Ontario CodeNews Issue 235 - Numéro 235 CodeNews

December 10, 2014

Annualized Registrations

Effective January 1, 2015 all building practitioners regulated under the Building Code (O. Reg. 332/12) will have to register annually and pay an annual fee.

Practitioners include:

• building officials
• certain classes of designers
• on-site sewage system installers
• Registered Code Agencies

As previously communicated, this move to annual registration is a result of Building Code amendments filed in December 2013.

On-site sewage system installation firms who are currently registered will need to register annually once their current registration expires.

Building officials and other designers (those previously not required to register on an annual basis) will now need to register with the ministry annually. Other designers are designers that must meet Building Code qualification requirements, but are exempt from registration as a design firm. An example would be a designer employed by a homebuilder registered through the Tarion Warranty Corporation. Other designers are exempt from the insurance requirements of the Building Code.  

Registration for building officials and other designers is now available using the PDF registration forms found on the ministry website. On-line registrations using QuARTS will be available late December.

Building officials and other designers who have previously filed information with and are qualified by the ministry in accordance with the existing Building Code requirements will have until March 31, 2015 to register for the first time.

Changes to Fees

The following fees will come into effect on January 1, 2015.

For registration information and forms, please visit the ministry’s website at: http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page8591.aspx

 Le 10 décembre, 2014

Ontario CodeNews Issue 234 - Numéro 234 CodeNews

December 4, 2014

To assist builders, designers and building officials meet the building energy efficiency requirements of the Ontario Building Code, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has posted the following resources:

• Energy Efficiency Checklists for Part 3 all buildings and Part 9 non-residential buildings. Checklists have been updated to reflect 2012 Building Code requirements and are available on the ministry’s website.

• The National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) 2011. This is one of the compliance paths under Supplementary Standard SB-10 that came into effect January 1, 2014. NECB’s Energy Efficiency Checklists are posted on the ministry’s website.

• COMcheck 3.9.3.2 software (new version).  It uses updated Ontario climatic data and has the capacity to address mixed-use buildings.  The software can be downloaded free of charge from the US Department of Energy website.

 4 décembre,  2014

Le ministère des Affaires municipales et du Logement a publié les ressources suivantes pour aider les constructeurs, les concepteurs et les agents du service du bâtiment à s’assurer que les bâtiments répondent aux exigences d’efficacité énergétique du Code du bâtiment Ontarien :

• Les listes de contrôle de l’efficacité énergétique pour tous les bâtiments visés par la partie 3 et pour les bâtiments non résidentiels visés par la partie 9 ont été mises à jour pour refléter les exigences actuelles du Code du bâtiment. Ces listes de contrôle sont maintenant affichées sur le site Web du Code du bâtiment du ministère sous la rubrique Publications aux adresses suivantes: http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page9946.aspx 

• Le Code national de l’énergie pour les bâtiments - Canada (CNÉB) 2011 est l’une des méthodes possibles pour assurer la conformité en vertu de la norme supplémentaire SB-10 (en vigueur le 1^er janvier 2014).  Les listes de contrôle de l’efficacité énergétique pour le CNÉB 2011 sont maintenant affichées sur le site Web du Code du bâtiment du ministère sous la rubrique Publications aux adresses suivantes: http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page9946.aspx 

• Une nouvelle version du logiciel ComCheck, ComCheck 3.9.3.2, qui utilise les données climatiques mises à jour pour l’Ontario, est maintenant disponible. Cette version permet également de traiter le cas des bâtiments à usage mixte.  Le logiciel peut être téléchargé gratuitement à partir du site Web du ministère de l’énergie des États-Unis à l’adresse: http://www.energycodes.gov/comcheck

Ontario CodeNews Issue 233 - Numéro 233 CodeNews

October 23, 2014

Building Code Examination Delivery by Humber College

Building Code examinations will now be delivered by Humber College. The successful completion of these examinations is required to become qualified and registered under the Building Code Act, 1992.

