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This page lists News at CodeNews items posted between January 1 - December 31, 2017.

Archived 2017 News at CodeNews

DATE
PROVINCE OR JURISDICTION
ARCHIVED 2017 NEWS
29-DEC-2017 ONTARIO
2012 Building Code
The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs issued Ontario CodeNews e-bulletin #258, dated December 29, 2017, to announce new Building Code Related Fees, effective on January 1, 2018:
  - Registrations for building practitioners regulated under the Building Code Act, 1992:
$111 Initial Registration/Reinstatement and Annual Renewal for Building Officials & Independent Designers & Septic System Installers
$176 Initial Registration/Reinstatement for Design Firms
$133 Annual Renewal for Design Firms
$38 Updating class of registration for Design Firms
$419 Initial Registration/Reinstatement for Registered Code Agencies
$309 Annual Renewal for Registered Code Agencies
$71 Updating class of registration for Registered Code Agencies
  - Applications to the Building Code Commission:   $184
  - Applications for Minister’s Rulings authorizing the use of innovative products:     $605
  - Applications to the Building Materials Evaluation Commission:     $11,000
The above fees are set in accordance with O. Reg. 360/13, which requires that:
"On and after January 1, 2016, the fee for a calendar year is the fee for the previous calendar year adjusted by the percentage change from year to year in the Consumer Price Index for Ontario (All-Items) as reported monthly by Statistics Canada under the authority of the Statistics Act (Canada), averaged over the 12-month period that ends on March 31 of the previous calendar year, rounded to the first decimal point."
28-DEC-2017 ONTARIO
Building Code Act, 1992
Stronger, Fair Ontario Act (Budget Measures) 2017,
Schedule 2
The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs issued Ontario CodeNews e-bulletin #257, dated December 28, 2017, to announce that the Ontario legislature passed Bill 177, the Stronger, Fair Ontario Act (Budget Measures) 2017, which includes Schedule 2, on December 14, 2017.

The Schedule 2 amendments to the Building Code Act, 1992, that received Royal Assent and are now in effect, include the following:
  • amendments necessary to establish regulations for Building Condition Evaluation Programs for prescribed classes of buildings
  • amendments allowing Chief Building Officials to register orders regarding contraventions to the Building Code Act and the Building Code on property title
  • an amendment to increase the maximum fine amounts for corporations
  • an amendment to clarify the independence of building officials
Additional Schedule 2 amendments to the Building Code Act, 1992, that relate to continuing professional development and administrative monetary penalties, will come into effect at a later date, following consultation and the approval of supporting regulations.
22-DEC-2017 ONTARIO
2012 Building Code
The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs issued Ontario CodeNews e-bulletin #256, dated December 22, 2017, to announce that the deadline for submission of comments on the consultation regarding the Building Condition Evaluation Program for all buildings with rooftop parking as well as exposed, multi-storey, above-ground parking structures built before 1988 has been extended to: January 19, 2018.
See the News at CodeNews entry for 16-NOV-2017, below.
20-DEC-2017 ONTARIO
2012 Building Code
The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs issued Ontario CodeNews e-bulletin #255, dated December 20, 2017, to announce that O. Reg. 563/17:
  • was made by Cabinet on December 13, 2017
  • was filed with the Registrar on: December 19, 2017
  • was published on e-Laws on December 19, 2017
  • will be printed in The Ontario Gazetteon January 6, 2018
O. Reg. 563/17 amends the Ontario Building Code and contains "transition provisions to support the smooth implementation of electric vehicle charging requirements that come into effect on January 1, 2018", as a result of the changes to the Ontario Building Code contained in O. Reg. 139/17.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs has published the following documents to assist Code users:
The updated version of the "Electric Vehicle Charging Systems" slide deck, which INCLUDES changes in O. Reg. 563/17 AND the Ministry's latest Questions and Answers is scheduled to be presented in January, 2018 at seminars for:
  • the Niagara Chapter meeting of the Ontario Building Official's Association
  • the GTA Chapter meeting of the Ontario Building Official's Association
  • the Town of Richmond Hill's Building and Fire Services staff
The updated version of the "Electric Vehicle Charging Systems" slide deck was developed by CodeNews Consulting Corp., Consulting Architect, and you can arrange for a seminar for your firm or organization by contacting Alek Antoniuk at 416-856-0241.
19-DEC-2017 ONTARIO
2012 Building Code
The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs issued Ontario CodeNews e-bulletin #254, dated December 19, 2017, to announce that O. Reg. 462/17:
  • was made by Cabinet on November 22, 2017
  • was filed withe the Registrar on: December 7, 2017
  • was published on e-Laws on December 7, 2017
  • will be printed in The Ontario Gazetteon December 23, 2017
O. Reg. 462/17 amends the Ontario Building Code and contains:
  • an amendment to expands the definitions of “applicable law” to include a reference to the new requirements for residential condominium conversion projects under the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act
  • a proverbial "technical housekeeping change" to address a typographical error discovered in O. Reg. 139/17, related to the length of the leaching chambers used in shallow buried trenches included in Table 8.7.1.3 A. (replacing “50” with “30” in the Table)
15-DEC-2017 ONTARIO
2012 Building Code

