DATE
PROVINCE OR JURISDICTION
ARCHIVED 2018 NEWS
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
You are invited to download:
The consultation document includes a number of Ontario Building Code related question:
"How
do we encourage homeowners to create legal second units and new rental
supply?"
"How do we encourage innovation in the building industry while maintaining high standards of safety and efficiency?"
"How do we encourage innovation in the building industry while maintaining high standards of safety and efficiency?"
The consultation closes on January 25, 2019 and the responses will help inform the government's Housing Supply Action Plan that will address the barriers getting in the way of new ownership and rental housing.
CCBFC
Construction Codes of Canada
Free National Codes Coming Soon - the National Research Council is learning from Ontario!
On Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018, Finance Minister Bill Morneau introduced the Canadian federal government's 2018 Fall Economic Statement. The statement includes a proposal to make the National Building Codes freely available to all Canadians.Page 71 of the 2018 Fall Economic Statement states:
"For small
businesses—which account
for approximately 99 per cent of Canada’s construction industry—the
cost of purchasing building codes, and the lack of harmonization
between provincial/territorial codes and national codes, make it harder
to succeed and grow. The Government is proposing to provide $67.5
million over five years to the National Research Council of Canada,
with $13.5 million ongoing, to make access to the National Building
Codes free, and to provide sufficient resources for the federal
government to address provincial, territorial, and other stakeholder
code development priorities in a more timely way."
Ontario has had its Building Code available on-line for free, as a regulation, for many years.
Building Code Variance
STANDATA
This variance addresses concerns that the current under slab insulation provisions of Section 9.36. of Div. B of the Alberta Building Code are excessive and discourage the use of hydronic heating.
Construction Codes of Canada
2017 print
publications:
National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2017 – Revisions and Errata – Sept. 2018 (PDF, 514 KB)
2015 print publications:
National Building Code of Canada 2015 – Revisions and Errata – Sept. 2018 (PDF, 2 MB)
National Fire Code of Canada 2015 – Revisions and Errata – Sept. 2018 (PDF, 416 KB)
National Plumbing Code of Canada 2015 – Revisions and Errata – Sept. 2018 (PDF, 1.3 MB)
National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2015 – Revisions and Errata – Sept. 2018 (PDF, 234 KB)
National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2017 – Revisions and Errata – Sept. 2018 (PDF, 514 KB)
2015 print publications:
National Building Code of Canada 2015 – Revisions and Errata – Sept. 2018 (PDF, 2 MB)
National Fire Code of Canada 2015 – Revisions and Errata – Sept. 2018 (PDF, 416 KB)
National Plumbing Code of Canada 2015 – Revisions and Errata – Sept. 2018 (PDF, 1.3 MB)
National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2015 – Revisions and Errata – Sept. 2018 (PDF, 234 KB)
Please e-mail Alek Antoniuk to obtain a direct link to download the files.
CodeNews.ca thanks Joe Rogers, P. Eng., Building Code Coordinator for the Province of Nova Scotia, for this update.
Building Code
Schedule “A” of the proposed amendments will offer additional compliance options to the Nova Scotia Building Code for the construction of tiny homes and recreational cabins and, subject to the public consultation, will come into effect on April 1, 2019.
Schedule “B” of the proposed amendments will add "adaptable housing requirements" for certain houses, duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, row houses, and boarding houses and, subject to the public consultation, will come into effect on September 1, 2019.
The consultation period will run from October 31, 2018 until December 14, 2018.
Comments or questions on these changes can be sent by:
- facsimile tot (902) 424-3239
- e-mail at OFM@novascotia.ca
- regular mail to: Attn: Joe Rogers, P. Eng.,
Building Code Coordinator
NS Office of the Fire Marshal , Department of Municipal Affairs
PO Box 231, Halifax Central
Halifax, NS
B3J 2M4
2007 Ontario Fire Code
In farm buildings, the requirements would apply where hazardous extraction operations specifically pertain to cannabis processing.
