Windows, Glazing, Doors, Skylights

The purpose of this regulation is to improve the energy efficiency of manufactured fenestration products for all new and existing buildings. These products are a key component of a building’s exterior envelope that affects the energy usage required to heat and/or cool the conditioned space.

This circular includes updates to the Energy Efficiency Standards Regulation (EESR) for windows, glazing, doors and skylights that were approved July 21, 2011. Note that products manufactured for export from B.C. are exempt from these regulations. Information on the EESR standards for fenestration products is maintained at the following webpage: http://www.empr.gov.bc.ca/EAED/ENERGYEFFICIENCY/Pages/EEAct.aspx

This information circular is intended to help stakeholders understand the current requirements.

It is organized according to the following 4 product types:

1. Windows, glazing and sliding glass doors for low-rise buildings:

• 4 storeys or less for residential
• 600m2 or less for non-residential and skylights for all buildings

 
2. Windows, glazing and sliding glass doors for high-rise and large buildings
3. Glazing for installation in manufactured door slabs, side lites and transom lites
4. Door slabs

Following the descriptions for the four product types, information is provided on labelling, testing and a flexibility provision for windows designed for a specific building.

1. Windows, glazing and sliding glass doors for low-rise buildings and skylights for all buildings Scope

• Applies to all products that are manufactured on or after the effective date (see below) for the product. This includes products being installed by builders.
• Includes products that separate heated space from non-heated space.
• Applies to new and existing residential buildings that are 4 storeys or less and non-residential buildings with equal to or less than 600m2 of floor space.
• This includes all “Part 9” buildings in the B.C. Building Code and some additional residential buildings that are 4 storeys.

 
Test standards

• All products must be tested with one of the following standards:
• CSA A440.2-04, Energy performance of windows and other fenestration systems
• NFRC 100-2004, Procedure for determining fenestration product U-factors Minimum energy efficiency standards and effective dates
• The following maximum heat transfer rate (U-value) performance standards apply, in metric units of watts per square meter of product area per degree Kelvin.

Exemptions

• All ENERGY STAR® for Canada qualified windows.
• Windows and sliding glass doors in residential high-rise buildings 5 storeys and higher (see regulation #2 below).
• Decorative windows that have stained glass panels, iron inserts or blinds, contained in a sealed, insulating glass unit.
• Windows installed in buildings designated as heritage buildings. **
• Glazing replacements in an existing sash and frame provided the U-value of the replacement glazing is equal to or less than the U-value of the original glazing.
• Products installed in buildings that are compliant with ASHRAE 90.1 (2004, 2007 or 2010).

 
2. Windows, glazing and sliding glass doors for high-rise and large buildings Scope

• Applies to all products that are manufactured on or after the effective date (see below) of the product.
• Includes products that separate heated space from non-heated space.
• Applies to new and existing residential buildings that are 5 storeys or more and non-residential buildings with more than 600m2 of floor space.
• Excludes products installed in new buildings that are compliant with ASHRAE 90.1 (2004, 2007 or 2010) as per the BC Building Code (effective 2008), or required under the City of Vancouver Green Building Bylaw.

 
Test standards

• All products must be tested with one of the following standards:
• CSA A440.2-04, Energy performance of windows and other fenestration systems
• NFRC 100-2004, Procedure for determining fenestration product U-factors Minimum energy efficiency standards and effective dates
• The following maximum heat transfer rate (U-value) performance standards apply, in metric units of watts per square meter of product area per degree Kelvin.

Exemptions

• Products installed in buildings that are compliant with ASHRAE 90.1 (2004, 2007 or 2010) Energy standard for buildings except low-rise residential buildings. For existing buildings that meet ASHRAE 90.1(2004, 2007 or 2010), a professional engineer or architect can produce a signed and sealed letter of assurance that confirms the building’s compliance with ASHRAE 90.1.
• Glazing replacements in an existing sash and frame provided the U-value of the replacement glazing is equal to or less than the U-value of the original glazing.
• Products installed in buildings designated as heritage buildings. **

 
3. Glazing for installation in manufactured door slabs, side lites and transom lites Scope

• Applies to all products that are manufactured on or after the effective date (see below) of the product.
• Includes products that separate heated space from non-heated space.

 
Test standards

• The standards are prescriptive – therefore no test procedure is required.
• Minimum energy efficiency standards and effective dates.
• The following prescriptive standards apply.

Exemptions

• All ENERGY STAR® for Canada qualified doors.
• Products installed in hung door assemblies that have a maximum U-value of 2.0 W/m2/K, tested with NRFC 100-2004 or 2010; Procedure for determining fenestration product U-factors.
• Decorative glazing that have stained glass panels, iron inserts or blinds, contained in a sealed, insulating glass unit.
• Products installed in buildings designated as heritage buildings. **
• Products installed in buildings that are compliant with ASHRAE 90.1 (2004, 2007 or 2010) Energy standard for buildings except low-rise residential buildings.

