Meeting Ontario Building Code specifications for energy efficiency is about to become more demanding. The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing issued an update to SB-10 on July 1, 2011. SB-10 is the supplementary standard to the Ontario Building Code that describes the energy efficiency requirements for projects that are seeking a building permit. This is a long document, 113 pages long to be specific – fortunately about half the document applies to building permit applications before January 1, 2012 and we’re already familiar with these requirements. What’s new is division three in SB-10 that describes energy efficiency requirements that take effect January 1, 2012.
Building permit applications will need to demonstrate compliance with SB-10 in one of three ways:
- Meet ASHRAE 90.1-2010 as modified by SB-10 Chapter 2
or - Exceed ASHRAE 90.1-2010 by at least 5%
or - Exceed MNECB 1997 by at least 25%
For design teams that are familiar with the LEED energy efficiency requirements, exceeding the Model National Energy code for Buildings by 25% will be a familiar requirement. These teams will understand that energy modelling is required to demonstrate this energy performance target. Similarly energy modelling is required to demonstrate that the proposed building permit design exceeds ASHRAE 90.1-2010 by at least 5%. Meeting ASHRAE 90.1-2010 as modified by SB-10 Chapter 2 is the only SB-10 compliance option that doesn’t require energy modelling. This option however modifies the building envelope insulation levels significantly – it is our expectation that the cost of compliance for this prescriptive compliance option will be more expensive than either of the two energy modelling options. To summarize, this is a big Building Code change – design teams should consider all three compliance options to determine what is best for their project. Give us a call – we can help.
For more information, a copy of SB-10 can be downloaded at http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=9227
