DATE

PROVINCE OR JURISDICTION

NEWS

• National Building Code of Canada 2015
• National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2011

Dana Scherf, P.Eng.,
Director, Code and Life Safety,
Principal; Senior Code Consultant
Morrison Hershfield

• more stringent and comprehensive requirements for potable water conservation
• new articles to address the use of stainless steel piping
• a ban on the installation of piping containing asbestos
• updating the editions of the referenced standards
• the introduction of a standard on oil separators, which governs their manufacture and performance in order to restrict oil discharges into sewers (among others, for mechanical maintenance garages)
• adding additional benchmarks to meet the requirement to sell certified plumbing products

• 20-GVC-02-Rev1 - Engineer authentication at oil and gas production facilities

• 20-GCB-02 [Rev2] - Sidewall vent terminations
• 20-GCB-03 [Rev2] - Walkways and guard rails
• 20-GCB-04 [Rev2] - Gas fired appliances used for heating Buildings Under Construction
• 20-GCB-05 [Rev8] - Non-certified appliances and equipment require special inspection and approval
• 20-GCB-06 [Rev2] - Door air heaters, Direct fired makeup air heaters, and Non-recirculating direct gas-fired industrial air heaters
• 20-GCB-07 [Rev2] - Appliances and equipment require special certification for installation at high altitude
• 20-GCB-08 [Rev2] - Liquefied petroleum gas storage vessel installations
• 20-GCB-09 [Rev3] - Propane/natural gas utility connections
• 20-GCB-10 [Rev3] - Fuel gas pressure piping in plants
• 20-GCB-11 [Rev2] - Propane storage tanks designed for 200 PSIG
• 20-GCB-12 [Rev4] - Outdoor propane appliances located on roofs, decks and balconies
• 20-GCB-13 [Rev4] - Residential appliance venting, vent connectors and liners
• 20-GCB-14 [Rev3] - Temporary heat for construction sites
• 20-GCB-15 [Rev2] - Mechanically vented appliances

• CSA-B149.1-20 - Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code – This code provides the minimum requirements for the installation of natural gas and propane appliances and equipment downstream of a natural gas meter or from a propane distributor’s tank.
• CSA-B149.2-20 – Propane Storage and Handling Code – This provides the minimum requirements for the storage, handling, transportation and transfer of propane.
• CSA-B149.3-20 – Code for the field approval of fuel-related components on appliances and equipment – This code applies to the requirements for site specific fuel burning appliances and equipment for which there is no recognized Canadian standard.
• CSA-B149.5-20 – Installation Code for Propane Fuel Systems and Tanks on Highway Vehicles – This code applies to the installation of propane fuel system components and tanks on highway vehicles for the provision of motive power.
• CSA-B108-18 – NGV Refuelling Stations Installation Code – This code applies to natural gas fuelling stations that may be used for fleet and public dispensing operations.
• CSA-B109-17 – Natural Gas for Vehicles Installation Code – This code applies to the installation, servicing, and repair of natural gas fuel systems on highway vehicles for the provision of motive power.

• Notice - Servicing intervals for pressure relief valves on tanks 2500 USWG and less
• Notice - Code requirements for propane fuel tanks
• Notice - Field approvals, permits and variances

• Must be immediately removed from operation.

• Shall not be installed, sold or offered for sale within Alberta.

• Paul Chang, Provincial Building Administrator, has authorized the issuance of the following STANDATA Building Code Bulletin:
• 19-BCB-007 - Permits under the building discipline
• Tina Parker, Provincial Fire Administrator, has authorized the issuance of the following STANDATA Fire Code Interpretation:
• 19-FCI-013 - Use of Containers, Portable Tanks and Transportation Tanks For The Ongoing Storage And Dispensing Of Flammable Liquids And Combustible Liquids

• O. Reg. 209/20 to address the delivery of Building Code services such as reviewingbuilding permit applications and conducting inspections related to COVID-19 effective May 11, 2020.
• Building Code Act changes that recognize the Minister’s authority to make regulations described undersection 34 of the Act effective July 21, 2020.
• O. Reg. 511/20 to add requirements for community benefits charges to the list of applicablelaw effective September 18, 2020.
• O. Reg. 762/20 to revise the following effective December 16, 2020:
• the list of applicable law to reference section 3 of the Building Transit Faster Act, 2020 with respect to the issuance of a permit under that section;
• minor errors and omissions through housekeeping changes;
• two spent provisions related to the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

• 19-BCI-002R1 - Barrier-Free Design Requirements: Relaxations

• 19-BCB-006 - Architects or Engineers Providing the Professional Design Services of the Other

• Corrects errors in equations and data taken from the NBC,
• Adds information, such as references and names of organizations, that was omitted,
• Supports public safety, and
• Reduces redundancies.

