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T h é r i a u l t , M .
N R C C - 4 8 3 6 4
A version of this document is published in / Une version de ce
document se trouve dans: HPAC – Heating, Plumbing and Air
Conditioning, v. 79, no. 7, Nov/Dec. 2005, pp. 36, 38-39
2005 National Construction Codes Offer Significant Technical Changes
and More Flexibility for Users
by Martin Thériault
Submitted to Heating, Plumbing and Air Conditioning Magazine
The 2005 editions of the National Construction Codes were recently published by the National Research Council, in a new format and with many significant technical changes that reflect advances in technology and research as well as health and safety issues raised since the 1995 editions.
The National Building Code 2005 (NBC), the National Fire Code 2005 (NFC) and the National Plumbing Code of Canada 2005 (NPC) all bear the fruit of ten years of review and overhaul by committees made up of industry volunteers and provincial and territorial representatives with assistance from NRC staff.
While technical changes come with every new code, the 2005 editions have been re-organized into what is called an objective-based format, which incorporates new information to help users understand what must be done to satisfy code provisions. Specifically, the new information will help users devise and evaluate alternative solutions to code provisions, if they wish to do so. For those who wish to stick to the old tried and true methods, the new codes will let them do so.
Technical Changes
Overall, close to 1,300 technical changes have been incorporated into the three national codes. Here are some of the key changes of interest to HPAC readers:
2005 NBC
NBC Part 3: Fire Protection, Occupant Safety and Accessibility
(NBC Article 3.2.5.13.) There is now a relaxation in the 2005 NBC for sprinklering in bathrooms and closets in one and two-family dwellings, designed to NFPA 13D only. The 1995 NBC required the installation of automatic sprinkler systems in small closets and bathrooms in houses even though the risk to occupants associated with omission of sprinklers in these spaces is relatively low.
The additional cost of including sprinklers in certain small rooms and spaces in one- and two-family residential buildings was viewed as a disincentive to include sprinkler systems in these buildings, as well as adding to the cost in areas where sprinklers are mandatory in all residential buildings.
(Article 3.2.5.14.) There is a change to the requirements for the protection of
combustible sprinkler piping. The 2005 NBC permits a relaxation of the requirements to protect the piping by one of the ways explicitly stated (i.e.lath and plaster, gypsum board
not less than 9.5 mm thick, plywood not less than 13 mm thick, etc.) if the combustible piping has been tested to ULC/ORD-C199P to meet the requirements without protection.
NBC Part 6: Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning
Carbon monoxide alarms: Part 6 has been changed so that carbon monoxide alarms are now required in buildings that contain a residential occupancy and that also contain a fuel-burning appliance or storage garage.
Ventilation: Changes regarding ventilation of buildings include the following:
• 1)Revisions have been made to clarify the wording regarding the types of spaces in buildings that do not require mechanical ventilation, such as closets, storage rooms or other such spaces that are not continuously occupied.
• 2)Provision has also been made to allow for natural ventilation in lieu of mechanical ventilation in certain climatic zones.
• 3)There have also been revisions to storage garage ventilation requirements to recognize diesel-fuelled vehicles.
Part 9: Housing and Small Buildings
• Ventilation requirements have been updated.
2005 NPC
Harmonized venting requirements: in the past, venting requirements were very different from one province to another. With provincial input, these requirements have been made consistent in the NPC.
Harmonization of the NPC and CSA B64.10, "Standard for Backflow Prevention Devices:” Substantial changes to the backflow requirements have been made in NPC Section 6.2. Subsection 6.2.4, which deals with backflow from fire protection systems, had been expanded to include new requirements and definitions related to different classes of fire protection systems.
A number of other changes to the NPC address the following:
• Recognition of new products such as air admittance valves and macerating toilets • Rehabilitation of drainage systems using trenchless technology
• The use of water hammer arresters • Drain requirements for elevator pits
• Drain pan requirement for hot water heaters
2005 NFC
There has been a reorganization of requirements in the NFC into a more logical manner: design and installation requirements have been placed in Part 2 while inspection and maintenance requirements have been retained in Part 6. Some of the NFC changes are as follows:
(NFC Articles 3.2.2.3, 4.2.7.7): Where the 1995 NFC had explicitly stated the clearance requirements between sprinkler heads and storage, the 2005 NFC requires adherence solely to the standard used for the design of the respective system. This eliminates any
conflict between the code-stipulated clearances and the referenced standards, and respects the changes in sprinkler head technologies.
NFPA 13-99: The 2005 editions of the NBC and the NFC continue to reference the older NFPA standard, NFPA 13-99, “Installation of Sprinkler Systems,” 1999 edition. This is because the code committees did not have an opportunity to fully examine the changes that were introduced into the 2002 NFPA edition (i.e. economic and design impact). The 2002 edition will be re-examined early in the next cycle.
NFC Section 6.4: All requirements (i.e. NFC 1995, Sections 6.4,6.5,6.6) for the inspection, testing and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems have been removed from the NFC and replaced with a reference to NFPA 25, “Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems.” Water-based fire protection systems include such items as sprinkler systems, standpipes, private hydrants, hose systems, water spray fixed systems, foam-water sprinkler systems, foam-water spray systems, and fire pumps.
The Objective-based Format
The new information provided under the “objective-based” format of the 2005 codes pertains to “objectives” and “functional statements.” While helping users devise and evaluate alternative solutions, the information also makes the codes easier to apply to renovation and more responsive to innovation.
In order to accommodate this new information, the 2005 NBC, NFC and NPC have a new organizational layout. Each code comprises three divisions: A, B and C. Divisions A and B are of most interest for users, with Division B holding the greatest similarity to the 1995 editions. Division C contains administrative provisions, which have all been consolidated into this one place from various places in the 1995 codes.
Division B is for users who wish to stick with the tried and true. It contains the technical provisions, which are now referred to as “acceptable solutions.” Most code users,
including a large segment of HPAC readers, will likely use Division B because they are familiar with the provisions that have been in effect and proven to work for many years and that satisfy their clients’ requirements.
For those who wish to work with their clients to develop alternative solutions, Division A provides a framework to assess whether the alternative solution offers equivalent
performance to the acceptable solution (technical provision) of Division B. The framework consists of master lists of “objectives” and “functional statements.”
Objectives state what needs to be achieved, which, for the National Building Code, are safety, health and accessibility of occupants, and fire and structural protection of
buildings. Functional statements further describe the functions a building must perform. All of the acceptable solutions (technical provisions) in Division B will be linked to at least one objective and one functional statement in Division A. Any alternative solution must achieve the same function; that is, it must perform as well as the acceptable solution
it is trying to replace. This framework will help designers and regulatory authorities better understand the reasons why a particular provision must be met, which will consequently help them evaluate alternative solutions.
Only the printed versions of the 2005 NBC, NFC and NPC are currently available. Two versions are offered, a binder and a soft cover book. In early 2006, CD-ROM versions will be released together with User’s Guides.
Beginning in December, NRC will present a series of two-day seminars across Canada to review the most significant technical changes in the three new codes. These will be offered in coordination with the provinces and territories.
More information on the codes, and seminar locations and registration is available from: www.nationalcodes.ca
To order the 2005 National Construction Codes online, readers can visit NRC’s Virtual store at www.nrc.gc.ca/virtualstore, click on “NRC Construction Publications,” and follow the links.
______________________
Martin Thériault is the communications officer with the Canadian Codes Centre of the NRC Institute for Research in Construction.
