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News at CodeNews:

DATE
PROVINCE OR JURISDICTION
NEWS
01-JUN-2023ONTARIO
Electricity Act, 1998
2021 Ontario Electrical Safety Code		The Canadian Standards Association has announced that the following revised Ontario Electrical Safety Code Bulletins, dated May, 2023) for the 2021 Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) are available:
  • Bulletin 2-7-39 - Approval of electrical equipment - (Added approval permission to UL standard, UL1008M, for meter-mounted transfer switch.)
  • Bulletin 10-15-6 - Grounding with a meter base on the supply side of service boxes - (Removed marking requirements for a meter base based on the standard.)
  • Bulletin 14-7-4 - Protection of conductors and circuit size - (Removed clarification about overcurrent protection for consumer’s service conductors.)
  • Bulletin 20-4-7 - Wiring methods for diesel fuel dispensers located in hazardous areas - (Revised diagrams B1 and B2.  Added acceptance for Teck 90 marking requirements in hazardous locations.)
  • Bulletin 26-18-14 - Arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) and ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) in a dwelling unit - (Revised Bulletin to harmonize with Rule 26-704 about GFCI requirements.)
  • Bulletin 36-12-7 - Loop feeder & ring bus - (Added reference for gas insulated switchgears to Bulletin 36-15-*)
  • Bulletin 36-15-12 - High voltage equipment standards/tamper-resistant transformer cooling fan/transformer cooling class designations - (Added interim acceptance for gas insulated switchgears.)
  • Bulletin 36-17-8 - Disconnecting means and overcurrent protection for customer-owned high voltage installations - (Removed gas insulated switchgear requirements.)
  • Bulletin 64-8-1 - Battery based ESS in residential occupancies - (Added clarifications: about reduced separation for ESS, and about 1 hr. fire rating for installation of ESS in open basements.)
  • Bulletin 84-1-18 - Interconnection of electric power production sources - (Clarified approval requirements for inverters.)
  • Bulletin 86-1-5 - Electric vehicle charging systems - (Added information about acceptable adjustable options for EVSEs; clarified requirements for 50A breaker and receptacle; clarified bi-directional charging requirements.)
The above copyrighted Bulletins are the Electrical Safety Authority's interpretations of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.
Access to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code Bulletins is provided only to purchasers of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.
CodeNews Consulting Corp., Consulting Architect, provides copies of the Bulletins to its Clients, of course!
29-MAY-2023ONTARIO
Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997
2007 Ontario Fire Code		On May 29, 2023, the Ministry of the Solicitor General posted Proposal Number 23-SOLGEN011 on the Ontario Regulatory Registry which consists of proposed changes to the Ontario Fire Code.

The proposed updates to the Ontario Fire Code focus primarily on changes that:
  • Improve harmonization with the National Fire Code of Canada and the codes of other provinces and territories, in accordance with Ontario's commitments towards regulatory reconciliation and cooperation.
  • Align with recent changes to the Ontario Building Code, which is a companion regulation to the Ontario Fire Code.
  • Strengthen fire safety in response to Coroner's Inquest recommendations, regulatory changes, and specific fire service stakeholder requests.
This set of proposals to amend the Ontario Fire Code will be the first update since the government ratified the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Reconciliation Agreement on Construction Codes in 2020.
The Ministry's work to harmonize with the National Fire Code has been guided by the following principles:
  • Public Safety
  • Reducing Red Tape and Barriers
The following documents are availabe for review:
Visit the Fire Code Consultation Review Site for additional details on the proposed amendments and to submit feedback on specific code change proposals.  Comments are due by July 13, 2023.
19-MAY-2023BRITISH COLUMBIA
2018 Building Code		Zachary D. May, Executive Director, Building and Safety Standards Branch, announced that the B.C. Government is holding a public consultation on proposed changes to British Columbia's Building, Plumbing Code, and Fire Codes from May 19, 2023 to June 16, 2023.  This public review focusses on several proposed changes that are unique to BC Codes. There are also some changes that would reduce existing variations from the Canadian National Model Codes 2020.
Visit the B.C. Public Review web site to review the proposed changes and  to comment on the proposed changes.
The next BC Codes are anticipated to be available in 2023, with an effective date late in 2023.
15-MAY-2023ONTARIO
Building Code Act
2012 Building Code		The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing issued Ontario CodeNews e-bulletin #340, dated May 15, 2023, to announce that Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, made Ontario Regulation 89/23 to amend the Ontario Building Code.
The regulation:
  • was made on May 10, 2023
  • was filed on May 12, 2023
  • was published on e-Laws on May 12, 2023
  • will be published in The Ontario Gazette on May 27, 2023
  • came into force on May 12, 2023
Significant changes include:
  • Midrise Wood Construction: These changes are intended to reduce costs for certain building types and harmonize requirements with the National Construction Codes on 4-6 storey wood buildings, including multi-unit residential.
  • Stacked Townhomes: These changes are intended to reduce costs for certain building types, by removing standpipe requirements for four storey stacked townhouses, while maintaining the objectives of fire protection, life safety and health.  The stacked townhouse changes are in response to BCC Ruling 22-12-1604, where Alek Antoniuk, OAA, CodeNews Consulting Corp., Consulting Architect, was the agent for the Applicant at the BCC Hearing.
  • Applicable Law: Minister’s orders under section 34.1 of the Planning Act (using the community housing and infrastructure accelerator tool) become applicable law for purposes of issuing a building permit.
CodeNews.ca congratulates the Ministry of Muncipal Affairs and Housing for amending the Ontario Building Code to support affordable housing in Ontario.
10-MAY-2023BRITISH COLUMBIA
2018 Building Code		The King's Printer of British Columbia has announced that the British Columbia Building Code revisions (BC Building Code Amendments Update Revision 5) effective May 1, 2023, have now been consolidated in the online code content.
Users of the binder edition of the British Columbia Building Code may download the affected revised sections at this link.
A "For Information Only - convenience copy" of British Columbia Building Code 2018, Revision 5.01 is posted at this link.

As previously noted in the 21-FEB-2023 News at Codenews posting, the following Ministerial Orders were made on February 8, 2023 and came into effect on May 1, 2023:
The Province has released three technical bulletins to aid in the proper interpretation of the code changes:
To facilitate compliance with the British Columbia Building Code, the following updated compliance tools for Part 9 and Part 3 buildings have also been released on the Energy Step Code Council's web site for user testing and feedback:
01-MAY-2023CANADA
National Model Codes		The Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) announced that it is seeking input from stakeholders, experts, code users, and the general public on the "Wave 2" draft policy recommendations for developing and implementing greenhouse gas emissions provisions in the National Model Codes before finalizing the policy framework.
Consultation on "Wave 1" policy recommendations began on February 6, 2023 and ended on March 30, 2023.
Consultation on "Wave 2" policy recommendations begins on May 1st, 2023 and ends on June 15, 2023.
(All these waves were making me seasick - until I realized that they will look at the "impact on affordability".)
For more information on the consultation, review the "Consultation Overview Document".
To provide input on the policy recommendations, please:
  1. Open and/or download the CBHCC Policy Recommendations for Consultation document.
  2. Submit comments to the CBHCC Secretary by email and attach any supportive material.
Your comments will be reviewed by the Working Group on Climate Change Mitigation who will report to the CBHCC.
For more information, please email the Secretary, Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes at:
CBHCCSecretary-SecretaireCCHCC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
25-APR-2023ONTARIO
Building Code Act
2012 Building Code		The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing issued Ontario CodeNews e-bulletin #339, dated April 25, 2023, to announce that all candidates writing Building Code Identification Number (BCIN) Qualification Exams will have the option to use the digital Building Code Compendium, as of May 8, 2023.
Humber College is the Ministry’s "examination partner". Further information on the building code examination program can be found at:
https://www.humber.ca/buildingcodeexams/
25-APR-2023ALBERTA
Safety Codes Act
Private Sewage Variance
Gas Code Variance
STANDATA		Joseph Petryk, Provincial Private Sewage Administrator, has issued the following STANDATA Private Sewage Variance:
The purpose of this variance is to provide an alternative solution for effluent tanks used for timed dosing as prescribed in Article 6.1.1.2. of Alberta's Private Sewage Standard of Practice 2021.