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 21, 2018.
Follow this link to the consultation on the Ontario Regulatory Registry.
The proposed changes may entail a consequential amendment to Ontario's Building Code to reference applicable provisions in the Fire Code as they apply to new or renovated farm buildings that contain cannabis extraction processes where flammable liquids, combustible liquids or flammable gases are used as extraction solvents. This consequential amendment, should it proceed, would be consulted on separately by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs at a future date.
Building Code Variance
Building Code Interpretation
Fire Code Interpretation
STANDATA
Building Code Variance
Building Code and Fire Code Interpretation
Building Code and Fire Code Interpretation
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
On
Monday, October 1, 2018, the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of
Municipal Affairs and Housing for Ontario, addressed the 2018 annual
convention of the Ontario Building Official’s Association in Kingston,
Ontario..A copy of Minister Clark's speech is available here.
Minister Clark specifically stated:
"During the election campaign and at the recent AMO conference, people told me that our regulations can be too cumbersome and complicated."
"Business owners and municipalities alike told me that they are drowning in paperwork… Struggling to keep up with regulations… And are being held back by red tape from innovating or taking advantage of business opportunities."
"For too long, excessive regulations have discouraged business owners and some have walked away from operating in our province. Others never bothered to invest in the first place."
"Our government is committed to shortening development and building approval timelines, so that we can unlock development."
"I look forward to working closely with you as we update the Building Code, reduce red tape, and make sure that the people of Ontario are safe."
2007 Ontario Fire Code
The revised pages are available from the ServiceOntario Publications site. The document may be retrieved by typing document number “112128” in the Search bar and then may be directly downloaded at no cost.
2012 Building Code
The regulation was made, filed, and published on the e-Law website on July 20, 2018.
It is scheduled to be printed in The Ontario Gazette on August 4, 2018.
This scope of this amendment is limited to Toronto's Lower Don area, specifically identified as land outlined in red on a map numbered 230 and filed at the Toronto office of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing located at 777 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The amendment specifies the conditions for occupancy of buildings on this land, including a requirement that hydraulic modelling demonstrates that the lot or parcel of land on which the building is constructed is no longer susceptible to flooding due to the completion of the flood protection features described in Section 4.5 of Waterfront Toronto's , “Port Lands Flood Protection and Enabling Infrastructure Due Diligence Report”.
The court's ruling addressed only the statutory fair use issue – which may provide a full defense to some, if not all, of the SDO’s infringement claims in this case – and leave for another day the question of whether the United States Constitution permits copyright to persist in works incorporated by reference into law.
It is likely that this case will be decided, eventually, in the U. S. Supreme Court.
If publication of standards referenced by legislation (such as the Ontario Building Code) is deemed fair use, then it would be a lot easier to comply with the legislation because the standards could be referenced at almost no cost.
Canadian Electrical Code
STANDATA
This STANDATA was published in response to requests for clarification on solar photovoltaic (PV) dc arc fault protection and how this relates to rodent protection requirements.
Planning and Building Regulatory Policy
Richard Lyall, RESCON President, has characterized the report's recommendations as follows:
"This
is low-hanging fruit for Premier Doug Ford and the new Ontario
government. One of their platform planks was to cut red tape to help
industry thrive – we recommend they start here."
The report's key recommendations are directed mainly at the Province but also the municipal sector, and are as follows:
- Pass a Transparency Act to improve timelines, support a transparency checklist.
- Implement Working Group recommendations on other timelines.
- Endorse a “client-centric agency checklist.”
- Establish a common data/file platform for e-permitting.
- Organize an e-permitting pilot project funded by excess reserve funds. (Excess funds? - What are those guys smoking? There is no such thing. If a municipality accumulates more money than necessary in its Building Permit Stabilization Fund, it must lower the cost of building permits. A Building Permit Stabilization Fund is not a slush fund...!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
- Require a coordinating professional, and supporting documentation.
