The B.C. Building Code, said to be the "greenest" ever in the province, was introduced December 20 2012, but parts of it will not be enforced until this summer, according to construction industry insiders.
At issue is the revised Code's reference to the North American Fenestration Standard (NAFS). Being used for the first time in B.C., the standard is part of more than 80 changes in the Code relating to the manufacture and installation of window and door products.
"Although [industry associations] have been informing member companies to prepare for NAFS in the next B.C. Building Code, it appears many players in the fenestration industry did not take notice," said a spokesperson for the Fenestration Association of B.C.
The NAFS requires new testing for both new and existing window and door components, a process that can cost fenestration manufacturers thousands of dollar.
To give the industry more time to complete required testing, the Building Safety and Standards Branch has delayed the enforcement of NAFS requirements as it relates to homes, under Part 9 of the Code, to July 2013.