The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs issued Ontario CodeNews e-bulletin #253, dated December 15, 2017, in which the Honourable Bill Mauro, Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs, announced the availability of "Ontario’s Tall Wood Building Reference: A Technical Resource for Developing Alternative Solutions Under Ontario’s Building Code", which is intended to be a new tool to support tall wood construction.

This technical resource is intended to provide "information to assist applicants, reviewers and designers as they consider tall wood building construction."

To obtain a copy of  "Ontario’s Tall Wood Building Reference: A Technical Resource for Developing Alternative Solutions Under Ontario’s Building Code", write an e-mail to:     masstimber@ontario.ca

30-NOV-2017 ALBERTA
Building Code Interpretations
Variances
STANDATA
On November 29, 2017, Alberta Municipal Affairs announced the publication of the following new STANDATA Building Code Interpretation:
Alberta Municipal Affairs also announced the publication of the following new STANDATA Building Code Variances:
16-NOV-2017 ONTARIO
2012 Building Code

The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs issued Ontario CodeNews e-bulletin #251, dated November 16, 2017, to announce that Ontario's Regulatory Registry has posted a public consultation on potential regulatory amendments to the Building Code to establish a Building Condition Evaluation Program for all buildings with rooftop parking.  The amendments would also apply to exposed, multi-storey, above-ground parking structures built before 1988.  The proposals in the consultation paper are intended to respond to the recommendations of the Elliot Lake Commission of Inquiry and benefit from the advice in the Report of the Building Safety Technical Advisory Panel that was released in January 27, 2016.

You are requested to submit comments on the consultation document by January 4, 2018.

The consultation document will be posted on the Regulatory Registry for a period of 50 days.  In order to preserve access to the consultation document beyond 50 days, CodeNews has archived a copy of the consultation document on this website.

15-NOV-2017 ONTARIO
Building Code Act

Bill 177, Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2017, received first reading on November 15, 2017.  The Bill contains 46 Schedules which amend various Acts.  Schedule 2 amends the Building Code Act, 1992.

The proposed Building Code Act amendments are intended to address the recommendations that were made by the Elliot Lake Commission of Inquiry following the collapse of the Algo Centre Mall in 2012.  The proposed amendments, if passed, would enable the government to make regulations establishing mandatory maintenance and evaluation programs for prescribed types of buildings through a Building Condition Evaluation Program.  The Bill would come into force on the day the Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2017 receives Royal Assent, except for the imposition of administrative penalties and a number of other matters.

15-NOV-2017 ALBERTA
Building Code Interpretations
Notice
STANDATA
On November 15, 2017, Alberta Municipal Affairs announced the publication of the following new STANDATA Building Code Interpretation:
Alberta Municipal Affairs also announced that, effective on December 1, 2017, administrative penalties under Alberta's Safety Codes Act may be issued for non-compliance where a person contravenes the Safety Codes Act.  The announcement is available at:
14-NOV-2017 CCBFC
Construction Codes of Canada
The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) has invited Code users and stakeholders to participate in the fall 2017 public review of proposed changes to Codes Canada publications:
  •     National Building Code of Canada 2015 (NBC)
  •     National Fire Code of Canada 2015 (NFC)
  •     National Plumbing Code of Canada 2015 (NPC)
This national public review takes place from November 6, 2017 to January 2, 2018.  The purpose of this public review is to:
  •     provide Code users and stakeholders with a detailed look at proposed technical changes and
  •     seek comment on each proposed technical change as to whether it should be approved, altered, or rejected.
The relevant committees of the CCBFC will review every comment and will then either withdraw the proposed change; recommend that it be reviewed further for possible re-submission in revised form in a future public review; or recommend that it be approved by the CCBFC, with or without modification. If approved by the CCBFC, the technical changes will be published in the 2020 editions of Codes Canada publications.