- Pilot test an expanded version of “complete professional submissions”
- Inclusionary Zoning
- HST threshold on new homes
- Regulations being developed under the Conservation Authorities Act
- Modernizing apprenticeship ratios
- Ontario Building Code
- The structure of the new home warranty system in Ontario
- OMB / LPAT Land Use Planning Appeals
- Growth Plan Implementation
Canadian Electrical Code
STANDATA
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Ontario
Premier Doug Ford has appointed Steve Clark,
who represents the riding of Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands
and
Rideau Lakes, to be the new Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
for Ontario.Steve Clark served as mayor of Brockville from 1982 to 1991. He was first elected at age 22 and was the youngest mayor in Canada at the time. He later worked as an advertising salesman for the Brockville Recorder and Times, as an administrative assistant to Bob Runciman, and as the chief administrative officer of the township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands. He was first elected to the provincial Legislature in a by-election on March 4, 2010.
CodeNews.ca congratulates Steve Clark and wishes him success in implementing the long overdue changes required to make Ontario an affordable place to build safe buildings for people.
Fire Code Variance
Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000
Amusement Device Code Adoption Document
The Code currently adopted in Ontario for amusement ride design is the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) published Z267-00 Safety Code for Amusement Rides and Devices. This standard was last updated in 2000 and CSA has no active working committees to maintain or modernize the Z267 Code.
The CSA and ASTM’s F24 Committee created a subcommittee that developed a new amusement ride standard referred to as the F2783 Standard Practice for Design, Manufacture, Operation, Maintenance, and Inspection of Amusement Rides and Devices in Canada.
The draft CAD amendments are available for viewing on the TSSA website.
Should you have comments, questions or feedback to share with TSSA, please fill out and submit the CAD Feedback Form no later than June 27, 2018.
Fire Code Interpretation
Fire Code Bulletin
Building Code Interpretations
Building Code Bulletin
STANDATA
Interpretation
Bulletin
Alberta
Municipal Affairs also
announced the publication of the following Building Code
STANDATA: Interpretation
Bulletin
2012 Building Code
The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs has advised code users that an electronic version of the updated pages of the Building Code Compendium will be available through ServiceOntario Publications.
A copy of the revised Appendix Notes, that was provided by the Ministry, is available for readers of CodeNews.
STANDATA
Joint Code Interpretation
Code Interpretation: 14-FCI-003 Mobile/Temporary Cooking Equipment
The purpose of this interpretation is to assist owners/operators of mobile cooking operations and safety codes officers with the minimum requirements under the Safety Codes Act for mobile cooking operations.
The joint interpretation was signed by:
- Tina Parker, Provincial Fire Administrator
- Sidney Manning, Provincial Plumbing and Gas Administrator
- Paul Chang, Provincial Building Administrator
- Clarence Cormier, Provincial Electrical Administrator
The learned Justice issued a declaration that the application of ss. 21(1) to (3) and related sections of FIPPA pertaining to the presumption of non-disclosure of “personal information” to Adjudicative Records held by the institutions named in the Notice of Application infringes s. 2(b) of the Charter and is not justified under s. 1. It is therefore of no force or effect.
Ontario Superior Court Justice Edward M. Morgan's ruling applies only to requests for Adjudicative Records from the 14 institutions named in the Toronto Star's Application and, by extension, any other analogous institution listed in the Schedule to FIPPA that operates in an adjudicative capacity and that holds Adjudicative Records.
THEREFORE, THE RULING APPLIES TO THE BUILDING CODE COMMISSION.
The impact of this decision is that the Building Code Commission will have to be more open to requests for information from the public. It will not be necessary to file FOI requests to obtain BCC rulings. The BCC will have to release ALL BCC DECISIONS in a timely manner, as well as the Applicant's and Respondernt's written arguements.
The learned Justice suspended the declaration of invalidity of this aspect of FIPPA 12 months in order to allow the government to change its rules.
