REGIONALENERGY EFFICIENCY BUILDING CODE AVAILABLE FOR USE IN GUYANA

Oct 06, 2019 News, Standards in Focus

Last March, the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), the International Code Council (ICC), ASHRAE, and the CARICOM Secretariat Energy Unit announced the release of new standards for energy efficient buildings for CARICOM Member States. The CARICOM Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code (CREEBC), which was developed in 2018, covers both commercial and residential construction. The code came to fruition through the joint effort of CROSQ, the ICC and ASHRAE.
At the time of its announcement, the CEO of CROSQ, Mr. Deryck Omar stated, “These standards for energy efficient buildings reflect the unique energy requirements of tropical environments and will ultimately increase adoption rates of more effectual technologies for renewable energy and energy conservation.”
The CREEBC is meant to meet the specific needs of nations in the Caribbean and other countries with tropical climates. It establishes minimum energy efficiency requirements for buildings, including the building envelopes, cooling systems, ventilation, roofing and insulation, electrical systems, building layout and designs, lighting and water-heating systems.
Head of the Energy Unit at the CARICOM Secretariat, Dr. Devon Gardner, said, “The CREEBC is envisioned to lead to an era of better quality building designs within the Caribbean Community.
Dr. Garner advocated that “Energy efficient measures and systems, such as daytime lighting and improvements in ventilation, can facilitate the comfort of occupants in buildings even during periods of natural disaster related stress on the electricity grids.”
ASHRAE is a global society advancing human well-being through sustainable technology for the built environment. The Body comprises more than 50,000 members worldwide, focuses on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, refrigeration and sustainability.
Through research, standards writing, publishing, certification and continuing education, ASHRAE shapes tomorrow’s built environment today. According to 2018-2019 ASHRAE President Sheila J. Hayter, P.E.: “Improving energy efficiency is a global challenge, with building professionals serving as crucial contributors toward the establishment of standards that affect building systems operations,”
During the development of the Code, all Member States including Guyana were required to establish National Committees to review the base document and the recommended modifications identified by the consultant.
These Committees made the necessary inputs into the regional process via the Regional Project Team (RPT). The GNBS had established a National Committee, referred to as the Technical Working Group (TWG), to assist in formulating the national position on the draft requirements of the REEBC.
This TWG comprised of individuals and representatives of key entities, who had knowledge, experience and responsibility for energy efficiency matters.
No doubt, the utilization of the CREEBC by CARICOM Member States can help to address the high costs associated with electricity generation and consumption. 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 new 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.
To access the CREEBC for guidance on the construction of new domestic and commercial energy efficient buildings in Guyana, local architects and building contractors can visit the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, Sophia, Georgetown, or click on the following link: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/CREEBC2018

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