Supervising Net-Zero and Passive House Construction

​This course covers the fundamentals of Net Zero energy/emissions and Passive House buildings, with focus on wood-frame construction. The course will help learners develop their knowledge of international, national and provincial zero energy/emissions buildings codes and standards. Students will also develop an understanding of net zero energy/emissions buildings principles, science, systems, materials and cost. The course presents multiple case studies and provides a strong foundation for subsequent zero energy/emissions building courses. Key topics include: BC Building Code’s Energy Step Code and Zero Carbon Step Code, Net Zero, Zero Carbon and Passive House standards, operational and embodied carbon, energy efficiency performance metrics, building science, integrated design, introduction to low-TEDI and airtight enclosures, introduction to net zero mechanical and electrical systems, and costing. This course is offered online with live virtual lectures and self-paced learning in the BCIT Learning Hub.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course covers airtightness and low-TEDI enclosure construction for zero energy/emissions or Passive House buildings. The course will help learners develop their knowledge of airtightness and low thermal demand (low-TEDI) building enclosures with study of wood-frame construction. Students will develop a firm understanding of assembly details, material selection and compatibility, construction approaches, sequencing and coordination, for zero energy/emissions or Passive House buildings. Key topics include the airtightness, high R-value enclosure details, thermal bridging, assembly interfaces, windows, mechanical and electrical penetration, and embodied carbon of materials. This course is offered online with live virtual lectures and self-paced learning in the BCIT Learning Hub.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in XZEB 1001

The course covers the essentials related to mechanical and electrical design and construction in zero energy/emissions and Passive House buildings. The course will help learners understand unique mechanical and electrical considerations for Net-Zero, Net-Zero-Ready, and Passive House buildings. Key topics include common mechanical systems, energy source options, BC Energy Step Code and Passive House requirements, and integrated design. This course is offered online with live virtual lectures and self-paced learning in the BCIT Learning Hub.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in XZEB 1001 and 60% in XZEB 1120

​The course will help learners develop their knowledge of how to manage new construction, coordinate construction for larger and more complex buildings. Focus will be on developing understanding from a construction perspective of design details, new responsibilities and skills needed, understanding of impact of onsite decisions on final compliance and performance under the Passive House standard or the Upper Steps of the BC Energy Step Code for Part 3 and Part 9 buildings. Students will become familiar with tools and construction checklists to systematically manage relevant issues for zero energy/emissions or Passive House buildings. Key topics include the airtightness, enclosure details, thermal bridging, mechanical services, construction management, quality assurance construction checklists, and compliance documentation. The course will provide a strong foundation for the applied project in XZEB 1173.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in XZEB 1001 and 60% in XZEB 1120 and 60% in XZEB 1146

​The goal of this course is to provide an opportunity to practice skills and knowledge learned throughout the BCIT Supervising Net-Zero and Passive House Construction micro credential. In this course, students will work on an applied project associated with supervising the construction of a Net-Zero, Net-Zero Ready, or Passive House, or equivalent building. Under the supervision of an advisor, students will develop and present a report to demonstrate their understanding and competency in supervising Net-Zero, Net-Zero Ready, Passive House, or equivalent high-performance construction. Examples of this project could be a report on developing an airtightness training program or on planning and scheduling construction work to meet airtight and low-TEDI performance metrics. This course is offered online through the BCIT Learning Hub.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in XZEB 1001 and 60% in XZEB 1120 and 60% in XZEB 1146 and 60% in XZEB 1171

​This lab course allows for hands-on practice constructing various air barrier systems and assembly details for zero energy/emissions and Passive House buildings to meet the requirements of the national and provincial zero energy (BC Energy Step Code) and Passive House standards. Students will apply a foundational understanding of zero energy/emissions building codes and standards, airtightness and low-TEDI enclosures and work through several hands-on lab stations to build, test, or evaluate various assemblies using a range of approaches and materials. Lab activities will cover air and thermal barrier approaches and details for foundations, above and below-grade walls, roofs, interfaces, windows, balconies, penetrations, and low-embodied carbon insulation material options. This course is offered in person at BCIT High-Performance Lab with some assignments through the BCIT Learning Hub. Students should prepare for light construction and wear steel-toe footwear for lab sessions. Tools are provided onsite.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in XZEB 1001 and 60% in XZEB 1120
• To succeed in this course, students must have completed the prerequisites or be able to demonstrate knowledge equivalent to XZEB 1001 and 1120.