The citation for this case is: Toronto Star v. AG Ontario, 2018 ONSC 2586
2012 Building Code
1. Checklists
•
The Ministry has developed checklists that can be submitted with
building permit applications for all buildings other than Part 9
residential buildings.
• The checklists highlight the key energy efficiency requirements to help designers and building officials ensure designs comply with the current set of requirements.
• The Ministry strongly advises users to consult with the authority having jurisdiction, if the checklist is going to be submitted to that authority.
• The checklists are available for downloading by visting the buildrightontario website.
2.
COMcheck• The checklists highlight the key energy efficiency requirements to help designers and building officials ensure designs comply with the current set of requirements.
• The Ministry strongly advises users to consult with the authority having jurisdiction, if the checklist is going to be submitted to that authority.
• The checklists are available for downloading by visting the buildrightontario website.
•
MMA has secured updates to COMcheck software developed by the Pacific
Northwest National Laboratory (US Department of Energy).
• The COMcheck software helps designers calculate trade-offs using the ASHRAE 90.1 compliance path.
• Updates for Ontario reflect the energy efficiency values included in the SB-10 that was released in December 2016.
• The customised version of the COMcheck software for Ontario is available from the United States of America's website.
3.
Energy Modelling Guidelines• The COMcheck software helps designers calculate trade-offs using the ASHRAE 90.1 compliance path.
• Updates for Ontario reflect the energy efficiency values included in the SB-10 that was released in December 2016.
• The customised version of the COMcheck software for Ontario is available from the United States of America's website.
•
MMA has developed guidelines to help improve the consistency in annual
energy use simulation results following questions from stakeholders
about rules and assumptions used in calculating building energy use.
• The guidelines aim to support designers in fulfilling their professional and contractual obligations to produce designs that meet the energy efficiency requirements and building officials to verify that designs meet these requirements.
• In supporting compliance with the Building Code’s energy conservation requirements, these guidelines also support broader government efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the buildings sector.
• The Ministry has indicated that these guidelines are likely to undergo changes in the future as opportunities for further synthesis are identified. (or, alternatively, when the current money squandering Liberal government is voted out of office on June 7, 2018 by voters who have had enough of climate change experiments paid by fleeced taxpayers)
• You can obtain a copy of the guidelines, including requests for this document to be produced in alternate formats, by contacting: codeinfo@ontario.ca
• The guidelines aim to support designers in fulfilling their professional and contractual obligations to produce designs that meet the energy efficiency requirements and building officials to verify that designs meet these requirements.
• In supporting compliance with the Building Code’s energy conservation requirements, these guidelines also support broader government efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the buildings sector.
• The Ministry has indicated that these guidelines are likely to undergo changes in the future as opportunities for further synthesis are identified. (or, alternatively, when the current money squandering Liberal government is voted out of office on June 7, 2018 by voters who have had enough of climate change experiments paid by fleeced taxpayers)
• You can obtain a copy of the guidelines, including requests for this document to be produced in alternate formats, by contacting: codeinfo@ontario.ca
2012 Building Code
CodeNews Consulting Corporation, Consulting Architect, is pleased to provide a copy of the slide deck prepared by the Ministry, for the unwashed masses who were not privy to the contents of the webinar.
2012 Building Code
The regulation was:
- Made on February 21, 2018
- Filed with the Registrar on March 6, 2018
- Published on the e-Laws website on March 7, 2018
Although the Building and Development Branch has not made any announcements concerning this change to the Ontario Building Code, CodeNews Consulting Corp., Consulting Architect, is an avid reader of The Ontario Gazette and we are pleased to be the first publication to announce this code change to our esteemed readers.