You can download the combined .pdf  file (7.5MB) of all proposed changes (updated on 2017-11-08) from the NRC website.

31-OCT-2017 ONTARIO
2007 Ontario Fire Code
In its Bulletin #001/17 issued on October 31, 2017, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management (OFMEM) announced that it is holding a public consultation on proposed amendments to the Fire Code that will enhance fire safety through additional inspection and testing requirements for fire department pumper connections for standpipe and hose systems. 
These proposed amendments were supported in principle by a Technical Advisory Committee comprised of various stakeholder groups that was convened by the OFMEM as part of the consultation process.  
Public comments must be submitted before the consultation period ends on November 30, 2017.  Your participation is encouraged as feedback will help guide changes to the Fire Code.
Summaries of the proposed amendments and instructions on how to provide comments are available on the Ontario Regulatory Registry.
27-OCT-2017 ALBERTA
Building Code Variances
Electrical
STANDATA
On October 27, 2017, Alberta Municipal Affairs announced the publication of the following new STANDATA Building Code Variances:
Alberta Municipal Affairs also announced the publication of the following new Electrical STANDATA:
17-OCT-2017 International Code Council
CSA Group
Rainwater Harvesting Standard
Joe Rogers, P. Eng., Building Code Coordinator for the Province of Nova Scotia, kindly advised that the International Code Council and CSA Group are holding a third public review of the CSA/ICC Rainwater Harvesting Standard.
The consultation began on October 6, and will conclude on November 20th, 2017.
Public comments are requested on the third public comments draft dated August 2017.
Public comments are limited to the portions of the draft shown in legislative (strike through/underline) format.
Public comments to other portions of the standard will not be considered.
Copies of the consultation are available on-line in Word Format (.docx) and Acrobat Format (.pdf).
28-SEP-2017 ONTARIO
2012 Building Code

The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs issued Ontario CodeNews e-bulletin #250, dated September 28, 2017, to announce the availability of technical support materials to assist in the implementation of new Building Code requirements contained in O. Reg. 139/17.

The Ministry alleges that the technical support materials are available on the the Build Right Ontario website, maintained by the Ontario Building Officials Association and the Large Municipalities Chief Building Officials group.  Since the materials are not posted, as of September 28, 2017, we are providing links to the following technical support materials posted on the CodeNews.ca website:

Please note that the ministry's slide decks are but pale imitations of and are not the same as the Presentations on the major changes to retirement homes and houses, contained in O. Reg. 139/17, that are being delivered in person by Alek Antoniuk, OAA, to delighted droves of architects, engineers, and building officials.

Attendance Credits at the November 14 Presentation in Kitchener are recognized by the OBOA for its members who are:

