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NECB 2017 Update

In February 2019, Alberta legislation updated to the 2019 edition of Alberta Building Code (ABC) Part 9.36 and the 2017 edition of the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) from previously enforcing the 2011 NECB and 2014 ABC Part 9.36 in 2016. These codes were in effect on April 1^st, 2019 and a transition period to December 1^st, 2019 was provided.

NECB Definition

The NECB is a construction code that regulates the energy efficiency of new buildings that are constructed in Alberta. It was developed by the National Resource Council and Natural Resources Canada as a part to the commitment to improving the energy efficiency of Canadian buildings and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

NECB 2011

In 2016, the province adopted the 2011 NECB which provides minimum requirements for the design and construction of a building in efforts to make buildings more energy efficient in the areas of the building envelope, systems and equipment for heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning, service water heating, lighting, and the provision of electrical power systems and motors.

Part 9.36 Definition

According to the City of Calgary, the 2019 Alberta Building Code Part 9.36 applies to building components and systems that are in a house or small building. These building should be less than 600 m²  in building area and less than three storeys in height, though there is a ‘grey area’ for buildings with a footprint between 300 m² and 600 m² and residential occupancy.

Transition Period

In order to facilitate a smooth transition into the updated energy codes, a transition period of 6 months was placed after the effective date. There are three conditions that would allow for construction to continue using the previous energy codes.

• If construction has been permitted by the AHJ and is underway, they are permitted to proceed under the previous building code edition. Construction in progress is not required to update to the new building code unless the AHJ feels unsafe conditions exist within the project. The person in control of the project has the decision to updating to the new code or not.
• There is a 6-month transition period related to the building permits once the new building code is effective. Construction may continue if the AHJ feels good to do so within the 6-month period (this transition period was extended to 8-months).
• If the AHJ is satisfied that the preparations of plans and specifications for the project began prior to the effective date of the new code and the building permit was received prior to December 1^st, 2019, construction is allowed under the 2014 ABC Part 9.36/NECB 2011.

The NECB provides various paths to demonstrate Compliance.  In our next post we will discuss these Compliance Paths, and the importance of engaging consultants early in the design phase in order to take advantage of these alternate compliance paths (e.g. using energy modelling) that could lead to cost optimization opportunities.