Sidney Manning, Provincial Plumbing and Gas Administrator, has issued the following STANDATA Gas Code Variance:
The purpose of this variance is to allow compliance monitoring of small engines up to 500 HP (372 kW) by gas safety codes officers as an alternative to the prescriptive requirements within the CSA B149.3:20 Code for the field approval of fuel-burning appliances and equipment.
24-APR-2023ALBERTA
Safety Codes Act
2020 Alberta Plumbing Code
Plumbing/Building/Gas Notices & Bulletins
STANDATA		Joanne Campbell, Support Services Coordinator, Alberta Municipal Affairs has advised that the following STANDATA Notice has been issued::
The purpose of the Notice is to advise that the National Plumbing Code of Canada (NPC) 2020 came into force on April 1, 2023 and is applicable throughout the Province of Alberta.  There are no Alberta specific technical variations or changes to the NPC 2020.  The Alberta and National Plumbing Codes are 100% harmonized.

Sidney Manning, Provincial Plumbing and Gas Administrator, has issued the following STANDATA Plumbing Bulletins:
Paul Chang, Provincial Building Administrator, and Sidney Manning, Provincial Plumbing and Gas Administrator, have issued the following STANDATA joint Building and Plumbing Bulletins:
20-APR-2023ONTARIO
Building Code Act
2012 Building Code		Ontario's Regulatory Registry Proposal Number 23-MMAH004, concerning potential changes to the Ontario Building Code, was posted on April 6, 2023.  The Minister of of Municipal Affairs and Housing has posted a draft copy of a regulation to amend the Ontario Building Code to freeze all Building Code fees at the levels set out in the Building Code as of January 1, 2023.
These changes would impact the following Building Code fees:
  • Application and renewal for Building Official registration
  • Application, renewal and updating Designer Firm registration
  • Application, renewal and updating Other Designer registration
  • Application, renewal and updating Registered Code Agency registration
  • Application and renewal for Onsite Sewage System registration
  • Application to the Building Code Commission
  • Application for Rulings by the Minister 
You are invited to comment on the proposed amendment on or before May 21, 2023.
Why not get rid of all fees? - they are just a nuisance.
18-APR-2023ALBERTA
Safety Codes Act
2021 Canadian Electrical Code
2022 Alberta Electrical Utility Code
STANDATA		Alberta Municipal Affairs issued the following STANDATA Notices:
The purpose of the Notice is to advised that the 2021 Canadian Electrical Code, Part I (twenty-fifth edition) automatically came into force on February 1, 2022 throughout the Province of Alberta.
On February 1, 2022, The Electrical Code Regulation adopted the CSA-C22.1-21 – Canadian Electrical Code, Part I (twenty-fifth edition), which was published by the CSA Group in January 2021 – This code provides the minimum safety standards for the installation and maintenance of electrical equipment.  
The purpose of the Notice is to advised that the 2022 Alberta Electrical Utility Code Sixth Edition automatically comes into force on September 1, 2023 throughout the Province of Alberta.
On September 1, 2023, The Electrical Code Regulation will adopt the Alberta Electrical Utility Code – Sixth Edition, 2022.  This code, used in combination with the CSA 22.3 No.1 Overhead standards and the CSA 22.3 No.7 Underground standards, provides the minimum safety standards for the installation and maintenance of electrical utility systems in Alberta.

Both of the Notices contains transition provisions.
05-APR-2023BRITISH COLUMBIA
2018 Building Code		Zachary D. May, Executive Director, Building and Safety Standards Branch, announced that the British Columbia Ministry of Housing is working to develop code changes for proposed changes that are unique to B.C. as well as key updates that better align the BC Codes with the National Model Codes 2020. 

An online survey will be published to the Province’s website in Spring 2023.  An invitation will be sent to code users, indigenous partners and local governments, and industry professionals once the survey is available

The next BC Codes are anticipated to be available in 2023, with an effective date late in 2023.
28-MAR-2023ALBERTA
Safety Codes Act
2022 Alberta Edition of the
National Building Code
2022 Alberta Edition of the  National Fire Code
2020 National Energy Code for Buildings		The Alberta Ministry of Municipal Affairs issued the following Notice:
Notice - Upcoming new Alberta codes editions
National Building Code – 2022 Alberta Edition (NBC(AE))
National Fire Code – 2022 Alberta Edition (NFC(AE))
National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB) 2020
Alberta will be updating its construction codes based on the 2020 National Building Code, National Fire Code and National Energy Code for Buildings and the new codeswill come into force on the same date in the spring 2024.
Additional notifications and information on the exact date the codes will come into force will be provided at a later date.

Key changes to the Alberta editions of the building, fire and energy codes are:
  • Farm buildings will continue to be exempt from Alberta’s editions of the building, energy efficiency and fire codes.
  • Alberta is adopting tier 1 as the minimum province-wide standard for building energy efficiency for housing and small buildings under Part 9 of the Alberta edition of the National Building Code and tier 1 for energy efficiency for other buildings in the National Energy Code for Buildings. 
23-MAR-2023ALBERTA
Safety Codes Act
2023 Plumbing Code

The Technical and Corporate Services Division, Alberta Ministry of Municipal Affairs issued the following Plumbing Notice:
The Notice announces that the National Plumbing Code of Canada 2020 shall come into force on April 1, 2023 and shall be applicable throughout the Province of Alberta.  There are no Alberta specific technical variations or changes to the NPC 2020.
Alberta's Plumbing Code Regulation adopted the National Plumbing Code of Canada 2020.
22-MAR-2023CANADA
Energy Efficiency Regulations
Proposed Change to the
National Building Code		Amendment 17 to the Energy Efficiency Regulations of Canada requires that all heat pumps manufactured on or after January 1, 2023, and imported into Canada or shipped between provinces for the purpose of sale, must be tested to M1 with HSPF2 calculated and reported for Climate Region V.
Alberta and Nova Scotia had published approximate acceptable new SEER2/EER2 values compared to the previous required SEER/EER ratings - See the 08-FEB-2023 News at CodeNews entry below.
NRCan has published an M1 Testing and Performance Guidance Document, based on the Alberta Standata and the Nova Scotia Notice, which also contains a description of a proposed change to the National Building Code.
20-MAR-2023ONTARIO
Electricity Act, 1998
Administrative Penalties
Electrical Safety Code
Supporting People and Businesses Act, 2021, S.O. 2021, c. 34 - Bill 13 was assented to On December 2, 1021.  Section 6 of Schedule 9 of this Act amended the Electricity Act, 1998 with new provisions for the Director of the ESA to impose administrative monetary penalties for contravention of:
  • a prescribed provision of the Electricity Act, 1998 or the Eletrical Safety Code;
  • a restriction, limitation or condition imposed by a Director in respect of a prescribed authorization; or
  • a prescribed order of the ESA
Kaleed Rasheed, Ontario Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery, made Ontario Regulation 12/23 under the Electricity Act, 1998.
This Minister's regulation was:
•    made on January 26, 2023
•    filed on January 30, 2023
•    published on e-Laws on January 30, 2023
•    printed in The Ontario Gazette on February 18, 2023
O. Reg. 12/23 sets the range of administrative monetary penalties from $100 to $10,000.
The regulation comes into force on April 1, 2023, which is the day section 6 of Schedule 9 to the Supporting People and Businesses Act, 2021 comes into force.