  •  certified; and
  •  paid-up in the current cycle.
27-SEP-2017 QUÉBEC
Le chapitre Électricité du Code de construction du Québec
Le chapitre Électricité du Code de sécurité du Québec
On September 27, 2017, La Régie du bâtiment du Québec announced that the draft by-law amending Chapter V, Electricity, of the Building Code (chapter B-1.1, r.2) and the Regulation respecting the application of the Building Act, and Chapter II, Electricity, of the Safety Code (chapter B-1.1, r.3) were published in the Gazette officielle du Québec on September 27, 2017, for public comment.
The main objectives of these draft regulations are:
  • Adopt the 23rd edition of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part One, CSA Standard C22.1-15 (CCC-2015) to update Chapter V, Electricity, of the Construction Code.
  • Make changes to this new edition to meet the needs and priorities of Quebec, and renew certain changes that were made to the 2009 edition currently in effect.
  • Integrate the provisions of the Government's 2015-2020 Electrification of Transport Action Plan, by requiring the installation of basic infrastructure for the eventual supply of 240-volt charging stations for electric vehicles during the construction of individual dwellings with parking areas or carport.
  • Incorporate some of the recommendations of the Provincial Electricity Advisory Committee into the regulations to enhance the safety of certain facilities.
  • Harmonize the requirements of Chapter II, Electrical, Safety Code with other chapters of this Code and with the Construction Code.
  • Introduce directly in the Construction Code the exemptions from the Regulations to the Building Act relating to electrical installations.
The announcement is available only in the French language.
21-SEP-2017 QUÉBEC
Le chapitre Plomberie du Code de construction du Québec
On September 21, 2017, La Régie du bâtiment du Québec announced that the Master Plumbing Mechanics of Quebec, in collaboration with the Régie du bâtiment du Québec, has prepared a Good Practices sheet on the new method of sizing a drinking water supply network referenced in Chapter III, Plumbing, of the Quebec Construction Code. This sheet is part of a set of 4 publications on the same subject.
The good practice sheets are available only in the French language.
20-SEP-2017 ALBERTA
Building Code User Guide
Building Code Variances
Building Code Interpretations
STANDATA
On September 20, 2017, Alberta Municipal Affairs announced the publication of the following new STANDATA Building Code Variances:
Alberta Municipal Affairs also announced the publication of the following new STANDATA Building Code Interpretation:
Alberta Municipal Affairs has developed a user guide for Section 9.36. of the Alberta Building Code 2014 (ABC) in consultation with municipalities, industry and safety codes officers.  This information is designed to assist code users for compliance with both prescriptive and performance paths under Section 9.36., ABC.  It provides code users with key considerations for submitting permit applications to the authority having jurisdiction, samples of a project summary and trade off calculations, clarification of code requirements for airtightness and checklists for energy code compliance under Section 9.36. of the ABC.
20-SEP-2017 QUÉBEC
la Loi sur les appareils sous pression
(chapitre A‑20.01)
On September 20, 2017, La Régie du bâtiment du Québec announced the publication of the draft pressure vessels installation regulation (ISP)  in the Gazette officielle du Québec for public comment.
This regulation is intended to replace the Act respecting pressure vessels (chapter A-20.01) and the Pressure Vessels Regulations (chapter A-20.01, r.1) and will make it possible to integrate the ISP area with the Building Act (chapter B-1.1).
See:
It is refreshing to see a government take the time to share the impact of draft regulations.
01-AUG-2017 QUÉBEC
Le chapitre Bâtiment du Code de sécurité du Québec
In March, 2017, La Régie du bâtiment du Québec issued a bulletin, "Utilisation des mousses plastiques dans les installations de chauffage, ventilation et conditionnement d’air (CVCA)" - translation: "Use of Plastic Foams in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)".  While this bulletin is available only in the French language, CodeNews.ca considers this a very useful document, since it reminds users of Canadian building codes that there are limitations on the use for foamed plastics in HVAC systems.
31-JUL-2017 ALBERTA On July 31, 2017, Alberta Municipal Affairs announced the availability of:
Sentence 2.2.1.4.(1) of Division C of the Alberta Building Code 2014 states:
The Chief Building Administrator may grant relaxation of one or more of the requirements of Section 3.8. if an owner can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Chief Building Administrator that
a)    the specific requirements are unnecessary, or
b)    extraordinary circumstances prevent conformance.
These forms are applicable to Alberta projects only and do not apply to Ontario, since Ontario expects everyone to comply with its Building Code, no matter how costly or impractical, or senseless.
25-JUL-2017 ONTARIO
Building Code Act
The Ontario Building Officials Association.(OBOA) has proposed the introduction of a legislative amendment to Ontario's Building Code Act that would formalize the Certified Building Code Official (CBCO) designation as the provincial standard of practice.
The OBOA's proposal is aligned with changes recently made to the British Columbia Building Act, 2015. The Province delegated powers to certify and qualify building officials to an external body. This authority was granted specifically to the Building Officials Association of BC via the Building Officials Association of British Columbia Act, in recognition of their existing role as the professional association for building officials, linkages to the Alliance of Canadian Building Officials' Association (ACBOA), and expertise in building official education and qualifications.
21-JUL-2017 ALBERTA
Building Code Variances
Building Code Interpretations
Building Code Bulletins
STANDATA
On July 21, 2017, Alberta Municipal Affairs announced the publication of the following new STANDATA Building Code Variances:
Alberta Municipal Affairs also announced the publication of the following new STANDATA Building Code Interpretations:
Alberta Municipal Affairs also announced the publication of the following new STANDATA Building Code Bulletins:

Alberta Building Code 2014 Schedules

The professional schedules referenced by the Alberta Building Code (ABC) have been updated to specifically reference energy efficiency requirements of the National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB) 2011 and ABC 2014 Section 9.36. This update provides the user visible confirmation of the fact that the professional schedules include application to energy efficiency under the NECB 2011 and the ABC 2014 Section 9.36. in force in Alberta since November 1, 2016.