2007 Ontario Fire Code
Enquiries regarding the new regulation may be directed to the Technical Services Section of the OFMEM. Staff members may be reached by telephone at (647) 329-1100 or by e-mail at FireSafetyStandards@ontario.ca
STANDATA
Building Code Interpretations
Building Code Bulletins
Building Code Variance
Energy Codes Information
Interpretations:
• 14-BCI-019/14-FCI-002 - Occupancy Classification for Buildings Used For Parking, Repairing and Servicing Tank Vehicles
• 14-BCI-020 - Non-Liquid Disposal Systems
Bulletins:
• 14-BCB-004/14-FCB-003 - Occupancy of Buildings Under Construction
• 14-BCB-005/14-FCB-004 - Commissioning of Life Safety and Fire Protection Systems (Integrated Systems Testing)
Variance:
• 14-BCV-018 - Sprinkler-Protected Glazing in Fire-Resistant Wall Assemblies
Information related to Energy Codes:
• ABC Section 9.36 – Q & A – Performance Path
• 14-BCI-019/14-FCI-002 - Occupancy Classification for Buildings Used For Parking, Repairing and Servicing Tank Vehicles
• 14-BCI-020 - Non-Liquid Disposal Systems
Bulletins:
• 14-BCB-004/14-FCB-003 - Occupancy of Buildings Under Construction
• 14-BCB-005/14-FCB-004 - Commissioning of Life Safety and Fire Protection Systems (Integrated Systems Testing)
Variance:
• 14-BCV-018 - Sprinkler-Protected Glazing in Fire-Resistant Wall Assemblies
Information related to Energy Codes:
• ABC Section 9.36 – Q & A – Performance Path
Le chapitre Plomberie du Code de construction du Québec
The good practice sheets are available only in the French language...... tant pis, anglophones!
2012 Building Code
- Minister's Ruling MR-17-S-28 was issued by the Director of the Building and Development Branch on December 29, 2017 to amend MMA Supplementary Standard SA-1, "Objectives and Functional Statements Attributed to the Acceptable Solutions". The amended document is labelled as the "December 11, 2017 Update". Since the Minister's Ruling is not available on the Ontario government's website at this time, CodeNews Consulting Corp., Consulting Architect, has published a copy of Minister's Ruling MR-17-S-28 for the convenience of users of the OBC.
- New English and French language editions of "Technical Support for Electric Vehicle Charging Requirements in the Building Code that are in Effect January 1, 2018 - Houses - Questions and Answers - Provided on March 8, 2019" has been published. Since these documents are not available on the Ontario government's website at this time, CodeNews Consulting Corp., Consulting Architect, has published the English language copy and the French language copy for the convenience of users of the OBC.
- New English and French language editions of "Technical Support for Electric Vehicle Charging Requirements in the Building Code that are in Effect January 1, 2018 -Non-residential Buildings - Questions and Answers - Provided on March 8, 2019" has been published. Since these documents are not available on the Ontario government's website at this time, CodeNews Consulting Corp., Consulting Architect, has published the English language copy and the French language copy for the convenience of users of the OBC.
- "Electric Vehicle Appendix Notes", dated March 2018, has been issued. Since this document is not available on the Ontario government's website at this time, CodeNews Consulting Corp., Consulting Architect, has published a copy of "Electric Vehicle Appendix Notes" for the convenience of users of the OBC.
Building Code, Fire Code,
Energy Efficiency Code, &
Elevating Devices Code
The currentl 2013 edition of the Elevating Devices Codes will also be updated.
Electrical Safety Code
The ESA has provided instructions (.pdf format) and a template (in MS Word .docx format) for comments and other feedback.
The consultation runs from Tuesday March 6 to Friday April 20, 2018.
The Electrical Safety Code regulation (O. Reg. 164/99) under the Electricity Act, 1998 provides for the adoption of the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) together with Ontario specific amendments to the CEC as the OESC. If approved, the Electrical Safety Code regulation would be amended to adopt the updated OESC.
Electrical Code Regulations
Questions regarding the bulletin may be forwarded to the Provincial Chief Electrical Inspector:
David MacLeod,
C.E.I., P.Eng.