Alexander Janack, Policy Analyst, Electrical Safety Authority, kindly advised that Ontario Regulation 187/09, which provides for administrative penalties, was amended by Ontario Regulation 11/23 to provide for an appeals process for ESA Administrative Monetary Penalties.

Ontario Regulation 11/23 was:
•    made on December 8, 2022
•    filed on January 30, 2023
•    published on e-Laws on January 30, 2023
•    printed in The Ontario Gazette on February 18, 2023

For more information, see the ESA's Administrative Penalties FAQ

Quick Notes on the Administrative Monetary Penalty $y$tem:
  • The ESA Director can make an Order to impose an administrative monetary penalty, even if a person took all reasonable steps to prevent the contravention.
  • The inherent protections in the Statutory Powers Procedure Act do not apply to an Order.
  • An Order may be appealed to the ESA's Review Panel.
17-MAR-2023ALBERTA
Safety Codes Act
2019 Building Code
2019 Fire Code		Paul Chang, Provincial Building Administrator, and Tina Parker, Provincial Fire Administrator, have jointly issued the following STANDATA:
The purpose of this variance is to permit the construction of buildings of up to 12-storeys in building height of encapsulated mass
timber construction, as an alternative solution to the 2019 Alberta Building Code and the 2019 Alberta Fire Code.
Buildings or parts thereof, up to 12-storeys in height, that are constructed of encapsulated mass timber are permitted, provided their design and construction are in compliance with the NBCC 2020 and NFCC 2020.
17-MAR-2023ALBERTA
Safety Codes Act
2019 Building Code
ASME A17.1-2013/CSA-B44-13 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
STANDATA
Joint Building Code & Elevating Devices Variance		Paul Chang, Provincial Building Administrator, and Dean Bruce, Provincial Elevating Devices Administrator, have jointly issued the following STANDATA:
The purpose of STANDATA Interpretation 19-EDI-013/19-BCI-031 is to clarify the requirements for Firefighters' Emergency Operations when alterations are being made to existing elevating devices.
STANDATA Interpretation 19-EDI-013/19-BCI-031 “Firefighters’ emergency operation for alterations (FEO)” came into effect on March 15, 2023.
The purpose of STANDATA Interpretation 19-EDI-012/19-FCB-009 is to clarify testing responsibility, frequency, and reporting for Firefighters’ Emergency Operation for elevators.
08-MAR-2023ONTARIO
Building Code Act
Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997
2012 Building Code		The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing issued Ontario CodeNews e-bulletin #338, dated March 3, 2023, to announce:
08-MAR-2023ONTARIO
Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997		Michael Kerzner, Ontario Solicitor General, made Ontario Regulation 32/23 to amend O. Reg. 437/22, which amends O. Reg. 144/20, in order to change the revocation date of the amended regulations from March 31, 2023 to March 31, 2024.
This Minister's regulation was:
•    Made on February 22, 2023;
•    Filed on February 28, 2023; and
•    Published on e-Laws: February 28, 2023
The regulation will be "printed" in The Ontario Gazette on March 18, 2023.
See the 27-APR-2022 News at CodeNews 2022 Archive for the announcement about Ontario Regulation 437/22.
Ontario Regulation 32/23 came into effect on February 28, 2023.
The COVID-19 scamdemic/pandemic continues in Ontario.......
08-MAR-2023ONTARIO
Building Code Act
2012 Building Code		Steve Clark, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, made Ontario Regulation 31/23 to amend the Ontario Building Code.
This Minister's regulation was:
•    Made on February 28, 2023;
•    Filed on February 28, 2023; and
•    Published on e-Laws: February 28, 2023
The regulation will be "printed" in The Ontario Gazette on March 18, 2023.
Ontario Regulation 31/23 changes the revocation date of Ontario Regulation 434/22 from March 31, 2023 to March 31, 2024.
See the 27-APR-2022 News at CodeNews 2022 Archive for the announcement about Ontario Regulation 434/22.
Ontario Regulation 31/23 came into effect on February 28, 2023.
The COVID-19 scamdemic/pandemic continues in Ontario.......
08-MAR-2023ONTARIO
Building Code Act
2012 Building Code		Steve Clark, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, made Ontario Regulation 30/23 to amend the Ontario Building Code.
This Minister's regulation was:
•    Made on February 28, 2023;
•    Filed on February 28, 2023; and
•    Published on e-Laws: February 28, 2023
The regulation will be "printed" in The Ontario Gazette on March 18, 2023.

Significant changes contained in Ontario Regulation 30/23 are:
  • New Section 3.16A. of Div. B for demountable stages and demountable support structures is added
  • A professional engineer is required to review the construction of demountable stages and demountable support structures regulated by Section 3.16A. of Div. B
  • The time limit for issuing or refusing a building permit is 10 days for demountable stages and demountable support structures regulated by Section 3.16A. of Div. B
  • Demountable stages and demountable support structures that are not regulated by Section 3.16A. of Div. B are exempt from a building permit
  • The definition of fire compartment is amended to harmonize with the National Building Code of Canada
  • Fire damper requirements in Article 3.1.8.8A. of Div. B are amended
On March 7, 2023, Vortex Fire Consulting Inc. published a very informative news article on: New 2023 Ontario Building Code Changes – Smoke Damper Requirements to explain the fire damper changes.

Ontario Regulation 30/23 came into effect on February 28, 2023.
02-MAR-2023CANADA
2020 National Building Code
Table C-2, Climatic Data		The National Research Council of Canada announced on February 27, 2023 that the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium has published its Design Value Explorer, in collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada and the National Research Council.

The Design Value Explorer enables users to:
  • View historical climatic design values maps over Canada, with the option of overlaying station values;
  • Zoom in on particular regions of interest;
  • Display climatic design values at an arbitrary location indicated on the map;
  • View future-projected change maps for any design value;
  • Examine design values and their future-projected changes at any of the specified locations in Table C-2 of the NBCC;
  • Download customizable maps in PNG format and tables in CSV format.
The Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium is a regional climate service centre at the University of Victoria that provides practical information on the physical impacts of climate variability and change in the Pacific and Yukon Region of Canada.

Note that the information provided by the Design Value Explorer has not been fully reviewed and accepted for inclusion into updates to the National Building Code of Canada or the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code, and thus should only be considered as advisory information.
27-FEB-2023ONTARIO
Building Code Act
2012 Building Code		Ontario's Regulatory Registry Proposal Number 23-MMAH003, concerning potential changes to the Ontario Building Code, was posted on February 27, 2023.

The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) issued Ontario CodeNews e-bulletin #337, dated February 27, 2023, to request that comments on the current public consulation on the proposed changes to the 2020 editions of the National Model Codes, from Ontario persons and entities, are to be submitted online using Ontario's Regulatory Registry.