15-JUL-2017 ONTARIO
2012 Building Code
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs issued Ontario CodeNews e-bulletin #249, dated July 14, 2017, to announce that it is seeking stakeholder and public input on proposed changes to Ontario’s Building Code.
The Ministry acknowledges that public consultation is an important part of developing legislation and regulation in Ontario.
As part of developing the next edition of the Building Code, the Ministry is seeking input on proposed requirements to support the implementation of the government’s Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP), which was released in June 2016.

Potential changes for the next edition of the Building Code that are being considered to reduce GHG emissions include:
  • Energy efficiency requirements for houses
  • Energy efficiency in large buildings
  • Energy efficient renovations in houses and large buildings
  • Electric vehicle charging in new multi-unit residential buildings
  • Other green technologies
Additionally, MMA is seeking input on potential changes that would support adaptation to climate change, specifically related to the potential for increased frequency of extreme weather events. These potential changes would include hurricane straps in new houses.

This consultation will also seek input on how to inform potential future changes to the Building Code that will support CCAP by promoting increased energy efficiency in Ontario, such as the commissioning of large buildings, adaptive thermostats and sub-metering.

The consultation document and proposed Building Code changes are posted on the Regulatory Registry, Environmental Registry, and the Ministry's website for a period of 77 days.  The Ministry has requested your comments on this consultation by September 29, 2017.
14-JUL-2017 ONTARIO
2012 Building Code
Proposed 2019 Building Code
Ontario Regulatory Registry Proposal Number 17-MMA007, posted on July 14, 2017, has announced that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs (MMA) is proposing to revoke the current version of the Building Code (Ontario Regulation 332/12) and replace it with a new edition under the Building Code Act, 1992. It is proposed that the new edition come into effect in January 2019.
If the next edition of the National Building Code of Canada comes out in 2020, why don't they wait a year and publish a 2020 OBC that is harmonized with the 2020 NBC ...?
29-JUN-2017 ONTARIO
2012 Building Code
Amendment Package #6 (July 1, 2017 update) for the Compendium Version of the Ontario Building Code is now available for free downloading from the ServiceOntario Publications website.  This package includes the changes arising from O. Reg. 139/17, parts of which are scheduled to come into effect on July 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018.
Download the free 412 page package as Publication Number 510159.
CodeNews Consulting Corp. has distributed to its clients a slide deck presentation consisting of 31 slides describing the significant changes affecting Retirement Homes in Ontario Regulation 139/17, which comes into effect for Retirement Homes on July 1, 2017.
You can arrange for an on-site presentation for your organization by contacting Alek Antoniuk.
31-MAY-2017 ONTARIO
TSSA Consultation on the Boilers and Pressure Vessels Regulation
O. Reg. 220/01
In February 2016, MGCS, in collaboration with TSSA, established a BPV industry panel to make recommendations that would assist in addressing long-standing challenges associated with the operationalization of the Boilers and Pressure Vessels regulation.
The BPV expert panel report was finalized in August 2016.
The ministry has developed draft regulatory changes to support the implementation of the panel's recommendations as well as other changes to improve the effectiveness of TSSA's BPV Safety Program and is holding a public consultation.
The ministry welcomes feedback and encourages anyone interested to provide comments on the proposal by July 17, 2017.
30-MAY-2017 ONTARIO
TSSA Boilers and Pressure Vessels Code Adoption Document
The Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA) announced, on May 30, 2017, that the Boiler and Pressure Vessels (BPV-17-01 Code Adoption Document Amendments were issued on May 29, 2017 and will become effective immediately (presumably, on May 29, 2017).

