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Code priorities approved
Thériault, M.; Archer, J. W.
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Code priorit ie s a pprove d
T h é r i a u l t , M . ; A r c h e r , J .
N R C C - 4 8 3 5 4
A version of this document is published in / Une version de ce
document se trouve dans: On Site Heavy Construction News,
v. 48, no. 5, July/August 2005, p. 95-96
Initial Code Development Priorities for the National Construction Codes Approved
By Martin Theriault and John Archer
Now that the work to coordinate and implement the important changes that are the basis of the objective-based 2005 National Construction Codes is over—with the expected launch in September 2005—work has already begun to prepare for the next national construction codes cycle.
At its last meeting in June 2005, the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC), the body responsible for the development of the National Construction Codes, adopted the initial priorities for the technical development of the codes during the next code cycle. The decision of the CCBFC on initial priorities was made in consultation with the Provincial Territorial Policy Advisory Committee on Codes (PTPACC), the body representing the provincial and territorial jurisdictions and responsible for providing policy advice on code matters to the CCBFC.
These priorities were approved following recommendations developed by a Joint CCBFC/PTPACC Task Group assigned to identify priority changes to the codes. Working over a six-month period leading up to the CCBFC meeting, the task group reviewed all the outstanding work left from the previous code development cycle and established criteria for determining priorities. These criteria included the level of effort required to complete the work compared to the capacity of the coordinated code
development system, as well as the consensus of the provincial/territorial jurisdictions that work was needed.
The Joint Task Group also compiled a list of emerging code development issues having broad impact on the scope of the national codes. These are issues that require extensive discussion to determine whether the national codes should address them, and if so, the scope of the potential changes. The PTPACC examined these “policy” related issues and identified five where there was consensus that work should be done. Although the scope of the work to be done is not fully determined yet, these initial policy priorities are currently defined as follows:
• Rooming, Boarding and Other Shared Accommodation for the NBC and NFC: There are no specific provisions in the national codes for rooming and boarding houses, group homes, student residences, bed & breakfast, housing for
migrant/seasonal workers, temporary work camps, children’s camps, etc. A review will be undertaken of how the codes might address these situations.
• Care and Residential Care Occupancies: Regulating residential care facilities has always been complex. As well, emerging approaches to meeting care needs in Canada are creating situations where the application of the codes is unclear. Work will be undertaken to coordinate the development of the national codes and the regulatory needs of the provinces and territories in this area.
• Renovation of Existing Buildings: More than 50% of building construction activity is the renovation of existing buildings. The need and practicality of
separate requirements in the national model codes for renovation of existing buildings will be investigated.
• Retrofit / Rectifying Unsafe Conditions (related to fire) in Existing Buildings: The National Fire Code does have provisions in Part 2 that can be used to rectify an unsafe fire situation in an existing building, but they are not easy to apply. The objective of this work is to give fire officials more effective tools to address unsafe conditions.
• Harmonization of Technical Differences between Provincial and National Codes: One of the goals of the new integrated code development system is to reduce the need for provinces and territories to amend the national codes for use within their jurisdiction. Work will be undertaken to identify and resolve existing differences between the national model codes and provincial and territorial codes.
In addition to the above policy issues, thirty-seven priority technical issues have also been identified for the next code cycle, with possibly more being added as the next cycle goes on. Some of these technical priorities are:
• Spatial Separation Between Buildings of Combustible Construction: In light of recent conflagration fires, a study of construction materials in exposing building faces will be done, which may result in new limitations on construction and spatial separation of exposing building faces.
• Party Walls: The National Building Code currently requires that any wall built on a property line be constructed as a party wall. However, concern over ownership of property is not an objective of the code and the elimination of these
requirements will be studied.
• Hydronic Heating: A requested change to reference a CSA standard on hydronic heating for houses did not go forward during the last code cycle because of technical concerns. CSA has committed itself to reviewing and updating CSA-B214 as soon as possible. When this takes place, there is a possibility that the standard could be referenced as an Interim Change to the 2005 NBC.
• Lateral Loads: New requirements to address resistance to wind and earthquake loads in houses were not approved by the CCCBFC because of concern with cost impacts. The requirements will be considered again in the next code development cycle taking into account the results of the province of British Columbia study on this matter.
• Smoke Tightness of Closures in Fire Separations: At the request of a provincial stakeholder during the last code cycle a study group was formed to examine a question related to closures in fire separations. During its work it noted that code requirements on smoke tightness of closures are interpreted differently across the country. The CCBFC approved the report of the study group and the
recommendation that an in-depth study be undertaken in the next cycle.
• Plenum Cables: The changes proposed to increase the fire rating of plenum cables from FT2 to FT4 were submitted late in the code cycle and the standing
committee did not have a chance to review the issue in a manner that the
importance and cost implications of the proposed changes require. These changes will be re-addressed in the next cycle.
• Leak Detection and Monitoring of Storage Tanks and Piping Systems:
Considerable efforts were made to update the National Fire Code’s requirements on leak detection and monitoring. This led to the creation of new section in the 2005 NFC. However, the standing committee identified areas that were not fully addressed as well as some testing methods requiring further elaboration. These issues will be considered in the next code cycle.
Most of the technical work for the national model codes is undertaken in standing committees and task groups. The CCBFC will be renewing the membership of these committees soon. Persons interested in applying to be a member should submit an expression of interest, including a curriculum vitae, to the CCBFC Secretary. Travel and living expenses for committee members are reimbursed. For more information see http://www.nationalcodes.ca/apply_contact_e.shtml
For more information on the initial priorities for the development of the national construction codes, please contact:
John Archer, Secretary to the CCBFC
Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes Canadian Codes Centre, Building M-23A
National Research Council Canada
1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Ontario KlA 0R6 Fax: (613) 952-4040
E-mail : codes@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca ____________________________
Martin Theriault is the communications officer with the Canadian Codes Centre, Institute for Research in Construction, National Research Council. John Archer, also of the Codes Centre, is Secretary of the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes.
