The Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada (PHTCC) has sent the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) a series of recommendations it should address before approving proposed changes to the National Building Code of Canada 2010 (NBC) with respect to swimming pool controls.
The Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada (PHTCC) will not endorse proposed changes to the National Building Code of Canada 2010 (NBC) with respect to swimming pool controls, stating the documentation it received from the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) needs both clarification and further amendment.
According to the PHTCC, it was notified of the initiative on Feb. 27 and had very little time to review the documentation before the public review process closed on March 2. The council says there was no previous consultation by the CCBFC in preparing the proposed changes to the NBC.
“This was an opportunity lost since our industry has made considerable progress and has gained a wealth of expertise in this domain over many years,” Rob Wood, PHTCC executive director said. “This sector has invested heavily in both equipment and measures that specifically address energy conservation.”
According to the CCBFC document released for public review, the proposed change requires automatic or manual shut-off for pool heaters and time switches for pool pumps and heaters to avoid excessive energy use by eliminating the equipment from being left running when not needed.
In response, the PHTCC sent the CCBF its recommended guidelines for Energy Conservation Opportunities for Pools, Spas and Water Features (G-0310), along with several points that would need to be adequately addressed before the PHTCC would be in a position to approve the draft.
Once the CCBFC reviews all comments, it will then determine whether it needs to withdraw the proposed change, recommend that it be reviewed further or recommend it be approved, with or without modification. If approved by the CCBFC, the technical changes to incorporate energy efficiency for housing and small buildings will be published as revisions to the 2010 NBC towards the end of 2012.