Significant amendments include references to the latest editions of:

  • CSA B51 - the boiler, pressure vessel and pressure piping code, which is the national document for non-nuclear pressure equipment in Canada
  • CSA B52 - the mechanical refrigeration code
  • CSA N285.0  - general requirements for pressure-retaining systems and components in Canada Deuterium Uranium(CANDU) nuclear power plants/material standards for reactor components for CANDU nuclear power plants
25-MAY-2017 ALBERTA
Building Code Variances
STANDATA
On May 25, 2017, Alberta Municipal Affairs announced the publication of the following new STANDATA Building Code Variances:
  • 14-BCV-002 - Tall Wall Generic Engineered Details
  • 14-BCV-003 - Wind Data for Low-Rise Buildings Guideline
  • 14-BCV-004 - Spans for Joists, Rafter and Beams
  • 14-BCV-005 - CSA-A277-16 Procedure for Certification of Prefabricated Buildings, Modules, and Panels
25-MAY-2017 The Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) has kindly shared a legal opinion prepared by Leo Longo, one of the most respected authorities on building and planning law in Ontario.
In his legal opinion, Leo has conclude that:
  • Ontario municipalities do not have the authority to impose on land developers/builders a construction standard for energy efficiency which exceeds the Ontario Building Code.
  • Sections 41 and 51 of the Planning Act do not grant municipalities the authority to regulate energy efficiency construction as part of their site plan control or draft plan of subdivision processes.
  • It is unlawful for site plan or subdivision agreements to link occupancy permits to energy efficient construction.
  • The City of Toronto does not have the authority to impose construction standards for energy efficiency through its Green Standard.
It remains to be seen whether any developer will challenge municipal planning departments in Ontario Courts on this.
RESCON has kindly shared Leo Longo’s May 4, 2017 letter with CodeNews.
17-MAY-2017 ONTARIO
2012 Building Code
The Ontario government filed Ontario Regulation 139/17 on May 17, 2017 to amend the 2012 edition of the Ontario Building Code.
The changes to the Ontario Building Code are scheduled to come into effect on July 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018.

Of course, clients of CodeNews Consulting Corp., Consulting Architect, will be provided with specific information on how the changes affect their projects.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs has issued Ontario CodeNews Bulletin 248, which statess that:
These new requirements support the Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy by establishing construction standards for retirement homes and two-unit houses. The requirements for two-unit houses apply to single-detached, semi-detached and row houses, but not to stacked townhouse units.
The new requirements also support Climate Change Action Plan commitments through new requirements for the installation of electric vehicle charging in new houses and workplaces. Lastly, an interim amendment has been made to incorporate requirements for the use of a new effluent distribution technology to support the protection of ground and surface water quality.
03-MAY-2017 ALBERTA
Electrical Utility Code
Alberta Municipal Affairs announced that a new edition of the Alberta Electrical Utility Code came into effect May 1, 2017.
The announcement states that:

Effective as of January 1, 2016, the Electrical Code Regulation was amended by Alberta Regulation 126/2015 to facilitate automatic code adoption.  Generally, electrical codes will now come into force one year after the month of their publication, unless otherwise prescribed by the Minister.  The first such code automatically adopted under the amended regulation will be the Alberta Electrical Utility Code.

Effective May 1, 2017, the following codes will be in force as per the Electrical Code Regulation:

  • CSA- C22.1-15 – Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1  – This code provides the minimum safety standards for the installation and maintenance of electrical equipment.
  • Code for Electrical Installations at Oil and Gas Facilities – 5th Edition, 2015  – This code applies to electrical installations used in the search, transmission or production of oil, natural gas and related hydrocarbons, and it provides area classification guidelines.
  • Alberta Electrical Utility Code – 5th Edition, 2016  – This code provides the minimum safety standard for the installation and maintenance of electrical utility systems in Alberta.
14-APR-2017 ONTARIO
TSSA Gaseous Fuels and Propane Code Adoption Documents
The Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA) has announced that the Gaseous Fuels (FS-225-17) Code Adoption Document Amendments and the Propane (FS-224-17) Code Adoption Document Amendments [link updated: April 20, 2017]were issued on April 10, 2017 and will become effective on  July 1, 2017.

Significant changes to the Gaseous Fuels CAD include:
•    Adoption of B149.1-15 Natural gas and propane installation code (with Ontario amendments)
•    Incorporating Director’s Order FS-156-09 (re: new or replacement boilers) into the code for ease of reference
•    Incorporating Director’s Order FS-056-06 R1 (re: Mobile Food Service Equipment) into the code for ease of reference
•    Adoption of TSSA Field Approval Code TSSA-FA-2016 (which adopts B149.3-15)
•    Adoption of TSSA Digester, Landfill & Biogas Code TSSA-DLB-2016 (which adopts B149.6-15)
•    Extending deadline for compliance for existing unvented heaters installed prior to October 14, 2014 inside a building housing livestock or poultry