Humber College will modernize examination delivery by offering examinations on-line as well as in-class. On-line delivery of examinations will benefit those in northern and rural communities by making examinations more accessible and reducing travel time and expenses.

This marks a change in how government delivers Building Code examinations, as Humber College will now be responsible for registering, hosting and delivering them.  

Humber’s responsibility for Building Code examination registration and hosting applies where an individual wishes to take an examination for the first time. As a result of the new examination delivery process, there will be changes to the way practitioners apply. A new online registration portal located on Humber College’s website (http://www.humber.ca/buildingcodeexams) will be available by October 20, 2014. Humber will begin hosting examinations by November 19, 2014.

Practitioners writing an examination for the first time will be required to apply to MMAH for a Building Code Identification Number (BCIN) before registering to take an examination through Humber College. Applying for a BCIN is quick and easy and can be done online by visiting  http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page8591.aspx. There will be no charge for this service. 

Current BCIN holders can go directly to Humber College’s online portal http://www.humber.ca/buildingcodeexams to register for an examination.

It is very important for building practitioners to ensure that their personal information is accurate and up-to-date in the ministry’s Qualification and Registration Tracking System (QuARTS) as they will now be advised of examination results by e-mail.

BCIN holders can set up their own personal account in QuARTS, which provides an easy way to update information. If you do not currently have a QuARTS account, one can be set up through MMAH’s website at http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page8591.aspx.

For examination related inquiries, please visit http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page8591.aspx.

octobre 23 2014

Examens sur le Code du bâtiment organisés par le Collège Humber

Les examens sur le Code du bâtiment seront maintenant organisés par le Collège Humber. La réussite à ces examens est nécessaire pour être qualifié et inscrit aux termes de la Loi de 1992 sur le code du bâtiment.

Le Collège Humber College modernisera la prestation des examens en offrant la possibilité de passer les examens en ligne, en plus des séances d’examen en salle de classe. Les examens en ligne présentent un intérêt particulier pour les personnes demeurant dans des régions rurales et du Nord de la province, en facilitant l’accès aux examens et en réduisant les heures et frais de déplacement.

Il s’agit d’un changement à la façon dont le gouvernement organise les examens sur le Code du bâtiment, car c’est le Collège Humber qui sera dorénavant chargé des inscriptions et de la tenue des examens. 

La responsabilité du Collège Humber en ce qui a trait à l’inscription et à l’organisation matérielle des examens sur le Code du bâtiment s’applique lorsqu’une personne souhaite se présenter à un examen pour la première fois. Par suite du nouveau processus d’organisation des examens, des modifications seront apportées à la façon dont les professionnels présentent une demande. Un nouveau portail d’inscription en ligne situé sur le site Web du Collège Humber http://www.humber.ca/buildingcodeexams/ sera accessible à compter du 20 octobre. Le Collège commencera à tenir des examens à partir du Novembre 19, 2014.

Avant de s’inscrire à un examen sur le site du Collège Humber, les professionnels qui passent un examen pour la première fois devront présenter au MAML une demande de numéro d’identification pour le Code du bâtiment (NICB). Le processus à suivre à cet égard est facile et rapide et la demande peut être faite gratuitement en ligne sur le site Web du MAML http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page8591.aspx.

Les détenteurs d’un NICB peuvent aller directement sur le portail en ligne du Collège Humber http://www.humber.ca/buildingcodeexams/ pour s’inscrire à un examen.

Il est très important que les professionnels du bâtiment vérifient que leurs renseignements personnels figurant dans le Système de suivi de l'accréditation et de l'enregistrement (Système QuARTS) du ministère sont exacts et à jour, car ils seront informés par courriel du résultat des examens.

Les détenteurs d’un NICB peuvent ouvrir un compte personnel dans le Système QuARTS, lequel permet de facilement mettre à jour leurs renseignements. Si vous n’avez pas encore de compte dans le Système QuARTS, vous pouvez en ouvrir un sur le site Web du MAML à http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page8591.aspx.