The MMAH intends to use the CBHCC's public consultations as a primary vehicle to engage stakeholders and an opportunity to receive industry feedback on the 2025 National Codes for the development of the edition of Ontario's Building Code (i.e., 2026/2027) that will follow the 2025 National Building Code.  The MMAH has indicated that it is critical that Ontario's industry partners participate in these national consultations as they are Ontario's principal mechanism for consultation on Ontario's [proposed] 2026/2027 Building Code.
27-FEB-2023CANADA
National Model Codes		As announced on the 13-FEB-2023 News at CodeNews, the Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) has published the proposed changes to the 2020 editions of the National Model Codes for its public review, which is being held from February 27 to April 27, 2023.

The following documents are now available:

National Building Code of Canada 2020:
National Plumbing Code of Canada 2020:
Detailed list of all proposed changes (700 pages)
21-FEB-2023BRITISH COLUMBIA
2018 Building Code		On February 8, 2023, Ravi Kahlon, British Columbia Minister of Housing, made Ministerial Order No. M40 to amend the Building Act General Regulation, B.C. Reg. 131/2016, effective on May 1, 2023.

On February 8, 2023, Ravi Kahlon, British Columbia Minister of Housing, made Ministerial Order No.BA 2023 8 to amend Book 1 (General) of the British Columbia Building Code, established by the British Columbia Building Code Regulation, B.C. Reg. 264/2012, effective on May 1, 2023.

The amendments implement the next step of the BC Energy Step Code., which is a compliance path in the BC Building Code that local governments may use, if they wish, to either incentivize or mandate a level of energy efficiency in new construction that goes above and beyond the requirements of the current  BC Building Code.  A 68 page information document has been published to identify all code changes.

The amendments related to Part 3 buildings:
  • Introduce the Zero Carbon Step Code, an opt-in building carbon pollution standard for operational carbon
  • Introduce modified TEUI targets for office and retail occupancies
The amendments related to Part 9 buildings:
  • Introduce the Zero Carbon Step Code (formerly known as the Carbon Pollution Standard), an opt-in building carbon pollution standard for operational carbon
  • Introduce a prescriptive option for Step 3, Part 9 buildings if a local government passes an enabling bylaw
  • Provide more airtightness testing options
  • Introduce new energy performance improvement compliance calculations
The Building Officials Association of British Columbia has advised that:
"Backup heat from wood stoves and decorative gas fireplaces will be excluded from GHG modelling in Part 9 buildings. This responds to feedback from communities that experience frequent power outages."

Evoke Buildings Engineering and E3 Eco Group have prepared a 1,074 page report titled "BC Energy Step Code Metrics Report Update", dated September 29, 2022 for the British Columbia Building Safety and Standards Branch on the progress the government is making to the net zero energy ready standard by 2032.
15-FEB-2023ALBERTA
Safety Codes Act
Gas Code Regulation
CSA B149.1:20 Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code
Alberta Plumbing Code
STANDATA
Gas Bulletin
Plumbing Variance		Sidney Manning, Provincial Gas Administrator and Provincial Plumbing Administrator for Alberta, has issued the following STANDATA gas bulletin and plumbing variance:
The purpose of Gas Bulletin 20-GCB-001 is to outline the minimum requirements for the installation of stationary gas engines and turbines.

The purpose of Plumbing Variance 15-PVC-03 is permit the use of cellular core polyvinyl chloride pipe in residential buildings containing one or two dwelling units and row houses that do not exceed three storeys in height.  Industry stakeholders want an option to use cellular core PVC pipe for DWV applications during significant plastic drainage supply shortages due to limited availability of base materials and in advance of proposed changes for the next version of the National Plumbing Code of Canada.
This variance expires April 01, 2023.

CodeNews.ca congratulates Sidney Manning for responding to the perceived needs of Alberta's plumbing industry.
13-FEB-2023CANADA
National Model Codes		The Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) will be holding a public review, from February 27 to April 27, 2023, of proposed changes to the 2020 editions of the National Model Codes.

The proposed changes included in this second public review will address the following topics in the National Building Code of Canada and the National Plumbing Code of Canada:

•    structural design (Part 9) – lateral loads
•    large farm buildings
•    building fire safety
•    fire protection
•    combustible construction – fire protection and safety
•    fire alarm and detection systems
•    encapsulated mass timber construction
•    spatial separation between buildings
•    accessibility – inclusive plumbing accommodation
•    environmental separation
•    spray-applied polyurethane insulation
•    drainage systems

Changes approved by the CBHCC will be included in the 2025 editions of the National Model Codes.

Further public reviews for future sets of proposed changes to the 2020 editions of the Codes are also planned to take place later this year (2023) and in 2024.
08-FEB-2023ALBERTA
Safety Codes Act
2019 Building Code
STANDATA
Building Interpretation
and
NOVA SCOTIA
Notice
2015 National Building Code
2017 National Energy Code for Buildings		Paul Chang, Provincial Building Administrator for Alberta, has issued the following STANDATA Building Interpretation:
The purpose of this interpretation is to provide approximate acceptable SEER2/EER2 values compared to the required SEER/EER rating required in the National Building Code - 2019 Alberta Edition and the National Energy Code for Buildings 2017 for determining the energy efficiency of HVAC equipment such as air conditioners and heat pumps in the cooling mode.

Joe Rogers P.Eng, Building Code Coordinator for Nova Scotia, has issued a Notice, dated February 8, 2023, that provides approximate acceptable SEER2/EER2 values compared to the required SEER/EER ratings.

These two provinces should be congratulated on harmonizing their interpretations!
Now......... what about the other 8 provinces in Canada........?
06-FEB-2023CANADA
National Model Codes		Sefton Hyde-Clarke, Secretary, Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) & Manager, Code Development System, Codes Canada, has announced that the CBHCC is holding the first phase of a public consultation on a "Draft Policy Framework for Climate Change Mitigation", from February 6, 2023 until March 30, 2023.

The CBHCC has agreed to include an objective for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to enable provincial and territorial regulation, and this objective should be incorporated into the 2025 codes. This objective would include regulation of both operational and embodied carbon with operational being addressed in the 2025 codes and embodied carbon in the 2030 codes.

The following documents are available for review:
This consultation is not about whether to include GHG emissions in the National Codes  -  It is about the policies for including GHG emissions in the National Codes.
The decision has already been made by the CBHCC to increase the cost of housing and all other construction for the next decade.
Buy a house NOW because it will not get any cheaper ..... and it may be one of your best investments!
19-JAN-2023ONTARIO
Electricity Act, 1998
2021 Ontario Electrical Safety Code		Sam Loggia, Manager, Strategic Initiatives, of CSA Group’s Energy, Electrical Sector, advised on November 10, 2022 that the following revised Ontario Electrical Safety Code Bulletins, dated October, 2022) for the 2021 Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) are available:
  • New Bulletin 2-11-26 - Plans and specifications replaces Bulletin 2-11-25
Added clarification that plan review is required for bi-directional electric vehicle supply equipment.
  • New Bulletin 2-26-3 - LED retrofits for signs and outline lighting replaces Bulletin 2-26-2
Clarified approval requirements for retrofitted signs connected to Class 2 power supply.
  • New Bulletin 6-9-3 - Attachment of overhead service conductors replaces Bulletin 6-9-2
Added requirements for existing clevis on fascia boards. Also allowance for angle iron conductor support.
  • New Bulletin 12-26-7 - Conductors feeding portable classrooms replaces Bulletin 12-26-6
Clarified that other AHJs requirement apply to clearance requirements.
  • New Bulletin 26-29-5 - Electrical replacement and/or alterations in dwelling units replaces Bulletin 26-29-4
Added permission for the installation of an additional panelboard in a single dwelling unit being subdivided
  • New Bulletin 64-2-3 - Grounding and bonding of solar photovoltaic systems replaces Bulletin 64-2-2
Updated Diagram B6 to reflect functionally grounded system design.
  • New Bulletin 84-1-17 - Interconnection of electric power production sources replaces Bulletin 84-1-16
Clarified applicable standards for inverters approval.