Significant changes to the Propane CAD include:
•    Adoption of CSA B149.2-15 for propane storage and handling requirements (Item 1)
•    Adoption of, CSA B149.5-15 for propane vehicle conversion requirements (Item 2)
•    Adoption of CSA B149.1-15 for appliances and equipment on highway vehicles, mobile units, etc. when propane is used for fuel purpose (moved from B149.2 to B149.1 in 2015) (Item 3)
•    Adoption of TSSA Field Approval Code TSSA-FA-2016 (which adopts CSA B149.3-2015) (Item 4)
•    Adoption of TSSA Mobile Food Service Equipment Code TSSA-MFSE-2014 (Item 5)
•    Exemption of vehicular protection for cylinders of 20 lb. or less stored in cabinets (Item 1.12)
•    New requirements for inspection of tanks and inspection/replacement of relief valves (Item 1.14 and 1.15)
Annex Q is added for requirements for use of non-refillable cylinders in classrooms in schools (Item 1.13 and 1.22).
07-APR-2017 ONTARIO
TSSA/ESA
Excavation Guideline
TSSA’s Fuels Safety Program  recently adopted the new CSA Z247 Code  for damage prevention to underground  infrastructure – effective April 1, 2017.
To align with this standard, TSSA is updating the current 2008 ESA TSSA Excavation Guideline, which is under final review by stakeholders, including the Electrical Safety Authority.
Highlights will include
•    updating definitions to align with CSA Z247, TSSA, ESA, and Ontario One Call regulations;
•    accepting electronic locates as well as paper; and
•    adding CSA Z247 hyperlinks to guide the user.
Stay tuned for the updated TSSA/ESA Excavation Guideline.
07-APR-2017 ONTARIO
Building and Development Branch
The Ontario Building Officials Association announced that Hannah Evans has been named the new Director of the Building and Development Branch in Ontario's Ministry of Municipal Affairs, starting on April 3, 2017.

Who is Hannah Evans?   The new Director comes from the Syrian Refugee Resettlement Secretariat in the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, where she was the Director since 2015.  Prior to that, she was the Director, Municipal Programs and Education Branch in the former Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing, from 2013-2015.  She started her career in the Ontario government as the Director, Ontario Growth Secretariat, Partnerships & Consultation Branch, in the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure, in 2005.  She has a B. Comm. degree from the University of Toronto and a Master of Environmental Studies degree from York University. [updated: April 13, 2017]

The Director of the Building and Development Branch is also the Chief Building Official for Ontario.
According to the Ministry's web site, the Building Code Act, 1992 requires all Chief Building Officials to obtain a Building Code Identification Number (BCIN) and be qualified and registered with the Ministry.
The new Chief Building Official for Ontario is not listed on the QuARTS Public Registry at this time.
26-MAR-2017 NOVA SCOTIA
Building Code Regulations
Joe Rogers P.Eng., Building Code Coordinator, of the Nova Scotia Office of the Fire Marshal has announced that the revised Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations (NS Reg 26/2017) was printed on March 17, 2017 in  the Royal Gazette and adopts the 2015 editions of:
•    the National Building Code,
•    the National Plumbing Code, and
•    the National Energy Code for Buildings.

The only areas within the proposed regulation consulted on last year that did not move forward were:
•    the requirement for approval of certain building plans from the Office of the Fire Marshal prior to construction, and
•    the requirement for adaptability for residential dwellings.

