:
CCMC MgO Board Advisory, July 7, 2017

For more information on this topic, contact Dino Zuppa, at 613-949-0073 or by email at Dino.Zuppa@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

You are the experts

Codes Canada is driven by a collaborative code development process that relies on the voluntary contributions of construction industry experts as well as the public to ensure that the best available knowledge drives meaningful change. Change that allows construction professionals the confidence to innovate safely, reduce risks and keep compliance cost low by establishing uniform, trusted regulations that keep pace with industry change.

Canada's coordinated code development system relies on input and support from our partners and stakeholders. The NRC's Codes Canada plays a vital role in this process by providing technical and administrative support to the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) and its related committees, which are responsible for the development of Codes Canada publications. Along with the CCBFC, our partners include the provincial and territorial governments and municipalities.

Together, we are committed to a science-based, open and unbiased code development system.

All stakeholders, including building, fire and plumbing officials, the construction industry and the general public, provide expertise that informs the CCBFC and its committees about issues and new solutions. Together, we ensure that Codes Canada publications are responsive to new technologies, materials, construction practices, research, social policy, and the changing needs of Canadian society.

Codes Canada publications are updated through an open process in which the committees continually deliberate the merit of any future changes. With the 2020 edition of codes in their sight, committees have already started developing proposed changes based on code change requests from stakeholders. The next public review for changes to be included in the 2020 edition of the codes is scheduled for fall 2018. This is an open and continuous process. Code change requests received now will be considered for the 2020-2025 cycle. The process allows anyone who wants to request a change to the codes to do so via the Codes Canada website.

It's your Code. Get involved!

CodesCanada.ca

Status of new Illustrated User's Guide to Part 9

A new Illustrated User's Guide: NBC 2015, Part 9 Housing and Small Buildings is scheduled for availability in spring 2018.

The new guide focuses on housing and small buildings. It is intended to make it easier for builders and designers to understand the building code as it applies to them specifically and explains the reasons and scientific background in the Part 9 requirements. The guide is revised to accommodate the changes that occurred in the last building code update. Furthermore, the updated illustrations are more consistent with common architectural drawings so that they can be more easily understood.

The new guide is available for purchase from the NRC's Virtual Store in soft cover format.

For more information on this topic, contact Barry Craig, at 613-993-0044 or by email at Barry.Craig@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Interim changes to the National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB)

The National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2017 (NECB), published by the NRC and developed by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), is available for purchase from the NRC's Virtual Store.

The NRC and NRCan are publishing this interim edition of the NECB in response to proposals received that improve the overall energy performance of buildings over the 2015 edition. Modelling for these changes indicates a potential energy efficiency improvement between 10.3% and 14.4% over the NECB 2011.

The NECB 2017 reduces the overall thermal transmittance of roofs, fenestration and doors; reduces losses through thermal bridging in building assemblies; and, reduces the allowable percentage of skylight area. This new edition also introduces more stringent requirements for energy recovery systems and interior and exterior lighting requirements. It requires temperature controls in individual guest rooms in hotels and motels and demand control ventilation systems in commercial kitchens. In Part 4, it clarifies the lighting trade-off path requirements, and in Part 8 it makes performance compliance requirements consistent with prescriptive requirements.

The 2017 edition is an important step toward Canada's goal for new buildings, as presented in the Pan-Canadian Framework, of achieving 'Net Zero Energy Ready (NZER)' buildings by 2030. To further support this goal and facilitate access to the technical requirements for the energy-efficient design and construction of new buildings, the NRC is offering free online access to the NECB 2017. Go to NRC's virtual store for free access to the NECB 2017.

For more information on this topic, contact Morched Zeghal, at 613-993-9632 or by email at Morched.Zeghal@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Status of the small building validation project

While initially developing the energy requirements for housing and small buildings (National Building Code, 9.36.), it was difficult to model the performance of small non-residential and large residential buildings because there was no clear archetype of these buildings that fall under Part 9 of the National Building Code (NBC). In 2012, the Standing Committee on Housing and Small Buildings and the Standing Committee on Energy Efficiency in Buildings formed a joint working group to validate the energy performance of small buildings.

A Phase 1 study completed in 2015 identified 2600 buildings that fall under the description of a Part 9 small building. The most significant finding was the large variability in archetypes. The building size varies between 2400 and-3900 square feet. Approximately 16% of buildings identified are designed by professionals. Small multi-residential condominium/strata and apartment buildings are the most common archetype identified.

The working group is now developing a plan to ensure builders have clear, practical, adequate and appropriate code requirements for small buildings. Phase 2 of the study will identify the characteristics of typical small buildings. Builders are invited to bring their code concerns and suggestions to the working group.