• Made on December 16, 2020
• Filed on December 16, 2020
• Published on e-Laws on December 17, 2020
• Printed in The Ontario Gazette on January 2, 2021
• Announced to code users in the Ontario government's CodeNews e-bulletin #310 on January 5, 2021

• $117 fee for initial registration or reinstatement or annual renewal of registrations for: 
• building officials 
• on-site sewage system installers 
• other designers

• $185 fee for initial registration or reinstatement of registrations for designers or design firms
• $139 fee for annual renewal of registrations for designers or design firms
• $40 fee for updating class of registrations for designers or design firms

• $442 fee for initial registration or reinstatement of registrations for registered code agencies 
• $326 fee for annual renewal of registrations for registered code agencies
• $75 fee for updating class of registrations for registered code agencies

• $194 application fee to the Building Code Commission
• $11,000 application fee to the Building Materials Evaluation Commission
• $637 application fee for a Minister's Ruling pursuant to Article 2.4.1.2. of Div. C of the Ontario Building Code

• A refreshed title to reflect the intention of the handbook, which is to support universal design and access to and throughout buildings;
• Incorporating the British Columbia Building Code 2018 accessibility design requirements as well as intent statements and attributions to provide the reasons for requirements and support Code application;
• Renewed commentary, to increase clarity and readability, and illustrations, to represent diverse building occupants; and
• Links to leading standards, programs, and resources to provide additional accessibility guidance.

• 19-BCV-018 - Adhered Masonry Veneer-Generic Engineered Details for Part 9 Residential Buildings

• LEG-ECR-003            Electric Railways

• 18-ECB-026                Section 26 – Installation of electrical equipment

• 18-ECI-064                 Section 64 – Renewable energy systems

• 18-ECV-064-218         Rule 64 – 218 Photovoltaic rapid shutdown

1. The reduction or elimination of variations in the technical requirements of Construction Codes

• Participating parties have agreed to identify variations and exceptions for the current (2015) National Codes and, within six months of the effective date for subsequent editions of Construction Codes going forward.
• After 2025, any new codes will be further harmonized with applicable National Codes and with leading practices from the provinces and territories, subject to exceptions provided for under the agreement.

2. The timely adoption of Construction Codes

• Participating parties have agreed to make Construction Codes effective within 24 months of the next (2020) National Codes, and within 18 months of subsequent codes (2025 and after).

3. A transformed National Code Development System to meet the needs of all jurisdictions.

• By 2021, the National Code Development System will be transformed to  integratethe provincial/territorial code development processes into the national process. The new code development system will be more responsive, more agile, and will result in fewer variations in the next (2025) edition of the Codes and as future codes are developed. 
• Participating parties have agreed to develop an implementation plan and report progress to RCT annually.

4. Freely available National Codes

• National Codes are now available for free in a digital format, and with unlimited access.

• 19-BCV-017 - Vented Soffit Protection

• 20-PSB-001 [Rev. 1] Training – Private Sewage Systems

• 20-PSB-001 Training – Private Sewage Systems

• Onsite Wastewater Practitioner Training Program
• Alberta Private Sewage Systems Standard of Practice Update Training

• 19-BCB-005 - Fire Stop Technical Judgements

• Greater alignment of technical requirements in Ontario’s Codes with the National Construction Codes, meaning that Ontario’s Codes will be more harmonized with those in effect in other provinces and territories.
• Timely and consistent adoption of Construction Codes across Canada so that the same rules are in place at the same time.
• A transformed national code development system, including a new governance structure that will be more responsive to provinces and territories.
• Access to free National Construction Codes across Canada (in digital format).

