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Homeowner Protection Office Research and Education

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The purpose of the Research and Education component of the HPO is to provide resources and information regarding emerging building science matters and current consumer housing issues. We partner with industry, other levels of government and educational institutions to leverage our research and education initiatives and ensure the most efficient use of available resources

Please click here for a summary of the HPO Research and Education Projects.

Provincial Advisory Council on Homeowner Protection

The HPO receives advice from the Provincial Advisory Council on Homeowner Protection.  The mandate of the Council is to advise and make recommendations to the HPO regarding improving the quality of residential construction in B.C., research and education and consumer information.  The Council includes representatives from consumer groups, industry, local government, professional associations and labour.

Education and Training

Interested in embarking on a career in residential construction or want to expand your existing skills? Click here for a detailed listing of education and training resources available in British Columbia.

This listing includes information on the following:

Building Science Research

The HPO is partnering with various agencies, industry and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to conduct research on building science projects which will contribute to an improvement in the quality of residential construction for British Columbia.  These projects include:

Water Penetration Resistance of Windows NOW AVAILABLE  The purpose of this research project is to investigate the nature and causes of moisture penetration problems associated with windows in residential wood frame and high-rise buildings. This is a research partnership between the HPO, CMHC and BC Housing.  The study is comprised of two companion reports:

·           Study of Manufacturing, Building Design, Installation and Maintenance Factors – this study addresses causal factors leading to water penetration and the impact that various industry sectors can have in influencing window performance.

·          Study of Codes, Standards, Testing and Certification – this study involves a review and analysis of the building code, the CSA A440 series of standards and publications as well as existing window certification processes. 

NOTE: A graphics package is also available as part of this study. Please contact the HPO to receive a CD containing the reports and graphics package.

Monitoring Performance of Rainscreen Wall Assemblies INTERIM REPORT NOW AVAILABLE This project involves measuring and monitoring the performance of rainscreen wall assemblies within new and rehabilitated low, mid and high-rise residential buildings.  Five buildings in total are being monitored, all located in Vancouver.  The monitoring program was designed to measure temperature, wood moisture content, relative humidity, local weather conditions including rainfall, driving rainfall and pressure differences across the walls.  The data is analyzed to assess the effectiveness of rainscreen wall assemblies.  This is a research partnership between the HPO, CMHC and BC Housing. The interim report was presented at the 9th Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology, February 2003.

Building Envelope Research Bibliography NOW AVAILABLE   This bibliography makes it easier for you to access existing research on the building envelope.  It includes a comprehensive listing of 170 reference materials including books, articles and conference papers on the following topic areas:

  • Building Science, Building Envelope, Durability
  • Construction Types: Materials and Method
  • Cladding Systems: Wall Cladding, Windows, Sealants
  • Moisture in Walls: Water, Water Vapour, Rainscreen System
  • Air Movement and Walls: Air Barriers, Wind Pressure, Ventilation
  • Thermal Transfer in Walls: Insulation, Thermal Breaks
  • Renovation
  • References Specific to British Columbia

High-Rise Envelope Performance in the Coastal Climate in B.C. This research project identifies factors contributing to envelope performance problems and successes in non-combustible high-rise residential buildings.  The study correlates building envelope performance with sources of moisture, and features of design and construction of assemblies and details.  Key factors for successful design and construction of the building envelope assemblies and details are identified in this report.  This is a research partnership between the HPO and CMHC as primary sponsors.

NOTE: A graphics package is also available as part of this study. Please contact the HPO to receive a CD containing the reports and graphics package.

Earthquake Testing of Rainscreen Stucco Systems for B.C. Residential Wood-Frame Construction – SOON TO BE RELEASED   This project looks at the performance of a stucco wall assemblies in an earthquake situation.   The research compares the earthquake performance of rainscreen and non-rainscreen stucco systems, through which refinements to the design of rainscreen stucco systems have been developed to improve earthquake performance.  The research was conducted at the University of British Columbia seismic research facility using test wall panels as well as dynamic tests of a two storey house with stucco cladding.  This is a research partnership between the HPO, CMHC and BC Housing.

A Building Envelope Test Hut in Coastal British Columbia: Feasibility Study -  This project examines the feasibility of constructing a building envelope test hut facility in the Lower Mainland to study envelope performance under real conditions in real time.  This study was completed in February 2001 and can be downloaded in PDF format by selecting the above link.   The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is currently preparing a follow-up report which looks at a range of opportunities to establish a test hut. Research partners include HPO, CMHC and BCIT.

External Moisture Control: Defining Performance of Water Resistive Barriers INTERIM REPORT NOW AVAILABLE This project examines various aspects of sheathing membrane performance including measuring drainage and moisture retention capability, permeance of weathered materials, and long term performance in context of chemical leaching from stucco or wood-based products.  For this project the HPO is part of a research consortium involving CMHC, Concordia University and product manufacturers.  Study results will be available in the fall of 2003. The interim report was presented at the 9th Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology, February 2003.

Envelope Drying Rates Analysis   A Building Envelope Research Consortium (BERC) study of drying rates of various wall assemblies under controlled laboratory conditions.

Land Use Planning and Weather Protected Buildings   The publication serves as a best choices guide for local governments to review their land use bylaws and other policy or design related documents to determine how they impact the development of improved wall assemblies.

 

Last Updated: September 22, 2003

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