STANDARDS IN FOCUS...THE DEVELOPMENT OF A REGIONAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY BUILDING CODE

STANDARDS IN FOCUS…THE DEVELOPMENT OF A REGIONAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY BUILDING CODE

Oct 15, 2017 News

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), on October 12, hosted a Consultation session for contractors, engineers and suppliers of building materials to garner their inputs on the Draft Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code. GNBS represents Guyana at the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) and is responsible for co-ordinating and managing national inputs in the formulation of Regional Codes and Standards.
CROSQ has initiated the development of this REEBC in collaboration with the CARICOM Secretariat and the German Agency for International Co-operation (GIZ). The development of a REEBC was mandated at the 41st Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on Energy. This mandate is intended to support a key objective of the CARICOM Energy Policy, viz. to achieve increased energy efficiency in various sectors.
The development of the REEBC and its subsequent application by CARICOM Member States is an important step in addressing the high costs associated with electricity generation and consumption and ultimately sustainable access to energy in the Region.
In addition, the Code will help to alleviate the environmental concerns related to greenhouse gas emissions that increase global warming and contribute to climate change.
With this Code, building envelopes and services are expected to achieve minimum energy savings of 30% when compared to conventional construction techniques; this will be achieved through several measures including making greater use of natural or energy efficient artificial lighting, and the strategic use of power distribution, air-conditioning, heating and ventilation in buildings.
CROSQ has retained a consultant to assist in the execution of this regional project. It includes the initial drafting of requirements for the region. The methodology involves reviewing and making suitable amendments to an existing Code, viz. the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) published by the International Code Council (ICC).
Although the current published version of this Code is IECC: 2015, it was agreed that the draft 2018 version (not yet published by the ICC) will be used as the base document for the exercise.
All Member States are required to establish national level Committees to review the base document and the recommended modifications identified by the consultant; these Committees will then make the necessary inputs into the regional process via the RPT.
GNBS has established the national Committee, referred to as the Technical Working Group (TWG), to assist in formulating the national position on the draft requirements of the REEBC. The TWG comprises individuals and representatives of key entities which have some knowledge, experience or responsibility for energy efficiency matters.
The draft REEBC requirements are currently available for public comments until the end of October, after which, it will be finalized. When the Code is finalized, it will be sent to Member States for voting before its submission to a meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) in 2018.

For further information on this subject, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0065 or 219-0064 or visit the GNBS Website: www.gnbsgy.org

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