1. Manitoba Energy Code for Buildings 2013
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2. Outline Manitoba Energy Code for Buildings 2013 (MECB)
Adoption
Amendments by Part
Compliance
Part 9.36 – Energy Efficiency in Housing and Small Buildings
Proposed amendments – General discussion
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Building Safety Section

3. Outline Manitoba Energy Code for Buildings 2013 (MECB)
Adoption
Amendments by Part
Compliance
Part 9.36 – Energy Efficiency in Housing and Small Buildings
Proposed amendments – General discussion
OFFICE OF THE FIRE COMMISSIONER
Building Safety Section

4. Adoption
In November 2011 the National Energy Code for Buildings was published by NRC.
The code was adopted in Manitoba by Regulation 213/2013 which created the Manitoba Energy Code for Buildings (MECB).
Date of adoption : December 20, 2013
Date of enforcement: December 1, 2014
Anything in red in a MB Amendment.
9.36 has not been adopted in MB, so anything that falls under Part 9 and would boot you into NECB is not yet in force
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5. MECB PARTS
Division A : Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements
Division B: Acceptable Solutions
Division C: Administrative Solutions
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6. MECB Division B
Part 1 General: Referenced Documents, Terms & Abbreviations etc.
Part 2: Reserved
Part 3: Building Envelope
Part 4: Lighting
Part 5: HVAC
Part 6: Service Water Heating Systems
Part 7: Electrical Power Systems & Motors
Part 8: Building Energy Performance Compliance path
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7. MECB Part 1 - Application
The NECB 2011 applies to all buildings covered by Sentence (1) of the MBC and also includes additions.
It does not cover Farm Buildings, temporary buildings or construction camps.
Generally , it does not cover small Part 9 buildings or single family dwellings.
NOTE: Once adopted the application of Part 9.36 will refer designers back to NECB for compliance with Energy codes. See article A Compliance options.
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8. Building Location Zones
Based on Heating Degree Days (HDD) of Building Location
As presented in Appendix C , Climatic and Seismic Information NBCC
Manitoba is split into 3 Zones
Southern MB is 7A (5000 to 5999 HDD)
Central MB is 7B (6000 to 6999 HDD)
Northern MB is 8 (≥ 7000 HDD)
Northern border for 7A is roughly North of Dauphin, between Eriksdale & Ashern, and North of Pine Falls
Northern border for 7B is North of Flin Flon, Cross Lake, and Island Lake
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9. MECB Definitions (Div A - 1.4.1.2)
There are new 47 definitions, page 1-3, for example:
Addition means any conditioned space that is added to an existing building that increased the buildings floor surface are by more than 10m².
As well as 3 new Manitoba specific definitions.
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10. MECB Definitions (Div A - 1.4.1.2)
Back-up System means a system installed for the sole purpose of operating if the primary system is out of service.
Temporary building means a building placed at a particular location for the period authorized by the authority having jurisdiction. If the building is not removed on or before the end of the authorized period, it is considered to be a new building for the purposes of this Code.
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11. MECB Definitions (Div A - 1.4.1.2)
Fenestration means all building envelope assemblies, including their frames, that transfer visible light, such as windows, clerestories, skylights, translucent wall panels, glass block, transoms, sidelights, spandrels, overhead or swinging glass doors and glazed inserts in doors etc.
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12. MECB Part 3 – Building Envelope
– Thermal Characteristics of Fenestration
Requirements for Windows to be 2.0 in Zones 7A & B and 1.6 in Zone 8.
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13. MECB Part 5 – HVAC 5.2.4.1(3) – Required Dampers
Air intakes and outlets serving HVAC systems required to operate continuously under an enactment need not comply with Sentence 1.
Sentence 1 requires - Every duct or opening required to discharge air from a conditioned space and every air intake duct must have motorized damper.
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14. MECB Part 5 – HVAC
– Heat Recovery in Ice Arenas and Curling Rinks
Slight modification of the requirement for heat recovery in these areas to state when an area of an ice rink or curling arena “is heated”, rather than “has a heating requirement”.
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15. MECB Part 5 – HVAC 5.2.12 – Equipment Efficiency
This section consists of a table that covers the efficiencies for packaged HVAC equipment.
For example it requires a AFUE of 84% for oil fired boilers.
The efficiency levels in these tables must also be cross referenced with the Canadian Energy Efficiency Act, because the Act may specify higher rates than the NECB as the update cycles are different.
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16. MECB Part 6 – SWH 6.2.2 – Equipment Efficiency
This section consists of a table that covers the efficiencies for SWH equipment.
Equipment not listed in the table shall be insulated to a max U value of 0.45W/(m²·K)
MB Amendments have included a table to clarify the standards which fixed the inputs, capacities and correct the standards listed for Gas Fired appliances.
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17. MECB Part 6 – SWH 6.2.6 – Hot Service Water
Primary showerheads 6.6 L/min
Lavatories 5.7 L/min
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18. MECB Part 7 – Electrical Power Systems and Part 8 Performance Path
No amendments
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19. MECB Compliance
Regardless of the compliance path chosen, compliance forms will have to be filled out by the design professional and then submitted to the AHJ.
Part 2 is reserved
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20. MECB Compliance Three main options: Prescriptive path Trade off path
Alternative solutions are also acceptable
Within Parts 3 to 7
Trade off path
Within Parts 3 to 6
Simple Trade off or Detailed Trade off
Performance Path
Part 8
Prescriptive path
Similar to MBC
Alternative solutions are also acceptable
Trade off path
Within Parts 3 to 6
Part 3 permits Simple Trade off or Detailed Trade off
Each section specifies limitations to what can be traded off
No trade offs between Parts.
I.e., in Part 3 you may trade horizontal for horizontal or vertical for vertical.
Can’t use for additions or semi heated
Can’t use for assemblies in contact with the ground.
Performance path
Part 8 of the MECB
Requires energy modeling
Reference building must be compared to the proposed building and calculations done to show that the energy used by the proposed house is not more than the reference house.
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21. MECB Compliance
The OFCs stance on enforcing the MECB is that the design professional will take full responsibility for the design and certification that the energy efficiency of the building meets the design.
Our staff will receive compliance forms and Assurance and Summaries of professional design forms.
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22. MECB Compliance Prior to occupancy: Post Construction Certificate
Links to all forms and our fee calculator can be found at:
Part 2 is reserved
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23. Switch to Compliance Tool
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24. Outline Manitoba Energy Code for Buildings 2013 (MECB)
Adoption
Amendments by Part
Compliance
Part 9.36 – Energy Efficiency in Housing and Small Buildings
Proposed amendments – General discussion
OFFICE OF THE FIRE COMMISSIONER
Building Safety Section

