Building Envelope Guide for Houses Coming Soon
The Homeowner Protection Office is launching the Building Envelope Guide for Houses - Part 9 Residential Construction, which will be available later this spring
The Guide, co-funded by the HPO and the Building Policy Branch, was partly funded by revenues generated by builder licensing fees.
"This is a good example of how an investment by the residential construction industry in research and education benefits everyone, builders and homebuyers. It really is a win-win situation. It is part of the HPO's legislative mandate to promote continued improvement in the quality of residential construction through builder education," said Ken Cameron, Chief Executive Officer.
The new Guide will help builders, designers and trades to put into practice the new Part 9 BC Building Code provisions, including a new requirement for a rain-screen in the building envelope assembly of houses built in B.C.'s coastal, or high moisture index regions. The Guide also covers options for implementing important new code requirements affecting the design and construction of new houses in low and high moisture index regions of B.C.
The Guide provides practical information on meeting minimum standards and additional descriptions of what are considered to be improved or best practices that go above and beyond the minimum standard as set out by the 2006 BC Building Code.
"In my view, this publication will benefit licensed builders and others in all areas of British Columbia," said Cameron. While rainscreen wall systems have become common practice in multi-unit residential construction, builders of single-family homes may be new to constructing these assemblies and the associated penetration and transition details.
The Guide is based on the latest research, design and construction practices and on the practical experience and expertise of industry contributors. Members of the steering and technical committees included licensed residential builders, building officials, manufacturers, an architect, a Canadian Home Builders' Association representative, and home warranty insurance providers, among others.
The Guide features:
- a concise description of building science
- principles related to moisture
- management issues for houses
- a description of different building
- envelope systems and related code
- requirements
- step-by step 3D images showing
- options for foundations, walls ceilings
- and common exterior details for the
- building envelope.
The Building Envelope Guide for Houses - Part 9 Residential Construction can be ordered online from the HPO at a cost of $55 plus postage. Check the What’s New section of the HPO website for availability later this spring.
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