• 19-FCI-018 - Certification of Contractors for Storage Tank Systems

• an optional Public Health Facilities Temporary Permits Application Form (Microsoft Word .docx format) and a supportive Public Health Facilities Guide (Microsoft Word .docx format) to expedite permitting for temporary pandemic-related health facilities,
• ability to modify or suspend permit requirements for other types of temporary facility construction or operations (provided the permit cannot be reasonably obtained as a result of the pandemic and does not pose serious danger to people or property).

• Provide the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) with the ability to impose administrative penalties for non-compliance with elevator laws under the Act and its regulations.
• Require the reporting of elevator outage data to TSSA and require that TSSA publish this data online.

• 19-FCI-015 National Fire Code – 2019 Alberta Edition (NFC(AE)) Storage Tank System Inspections and Inventory Control

• the May 13, 2020 Press Release issued by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec
• overview of the Energy efficiency regulation for buildings other than small residential buildings

• Polytechnique Montréal
• Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
• Corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec
• Ville de Laval
• ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec
• le ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques du Québec

• 19-FCI-016, 19-BCI-022, 13-EDI-001, 18-CECI-007   Existing Elevator Moderization/Fire Alarm Interface

• Tina Parker, Provincial Fire Administrator
• Clarence C. Cormier, P.Eng., Provincial Electrical Administrator
• Dean Bruce, Provincial Elevating Devices Administrator
• Paul Chang, Provincial Building Administrator

• Secondary Suite Standards

• Carbon Monoxide Alarm Home Installation
• Solid Fuel Burning Appliances (Fireplaces)
• Smoke Alarms for your Home
• Compressed Gas Storage
• Escape Rooms
• Exit Signs
• Fire Doors
• Fire Watch Requirements During Shutdown of Fire Protection Systems
• Propane Used as an Engine Fuel in Equipment Other Than Motor Vehicles
• Spray Booths and Spray Coating Processes
• Storage of Aerosol Products
• Unsecured or Vacant Buildings
• Mobile Fuel Vending

• Do I need a Building Permit?

• Additions to Residence
• Finishing your Basement
• Building a Wood Deck
• Exterior Stairs to your Home
• Building a Detached Residential Garage
• Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, and Spas
• Cooktops - Location and Clearance Space
• Private Sewage Treatment Systems
• Private Sewage Treatment Systems Separation Distances

1. A Notice clarifying the classification of a distillery has been posted.
2. The following Building STANDATA are now available:

• 19-BCI-020 - Integrated Testing Coordinator - This interpretation provides clarification on the expectation for qualifications of an integrated testing coordinator.
• 19-BCI-021 - Occupancy Classification Supportive Living Accommodations - This interpretation is to clarify the application of the Safety Codes Act and the National Building Code-2019 Alberta Edition in determining the occupancy classification of buildings as intended for clients receiving various levels of supportive living accommodation.
• 19-BCB-001R1 - Steel Building Systems

• The amendment requires that municipal building officials continue to review permit applications and conduct construction inspections by providing that the time periods in the Building Code remain in effect for all construction projects, even when the municipal offices are closed because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
• The amendment also establishes that conditional permits can be issued for non-essential construction during the COVID-19 outbreak.
• The amendment will remain in effect for as long as municipal building department offices are closed to the public for in-person services due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

• CSA-B149.1-20 - Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code – This code provides the minimum requirements for the installation of natural gas and propane appliances and equipment downstream of a natural gas meter or from a propane distributor’s tank.
• CSA-B149.2-20 – Propane Storage and Handling Code – This provides the minimum requirements for the storage, handling, transportation and transfer of propane.
• CSA-B149.3-20 – Code for the field approval of fuel-burning appliances and equipment – This code applies to the requirements for site specific fuel burning appliances and equipment for which there is no recognized Canadian standard.
• CSA-B149.5-20 – Installation Code for Propane Fuel Systems and Tanks on Highway Vehicles – This code applies to the installation of propane fuel system components and tanks on highway vehicles for the provision of motive power.

