1. Objective-Based Structure:

• Understanding how the BC Building Code is designed using an objective-based approach.
• Explanation of the functional statements and objective statements used in the BCBC.
• How the objective-based approach allows for flexibility and innovation in construction methods and materials.

2. Who Develops the BC Building Code?:

• Overview of the regulatory bodies involved in the creation of the BCBC (BC Ministry of Municipal Affairs).
• Collaboration between engineers, architects, and industry experts in drafting the code.
• Key updates in the BCBC and how amendments are made.

3. Why the BCBC is Updated Regularly:

• Explanation of why the BCBC is reviewed and updated, usually every five years.
• How changes in technology, construction methods, and environmental factors drive updates.

1. Who Enforces the BCBC?

• Overview of municipal building officials, building inspectors, and their roles in enforcing the BCBC.
• How enforcement differs between municipalities and unincorporated areas.
• Role of professional engineers and architects in ensuring code compliance in complex residential projects.

2. Permit Process:

• Step-by-step guide to applying for a building permit in BC.
• Key documents required during the permit application (plans, site drawings, soil reports, etc.).
• Roles and responsibilities of builders, homeowners, and inspectors in the permit process.
• Timeline of the permit approval process and key factors that can delay or expedite approvals.

3. Inspections during Construction:

• Critical inspection stages required by law (e.g., foundation, framing, plumbing, electrical).
• What building inspectors look for at each inspection stage.
• Common mistakes that lead to failed inspections and how to avoid them.

1. Objective-Based Structure:

• Key elements of the BC Fire Code that impact residential construction (fire resistance, egress, and fire alarms).
• Differences between fire-resistance ratings for various building components (walls, ceilings, floors).
• Integrating fire safety measures during the design and construction stages.

2. Electrical Code:

• Overview of the BC Electrical Code and how it relates to wiring, circuit installations, and safety requirements.
• Common residential electrical systems governed by the BCBC (outlets, lighting, HVAC systems).

3. Other Relevant Codes:

• Brief overview of the Plumbing Code, Gas Code, and Energy Efficiency Standards for residential buildings.
• Integration of multiple codes in the same residential project and ensuring no conflicts between them.

1. Structural Design (Footings, Foundations, and Framing):

• Guidelines for proper foundation design, footing sizes, and soil-bearing capacity.
• Structural framing: materials, methods, and code requirements for load-bearing walls, floors, and roofs.

2. Building Envelope:

• How the BCBC regulates insulation, air barriers, and vapor barriers to ensure thermal performance.
• Methods for controlling moisture and preventing leaks through proper flashing, cladding, and roof installation.

3. Energy Efficiency Requirements:

• Understanding the thermal performance requirements for residential buildings.
• How to calculate thermal transmittance (U-values) for walls, windows, and roofs.
• Overview of renewable energy systems (solar panels, heat pumps) and their integration into residential projects.

1. Energy Efficiency and Sustainability:

• How to design homes that exceed energy efficiency requirements under the BCBC.
• Strategies for achieving Net Zero Energy homes.

2. Stormwater Management and Riparian Area Regulations:

• Understanding the BCBC regulations regarding stormwater control, erosion prevention, and protecting riparian zones.
• Design strategies for minimizing environmental impact during residential construction.

3. Building for Seismic and Climatic Resilience:

• Overview of seismic and climatic design requirements (e.g., snow loads, wind loads) based on geographic zones.
• How to reinforce buildings to withstand earthquakes and severe weather events.

1. Key Aspects of Accessibility and Universal Design:

• Accessible entrances, door widths, hallways, bathrooms, kitchens, and workspaces.
• Lighting and visual aids for accessibility.

2. Examples of Accessibility Features in Residential Construction:

• Accessible single-family homes, apartment units, and senior housing.

1. Key Fire Safety Requirements in the BCBC:

• Fire-resistant materials, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors.
• Fire suppression systems, means of egress, escape routes.
• Fire detection, alarm systems, fire separation, and compartmentalization.

2. Examples of Fire Safety in Residential Construction:

• Multi-family apartments, townhouse complexes, single-family homes with fire safety features.

1. Key Sustainable Practices in the BCBC:

• Energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste reduction, recycling.
• Sustainable materials, water conservation, sustainable site design.

2. Examples of Sustainable Building Practices in Residential Construction:

• LEED-certified homes, passive houses, sustainable townhouse developments.