Ontario CodeNews Issue 232 - Numéro 232 CodeNews

September 30, 2014

Amendments to Ontario’s Building Code Allowing Mid-Rise Wood Frame Buildings

On Tuesday, September 23, 2014, Ontario Regulation 191/14 was filed to amend  the 2012 Building Code, Ontario Regulation 332/12.

These amendments increase the permitted height of certain wood frame buildings from four to six storeys, and will take effect on January 1, 2015.

Under the new Building Code provisions, residential (“Group C”) and office buildings (“Group D”) can be constructed using wood-frame construction up to six storeys. 

These buildings may include other “mixed use” occupancies below the third floor, specifically, “Group A-2” and “Group E” uses such as restaurants and grocery stores, as well as parking garages.  

To ensure that they meet Ontario’s high safety standards, these buildings will feature several additional safety provisions not currently required in four storey wood buildings, including: 

• enhanced automatic sprinklering to the NFPA 13 standard;
• sprinklering of all balconies over 610mm deep;
• building height limits including height limits to the fire access route;
• a requirement for exterior cladding and roof covering to be noncombustible or  combustion-resistant;
• additional compartmentalization for large sprinklered spaces such as attics;
• requiring at least 10% of the building perimeter to be within 15 meters of a fire safety access route;
•  requiring that exit stairwells have a 1.5 hour fire-resistant rating and be of noncombustible construction;
•  a requirement to meet a higher seismic load than similar noncombustible buildings;  and
• more robust occupancy permit requirements.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is working with the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, responsible for the Office of the Fire Marshall, to develop guidelines for site fire safety during construction of five and six storey wood buildings. 

For more information on the new requirements for mid-rise wood frame buildings, please visit the Building Code website at www.ontario.ca/buildingcode.     

The text of the amending regulation and the complete 2012 Building Code will be available on www.e-laws.gov.on.ca . 

 Le 30 septembre 2014

Ontario CodeNews Issue 231 - Numéro 231 CodeNews

August 1, 2014

Important Changes to Building Material Evaluation Commission Fees

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is proposing amendments to the Building Code to change fees for Building Materials Evaluation Commission (BMEC) applications.

Click here for more information on the proposed changes to BMEC fees under the Building Code.

Le 1 août, 2014

Ontario CodeNews Issue 230 - Numéro 230 CodeNews

July 31, 2014

Building Code Amendment – Requirements for Professional Design of Buildings

On July 24, 2014, Bill 14 (the Building Opportunity and Securing Our Future Act (Budget Measures), 2014) was passed in the Ontario Legislature. It contains provisions that amend the Building Code Act, 1992 to establish requirements for the professional design of buildings.  These amendments to the Building Code Act, 1992 are currently in effect.

The amendment to the Building Code Act, 1992 will not affect the authority of the Association of Architects (OAA) or the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) and complements the authority of their respective acts in order to promote the safe construction of buildings.

The amendment adds a requirement that, where the Architects Act or the Professional Engineers Act requires that an architect or an engineer design a building, the Chief Building Official can refuse to issue a permit if the building has not been designed by the required professional.

The text of the Bill  will be available on www.e-laws.gov.on.ca. 

  31 juillet, 2014

Ontario CodeNews Issue 229 - Numéro 229 CodeNews

April 16, 2014

Annual Client Satisfaction Survey (2013-14)

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s Building and Development Branch is asking for your feedback on the work we have done over the past year.

Your input allows us to improve service and deliver the information you need in a more efficient manner.

Thanks to those who have participated in our past surveys. Last year’s survey has led to:

• Closer involvement with the building industry in MMAH’s on-going development of the Building Code.
• More open and transparent consultation when proposing changes to the Building Code.

You can provide your feedback by completing our online survey. It should take you about five minutes.

Please respond by April 30, 2014.

For more information, please contact:

James Ross

Coordinator, Policy & Legislation

Tel: 416-585-4243

Email: james.ross@ontario.ca­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

Le 16 avril, 2014

Ontario CodeNews Issue 228 - Numéro 228 CodeNews

March 25, 2014

Proposed Amendments to the Building Code for Mid-Rise Wood Construction

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) is requesting feedback on  proposed amendments to the Building Code to permit the construction of up to six storey wood-frame buildings.  The Building Code currently permits the construction of up to four storey wood-frame buildings.