 
4. Door slabs Scope

• Applies to all products that are manufactured on or after the effective date (see below) of the product.
• Includes products that separate heated space from non-heated space.

 
Test standard

• ASTM C518-04 Standard test method for steady-state rhermal transmission properties by means of the heat flow.
• Includes products that separate heated space from non-heated space.

 
Minimum energy efficiency standards and effective dates

• The following prescriptive standards apply.

Exemptions

• Solid wood door slabs.
• Products installed in buildings designated as heritage buildings. **
• All ENERGY STAR® for Canada qualified doors.
• Doors slabs in pre-hung door assemblies with a maximum U-value of 2.0 W/m2 x K, tested and certified with NFRC 100-2004 or 2010; procedure for determining fenestration product U-values.
• Door slabs installed in buildings that are compliant with ASHRAE 90.1 (2004, 2007 or 2010) Energy standard for buildings except low-rise residential buildings.

 
Labelling for all products

Permanent labels

• Permanent labels are required for all products.
• They must have the registered trademark, word mark or symbol of the certification organization or other tester designated to test under the Energy Efficiency Act.
• For windows, glazing for doors, skylights and transoms, the permanent label must:
• be affixed to the frame or a spacer bar of the product so that the label is visible at all times; or,
• be affixed to the frame or sash of the product so that the label is visible when the sash is open; or,
• be affixed as a transparent adhesive label to the glass of the product; or,
• be etched into the surface of the glass.
• For door slabs, the permanent label must:
• be affixed to the door slab so that the label is visible at all times; or,
• be affixed to the edge of the door slab so that the label is visible when the door slab is open.

 
Temporary labels

• All windows, glazing, skylights and sliding glass doors require a removable label.
• Glazing for door slabs, transoms and door slabs do not require a removable label.
• The label must set out the U-value, as verified by a certification organization or other designated tester under the Energy Efficiency Act, expressed in metric units.
• The Window and Door Manufacturers Association of BC (http://wdma-bc.org/) has developed a standardized label which has been adopted by B.C. based certification companies. For more information, contact Intertek Testing

 
Services or Quality Auditing Institute (see contact information below).

• Removable labels for windows and glazing installed in high rise buildings and large buildings can be in the form of a single “certificate” listing each product provided for a specific building, provided by the supplier of the products and posted in plain view at the building project for a period of at least 120 days after the last product has been installed. For example, qualified professional engineers or architects or the NFRC Component Modelling Approach can produce such a certificate: http://www.nfrc.org/CMAprogram.aspx

 
Testing agencies for all products

The following agencies can certify the U-value of products for the purpose of this regulation:

• Canadian Standards Association (CSA) International, Toronto, ON, Damtew Tesfaye, 416-747-2509 www.csa-international.org
• Intertek Testing Services NA Ltd., Coquitlam, B.C., 604-520-3321 http://www.intertek-etlsemko.com
• Quality Auditing Institute Ltd., Port Moody, B.C., 604 461-8378, www.qai.org

 
Agencies accredited by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), Greenbelt, MD, http://nfrc.org/. These agencies include: WDMA, NAMI, Keystone and AAMA.

• Professional engineers, registered with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia and architects authorized to practice in British Columbia (only for the products described below).

 
Flexibility provision for windows and glazing designed for a specific building

• Flexibility is provided for windows, skylights and sliding glass doors (excluding doors) for low-rise and high-rise buildings that are designed for a specific building or fall outside of the scope of existing certification programs.
• Some products may be permitted that do not meet the maximum U-value requirements noted above (e.g., 2.0 W/(m2∙K)).
• Instead, proof must be provided by a professional engineer or architect that all products in the specific building meet the U-value requirement on average.
• The professional must use the test standards to verify the average performance – CSA A440.2 or NFRC 100.
• Also, the products can be simulated or tested by the professional using the actual size of the product, not necessarily the size provided by the test standard.
• The Ministry does not require routine submission of proof of compliance for these products, but during enforcement may require a letter of assurance from the professional.

 
Specific Text in the Regulation

Specific Text in the Regulation: http://www.bclaws.ca/

• click on “Statutes and Regulations”
• click on “E”
• scroll down to “Energy Efficiency Act”
• click on 389/93 Energy Efficiency Standards Regulation

** “designated heritage building” means a building that is
(a) a provincial heritage site within the meaning of the Heritage Conservation Act or otherwise included in the Provincial heritage register under that Act,
(b) protected through heritage designation or included in a community heritage register by a local government under the Local Government Act,
(c) protected through heritage designation or included in the heritage register by the Council under the Vancouver Charter, or
(d) protected through heritage designation or included in a community heritage register by the Trust Council or a local trust committee under the Islands Trust Act

Contact

For further information, please contact:

Last Updated: December, 2011
ERIK KAYE
Energy Efficiency Branch , Electricity and Alternative Energy Division,
Ministry of Energy and Mines, PO Box 9314, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria,
B.C., V8W 9N1
E: Erik.Kaye@gov.bc.ca T: 250-356-1507 F: 250-952-0258