Phase 3 will examine whether specific prescriptive requirements for small buildings are needed in Part 9 and whether they should remain referenced in the National Energy Code for Buildings or relocated to Part 9 of the NBC.

For more information on this topic, contact Morched Zeghal, at 613-993-9632 or by email at Morched.Zeghal@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Updates planned to farm building requirements

The National Farm Building Code was last published in 1995 and has not been updated since then. The farming industry has evolved and farming operations have become more complex. This has prompted an update to the provisions related to farm buildings.

Members from several standing committees formed a joint task group to review and update the provisions and examine the risks and hazards related to farm buildings. The requirements applicable to farm buildings would apply to farm buildings with low or no human occupancy. Some of the most significant recommendations of the joint task group include:

• the introduction of farm building requirements in the National Building Code (NBC) and National Fire Code (NFC);
• a change to the definition of the term “farm building”;
• a phased approach to the task beginning with larger farm buildings (buildings greater than 600 m² or 3 storeys), then smaller farm buildings (not exceeding 600 m² or 3 storeys); and
• a new major occupancy classification (Group G) with four divisions: high-hazard agricultural occupancy, agricultural occupancy not elsewhere classified in Group G, greenhouse agricultural occupancy and agricultural occupancy with no human occupancy.

The joint task group is working towards introducing technical changes in the 2020 editions of the NBC and NFC.

For more information on this topic, contact Dominic Esposito, at 613-990-0458 or by email at Dominic.Esposito@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Encapsulated mass timber construction

Wood is an abundant renewable resource in Canada. Developers, architects, engineers, builders and consumers across Canada have a growing interest in the positive environmental attributes and economic potential of wood construction. This interest prompted a proposal to enable the construction of tall wood buildings using encapsulated mass timber construction (EMTC) in the National Building Code (NBC) and the National Fire Code (NFC).

The Standing Committee on Fire Protection has made progress on drafting provisions to enable EMTC as an additional option for builders. The building height is proposed to be limited to 12 storeys while the building area is proposed to be limited to 6000 m² for Group C major occupancies (residential) and 7200 m² for Group D major occupancies (business and personal services occupancies). Floor assemblies and load-bearing elements in an EMTC building would be required to have a fire-resistance rating of two hours.

Provided that the provisions make it through the public review process, EMTC will likely be included as a new construction type in the 2020 editions of the NBC and NFC.

For more information on this topic, contact Dominic Esposito, at 613-990-0458 or by email at Dominic.Esposito@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Information on changes to the 2015 Codes

The 2015 editions introduced almost 600 technical changes that made the provisions in the four model codes clearer and easier to apply, while introducing new concepts and expanding the codes to new areas.

The significant technical changes in the 2015 editions are clustered into 13 main areas:

• Hazardous Materials and Activities – National Fire Code (NFC 2015)
• Energy – National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB 2015)
• Accessibility – National Building Code (NBC 2015) Part 3
• Means of Egress – NBC 2015 Part 3
• Stairs, Guards and Handrails – NBC 2015 Part 3 and Part 9
• Seismic Design – NBC 2015 Part 4
• Structural Design – NBC 2015 Part 4
• Wind Uplift Resistance and Other Fenestrations – NBC 2015 Part 5
• Exterior Insulating and Finishing System (EIFS), Airborne Sound Transmission, and Roofing – NBC 2015 Part 5 and Part 9
• Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Plumbing – NBC 2015 Part 6 and National Plumbing Code (NPC 2015)
• Building Envelope and Structure – NBC 2015 Part 9
• Fire Protection – NBC 2015 Part 3 and Appendix D
• Mid-rise Combustible Construction – NBC 2015 and NFC 2015

To help code users understand the extent of these changes and the reasons behind them, Codes Canada has developed a variety of information products. These products are designed to offer flexibility in terms of price, venue and level of interaction.

On-site seminars

The NRC hosts full-day, on-site seminars to communicate the significant technical changes that were introduced in the 2015 code editions and allow participants to ask questions directly to Codes Canada technical advisors. Four technical advisors present 13 presentations on the significant changes and one introductory presentation on the code development system. Participants receive a printed handbook with technical details of the changes in the 2015 Codes. A half-day seminar is also available for clients who want to focus on specific subject areas. The client is responsible for arranging and paying for the logistics, including the venue, registration, marketing, and A/V equipment.

Information on each of the 13 technical presentations and the introductory presentation can be found on the Codes Canada seminars page.