MMAH is seeking your views on these proposals.  Stakeholders and the public have until May 4, 2014, to submit comments on the regulatory proposal posted to the Ontario Regulatory Registry.  Click http://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/view.do?postingId=15462&language=en  for more information on the proposed changes to the Building Code and to submit comments.

Le 25 mars, 2014

Ontario CodeNews Issue 227 - Numéro 227 CodeNews

March 7, 2014

Professional Design

Code users should note that the 2012 Building Code (Ontario Regulation 332/12) no longer includes provisions regarding professional design of buildings by an architect or professional engineer that were previously set out in Division C, Section 1.2. of the 2006 Building Code (O. Reg. 350/06).

This change resulted from a 2007 decision of the Divisional Court of Ontario that found that the Building Code Act, 1992 did not provide sufficient authority to allocate responsibility for the design of buildings between members of the professional engineering and architectural professions in the Building Code.  Further information about the decision can be obtained at: www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page8597.aspx.

Architects and professional engineers are both self-regulating professions and are regulated under the Architects Act and the Professional Engineers Act respectively. These Acts define the scope of practice for architects and professional engineers undertaking design of buildings, including requirements for professional design of buildings and allocation of responsibility for professional design between these two professions.

For information on the scope of practice of professional engineers and architects, contact Professional Engineers Ontario and the Ontario Association of Architects, respectively. They may be able to advise you when an architect or engineer is required under the Architects Act or Professional Engineers Act and whether there are any exemptions from the professional design requirements in those statutes.

Division C, Section 1.2. of the 2012 Building Code does provide design requirements for certain buildings and structures. It also includes requirements for the general review of buildings by an architect, professional engineer or both. The general review requirements include an allocation of responsibility for general review between the two professions.

The 2012 Building Code came into force on January 1, 2014.

The Ontario Association of Architects and Professional Engineers Ontario have published a bulletin on this topic accessible at OAA Bulletin or PEO Bulletin.

Frequently Asked Questions

The provisions for design by an architect or professional engineer have been removed from Division C, Section 1.2 of the 2012 Building Code.  Does this mean that an architect or professional engineer is no longer required to design large and complex buildings?

No. This change to the Building Code resulted from a 2007 decision of the Divisional Court of Ontario that found that the Building Code Act, 1992 did not provide sufficient authority to allocate responsibility for the design of buildings between members of the professional engineering and architectural professions in the Building Code. Further information about the decision can be obtained at: http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page8597.aspx.

Architects and professional engineers are both self-regulating professions and are regulated under the Architects Act and the Professional Engineers Act respectively. These Acts defined the scope of practice for architects and professional engineers undertaking design of buildings, including requirements for professional design of buildings and allocation of responsibility for professional design between these two professions.

For information on the scope of practice of professional engineers and architects, contact Professional Engineers Ontario and the Ontario Association of Architects, respectively.  They may be able to advise you when an architect or engineer is required under the Architects Act or Professional Engineers Act and whether there are any exemptions from the professional design requirements in those statutes.

Does the 2012 Building Code include requirements for general review?

Yes. Subsection 1.2.2. of Division C of the 2012 Building Code contains expanded general review requirements, including a table that allocates responsibility for general review between architects and professional engineers.

What can building officials do if they believe that building plans have been prepared in contravention of the Professional Engineers Act or the Architects Act?

Subsection 8 (9) of the Building Code Act, 1992 authorize chief building officials, upon reasonable grounds, to refer drawings, plans or specifications accompanying applications for permits or the reports arising out of the general review of the construction of a building to Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) or Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) for the purpose of determining if the Professional Engineers Act or the Architects Act is being contravened.

Further, Subsection 8 (9.1) of the Building Code Act, 1992 requires chief building officials to refer this information to PEO and OAA upon their request.

Le 7 mars, 2014