A new approach for the mandatory application of the thermal regulation of construction (RTCM) in the future moroccan buildings

Abstract

This study made it possible to retrace the major stages in the implementation of thermal regulations for buildings while placing them in their global and regional framework. This regulation, which was born following the crucial energy consumption experienced by the building sector and which has prompted countries to take regulatory steps to combat this scourge. Morocco is also committed to this approach by setting up the Moroccan Construction Thermal Regulation (RTCM), in order to guarantee energy efficient buildings. Following the comparison with the Thermal Building Regulations of Tunisia (RTBT), a country enjoying a comparable climatic and economic framework, our study also allowed us to underline the similarity of approaches in the two countries but also the delay experienced by Morocco in this implementation which fortunately is in the process of filling it by accelerating the procedures. Our work is in line with this perspective, by making it possible to highlight the steps taken in the establishment of this RTCM and those that remain to be developed, refined or adapted to the country context. In this sense, a broad consultation of stakeholders (decision-makers, prescribers and professionals) through a survey, allowed us to elucidate the reasons for the delay in the implementation of this RTCM, and the skepticism of both sides to its consideration favoring by far its voluntary aspect of its application. This consultation has especially enabled us to enrich this regulation for a better adaptability to the Moroccan context, ensuring at the same time a fairly flexible transition from a voluntary application to a compulsory application. In addition, we have reviewed the high performance insulation materials to be offered for both building envelopes and their structures. And for better performance, we have also proposed the integration of certain Moroccan standards in digital simulation tools for thermally insulating buildings and which will be developed in the next work.