25. Section 9.36 – Energy Efficiency in Housing and Small Buildings
This Section was released in December 2012 as a Revisions and Errata package to the 2010 NBC.
It includes all of the energy efficiency requirements for Part 9 Houses and Small buildings.
Was created by working towards an EnerGuide target of 78.
Adoption is expected by the
end of this year.
Enforcement is expected by the
Fall of 2015.
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26. Section 9.36 – Compliance 1. Prescriptive Path/Alternative Solutions
2. Simple Trade Off
Make slight modifications using the Simple Trade-Off
Method (e.g. trading reduced wall insulation for
increased attic insulation)
3. Performance
• Model the building and verify that its predicted energy
use is equal to or less than that of the same house
designed to the prescriptive requirements
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27. Section 9.36 – Enforcement and Training
To be developed….
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28. Q & A
Province has updated the Guidebook for Manitoba Amendments with intent and Rationale information for all MECB amendments. Will be updated to include 9.36 as well.
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29. Training and Education
Red River College Training Sessions on MECB and CANQUEST in mid-October 2014.
OFC will offer a session similar to the one recently offered on Sept 17, 2014 for Section 9.36.
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30. Questions???
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31. OFC Contact Information
Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner 508 – 401 York Avenue Winnipeg MB R3C 0P8 Telephone: Web:
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