1. Key Considerations for Renovations and Alterations:

• Bringing older homes up to code.
• Structural, energy efficiency, fire safety, and accessibility upgrades.
• Permitting and inspections.

2. Examples of Residential Renovations:

• Energy-efficient home renovations, structural renovations for open-concept design, accessibility renovations for aging in place.

1. Key Zoning and Regulatory Considerations:

• Zoning laws, building height, setbacks, lot coverage, and density.
• Building permits, inspections, heritage, and environmental restrictions.

2. Examples of Zoning and Regulatory Compliance:

• Single-family homes in residential zones, multi-family developments in mixed-use zones, heritage home renovations.

1.1 Moment-Resisting Frames and Shear Wall Design

• Detailed exploration of structural systems that provide resistance to lateral forces (wind, seismic).
• Calculation and sizing of shear walls, braced frames, and moment-resisting frames.
• Advanced installation techniques for multi-family homes and hillside developments.

1.2 Seismic Load Calculations

• Deep dive into seismic load calculations for different building types and regions in BC.
• Step-by-step breakdown of calculating base shear, including factors such as site classification, building weight, and response spectrum.
• Case studies for earthquake-resistant design in high-risk zones like Vancouver and Victoria.

1.3 Advanced Foundation Systems

• Pile foundations, deep foundations, and frost-protected shallow foundations for complex sites.
• Seismic reinforcement for foundations, including rebar placement, foundation anchorage, and moment-resisting footings.
• Case studies of foundation designs for steep slopes and earthquake-prone regions.

2.1 Passive House Standards

• Detailed examination of the Passive House standard, which goes beyond Step 5 of the BC Energy Step Code.
• Designing and building super-insulated, airtight homes with high-performance windows and doors.
• Heat recovery and ventilation systems in Passive House buildings, including HRV sizing and installation.

2.2 Net-Zero Energy Building Design

• Step-by-step approach to achieving Net-Zero Energy homes.
• Sizing and integrating renewable energy systems like solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal heating/cooling systems.
• Energy storage systems, including battery storage (e.g., Tesla Powerwall), and their role in creating self-sufficient buildings.

2.3 Thermal Bridging Prevention

• Advanced techniques for minimizing thermal bridging, including the use of thermal breaks, insulated wall systems, and continuous exterior insulation.
• Material selection and installation guidelines for reducing heat loss at junctions (e.g., balconies, foundations, windows).
• Case studies showing real-world applications in multi-family and custom residential builds.

3.1 Advanced Fire-Resistant Assemblies

• Detailed construction of fire-rated assemblies (walls, floors, and ceilings) with 2-hour and 3-hour fire-resistance ratings (FRRs).
• Specialized fire-resistant materials, including intumescent paints, fire-rated glass, and mineral wool insulation.
• Advanced techniques for sealing penetrations in fire-rated walls and maintaining fire compartmentalization in large homes.

3.2 Fire Suppression Systems and Sprinklers

• Design and placement of residential sprinkler systems for multi-family homes and high-risk areas.
• Integration of fire suppression systems with home automation and security systems.
• Calculation of water supply and pressure requirements for fire suppression systems.
• Case study: Designing fire suppression systems for a multi-family complex in a wildfire-prone area of BC.

3.3 Smoke Control and Ventilation in Multi-Family Buildings

• Advanced smoke control systems for preventing smoke spread in multi-unit dwellings.
• Installation and design of smoke dampers, pressurized stairwells, and automatic fire doors.
• Interaction of fire protection systems with mechanical ventilation systems (HRV, ERV).

4.1 Greywater Recycling Systems

• Design and installation of greywater systems for reusing water from sinks, showers, and laundry.
• Regulatory requirements and best practices for filtering, storing, and using greywater for non-potable applications (irrigation, toilet flushing).
• Case study: Implementing greywater systems in new homes in urban areas to reduce water demand.

4.2 Rainwater Harvesting and Reuse

• Detailed design guidelines for rainwater harvesting systems, including roof collection, filtration, and storage.
• Installing rainwater systems to meet BCBC water management guidelines and local bylaws for stormwater reduction.
• Case study: Integrating a rainwater system with landscaping and irrigation in a residential building.