• 19-BCI-019 - Mobile/Temporary Cooking Equipment

• Extends time to request a Fire Marshal Review
• Extends th time to submit supporting information for a Fire Marshal Review 
• Extends the compliance date for Fire Marshal Review Decisions
• Extends the time for appeals to the Fire Safety Commission

• severely curtailed freedom of assembly
• closed recreational amenities
• closed places of non-essential business
• allow a police officer or any other provincial offences officer to enforce the Orders (O. Reg. 114/20)

1. Construction projects and services in a municipality associated with the healthcare sector, including new facilities, expansions, renovations and conversion of spaces that could be repurposed for health care space, at any time of the day or night.
2. Any other construction activity in a municipality between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

• the construction of a temporary health or residential facility,
• the conversion of all or part of an existing building or structure to a temporary health or residential facility,
• and the use of a temporary health or residential facility

• O. Reg. 33/19 with amendments to the Fire Code for hazardous extraction operations, out-of-service firefighters’ elevators, and housekeeping changes that update and clarify requirements. 
• Amendments to the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 related to the limitation period for initiating prosecutions, expanded cost recovery, and increases to maximum fines. 

1. Schedule 1 amends the Building Code Act, 1992
2. Schedule 2 amends the Housing Services Act, 2011
3. Schedule 3 enacts the Ontario Mortgage and Housing Corporation Repeal Act, 2020
4. Schedule 4 amends the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006

• 19-BCV-014 / 19-FCV-019 - 12-storey encapsulated mass timber construction

• 19-FCV-014 - Alliance Pipeline Ltd. – Portable Fire Extinguishers at Remote Facilities
• 19-FCV-015 - Torxen – Portable Fire Extinguishers at Remote Facilities
• 19-FCV-016 - Alliance Pipeline Ltd. – Portable Fire Extinguishers at Remote Facilities
• 19-FCV-017 - ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. - – Portable Fire Extinguishers at Remote Facilities
• 19-FCB-002 - Portable Fire Extinguishers
• 19-FCB-003 - Maintenance of fire protection devices within residential suites of multi-family buildings

• The proposed Building Transit Faster Act, 2020 (if passed) would allow the Lieutenant Governor in Council to designate land as transit corridor land.
• New development on or near the transit corridor land would require a corridor development permit.
• The proposed consequential amendment to the Building Code would require a person to obtain a corridor development permit before the issuance of a building permit.

•  all Building Code Commisison Rulings
•  all Building Materials Evaluation Commission Authorizations
•  all Minister’s Rulings approving the use of materials, systems and designs endorsed by the CCMC

•  send a request via email to: codeinfo@mah.gov.on.ca  or
•  call by telephone to 416-585-4234

•  send a request via email to: codeinfo@mah.gov.on.ca  or
•  call by telephone to 416-585-4234

• 18-CECB-10  -  Section 10: Grounding and Bonding
• 18-CECB-18  -  Section 18: Hazardous locations
• 18-CEVC-10-102  -  Rule 10 – 102 Grounding electrodes (number of rods)
• 18-CEVC-64-216 PV AFP  -  Arc-Fault protection requirements for ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems
• 16-AEUCI-2  -  Section 2:  General Rules : administrative
• 18-CEBC-0  -  Section 0: Object, scope, and definitions
• 18-CEBC-2  -  Section 2:  General Rules : administrative

• National Building Code of Canada 2015 (NBC)
• National Fire Code of Canada 2015 (NFC)
• National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2017 (NECB)
• Updates to the documents referenced in the 2015 and 2017 National Model Codes

• Adoption of the National Research Council 2018 Revisions and Errata to the National Fire Code 2015.
• Changing the name Nova Scotia School Board Association (no longer in existence) in the list of members on the Fire Safety Advisory Council to Education Common Service Bureau.
• Updated to include references to B3 (Care Occupancy) and B2 (Treatment Occupancy) in four locations.  This change should have been made when the 2010 Code was adopted and the new occupancy B3 was introduced into the codes but was overlooked.
• In order to allow the insurance industry flexibility to formulate their own Insurance Industry Fire Reports templates (rather than the forms contained in the regulations or using QuattroPro), wording has been changed to ensure that all the information required by the Office of the Fire Marshal is contained in the reports when reporting preliminary insurance reports and final insurance reports.
• To be consistent with the National Fire Code, Section 30 is changed from Net Occupant Load to Occupant Load.
• The OFM issue licenses to qualified applicants engaged in the business of servicing portable fire extinguishers.  Clarity has been provided in Section 19 to reflect the current process and practice already in place.
• The following reference documents have been updated to more recent editions to ensure consistency with the Fire Code and industry standards:
• CAN/ULC-S109 “Standard Method for Flame Tests of Flame-Resistant Fabrics and Films” from the 2003 Edition to the 2014 Edition.
• Display Fireworks Manual to Display Fireworks Manual, 2010 Edition.
• Pyrotechnics Special Effects Manual to Special Effects Pyrotechnics Manual, Edition 3, 2014.
• An explanatory note to an Appendix at the end of Part 8:   “ 8.1.1.1.(1) Part 8 is intended to provide a guide to the minimum level of life safety in boarding, lodging, rooming and private rest homes that were occupied as such prior to the enforcement of the Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations or a Municipal Building By-Law.  The Authority Having Jurisdiction may use this Part when it is their opinion that the level of life safety will be achieved through its application in such buildings.  It is not intended to be used as a substitute for the Code if one was in force at the time the building was occupied for the use.  Alterations to these buildings are expected to meet the Code of the day.”