These changes will come into effect on April 1, 2017.
A User's Guide is currently being worked on and will be posted shortly on the Nova Scotia website.    
The Nova Scotia government has also issued a press release, dated March 17, 2017.
18-MAR-2017 QUÉBEC
Le chapitre Bâtiment du Code de sécurité du Québec
La Régie du bâtiment du Québec has issued a reminder (French only) that Québec Security Code requires an architect or engineer to thoroughly inspect the facades of every building  of 5 or more storeys.  Owners of buildings that are older than 15 years, but less than 25 years, as of March 18, 2013, must obtain a 1st audit report by March 18, 2017.
It is the responsibility of the building owner to comply with the regulations applicable to his/her building. An owner who contravenes a provision of the Safety Code is guilty of an offence and is liable to a fine of $ 1,105 to $ 5,523 in the case of an individual and $ 3,314 to $ 16,569 in the case of a corporation.
17-MAR-2017 ALBERTA
Regulation under the Safety Codes Act
STANDATA
Alberta Municipal Affairs announced the availability of the following new STANDATA Building Code Interpretation:
The purpose of this Standata is to clarify the intended locations for Visual Signal Devices in buildings governed by Part 3 of Division B of the Alberta Building Code 2014.
Unfortunately, Ontario's Ministry of Municipal Affairs stopped providing Building Code Interpretations of its Building Code many years ago, on the advice of its legal experts.  Apparently, it is far easier to abandon municipal enforcement agencies, designers, and the construction industry than provide leadership and promote uniform Building Code interpretation in Ontario.
15-MAR-2017 ONTARIO
2012 Building Code
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs established Technical Advisory Committees to  review  public comments on the Ontario Building Code changes proposedduring its public consultation held from October 21 to December 20, 2016.
CodeNews.ca has obtained the public comments that were presented to members of the following Technical Advisory Committees:
Although the Ministry of Municipal Affairs has not made any public announcements about the  Technical Advisory Committees, it appears that the TACs members met in February 2017 and that all of the proposed changes will come into force in July, 2017 and January, 2018.
CodeNews.ca believes that the design and construction industry should operate on a level playing field and that all Code users should have equal access to proposed code changes and the public cooments. 
15-FEB-2017 ONTARIO
TSSA Boilers and Pressure Vessels Code Adoption Document
The Technical Standards & Safety Authority announced that it is holding a public consultation on a proposed Draft Boilers and Pressure Vessels Code Adoption Document Amendment that will adopt three CSA standards that govern pressure equipment in Canada.  These include the latest editions of:
  • CSA B51 - the boiler, pressure vessel and pressure piping code, which is the national document for non-nuclear pressure equipment in Canada
  • CSA B52 - the mechanical refrigeration code
  • CSA N285.0  - general requirements for pressure-retaining systems and components in Canada Deuterium Uranium(CANDU) nuclear power plants/material standards for reactor components for CANDU nuclear power plants
This proposal has been posted for a 30 day public review and comment period starting February 14, 2017 and will close on March 28, 2017. If you have any questions, or would like to submit your comments using the TSSA Boilers and Pressure Vessels Docket form, please do so by email to:
Cathy Turylo, Manager of Engineering, Boilers and Pressure Vessels cturylo@tssa.org
All comments received prior to March 28, 2017 will be considered as part of the decision-making process by the TSSA.
04-FEB-2017 Climate Gate 2 - Manipulation of Alleged Global Warming Data
UN CLIMATE CONFERENCE
Paris, 2015
The Mail on Sunday reported, on February 4, 2017, that the United States' National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) breached its own rules on scientific integrity when it published a sensational but flawed report on global warming, aimed at making the maximum possible impact on world leaders at the UN climate conference in Paris in 2015.  This information was provided to The Mail on Sunday by Dr John Bates, a top NOAA scientist.
The effect of these revelations about a "blatant attempt to intensify the impact" of what became known as the "Pausebuster paper" is likely to cause many nations to review their commitment to the 2015 Paris Agreement.
At this time, it is not know whether the Ontario government's climate change initiatives to amend the Ontario Building Code will be affected by this report on politically correct Fake Science.
30-JAN-2017 ALBERTA
Regulation under the Safety Codes Act
STANDATA

Alberta Municipal Affairs announced changes to the following STANDATA Plumbing Safety Information Bulletins:

P-07-03 Expansion and Contraction Revised Jan 2017
P-08-01 Single Wall Heat Exchangers Revised Jan 2017
P-09-01 Drainage of Water from Elevator Pits Revised Jan 2017
P-09-02 Floor Drains and Trap Seal Replenishment Revised Jan 2017
P-10-03 Drainage and Venting Requirements for Floor Sinks Revised Jan 2017
P-11-02 Requirements for Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems Revised Jan 2017
P-13-01 Interceptors Revised Jan 2017
P-14-01 Drainage Systems with Municipal Requirements Revised Jan 2017
P-17-01 Reclaimed Water Systems within a Single Property New Jan 2017

Plumbing Safety Variance VAR-P09.01 "Requirements for the Drainage of Water from Elevator Pits" was revised in Jan 2017.

A Fact Sheet titled "Alternative Solutions Guide for Small System Reclaimed Water Reuse" was revised in Jan. 2017.

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Last updated on:  01-JUL-2018