Phone:
902-424-8018
Email: David.MacLeod@novascotia.ca
Email: David.MacLeod@novascotia.ca
Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997
This new regulation is based on expert advice MCSCS received from a Fire Safety Technical Table that was established in January 2017 to help develop recommendations for modernizing the delivery of fire services in Ontario.
Summaries of the proposed regulation and instructions on how to provide comments are available on the Ontario Regulatory Registry. MCSCS has announced that "public comments must be submitted before the consultation period ends on March 18, 2018".
When some people run around in uniforms, they get the idea that others MUST do things ...... ! (Hint: try: "we ask you to .....")
The Uniform Building and
Accessibility Standards Act (Adoption of Codes)
The revisions include:
- Definition of Care Occupancy
- Alternative Family Care Homes
- Barrier-free Residential Occupancies
- Carbon Monoxide Alarms
When will civil servants realize that the design and construction industry needs TIME to prepare for changes to Building Codes?
Projects take months, if not years, to design and here we have a case where a civil servant wants you to comply with a requirement BEFORE it is even published.
2012 Building Code
The changes to the Building Code include:
- Window Guard Relaxations
- BC Energy Step Code
- Letters of Assurance Schedules
STANDATA
Electrical Update
Fire Code Bulletin
Electrical Update:
Fire Code Bulletin:
Interpretation
STANDATA
Energy Code
Alberta Municipal Affairs has published an NECB 2011 Compliance Checklist (.xlsm format) for providing information required by the Authority Having Jurisdiction to show compliance with requirements to meet the National Energy Code for Buildings 2011 (NECB 2011).
An electronic copy of this Checklist must accompany project plans and specification documents being submitted to the Authority Having Jurisdiction when applying for a building permit in Alberta.
Construction Codes of Canada
National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2017
CodeNews thanks Gary Chu, Construction & Standards Regulations Specialist at BASF Canada Inc. for providing the update.
2007 Ontario Fire Code
• Combustible Furniture Located in Corridors / Lobbies
• Notification for Out of Service Firefighters’ Elevators
The proposed changes to the Fire Code reflect feedback received from two Technical Advisory Committees led by the OFMEM and comprised of a wide range of stakeholder groups.
Public comments must be submitted before the consultation period ends on February 20, 2018.
Summaries of the proposed amendments and instructions on how to provide comments are available on the Ontario Regulatory Registry.
View the proposed changes at:
• Proposed Change to 2015 Ontario Fire Code - Table 1.2.1.A
• Proposed Change to 2015 Ontario Fire Code - 2.4.1.1. and 2.4.1.2
• Proposed Change to 2015 Ontario Fire Code - 7.1.1.1
• Proposed Change to 2015 Ontario Fire Code - 7.2.2.2
Variance
STANDATA
2012 Building Code
- Sewage System Leaching Chambers Amendments
- Certain Plumbing Amendment
- Electric Vehicle Charging Systems
+1-416-856-0241 or by e-mail.
2012 Building Code
2012 Plumbing Code
2012 Fire Code
The proposed changes have been categorized as:
BC Building Code
- Area Calculation of Exposing Building Face
- Asbestos
- Energy Efficiency Standards
- Exit Signs
- Factory-Constructed Buildings
- Fenestration
- Heritage Buildings
- Mid-Rise Combustible Construction
- Outdoor Design Conditions and Air Cleaning
- Radon
- Stairs - Dimensions of Tapered Treads
- Stairs - Handrails in Curved Stairs
- Stairs - No Spiral Stairs
BC Plumbing Code
- Asbestos
- Plumbing Fixtures
BC Fire Code
- Application - Fire Systems
- Emergency Lighting
- Smoke Alarms
- Use of Elevators
The public review started on December 12, 2017 and ends on February 28, 2018.
A separate consultation is planned on proposed accessibility changes early in 2018.
The next editions of the British Columbia Codes are anticipated to be available in 2018, with an effective date late in 2018.
