Code changes
Home builders will be taking note of changes to the BC Building Code, which come into effect on Friday, December 19.
In a press release from the ministry of natural gas development and responsible for housing, the provincial government announced it has added four new requirements to the current building code, relating to energy efficiency, ventilation, child care and radon rough-in. The requirements apply to new construction.
Energy-efficiency standards are already in place with regard to insulation in the walls. Now the standards are broadened to encompass the entire building, setting “a minimum standard for insulation performance, heating and cooling systems, hot water tanks and the performance of doors, windows and skylights.”
Adequate ventilation is essential in a building. The new requirements dictate that all houses “have adequate ventilation to improve air flow in homes and reduce the likelihood of mould and mildew in new construction.”
The new building code allows flexibility when it comes to buildings used for child-care facilities. While still maintaining a high degree of safety, buildings that are classified as assembly occupancy (A-2) can be used, which describes buildings that are of small wood-frame construction. All fire safety requirements must be met.
For areas of the province where radon is prevalent, builders must ensure radon vent pipes are vented outside, instead of being capped.
“We continue to improve our approach to construction so that British Columbians live in safe, energy-efficient homes,” said Rich Coleman, minister of natural gas development and responsible for housing, in the press release.
The building code is updated every five years. It establishes minimum standards for health, safety and accessibility, as well as energy and water efficiency. More information about the BC Building Code is available online. Information relating to the upcoming changes is available in technical bulletins.
Avian aid
Plans to build a bald eagle flight pen at Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS) in Courtenay include winning an Aviva Insurance community fund voting challenge. Powell River residents are being asked to click online and spread the word.
Residents will be familiar with MARS as one of the locations which receives injured birds from the Powell River area and helps them recover before they return to the wild. Most recently, MARS assisted with public awareness campaigns about to snowy owls which visited the region in 2012 during migration.
The flight pen builds upon MARS’ current facility for birds in rehabilitation. The society’s caseload is increasing as it takes in birds from around the North Vancouver Island and Powell River area. The new building will have panels which can be moved to increase the size of the pen, stress-reduction isolation enclosures from other bird species in the same building, the introduction of live prey to ensure recovering birds can feed once out in the wild, and it will be built to reduce energy consumption by using solar panels, wind power and rainwater collection systems.
The future of MARS lies in its ability to manage growth. The flight pen is a vision to build and expand, with the future in mind. To help the society in its quest to win $100,000, readers can visit the competition website before Tuesday December 9, and vote to support MARS and its flight pen. To find out more about MARS, readers can visit online.
Pop-up store
Local parents and volunteers are operating a pop-up store to support local children living in poverty.
The store, located at 4493 Marine Avenue, is open until Wednesday, December 24. Store merchandise includes items such as sweatshirts, running shoes and cosmetics. All proceeds go to the Goods for Good Program.
In 2009, Powell River Vital Signs found there were over 1,000 children living in poverty. “We can assume that this number is the same or higher today,” said Melanie Jordan, Goods for Good organizer.
Dropout, delayed high school graduation, and morbidity rates are heightened for this group of children.
“My hope is that we can come together as a town and help the future generations that we will one day depend on,” said Jordan.
City of Powell River Mayor Dave Formosa agrees with Jordan’s concern. “We need to celebrate and protect all our children no matter where they are from or what their circumstances are,” he said.
Goods for Good’s pop-up store hopes to raise $50,000 this Christmas for children in need.
