New home building codes taking effect in December

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This article was published 15/10/2010 (2860 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba's new building and plumbing codes, to make new homes greener and leaner, take effect Dec. 1, Labour Minister Jennifer Howard said today.

The changes are designed to conserve energy and reduce wasteful use of water.

The changes are the product of almost year-long consultations between the province, homebuilders, contractors and technical experts.

Howard said when the new codes are fully implemented, Manitoba will be one of the most energy-efficient jurisdictions in North America.

The code changes include:

• specifying minimum energy-efficiency requirements for windows,
• eliminating the pilot light in gas fireplaces,
• increasing the required level of attic insulation to R50,
• requiring a minimum 94 per cent fuel-efficiency rating for furnaces,
• specifying a mid-efficient heat-recovery ventilator, and
• introducing energy-modelling software that will allow builders to model alternatives to the code requirements.

Changes to the plumbing code allow for reduced maximum-flow rates in residential water devices such as toilets and shower heads.

They will also allow the reuse of non-potable (grey) water for other applications around the home if it meets the Canadian Standards Association grey water standard that is expected to be released in December. That includes collecting water from a bathtub or shower to use in a toilet.

The changes to the codes apply to new construction and older homes undergoing extensive renovations.

For more information, go to the province's Fire Commissioner's website www.firecomm.gov.mb.ca, which is responsible for building codes.