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Proposed Change 2016

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2016
Page: Last modified: 2024-02-01
Code Reference(s):
NECB20 Div.A 1.4.2.1.(1) (first printing)
NBC20 Div.A 1.4.2.1.(1) (first printing)
Subject:
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Title:
New Abbreviations Related to Operational GHG Emissions
Description:
This proposed change updates the list of symbols and abbreviations in the NBC and NECB.
Related Proposed Change(s):
PCF 1820, PCF 1843, PCF 1989, PCF 2003, PCF 2004, PCF 2026
This change could potentially affect the following topic areas:

Problem

Proposed changes developed for the 2025 edition of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) and National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) introduce new abbreviated terms to quantify operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While these abbreviations, such as “CO2e”, “GHG”, “GJ” and “kWh”, are commonly used in the industry, they are not assigned meaning in the NBC and NECB, which could result in confusion leading to improper application of Code provisions.

Justification

Providing the meaning of new abbreviated terms used in the technical requirements of the NBC and NECB to quantify operational GHG emissions would

  • standardize terminology,
  • enhance clarity,
  • facilitate interpretation of, and compliance with, the requirements,
  • ensure consistency,
  • reduce confusion, and
  • foster streamlined communication among Code users.

PROPOSED CHANGE

NECB20 Div.A 1.4.2.1.(1) (first printing)

[1.4.2.1.] 1.4.2.1.Symbols and Other Abbreviations

[1] 1)The symbols and other abbreviations in this Code shall have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and Article 1.3.2.1. of Division B.

 

A

ampere(s)

a

annum (year)

Btu

British thermal unit(s)

cfm

cubic feet per minute

CH

ceiling height

CO2e

carbon dioxide equivalent

COP

coefficient of performance

°

degree(s) (of an angle)

°C

degree(s) Celsius

°F

degree(s) Farenheit

db

dry bulb (temperature)

Ec

combustion efficiency

Et

thermal efficiency

EER

energy-efficiency ratio

EF

energy factor

ft.

foot (feet)

g

gram(s)

GHG

greenhouse gas

GJ

gigajoule(s)

gpm

gallon(s) per minute

>

greater than

≥

greater than or equal to

h

hour(s)

HVAC

heating, ventilating and air-conditioning

IEER

integrated energy-efficiency ratio

IPLV

integrated part-load value

K

Kelvin

kg

kilogram(s)

kJ

kilojoule(s)

kVA

kilovolt ampere(s)

kW

kilowatt(s)

kWh

kilowatt-hour(s)

<

less than

≤

less than or equal to

L

litre(s)

lb.

pound(s)

LPD

lighting power density

lx

lux

m

metre(s)

max.

maximum

MBH

mega Btu/h

min.

minimum

min

minute(s)

mm

millimetre(s)

No.

number

o.c.

on centre

Pa

pascal(s)

%

per cent

R

thermal resistance value (imperial unit)

RSI

thermal resistance value (metric unit)

s

second(s)

SCOP

seasonal coefficient of performance

SEER

seasonal energy-efficiency ratio

SL

standby losses

Δt

temperature difference

US gal.

US gallon(s)

U-value

overall thermal transmittance

V

volt(s)

Vt

storage volume

W

watt(s)

wb

wet bulb (temperature)

NBC20 Div.A 1.4.2.1.(1) (first printing)

[1.4.2.1.] 1.4.2.1.Symbols and Other Abbreviations

[1] 1)The symbols and other abbreviations in this Code shall have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and Article 1.3.2.1. of Division B.

 

1 in 2

slope of 1 vertical to 2 horizontal

cm

centimetre(s)

CO2e

carbon dioxide equivalent

°

degree(s)

°C

degree(s) Celsius

dBA

A-weighted sound level

diam

diameter

g

gram(s)

GHG

greenhouse gas

GJ

gigajoule(s)

h

hour(s)

HDD

heating degree-day(s)

HVAC

heating, ventilating and air-conditioning

Hz

hertz

J

joule(s)

K

degree(s) Kelvin

kg

kilogram(s)

kN

kilonewton(s)

kPa

kilopascal(s)

kW

kilowatt(s)

kWh

kilowatt-hour(s)

L

litre(s)

lx

lux

m

metre(s)

M

metric nomenclature for reinforcing bars

max.

maximum

min.

minimum

min

minute(s)

MJ

megajoule(s)

mm

millimetre(s)

MPa

megapascal(s)

N

newton

n/a

not applicable

ng

nanogram(s)

No.

number(s)

o.c.

on centre

OSB

oriented strandboard

PM

particulate matter

ppb

part(s) per billion

ppm

part(s) per million

R

thermal resistance value (imperial unit)

RSI

thermal resistance value (metric unit)

s

second(s)

W

watt(s)

%

percent

µg

microgram(s)

µm

micrometre(s)

U-value

overall thermal transmittance

Impact analysis

This proposed change would add consistency and eliminate any potential ambiguity in the interpretation of various NBC and NECB requirements containing the abbreviations.

Providing the meaning of the abbreviations would not have a negative impact on building design; and, therefore, should not result in any additional costs in the design of a particular project.

Enforcement implications

This proposed change increases clarity and consistency, thereby reducing ambiguity in Code interpretation. There should not be any resulting enforcement implications.

Who is affected

Designers, engineers, architects, builders and building officials.

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