The full Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) bulletin package is included as part of the purchase of the 28th edition of the OESC over the entire 2021 code cycle. If you need access to the OESC bulletin package and to receive notifications when new bulletins are released, you are required to purchase the OESC.

In other words, if you want to read these copyrighted OESC safety bulletins, hand over your cash.  
As they say in some parts of the world:  "No money, no funny!"

We all recognize that the Canadian Standards Association is a unique and very valuable institution.
Doug Ford and Jagmeet Justin Singh-Trudeau (who are joined at the hips anyway, aren't they) should consider throwing a few hundred thousand dollars to assist the CSA to offer the OESC bulletins for free.  
After all, they have been exhibiting monetary diarrhea© in every direction, especially in the past 3 years, to far more undeserving causes.
11-JAN-2023MANITOBA
Building Code
Plumbing Code
Fire Code		The  Manitoba government issued a press release on October 20, 2022 that the 2020 editions of the national model building, plumbing, fire and energy codes will be adopted as soon as practically possible, in response to industry feedback.  Since Manitoba currently references the 2011 edition of the National Energy Code for Buildings and  the 2010 national model code editions, it will be "bypassing the 2015 editions".
Manitoba Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services Minister Reg Helwer noted that this approach will update Manitoba’s construction and fire codes to the 2020 editions approximately six months earlier than required under Canadian Free Trade Agreement commitments for harmonized and timely adoption of national model codes.
03-JAN-2023CITY OF VANCOUVER
2019 Vancouver Building By-law
Revision 6		On January 3, 2023, BC Publications announced that the consolidation of amendments to the 2019 Vancouver Building By-law (BookI), up to Revision 6, effective as of January 1, 2023, has now been published online in its Public Library.

A “Point in time” folder has been created which allows viewing the content as it read prior to January 1, 2023. The “Point in Time” folders are accessible within each Part, if applicable.

For users of the binder versions of Revision 6 of the By-law may be downloaded from:
30-DEC-2022ONTARIO
Building Code Act
2012 Building Code		The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing issued Ontario CodeNews e-bulletin #336, dated December 30, 2022, to announce the following revised Building Code related fees for registrations for building practitioners regulated under the Building Code Act, 1992, effective on January 1, 2023:
  • $128 fee for initial registration or reinstatement or annual renewal of registrations for:
    • building officials
    • on-site sewage system installers
    • other designers
  • $202 fee for initial registration or reinstatement of registrations for designers or design firms
  • $152 fee for annual renewal of registrations for designers or design firms
  • $44 fee for updating class of registrations for designers or design firms
  • $484 fee for initial registration or reinstatement of registrations for registered code agencies 
  • $356 fee for annual renewal of registrations for registered code agencies
  • $82 fee for updating class of registrations for registered code agencies
  • $212 application fee to the Building Code Commission
  • $11,000 application fee to the Building Materials Evaluation Commission (no change from previous year)
  • $697 application fee for a Minister's Ruling pursuant to Article 2.4.1.2. of Div. C of the Ontario Building Code
The fees for Building Practitioner Registration, Building Code Commission, and Minister’s Rulings are calculated annually based on the Consumer Price Index and have increased by 7.0% this year.

CodeNews Consulting Corp., Consulting Architect, has not raised its consulting fees since 2013 - If the Ontario government can raise its fees by 7% in ONE YEAR, it is time for CodeNews to raise its code consulting fees on Jan. 1, 2023.
21-DEC-2022ONTARIO
Building Code Act
2012 Building Code
Public Consultation		The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) issued Ontario CodeNews e-bulletin #335, dated December 21, 2022, to announce a public consultation on how to improve the current qualification program for Ontario's building practitioners.

ERO Notice Number 019-6433, posted on December 21, 2022 on the Environmental Registry of Ontario, provides:
The MMAH is interested in your thoughts on actions it can take on the following:
  • operational changes within the current program framework; and
  • design changes that could create a new framework for the Qualification Program.
This consultation closes at 11:59 p.m. on February 3, 2023.

The MMAH has acknowledged candidates taking the Qualification Exams have low exam pass rates and (as any bureaucrat would do) has hired a consultant to help examine the Qualification Program for building practitioners.  Since not enough people are passing the exams, the government is now proposing RAISING THE BARRIERS to write an exam!!!!!!!!  YUP, since there are not enough qualified building inspectors, the government wants to make it harder to write the exam to become an inspector.  I'm not making this up: see Page 7 of the discussion paper.
Nevertheless, the MMAH should be congratulated for opening this can of worms - some hard questions need to be answered but not necessarily those listed in the discussion paper.
21-DEC-2022CANADA
2020 National Energy Code for Buildings
Provincial Compliance		Joe Rogers has kindly advised that Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is conducting an on-line Canada-wide Building Energy Code Compliance Study to collect information about energy code compliance for buildings.
Industry professionals, practitioners and building officials with recent experience helping to demonstrate or enforce energy compliance for large buildings in Canada (commonly referred to as “Part-3 buildings”) are asked to provide feedback using the on-line questionnaire - it takes about 15 minutes to complete.
Your responses will be used to estimate current rates of compliance with energy codes for large buildings, to understand current obstacles to compliance, and to inform future efforts to improve energy code compliance across Canada.
NRCan's Office of Energy Efficiency encourages industry participants to respond before January 2, 2023.
19-DEC-2022ALBERTA
Safety Codes Act
2019 Fire Code
STANDATA
Fire Code Variance		Tina Parker, Provincial Fire Administrator, has issued the following STANDATA Building Variance:
The purpose of this variance is to provide an effective option for confidential unpublished portable fire extinguisher policies and procedures at remote unstaffed energy transmission facilities for use by employees and/or contractors SPECIFICALLY for i3 Energy Canada in the event of a fire.
19-DEC-2022CANADA
National Model Codes		Joe Rogers and Trevor Nightingale, the Co-Chairmen of the Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC), have announced that the Board is recruiting a candidate to serve as the Chairman of the new Advisory Council for Harmonized Construction Codes.
If you are interested in serving as the Chairman of the Advisory Council for Harmonized Construction Codes, you are invited to send a letter of application, along with a CV, to the CBHCC Secretary.
The recuitment period ends on January 9, 2023.
Note that the Advisory Council for Harmonized Construction Codes is composed of representatives of organizations representing municipal officials, emergency responders, the building industry and big business.
Candidates who are employed by or have a leadership role within organizations that are members of the Advisory Council for Harmonized Construction Codes are not eligible to apply for the role of Chairman.
14-DEC-2022ALBERTA
Safety Codes Act
2019 Building Code
STANDATA
Building Variance		Paul Chang, Provincial Building Administrator, has issued the following STANDATA Building Variance:
It is common for structural steel to be fabricated outside of Canada by fabricators who are not certified to the CSA W47.1
standard. In fact, very few fabricators outside of Canada are certified by the Canadian Welding Bureau to the CSA W47.1 standard. The requirement to comply with the CSA W47.1 standard stems from Clause 24.3 of the CSA S16 standard.