• 19-BCB-002 - Radon mitigation Part 6 requirements
• 19-BCB-001 - Steel building systems

• 19-BCI-001 - Application of 9.36 energy efficiency requirements to existing buildings
• 19-BCI-003 - Barrier-free access to stages
• 19-BCI-004 - Determination of grade
• 19-BCI-005 - Non-liquid disposal systems
• 19-BCI-006 - Photoluminescent exit signs
• 19-BCI-007 - Retaining walls
• 19-BCI-008 - Rooms containing gaseous chlorine
• 19-BCI-009 - Wind turbines
• 19-BCI-010 - Elevator operations and accessibility

• British Columbia
• Saskatchewan
• Manitoba
• Ontario
• Québec
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island
• Yukon
• Northwest Territories
• Nunavut

DATE

SEMINAR

•     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

•     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

•     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

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)

•     the retirement home changes (45 minutes long)
•     the “house” changes (90 minutes long)

• O. Reg. 368/13, in MS Word format, containing the accessibility amendments to the 2012 Ontario Building Code
• An annotated version of the accessibility amendment, edited by Alek Antoniuk, showing the revisions to the 2012 Ontario Building Code
• Ontario government's “Final” Proposed Accessible Built Environment Standard, published in July, 2010
• Ontario MMAH's Public Consultation Paper on Proposed Building Code Accessibility Changes (Dec. 2012 to Mar. 2013)

• 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

• Ontario’s interest in mid-rise combustible construction
• Ontario’s code consultations
• Fire safety during construction
• Ontario’s policy dilemma

• Ontario’s Building Code Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c. 23
• Ontario’s Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 4
• Bill 13 - Ontario Forestry Industry Revitalization Act
• Ontario 2011 Consultation on the Building Code, leading to the publication of the 2012 Ontario Building Code
• City of Toronto Avenues and Mid-Rise Buildings Study, May 2010 (Acrobat file size: 19MB)
• 2013 NFC Public Review Documents

• The Ontario government's “Final” Proposed Accessible Built Environment Standard, published in July, 2010
• Ontario MMAH's Public Consultation Paper on Proposed Building Code Accessibility Changes (Dec. 2012 to Mar. 2013)
• O. Reg. 368/13, in MS Word format, containing the accessibility amendments to the 2012 Ontario Building Code
• O. Reg. 191/11, as amended by O. Reg. 413/12, containing the Accessibility Standard for the Built Environment for the Design of Public Spaces
• An annotated version of the accessibility amendment, edited by Alek Antoniuk, showing the revisions to the 2012 Ontario Building Code

• O. Reg. 332/12 (2012 Ontario Building Code,with no amendments)
• Official 2 Volume 2012 Ontario Building Code Compendium
• Ontario Building Code 2012 by Orderline
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing's 15 slide decks detailing the Significant changes in the 2012 Ontario Building Code
• Comparison of all 20,000+ editorial and technical changes between the 2006 and the 2012 Ontario Building Code
• Division A (Word file size: 770KB)
• Division B (Word file size: 24 MB)
• Division C (Word file size: 1 MB)
• CCBFC's 2013 National Codes Public Review
• Ontario MMAH's Building Code 2012 Consultation Paper on the Accessible Built Environment

RESCON News Letter

Regulatory reform is long overdue

• Reducing redundant practices and minimizing red tape
• Recognizing entrepreneurial expertise
• Encouraging the use of emerging technologies  

JURISDICTION

CODE

PUBLICATION