B46 MECHANICAL INSULATION New Westminster PASSED

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WHEREAS the proper application of mechanical insulation including the material used, thickness, and installation techniques, has been shown to improve the energy efficiency, reduce the greenhouse gas emissions, and provide other benefits for both new and retrofitted building;

AND WHEREAS given possible code changes in

the near future, it is a timely opportunity to advocate to the provincial government to consider including additional information and requirements regarding mechanical insulation in any code updates:THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM request that any future updates or amendments to
the BC Building Code include specific, up-to-date requirements on mechanical insulation, including the reproduction of any specifications, such as thickness tables, that may be referenced from other sources, and also include reference to mechanical insulation best practice standards.

ENDORSED BY THE LOWER MAINLAND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Endorse

UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE COMMENTS:

This was submitted to UBCM in 2011 as a late resolution, but did not meet the criteria to be admitted for debate as an emergency resolution. In keeping with UBCM policy, the resolution was forwarded to the Area Association for consideration as part of the 2012 resolutions cycle.

The Resolutions Committee notes that the UBCM membership endorsed resolution 2011-B136, which requested that future amendments to the BC Building Code include specific requirements on mechanical insulation including the reproduction of specifications and reference to mechanical insulation best practice standards.

In response to the resolution the provincial government indicated that it was “considering increasing energy efficiency requirements for all new buildings and substantial building renovations, which may include such requirements as mechanical insulation”. However, the provincial government also pointed out that it would consider factors such as cost, benefit to climate change mitigation, technical feasibility, and enforcement feasibility, before deciding whether to include specifications for mechanical insulation in the BC Building Code.

Conference decision:
PASSED

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