The purpose of this variance is to provide an alternative solution to the construction industry in meeting the requirement of using qualified fabricators for the fabrication of structural steel as per CSA W47.1 – “Certification of companies for fusion welding of steel”.
12-DEC-2022ALBERTA
Safety Codes Act
2019 Building Code
STANDATA
Building Bulletin		Paul Chang, Provincial Building Administrator, has issued the following STANDATA Building Bulletin:
This Bulletin withdraws STANDATA Building Interpretation 19-BCI-023.  The effect of the withdrawal of STANDATA Building Interpretation 19-BCI-023 is that engineering stamps or seals are no longer a minimum requirement for truss layouts or profiles for Part 9 buildings, as was previously the case in Alberta prior to the issuance of STANDATA 19-BCI-023.

This news demonstrates the validity of Alek's Second Regulatory Theorem©:
  1. A regulatory system will contract when resources available for its enforcement are diminished.
In this case, since there are not enough Alberta professional engineers to stamp truss shop drawings, it has been deemed that there is no longer a need to check for stamped shop drawings!
02-DEC-2022QUÉBEC
2021 Chapter I, Building, Construction Code		The Régie du bâtiment du Québec announced on December 1, 2022 the publication of an explanatory guide for the main changes contained in the new edition of Québec Construction Code, Chapter I – Building, and National Building Code of Canada 2015 (amended) -  Cahier explicatif des principaux changements au Code de construction du Québec, Chapitre I – Bâtiment, et Code national du bâtiment – Canada 2015 (modifié).
A transitional period of 18 months is currently underway, where buildings built or renovated between January 8, 2022 and July 7, 2023 may conform to either the old or the new edition of Chapter I, Building, Québec Construction Code.
02-DEC-2022QUÉBEC
Chapitre B-1.1
Loi sur le bâtiment
Code de sécurité		The Régie du bâtiment du Québec announced on November 22, 2022 that a new version of the Explanatory Guide for Facade Maintenance Requirements has been published.  This new edition takes into account the most recent advances in the field, including new inspection methods (drone and thermography) and the ASTM E2270 standard.

Québec's Building Chapter of the Security Code contains mandatory requirements for checking and maintaining the facades of buildings that consist of 5 or more storeys above ground.  Poorly maintained facades constitute a risk to public safety, which can be reduced, or even avoided, by a rigorous preventive maintenance of the facades on the part of building owners.
02-DEC-2022QUÉBEC
2021 Chapter I, Building, Construction Code		The Régie du bâtiment du Québec announced on November 18, 2022 that Le décret 1721-2022 was published on November 16, 2022 in the Gazette du Québec to allow owners of existing Private Seniors Residences an additional two-year period to install mandated fire sprinkler systems in their buildings.  The original deadline had been December 2, 2022.

This postponement aims to:
  • respond to the difficulties encountered by the owners of Private Seniors Residences to comply with the requirements; and
  • avoid possible closures with potentially devastating repercussions on residents and owners of non-compliant residences.
The government of Québec deserves praise for showing concern for the owners as well as for the welfare of the residents of Private Seniors Residences.
30-NOV-2022ALBERTA
Safety Codes Act
2019 Building Code
ASME A17.1-2013/CSA-B44-13 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
CSA-B311-02 (R2012)
CSA-B355-2009
CSA-Z185-M87 (R2011) 
STANDATA
Joint Building Code & Elevating Devices Variance		Paul Chang, Provincial Building Administrator, and Dean Bruce, Provincial Elevating Devices Administrator, have jointly issued the following STANDATA:
The purpose of this variance is to exempt elevator cars from the dimensions required to accommodate a stretcher in buildings where an elevator is installed instead of a lift, in situations where a lift would comply with the accessibility requirements of the 2019 Alberta Building Code.
22-NOV-2022CANADA
National Model Codes		As part of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement's Regulatory Reconciliation and Cooperation Table, the Government of Canada announced a new governance model for the National Model Code development system effective November 22, 2022. It replaces the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC), the committee responsible for code development in Canada since 1991. The new model integrates the provinces and territories into the national process and claims to better respond to code priorities from jurisdictions and harmonize construction codes across Canada.

The new federal-provincial-territorial governance model is structured as follows:
  • Canadian Table for Harmonized Construction Codes Policy for overall governance
  • Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes for management of the code system
  • Technical Committees for development of code content
  • Advisory Council for Harmonized Construction Codes
The National Research Council of Canada has provided further information, as follows:
The effect of these changes is to give the provinces greater control of code development in Canada.  
The construction materials industry will continue to influence policy on the Advisory Council for Harmonized Construction Codes.
Regular day-to-day code users are essentially out of the picture when it comes to code development - you have no voice - period. I am sure that special exemptions will be made for rude arrogant clueless fanatic Swedish teenagers whose first name is Greta.
10-NOV-2022CANADA
A model standard for the built environment – accessibility		Zachary D. May, Executive Director, Building and Safety Standards Branch, Office of Housing and Construction Standards of British Columbia's Ministry of Attorney General and Ministry Responsible for Housing announced on November 10, 2022 that Accessibility Standards Canada is holding a public review of its November 2022 draft A model standard for the built environment – accessibility  from November 8, 2022, to 11:59 PM EST January 7, 2023.

The draft standard was developed by the Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization (operating as “Accessibility Standards Canada”), which claims that its standards are developed through a "consensus-based standards development process approved" by the Standards Council of Canada.  Accessibility Standards Canada is a public organization that was created under the Accessible Canada Act. Accessibility Standards Canada is the first federal organization majority-led by persons with disabilities. It will be the federal government’s leader in creating accessibility standards.

Keep in mind that, if you decide to comment on this draft standard, then Accessibility Standards Canada reserves all intellectual property and other rights in the revised document resulting from your comments.  In other words:
Accessibility Standards Canada is the exclusive owner of your comments and may use such comments as it sees fit.

If you are still motivated to comment, view the Accessibility Standards Canada consultation site.

The B.C. government is reviewing this draft standard and may consider adopting portions in future British Columbia Building Codes.
07-NOV-2022QUÉBEC
2021 Chapter I, Building, Construction Code		Codes Canada announced on November 4, 2022 that the Québec Construction Code, Chapter I – Building, and National Building Code of Canada 2015 (amended) is available now in electronic and print formats.

The NRC Publications Archive contains free electronic formats of:

To purchase the documents in printed formats, place your order online through the NRC Virtual Store or the magasin virtuel du CNRC.
01-NOV-2022ONTARIO
Building Code Commission
2012 Ontario Building Code		On November 1, 2022, the Ontario Building Code Commission released its written decision concerning Sentence 3.2.9.1.(7) of Div. B of the Ontario Building Code, as it applies to the requirement for standpipe hose cabinets within 2-level dwelling units in a 4 storey stacked townhouse project.  The BCC hearing was held on May 10, 2022 and a verbal ruling was delivered on June 10, 2022.

Alek Antoniuk, OAA, CodeNews Consulting Corp., Consulting Architect, was the agent for the Applicant at the BCC Hearing.

