Industry experts from Thermal Environmental Comfort Association (TECA) and HVAC Designers of Canada reviewed a report they had produced following the last TG meeting regarding the application of CSA F280.  They found that even in northern communities cooling was required when one performs an F280 calculation on an entire house and that CSA F280 cannot be used to determine when cooling is required or not.   

The August 13th report posted on Teamwork during the meeting recommends that a guideline be produced.  TECA and HVAC Designers of Canada have submitted a proposal to the BC Building Codes Branch that has yet to be approved. 

Members agreed there needs to be a threshold (enabling clause/trigger) to decide when cooling is not required.  However, an observer pointed out that’s not currently within the scope of F280.   

An observer stated that CSA F280 is not the right tool and should be removed from the PCF.  They advocated for engineered solutions and reinforced the importance of retaining the reference to Part 6.  HVAC Designers of Canada are not aware of any standards within Part 6 that would help a designer comply with the requirements described in the PCF.  

NRC was asked to carry out research on the importance of relative humidity (RH) which they will be presenting on to the TG in September.  CHBA noted the TG may wish to hold off on finalizing PCAs related to RH until they have received the presentation from NRC. 

There was much debate on whether passive measures could be used to comply with the requirements or whether the PCF would just result in mandatory cooling.  It does not appear that passive measures on their own could be used to comply with the PCF. 

The TG began modifying the Note regarding passive measures including removal of the reference to "thermal mass" which CHBA noted was included to help address basements.  CHBA questioned whether the PCF would need to go out for public review again since this change could have adverse publication reaction.  

CHBA asked for their comments to be included in the grouped comments prior to the next TG meeting.  Codes staff confirmed they will endeavour to add the remaining comments to the grouped comments being reviewed by the TG. 

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