Content courtesy of: BC Housing
General Contractors and the BC Energy Step Code Building Standard
Since 2008, the Province of British Columbia has made energy efficiency a BC Building Code objective. In 2017, B.C. committed to reach net-zero energy-ready by 2032. To help achieve this goal, the Province established the BC Energy Step Code.
The BC Energy Step Code is a building standard. It’s designed to help government and industry create a future in which all new construction in B.C. is net-zero energy-ready by 2032. The regulation sets performance targets for new construction and groups them into “steps” that apply across various building types and regions of the province. The Lower Steps are straightforward to meet; the Upper Steps are more ambitious.
To demonstrate compliance with the BC Energy Step Code, a builder must prove to local building officials that the building meets or exceeds the performance requirements set out in each step. These requirements cover building envelope, air-tightness, and equipment and systems.
As of May 1, 2023, the BC Building Code requires 20%-better energy efficiency for most new buildings in B.C. This is equivalent to Step 3 for Part 9 buildings and Step 2 for Part 3 buildings. In response to these new requirements, BC Housing developed training to ensure builders are prepared to meet Step 3 of the BC Energy Step Code’s performance requirements. The training will support builders in adopting new practices that will meet consumer needs and lead to improved quality of residential design and construction.
New Condition for General Contractor License Renewal
Licensed general contractors are required to meet prescribed qualifications. These qualifications include demonstrating an understanding of the purpose and application of the BC Building Code, of which the BC Energy Step Code is a part. To ensure builders in British Columbia are prepared for the changes, a new condition has been added to licenses. The new condition will stipulate a two-year period to demonstrate competency in building to Step 3 of the BC Energy Step Code.
This condition is added when a license is renewed and came into effect starting with licenses that expired on September 30, 2022. While this condition will be added to all licenses, there may be exemptions for those who have already been building to Step 3 of the BC Energy Step Code, or who have already completed relevant training. Further details on exemptions are outlined below.
BC Energy Step Code Training
For those requiring training to meet the new condition, BC Housing has developed eight training modules to ensure builders are prepared to build to Step 3 of the BC Energy Step Code:
Module 1: BC Energy Step Code Overview and Requirements
Module 2: Meeting the BC Energy Step Code by Design
Module 3: Building Science for the BC Energy Step Code
Module 4: Building Envelope Options for the BC Energy Step Code
Module 5: Air Barriers for the BC Energy Step Code
Module 6: Mechanical Systems for the BC Energy Step Code
Module 7: Building Envelope Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Module 8: BC Energy Step Code Project ManagementRead the BC Energy Step Code Training Overview for full details on the learning objectives of each module.
BC Housing also worked with other professional associations and educators who provide Step Code training to compile a list of equivalent courses. This will ensure builders have a variety of training options available to meet the condition.
Meeting the Licence Condition
Once the condition is added to your licence, you can access the builder portal and for each module you will be asked to indicate whether you meet any of the exemption criteria, have completed approved training or plan to complete approved training over the next two years. You will be required to provide supporting evidence for verification.
Once you have submitted your responses on how you intend to meet the condition, you can forward your supporting documentation to qualifications@bchousing.org.
More information on how to make a declaration is available in our Reporting Step Code Condition Guide Sheet.
Read the BC Energy Step Code Licence Condition: Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about completing BC Energy Step Code training and the licence condition.
Click here to download: BC Energy Step Code Training Overview
Click here to download BC Energy Step Code Training FAQ
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