The document provides an introduction to the BC Energy Step Code, which is a new compliance path within the BC Building Code to support market transformation to net zero energy ready buildings by 2032. It discusses why the Energy Step Code is being applied, which buildings it applies to, when it takes effect, and how to comply through its progressive performance steps for air tightness, building equipment/systems, and building envelope standards. Compliance is determined through energy modeling software. The Energy Step Code aims to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in BC.

1. Energy Step Code
DISCUSSION OF BC BUILDING CODE Section 9.36.6 and Section10.2
TAN, XIANGYANG
P.ENG., LEEDAP., M.S.Ac.
Senior Mechanical Engineer
WECHAT: 37180531
E-mail: tandog@gmail.com
tan@xtengineering.com
T: 778-706-5858

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Introduction of Presenter
- 10 years working in china as
HVAC/plumbing/fire protection engineer/
architect
- 10 year working in Canada as mechanical
engineer
- Master in architecture in Belgium
- Master in building engineering in Canada
- Designed more than 200 large size buildings
across west china and Canada
- Registered Engineer in British Columbia and
Alberta

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Table of Contents
 What is BC Energy Step Code?
 Why Energy Step Code is applied?
 What constructions are applicable?
 When the step code will be effective?
 How to comply with Energy Step Code?
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What is BC Energy Step Code?
 A new, voluntary compliance path within the BC Building
Code (BCBC) (Subsections 9.36.6. and 10.2.3. of Division
B).
 Progressive performance targets, or steps, that support
market transformation from the current energy
efficiency requirements in the BCBC to net zero energy
ready buildings by 2032.
4Mosaic Centre, Edmonton, BC first commercial net-zero building in Canada.
Photo by David Dodge Green Energy Futures

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Why Energy Step Code is
applied?
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 Conservation of energy, and
 Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Unrestricted with two conditions:
• Local governments may not require buildings to be constructed except in
conformance with a step described in Article 9.36.6.3. or 10.2.3.3. of Division B of
the BC BuildingCode; and
• Local governments may not modify a requirement of in addition to those set out
in, Subsection 9.36.6. or 10.2.3. of Division B of the BC BuildingCode.
Must do it!
Don’t require too much!

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Energy Step Code Target

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Energy Step Code Target
Copyright of X. Tan
June, 2017

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What buildings are applicable?
 Group C occupancies (Residential): Part 9 – Province-
wide; Part 3 – Climate Zone 4 only
 Group D occupancies (Business and Personal
Services): Part 3 – Climate Zone 4 only;
 Group E occupancies (Mercantile): Part 3 – Climate
Zone 4 only.

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What buildings are applicable?
Source: https://www.lowes.ca/articles/roxul-insulation--building-codes_a4050.html
Climate Zone 4 i.e. Lower
Mainland, southernVancouver
Island, Sunshine Coast Regional
District)

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When the step code will be
effective?
April 7, 2017

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How to comply with Energy Step
Code?
 Air tightness Requirements
 Performance of building equipment
and system
 Performance of building envelope

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Energy Step Code – Part 9.36.6.2
-Definition
1. Mechanical energy use intensity
(kWh/m2.year)
2. EnerGuide Rating System version
15 or HOT2000 version 11
3. Thermal energy demand intensity
(kWh/m2.year)
4. Peak thermal load

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Energy Step Code – Part 9.36.6.3
-Compliance requirement
Step Airtightness
(ACH @50 Pa DP)
Performance
requirement of Building
equipment and systems
Performance requirements of
Building envelope
1 N/A = EnergyGuide reference House
Or conform 9.36.5
Thermal energy demand density <= 45
kWh/m2.year or peak <=35 w/m2
2 <=3.0 10% better than EnergyGuide
reference House Or Mechanical
energy use density<=60
kWh/m2.year
Thermal energy demand density <= 40
kWh/m2.year or peak <=35 w/m2
3 <=2.5 20% better than EnergyGuide
reference House Or Mechanical
energy use density<=45
kWh/m2.year
Thermal energy demand density <= 40
kWh/m2.year or peak <=30 w/m2
4 <=1.5 40% better than EnergyGuide
reference House Or Mechanical
energy use density<=35
kWh/m2.year
Thermal energy demand density <=
25kWh/m2.year or peak <=25 w/m2
5 <=1.0 Mechanical energy use density<=25
kWh/m2.year
Thermal energy demand density <= 15
kWh/m2.year or peak <=10 w/m2
MetroVancouver Area &Victoria

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Energy Step Code – Part 9.36.6.3
-Compliance requirement
Step Airtightness
(ACH @50 Pa DP)
Performance
requirement of Building
equipment and systems
Performance requirements of
Building envelope
1 N/A = EnergyGuide reference House
Or conform 9.36.5
2 <=3.0 10% better than EnergyGuide
reference House Or Mechanical
energy use density<=90
kWh/m2.year
Thermal energy demand density <= 60
kWh/m2.year or peak <=55 w/m2
3 <=2.5 20% better than EnergyGuide
reference House Or Mechanical
energy use density<=75
kWh/m2.year
Thermal energy demand density <= 50
kWh/m2.year or peak <=45 w/m2
4 <=1.5 40% better than EnergyGuide
reference House Or Mechanical
energy use density<=45
kWh/m2.year
Thermal energy demand density <=
40kWh/m2.year or peak <=40 w/m2
5 <=1.0 Mechanical energy use density<=25
kWh/m2.year
Thermal energy demand density <= 15
kWh/m2.year or peak <=10 w/m2
SFU, Nanaimo, Inner BC Kelowna

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Energy Step Code – Part 9.36.6.3
-Compliance requirement
Step Airtightness
(ACH @50 Pa DP)
Performance
requirement of Building
equipment and systems
Performance requirements of
Building envelope
1 N/A = EnergyGuide reference House
Or conform 9.36.5
2 <=3.0 10% better than EnergyGuide
reference House Or Mechanical
energy use density<=100
kWh/m2.year
Thermal energy demand density <= 70
kWh/m2.year or peak <=55 w/m2
3 <=2.5 20% better than EnergyGuide
reference House Or Mechanical
energy use density<=85
kWh/m2.year
Thermal energy demand density <= 60
kWh/m2.year or peak <=50 w/m2
4 <=1.5 40% better than EnergyGuide
reference House Or Mechanical
energy use density<=55
kWh/m2.year
Thermal energy demand density <=
50kWh/m2.year or peak <=45 w/m2
5 <=1.0 Mechanical energy use density<=25
kWh/m2.year
Thermal energy demand density <= 15
kWh/m2.year or peak <=10 w/m2
Whistler, Fort St. John, North BC

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Energy Step Code – Part 9.36.6.3
-Passive House
Step 5
is Passive House
Designed and constructed by Certified
passive house designed approved by
Passive House Institute

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Energy Step Code – Part 9.36.6.4
-Energy Modelling
1) Using computer program: TRACE, HAP,
eQuest, Hot2000, IES, EnergyPlus,
OpenStudio, Etc.
2) Conform 9.36.5, EnerGuide v15, or
NECB, or City of Vancouver Energy
Modelling Guideline
3) Use air leakage rate derived from
9.36.6.5

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Energy Step Code – Part 9.36.6.5
Building Envelope Airtightness Test
 Seal all mechanical openings
 Test pressure >=50 Pa.

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Reference:
 BC Building 2012 Revision 11
 Provincial Policy: Local government
implementation of the BC Energy
Step Code
 BC Building Act Guide