Availability: on-demand

Price: $15,000 (half-day seminar) or $25,000 (full-day seminar)

For more information on this topic, contact NRC Codes Seminars, at 613-993-9632 or by email at NRC.CodesSeminars-Seminairessurlescodes.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Video presentations

These online presentations are filmed video recordings of each of the 13 technical presentations offered at the on-site codes seminars. The NRC's technical experts explain the significant technical changes that were introduced in the 2015 code editions in an easily accessible format that is more affordable than an on-site seminar.

Available from the NRC's virtual store

Price: $25 per presentation with volume discounts available

Handbook

Price: $40 per handbook
(PDF or hard copy, volume discounts are available)

The handbook provides detailed information on the majority of technical changes that were implemented in all four code publications. It can serve as a stand-alone product or be used to complement information delivered during the on-site and online code presentations.

Available form the NRC's virtual store

Long-term strategy for energy code development

All levels of government and many industry players support higher energy performance requirements in building codes. Through collaboration with partners and stakeholders, the Canadian Commission on Buildings and Fire Codes (CCBFC) is setting the direction of energy codes for new commercial, institutional and residential buildings, including houses.

Canada's premiers and Prime Minister agreed to a Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. In support of the framework, work is underway to address the energy efficiency of the built environment. Canada's goal for new buildings, as presented in the Pan-Canadian Framework, is “net-zero energy ready” by 2030.

This goal can be reached by reducing energy consumption primarily through superior insulation levels, high-efficiency mechanical systems and minimal air leakage.

Net-zero energy ready buildings are ones that are so efficient that they can easily become net-zero energy buildings, if it makes sense to do so. For example, owners can choose to install on-site renewable energy systems to supply their remaining energy needs, provided that their walls and roof offer enough space and southern orientation.

The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes' (CCBFC) strategy for energy code development proposes a realistic long-term pathway of incremental targets. This approach takes regional differences into account and provides a flexible framework for the provinces and territories while guiding the country as a whole towards the 2030 performance target. While the 2030 goal pertains to new construction only, the Pan-Canadian Framework includes a plan to develop a model energy code for existing buildings by 2022. This will be part of future Codes Canada work.

The long-term strategy not only charts a clear path to more sustainable buildings, it will also help industry plan where to build capacity, such as training contractors and professionals in energy-efficient design and construction practices. It will also help harmonize energy code requirements across Canada.

Additional reading:
CCBFC Position Paper on a Long-Term Strategy for Developing and Implementing More Ambitious Energy Codes (PDF, 1.13 MB), September 14, 2016.
Chapter on ‘Built Environment' in the ‘Complementary actions to reduce emissions' of the Government of Canada's Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, December 14, 2016.

For more information on this topic, contact Sarah Gibb, at 613-993-9633 or by email at Sarah.Gibb@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Update on materials containing asbestos

Up until the 1990s, asbestos was used for fireproofing and insulating buildings and homes against cold weather and noise.

It is now well-documented that airborne particulate asbestos can cause adverse health effects on building occupants and those handling asbestos-containing materials during installation, maintenance or demolition. These materials could release particulate asbestos when damaged, cut or drilled.

The Government of Canada recognizes that breathing in asbestos fibres can cause cancer and other diseases, and that the health risks related to asbestos-containing materials are no longer tolerated by the Canadian public.

However, in some situations, the installation of asbestos-containing materials is still permitted as an acceptable solution in the 2015 editions of the National Building Code and the National Plumbing Code. Changes are currently being proposed that would remove all references to asbestos-containing materials as an acceptable solution in code requirements and in appendices. In some cases, the code would explicitly state that asbestos-containing products shall not be used because of the potential risk to the health and safety of building occupants.

For more information on this topic, contact André Laroche, at 613-993-9586 or by email at Andre.Laroche@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Joint task group to study home-type care occupancies

In recent years, there has been a move toward home-type care like group homes, rather than multi-storey institutional-type care.

There is an option in the National Building Code (NBC) that is linked to occupants' ambulatory capabilities for self-preservation; however, changing mobility needs are difficult to address during the construction of a building. For example, as occupants grow older, they may suffer health setbacks and then recover.

To address this growing trend of home-type care occupancies, a joint task group with the Standing Committees on Fire Protection, Use and Egress and Housing and Small Buildings has been established. The task group will explore alternatives for providing affordable and safe care in home-type care occupancies. These alternatives include enhanced means of egress, fire detection and alarm systems, despite the changing ambulatory conditions of occupants. The recommendations are to be based on the building features that allow occupants to exit, rather than being based on the occupants' ambulatory capabilities.

The recommendations will be available for the 2018 Fall Public Review.

For more information on this topic, contact Marc Fortin, at 613-991-5295 or by email at Marc.Fortin@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.