4.3 Solar Water Heating Systems

• Designing and sizing solar hot water systems for residential buildings.
• Integrating solar water heating with conventional systems, such as gas or electric water heaters, to ensure year-round performance.
• Case study: Cost-benefit analysis of solar hot water systems for a multi-unit building in Interior BC.

5.1 Multi-Zone HVAC Systems

• Designing HVAC systems with multiple zones for customized temperature control in large homes.
• Strategies for integrating multiple heating/cooling systems in different zones, including ductless mini-splits and central forced-air systems.
• Case study: Installation of a multi-zone HVAC system in a luxury custom home.

5.2 Ground-Source Heat Pumps and Geothermal Systems

• In-depth design of geothermal heating and cooling systems for residential applications.
• Sizing geothermal systems based on building heat load, site geology, and local climate.
• Installation of ground loops (horizontal vs vertical) and the interaction with other energy systems (e.g., solar PV).
• Case study: Designing a ground-source heat pump system for a new development in Northern BC.

5.3 Indoor Air Quality and Advanced Ventilation Systems

• Detailed design and installation of advanced ventilation systems to improve indoor air quality in airtight homes.
• Integration of HEPA filtration, UV light disinfection, and humidity control to maintain healthy indoor environments.
• Case study: Optimizing indoor air quality in a Net-Zero Energy home using ERV systems and advanced filtration.

6.1 Soundproofing in Multi-Family Residential Buildings

• Detailed guidelines for achieving high STC ratings in walls, floors, and ceilings to prevent sound transmission between units.
• Installation of soundproofing materials, including resilient channels, acoustic insulation, and floating floors.
• Case study: Designing a soundproof townhouse complex using advanced acoustic control techniques.

6.2 Acoustic Control in Single-Family Homes

• Techniques for soundproofing rooms in single-family homes, such as home theaters, music rooms, or offices.
• Soundproofing exterior walls and windows to reduce noise pollution from busy streets.
• Case study: Installing soundproof windows in a custom home located near a high-traffic area.

7.1 LEED for Homes Certification

• Step-by-step guide to achieving LEED certification for residential buildings, focusing on energy performance, water efficiency, and sustainable material use.
• Credits required for LEED Silver, Gold, and Platinum certifications, and how to maximize points in BC’s residential market.
• Case study: Designing a LEED Platinum certified home in Vancouver.

7.2 Embodied Carbon and Material Selection

• Strategies for reducing the embodied carbon of building materials by using low-carbon concrete, sustainable wood, and recycled steel.
• Lifecycle analysis (LCA) of materials to reduce the carbon footprint of residential construction.
• Case study: Designing a home with low-embodied carbon materials for a developer focused on sustainable building.

7.3 Zero-Waste Construction Practices

• Detailed methods for achieving zero-waste construction sites, including material recycling, on-site sorting, and waste reduction strategies.
• Case study: Implementing a zero-waste strategy in a residential construction project in Whistler.

8.1 Advanced Accessibility Solutions for Aging-in-Place

• Designing homes that adapt to future accessibility needs, including adjustable countertops, motorized cabinetry, and adjustable sinks.
• Case study: Retrofitting an existing home with aging-in-place features to accommodate changing mobility needs.

8.2 Smart Home Technology for Accessibility

• Integration of smart home systems for people with disabilities or limited mobility. Focus on voice-activated controls, automated lighting, and security systems.
• Case study: Designing a fully automated smart home for a disabled homeowner using Amazon Alexa and other smart home platforms.

8.3 Universal Design Principles for Multi-Generational Living

• Designing homes with universal design principles to accommodate multi-generational families and ensure future accessibility.
• Case study: A custom-designed multi-generational home in a suburban BC neighborhood, featuring adaptable living spaces.

9.1 Zoning Challenges for Narrow or Steep Sites

• Addressing design and zoning challenges on narrow lots or steep hillsides.
• Case study: Developing a house on a challenging hillside lot in North Vancouver, including slope stability, retaining walls, and environmental setbacks.

9.2 Complex Rezoning and Variance Requests

• Navigating the rezoning process for high-density residential developments.
• Case study: Applying for a variance to allow greater height and density in a mixed-use development in Burnaby.

9.3 Coordinating with Environmental and Heritage Agencies

• Managing coordination between environmental protection regulations and heritage conservation districts.
• Case study: Developing a residential building adjacent to a heritage conservation area while complying with Riparian Area Protection Regulations.