BCC Ruling 22-12-1604 is significant for the following reasons:
  1. It supports the Ontario government's original policy intent to promote stacked townhouse developments, which are one of the most cost-effective forms of housing.
  2. It conforms to the Supreme Court of Canada's approach to statutory and regulatory interpretation, where the court declared that:
“Today there is only one principle or approach, namely, the words of an Act are to be read in their entire context and in their grammatical and ordinary sense harmoniously with the scheme of the Act, the object of the Act, and the intention of Parliament.”
2022 SEE 2022 NEWS ARCHIVES Link to archives of News at CodeNews for items posted between January 1 - December 31, 2022.
2021 SEE 2021 NEWS ARCHIVES Link to archives of News at CodeNews for items posted between January 1 - December 31, 2021.
2020 SEE 2020 NEWS ARCHIVES Link to archives of News at CodeNews for items posted between January 1 - December 31, 2020.
2019 SEE 2019 NEWS ARCHIVES Link to archives of News at CodeNews for items posted between January 1 - December 31, 2019.
2018 SEE 2018 NEWS ARCHIVES Link to archives of News at CodeNews for items posted between January 1 - December 31, 2018.
2017 SEE 2017 NEWS ARCHIVES Link to archives of News at CodeNews for items posted between January 1 - December 31, 2017.
2016 SEE 2016 NEWS ARCHIVES Link to archives of News at CodeNews for items posted between January 1 - December 31, 2016.
2015 SEE 2015 NEWS ARCHIVES Link to archives of News at CodeNews for items posted between January 1 - December 31, 2015.
PRIOR TO
01-JAN-2015
 SEE NEWS ARCHIVES
 Link to archives of News at CodeNews for items posted prior to January 1, 2015.

Seminars:

DATE
SEMINAR
Wednesday
04-DEC-2019		 Alek Antoniuk was a speaker at The Buildings Show 2019, which took place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
He spoke at: Session WS111 - The 2020 Ontario Building Code Updates, in Room 701A of the South Building, to an audience of over 230 persons.
THIS PRESENTATION WAS SOLD OUT    DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION SLIDE DECK
Thursday
29-NOV-2018
 Alek Antoniuk was a speaker at The Buildings Show 2018. The event took place on November 28 - 29 in the South and North Buildings of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
He spoke at Session, TS103 - Ontario Building Code Update: Three of the Most Recent Changes You Need Know, on Thursday, November 29 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Room 715 of the South Building.
THIS PRESENTATION WAS SOLD OUT   DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION SLIDE DECK
Friday
22-JUN-2018		 Due to popular demand, Alek Antoniuk delivered a repeat seminar on the recent major changes to the Ontario Building Code and Act that was delivered at the 2018 AATO Annual General Meeting and Conference.  
Friday
27-APR-2018		 Alek Antoniuk delivered a seminar on the recent major changes to the Ontario Building Code and Act at the 2018 Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Association of Architectural Technologists of Ontario, on Friday, April 27, 2018, in Vaughan, Ontario.
Wednesday
21-MAR-2018		 Alek Antoniuk delivered a seminar on the major changes to the Ontario Building Code, contained in O. Reg. 139/17, for the Golden Triangle Chapter of the OBOA on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
The Golden Triangle Chapter has opened the presentation to designers and other code users for a nominal fee of $40 for the seminar.
Thursday
25-JAN-2018		 Alek Antoniuk delivered a seminar on the major changes to the Ontario Building Code, contained in O. Reg. 139/17, which came into effect on July 1, 2017, as well as the  changes that will come into effect on January 1, 2018 and January 1, 2020, for the Greater Toronto Area Chapter of the OBOA.  Three slide decks were presented:
  •     the retirement home changes that came into effect on  July 1, 2017
  •     the “house” changes  that came into effect on  July 1, 2017
  •     the electric vehicle charging system changes that will come into effect on January 1, 2018 and January 1, 2020, as a result of O. Reg. 563/17
Continuing education certificates have been issued to OAA members who attended the seminar.
Thursday
18-JAN-2018		 Alek Antoniuk delivered a seminar on the major changes to the Ontario Building Code, contained in O. Reg. 139/17, which came into effect on July 1, 2017, as well as the  changes that will come into effect on January 1, 2018 and January 1, 2020, for the Niagara District Chapter of the OBOA..  Three slide decks were presented:
  •     the retirement home changes that came into effect on  July 1, 2017
  •     the “house” changes  that came into effect on  July 1, 2017
  •     the electric vehicle charging system changes that will come into effect on January 1, 2018 and January 1, 2020, as a result of O. Reg. 563/17
Tuesday
12-DEC-2017		 Alek Antoniuk delivered a seminar on the major changes to the Ontario Building Code, contained in O. Reg. 139/17, which came into effect on July 1, 2017, as well as the  changes that will come into effect on January 1, 2018, for the City of Niagara Falls' Building and Fire Services staff..  Three slide decks were presented
  •     the retirement home changes that came into effect on  July 1, 2017
  •     the “house” changes  that came into effect on  July 1, 2017
  •     the electric vehicle charging system changes that will come into effect on January 1, 2018
Tuesday
14-NOV-2017		 Alek Antoniuk delivered a seminar on the major changes to retirement homes and houses, contained in O. Reg. 139/17, which came into effect on July 1, 2017, as well as the electric vehicle charging station requirements that will come into effect on January 1, 2018, to a meeting of the Wellington Waterloo District Chapter of the OBOA.

CodeNews Consulting Corp., Consulting Architect, has prepared an additional presentation that will be of interest to architects, engineers, other designers, building officials, and builders on:

  • Electric Vehicle Charging Systems (30 minutes long)
Wednesday
26-JUL-2017		 Alek Antoniuk delivered a presentations on the major changes to retirement homes and houses, contained in O. Reg. 139/17, which came into effect on July 1, 2017, for the Town of Orangeville's Building Department and its invited guests, including selected architects, engineers, and municipal building officials.

Presentations are now available for your organization.  CodeNews Consulting Corp., Consulting Architect, is not aware of the general availability of any presentations on the recent OBC changes. Therefore, CodeNews has prepared the following two presentations that will be of interest to architects, engineers, other designers, building officials, and builders:
  •     the retirement home changes (45 minutes long)
  •     the “house” changes (90 minutes long)
To arrange for an on-site presentation for your staff or the members of your organization, call Alek Antoniuk at +1-416-856-0241.
Wednesday
08-JUL-2015		 Alek Antoniuk delivered a presentation titled: "Considerations for Building & Fire Departments in Enforcing the Code" at the Fire and Life Safety in Modern Construction Seminars, in Waterloo, Ontario, hosted by the University of Waterloo and Sereca Consulting.  This presentation examines the implications of 6-storey wood framed construction for building and fire officials.  Ontario's Exit Cocoon Conundrum is explained.

The slide deck for this presentation contains slides from a presentation titled: "Mid-rise Wood Frame Buildings", dated April 7, 2015, presented by Alan Shaw, CBO, City of Sarnia, Vice President of the Ontario Building Officials Associaiton (OBOA).  Use of the OBOA's material in this slide deck is authorized by Mike Seiling, President of the OBOA.
8:30-12:00
14:00-17:30
Friday
09-MAY-2014		 Alek Antoniuk delivered a presentation titled: “New Accessibility Changes to the Building Code” at the 2014 OAA Conference.  A morning session and an afternoon session were held at the Queen Elizabeth Fairmont Hotel, 900 René-Lévesque Boulevard West, Montréal.

