BC BUILDING CODE UPDATE - DELAYED!

Code updates for wall, attic & basement 

construction could be significant!

An anticipated increase in energy standards in B.C.'s Building Code is now expected to be introduced only after the next update to the National Building Code, bringing the two codes in line with each other.

What does that mean to builders in B.C.? Those who are already going above Code to include enhanced energy efficiency will continue to enjoy a marketing advantage, as energy-aware buyers seek the long-term savings and performance value of efficient homes (and improved resale value).

Meanwhile, those who have not yet adopted energy efficiency standards above Code now have more time to learn and prepare for Code changes, which may include significant changes in wall, attic, and basement construction.

Thermographic image showing air leakage in a home

The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) invites all interested parties to participate in a special public review on proposed changes to incorporate energy efficiency requirements for housing and small buildings into Part 9 of the2010 National Building Code of Canada (NBC). This public review will run from January 9 to March 2, 2012 on the National Codes website.

Energy efficiency requirements for housing, last published in the1997 Model National Energy Code of Canada for Houses, were out of date and were not in the objective-based format used in the other National Model Construction Codes. Rather than update the requirements in the 1997 Code and re-issue it, the CCBFC determined it would be more appropriate to incorporate energy requirements for housing, along with those for certain small non-residential buildings, into Part 9 of the NBC (see Construction Innovation, December 2009).

LIVING GREEN ROOFS, A RESIDENTIAL OPTION

If you know of Vancouver Landscape Architect, Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, you may know she has designed many of Vancouver’s green roofs, including the Law Courts on Robson Street and Library Square. Cornelia has also designed the latest and most spectacular green roof Vancouver, and possibly North America, has ever seen. This spectacular and undulating green roof inspired by the petals of a flower, fits perfectly on top of the new Van Dusen Botanical Gardens visitor center. The team at Houston Landscapes was honored to be involved in this challenging project that saw the delicate installation of growing medium and plant material on convex, concave and even near vertical applications. The plant list was made up of only 12 carefully selected varieties including the tough Carex pansa (Slough Sedge) to the attractive and edible Erythronium grandiflorum (Yellow Glacier Lily). The entire area was also hydro-seeded (a sticky mix of fescue’s and ryegrass) to assist with soil retention, all of which are now growing beautifully. Unfortunately the public are not allowed on the roof, for obvious reasons, but it can be appreciated from a distance,    or for a time lapse video visit  http://www.youtube.com/user/houstonlandscapes#p/a/u/0/4bHZ9ss2IY0

 In Vancouver the advantages of green roofs is beginning to increase in popularity even in the residential market, some lured by energy cost savings and others to the uniqueness, visual appeal and prestige. We have installed numerous roofs on houses and garages using a colorful, low growing, low-maintenance sedum mix (members of the succulent family). Maintenance is still required for green roof’s including regular inspections to ensure foreign weed species, either blown in by seed or bought in by birds, are removed by hand before they establish and jeopardize the roofing membrane. Typical system includes: a root barrier, drain mat, sometimes a water retention fleece and edging made up of gravel and aluminium restraints. 2 basic systems exist, a fit in place tray style system, where plants are established off site, and like the Van Dusen roof, a custom system where everything is assembled and grown in-situ.

 A temporary irrigation system is required for the first year for establishment, as well small amounts of programmed fertilizing.  Compared to any other landscape installation green roofs are easy to care for and a very rewarding venture, they become their own self-supporting micro-climate and a definite step in the right direction to a greener planet. If you have a project that requires professional installation of a green roof, large or small, please contact Houston Landscapes on 604 734 0907 or www.houstonlandscapes.ca

20th ANNUAL GEORGIE AWARDS

The Georgie Awards®, owned by the Canadian Home Builders' Association of British Columbia (CHBA BC), is Canada's premier housing awards program that highlights and celebrates excellence in home building. 

The Awards are provincial in scope and aim to showcase the commitment and dedication to the high standards that CHBA BC member companies strive to uphold. 

A Georgie Award is recognized as an industry stamp of quality. Award entries are at a record high, and the calibre of projects is a testament to the talents and efforts of CHBA BC members. 

All member companies of CHBA BC are eligible to enter the Georgie Awards®.




Winner Selection 

Project entries are judged by project descriptions, digital images and supporting documentation. The judges score each project entry following the category criteria from the call for entries and on-line entry form. Points for each criteria range from one to six depending on the judges' discretion on how each project entry successfully meets the category criteria.

The Grand Georgie Awards® are decided by a culmination of points scored in relevant categories entered (60 per cent) and from the judges overall consideration of the project (40 per cent). 
The Builder of the Year and Renovator of the Year categories have a customer choice component (they must enter the Customer Choice Georgie Awards® powered by AVID™ category to be eligible for Builder of the Year or Renovator of the Year categories) and are scored accordingly:
30% - culmination of points scored in relevant categories
30% - judges overall consideration of the company's industry and community involvement, pursuit of professional development, education & training and certification.
40% - Customer Choice score

The Customer Choice program was initiated by CHBA BC in 2007. In 2010, we partnered with AVID Ratings to create the Customer Choice Georgie Awards® powered by AVID™. Builders and renovators are required to submit a list of all completed homes/projects that they have completed during the required time frame as set out by the Customer Choice Georgie Awards® powered by AVID™ criteria. AVID Ratings polls the homeowners and renovation clients and tabulates results based on surveys. The builder and renovator with the highest customer choice results wins the Georgie Award in the relevant Customer Choice Georgie Awards® powered by AVID™ category. Builders and renovators also have access to a comprehensive, real time, on-line reporting system that displays the results from their customers' surveys.

In each category, up to five project entries with the highest scores will be deemed the Georgie Awards® Finalists for that category. Of these finalists, the one with the highest point score will win the Georgie Award.


BURNABY, BC (November 9, 2011) - The Canadian Home Builders' Association of British Columbia (CHBA BC), which is gearing up for its upcoming 20th Georgie Awards®, today announced the finalists who will be competing for the Gold at the Awards Gala this February 25, 2012 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Marking the awards program's 20th Anniversary,