Course Overview
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)
Credits
2.0
Domestic fees
$792.71
International fees are typically 3.4 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Compare the material properties (membranes, tapes, components, etc.) in the application as an air barrier system.
- Compare the material properties of insulation as part of the thermal barrier.
- Identify construction details and materials to mitigate moisture and water risks with various highly insulated assemblies.
- Identify air barrier approaches and construction details that will help protect the air barrier during construction and over the life of the building.
- Identify construction details that will help protect the thermal barrier over the life of the building.
- Interpret air barrier and thermal barrier details on drawings.
- Evaluate air barrier solutions for problematic construction details.
- Develop a construction plan for the sequencing and installing the air barrier and thermal barrier.
- Demonstrate the technical skills to execute the correct installation of an air barrier for a range of assembly details.
- Demonstrate the technical skills to execute the correct installation of various split-insulated assembly types and complete exterior finishing details.
- Practice locating and repairing leaks on an air barrier system.
- Be familiar with the thermal bridging properties of materials (fasteners, clips, etc.) and their potential role in addressing problematic construction details.
Effective as of Fall 2022
Related Programs
Airtightness and Low-TEDI Enclosures Lab for Zero Energy/Emissions and Passive House Buildings (XZEB 1130) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
School of Construction and the Environment
- Essentials of Net-Zero and Passive House Construction
Microcredential Part-time
- Supervising Net-Zero and Passive House Construction
Microcredential Part-time
Course Offerings
Fall 2026
Below is one offering of XZEB 1130 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 49312
Dates
Dec 10 - Dec 12 Loading
- CRN 49312
- $792.71 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 10 - Dec 12 | Thu, Fri, Sat | 08:00 - 16:30 | Burnaby |
Duration
3 days
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- This is an optional course for the Essentials of Net-Zero and Passive House Construction and Supervising Net-Zero and Passive House Construction micro-credentials. Students who complete this course may earn a Zero Energy/Emissions Buildings Enclosure Specialist badge, recognizing the additional knowledge and skills related to enclosure assembly and assembly details through hands-on education. This course is an on campus hands-on course with 3 full days of instruction. Additional independent learning is completed in the online course portal (BCIT Learning Hub). To succeed in this course, there is an expectation of a pre-requisite knowledge of the BC Energy Step Code, Passive House standards, and airtightness and low-TEDI assemblies. Completing XZEB 1001 and XZEB 1120 is recommended. Please email department for more detailed questions on equivalent knowledge zeb@bcit.ca. This course is eligible for students to receive funding through the StrongerBC future skills grant at www.bcit.ca/financial-aid/strongerbc-future-skills-grant/. Students will register for the course themselves and then apply for the StrongerBC future skills grant to cover payment (if eligible).
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.