The “New Accessibility Changes to the Building Code” presentation consists of Slide Deck 1 and Slide Deck 2 and references the following documents:
Tuesday
01-APR-2014		 Alek Antoniuk delivered a presentation titled: “Ontario Building Code - April 2014 Update” at the Dinner Meeting of the Toronto Chapter of Construction Specifications Canada.
Thursday
13-FEB-2014		 The Society of Fire Protection Engineers, National Capital Region Chapter, held its 32nd Annual Meeting and Education Forum in Ottawa, Ontario.
Keynote Speakers for the topic of Mid-Rise Wood Frame Construction were:
  • Ineke Van Zeeland, M. Eng., ASFPE – Manager, Codes & Standards, Canadian Wood Council
  • Alek Antoniuk, B.E.S., B. Arch., OAA – Code Consultant
  • Evelyne Cardinal, OAA, MRAIC – Farrow Dreessen Architects Inc.
  • Sean Tracey, P.Eng., MIFireE – Assistant Deputy Chief Community Standards, City of Ottawa
Alek Antoniuk's presentation is titled: "Mid-Rise Combustible Construction - A Building Code Perspective" and reviewed the following areas:
  • Ontario’s interest in mid-rise combustible construction
  • Ontario’s code consultations
  • Fire safety during construction
  • Ontario’s policy dilemma
The presentation references the following documents:
Wednesday
22-JAN-2014		 Alek Antoniuk and David Johnson presented a seminar on " Understanding the Impact on Multi-residential Construction of Changes to Part 3, 2014 Ontario Building Code & the Announced Requirements for Accessibilty for 2015".  This seminar is sponsored by RESCON and buildABILITY.

Alek Antoniuk's presentation is titled: "An Overview of the Accessibility Amendments to Ontario’s Building Code" and is intended to cover the highlights of the changes to the 2012 Ontario Building Code resulting from the filing of O. Reg. 368/13, as they apply to “Part 3" multi-residential buildings.
The presentation references the following documents:
David Johnson's presentation was on the "Changes to Part 3 of the 2012 Ontario Building Code for Multi-Residential construction".
Tuesday
10-DEC-2013		 Alek Antoniuk delivered a NORR ed presentation titled: “2012 Ontario Building Code Update”.
The presentation referenced the following documents:

Newsletters:

RESCON News Letter

 Alek Antoniuk is a contributor to the RESCON News Letter - Subscribe here
RESCON Industry News
October 2015		 In this issue, Alek Antoniuk's RESCON CodeLetter #10 provides an update on current consultations on building related legislation and standards and provides further information on the "X" Permit proposal for Ontario.
RESCON Industry News
September 2015		 In this issue, Alek Antoniuk's RESCON CodeLetter #9 examines whether  it is possible to cut the Gordian Knot around construction regulations in Ontario and points to the example of Quebec and Alberta.
RESCON Industry News
August 2015		 In this issue, Alek Antoniuk's RESCON CodeLetter #8 provides a chronological list of changes to Building Code documents related to the barrier-free changes
and also asks the question: “Is Information on the OBC Accessibility (Barrier-Free) Changes Readily Accessible?”
RESCON Industry News
May 2015		 In this issue, Alek Antoniuk's RESCON CodeLetter #7 reports on efforts to release the more than 92 unpublished rulings that have been made by the Building Code Commission since 2010, including recent rulings on standpipe and hose systems.
RESCON Industry News
April 2015		 In this issue, Alek Antoniuk's RESCON CodeLetter #6 examines whether Ontario's building regulatory system is capable of efficiently adapting to new technologies, such as off grid buildings.
RESCON Industry News
March 2015		 In this issue, Alek Antoniuk's RESCON CodeLetter #5 reports on a recent ruling by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice that a municipality is not liable for any harm or damage resulting from any act or omission of a Registered Code Agency.
RESCON Industry News
February 2015		 In this issue, Alek Antoniuk's RESCON CodeLetter #4 reviews the new Ontario Building Code mid-rise combustible construction requirements of Ontario Regulation 191/14 and how Ontario's building exit rules may create problems for your design.
RESCON Industry News
December 2014		 From the December 2014 RESCON Industry News:

Regulatory reform is long overdue


I encourage you to read and comment on Alek Antoniuk’s latest RESCON CodeLetter #3.
RESCON has long been an advocate of Regulatory Change in Ontario as we believe the current system that regulates Development/Building activities is no longer capable of responding in an efficient manner to the rapid changes in processing information and construction activities, resulting from the use of new and emerging technologies.
I asked Alek to tackle this subject, given that the expertise he developed while at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing puts him in a unique position to share his perspective on this topic.
RESCON believes it’s time to start a conversation between industry stakeholders and the regulators who control our Industry on how we can affect the changes that would benefit all by:
  • Reducing redundant practices and minimizing red tape
  • Recognizing entrepreneurial expertise
  • Encouraging the use of emerging technologies  
Join the conversation. Now is the time for action.

Michael Steele. B. Tech. (C.M.)
Director, Technical Standards / RESCON
Email: michael.steele@rescon.com
RESCON Industry News
September 2014		 In this issue, Alek Antoniuk's RESCON CodeLetter #2 reviews the new Ontario Building Code accessibility and barrier-free design requirements of Ontario Regulation 368/13 and how they may affect your building project if you apply for a building permit after January 1, 2015.
RESCON Industry News
August 2014		 This issue includes Alek Antoniuk's first article of the RESCON CodeLetter, of a series of articles that will be released throughout the year.

A number of regulatory authorities in Canada publish newsletters to inform code users about code changes::

JURISDICTION
CODE
PUBLICATION
British Columbia Building Code Technical Bulletins
Alberta Building Code STANDATA
Saskatchewan Ministry of Government Relations Building and Technical Standards
Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner Bulletins and Announcements
Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing Ontario CodeNews (Building Code, including plumbing)
Electrical Safety Authority ESA Newsletters (Electrical)
Technical Standards & Safety Authority Corporate News
(Boilers & Pressure Vessels, Elevating Devices, Hydrocarbon Fuels)
Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management OFM e-Bulletin (developments of interest to the fire safety community, including items pertaining to fire safety standards, legislation and codes)
Régie du bâtiment du Québec Les nouvelles
Nova Scotia Office of the Fire Marshal Nova Scotia Building Code Information

About this site:

Alek Antoniuk, OAA

This web site is developed by Alek Antoniuk, OAA, BCIN #14661
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
cell: +1-416-856-0241
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Alek Antoniuk's e-mail address in a graphic
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It takes a lot of work to maintain this site as one of the most valued repositories for current information on Building Codes in Canada.
The content of this site is copyrighted and may not be reproduced unless specifically permitted by the author, Alek Antoniuk.
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Final words and images:

The end of World War 1 eradicated the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which had been ruled by the Habsburg monarchy.  The Treaty of Trianon was signed in Versailles, France on June 4, 1920 to formally end World War I between most of the Allies of World War I and the Kingdom of Hungary, which had lost the war alongside with Germany.

Hungary Lost World War 1

The Kingdom of Hungary was stripped of 67% of its pre-World War 1 territory, which was distributed to Romania and the newly formed countries of Czechoslowakia and Yugoslawia.

Many Hungarians, including current Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, still cannot accept that Hungary, Austria, and Germany were the losers in World War 1 - they still dream of an empire, much like Russia's Vladimir Putin.

Alek Antoniuk
May 19, 2023
© 2023
Last updated on: 01-JUN-2023