Ontario Building Code - Ontario Association of …

1 1-11 Ontario Building CodeAn Architect s Guide May 9, 2013 Mike Seiling, CET, CBCOC hief Building Official, City of Kitchener1-2 TODAY S AGENDA The legislation governing Building in Ontario Strategies for success in the permit application & inspection processes Using & applying the Building code ( Ontario )1-3 WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO US? Protects health & safety of people Enables construction to happen It is the lawBuilding code Act & the Building Code1-21-4 Ontario Building LAWSR eferenced StandardsOBCM unicipal BylawsBuilding code Act1-5 DECISION MAKERS Ontario Legislature( Building code Act) MMAH (BC content & amendments) Local CBO (Application of BCA& BC) BCC (Disputes over application of BC) Ontario Courts(Disputes overcompliance with BCA)6 Building code Act:What does it do?

2 Holds municipalities accountable & establishes CBO as authority having jurisdictionProhibits illegal Building & occupancyEstablishes the powers of municipal Building officials & the rules they must operate byProvides remedies for concerns aboutofficial s actionsSpecifies offenses and penaltiesProvides for the BC & very limitedmunicipal administrative by-lawsEstablishes the BCC & BMEC1-37 Building code ActWhat is a Building ?A structure greater than 10 m2in areaconsisting of a wall, roof or floor, or astructural system serving that functionA structure less than 10 m2in area whichcontains plumbing,Plumbing or a sewage system alone, orOtherstructuresdesignated in the (1)1-8 Building code ActWho is Accountable?The council of each municipality is responsible for the enforcement of the Act, and shall appoint a chief Building official (CBO) and such inspectors as are necessary for its (1), (2)1-9 Act provides options for municipalities relating to the performance of plan review and/or inspections by Registered code (1), (8)1-41-10 code of ConductPrincipal Authority shall establish and enforce a code of conduct for the Chief Building Official and (1)(2)(3)(4)1-11 Building code ActPrime DirectiveCBO must issue a Building permit or a change of use permit if it complies with applicable (2), (2)1-12 Building code ActRevocation of PermitsCBO may revoke a permit if.

3 Issued on the basis of false informationWork doesn t start after 6 months or issuspended after starting for >1 yearIssued by mistakeAnytermofaconditionalpermitagreem ent not complied (10)1-51-13 Building code ActDisputes & AppealsCBO, RCA or inspectors decisions regarding BC technical requirements may be appealed to the Building code CommissionAny affected person may appeal CBO or inspectors decisions to Courtwithin 20 days of action or decision. This appeal automatically terminates any BCC hearingMinistermay conduct inquiry into any failure in enforcement of the Act or (1), (1), (1)1-14 Building code ActOffencesKnowingly furnishing false information inan application, certificate or any statementFailing to comply with an OrderContravening the Act, the code , or theauthorized municipal Building by-lawContravening a condition of a CBO sacceptance of an equivalent material,system or (1)1-15 Building code ActReferrals to OAA and PEOCBO or RCA as applicable may send permit application drawings to OAA or PEO if reasonable grounds exist to believe that professional regulations being contravenedCBO must release drawings if requested byOAA or (9)

4 1-616 Building code ActMunicipal By-laws (1)Municipality is empowered to pass by-laws prescribing Building permit administrative requirements only. ( the Building by-law ) (1)17 Building code ActMunicipal By-laws (2)May prescribe administrative standards: Classes of permits Application formsPlans & specifications requiredFees and RefundsAs-built plan requirementsInspection notice requirementsFences around construction sitesAppointments of CBO & (1)(a)-(j)18 Building code ActMunicipal By-laws (3)Act gives BC exclusive jurisdiction over demolition & construction standards for new buildings. Municipal by-laws have no effect in this (1)1-71-19 Building code ActStandardized municipal inspection service levelsExpanded role of Building code Commission & Minister s rulingsProvision for outsourcing of plan review and inspection to registered agents (RCA)

5 1-20 The Official 2006 Compendium Building CodeA set of minimum standards in order to promote and assure health, fire safety, structural sufficiency and accessibility of buildingsNot really a design manual1-21 Introduction to the Code2006 code Objective Based FormatNew Layout 2 Volumes Volume 1 3 Divisions Division A Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements, and Definitions Division B Acceptable Solutions Division C Administrative Provisions Volume 2 Attribution Tables Supplementary Standards (previously Supplementary Guidelines) Still to be released Application and Intent statements 201?1-81-22 Objective Based code - Division A, with Division B shall be achieved,a)by complying with the applicable acceptable solutions in Division B, ORb)by using alternative solutions that will achieve the level of performance required by the applicable acceptable solution in respect of the objectives and functional statements attributed to the applicable acceptable solutions in the Supplementary Standard SA-11-23 ApplicationParts3,4,5,&6apply to:AllA,BandF1buildings,andtoC,D,Eand F2/3 buildings >600m2 inbuildingareaor 3 storeys in Building heightPart9applies to:C, D, E and F2/3 buildings </=600m2 inbuilding areaor 3 storeys in buildingheightCode Reference.

6 Division A, , buildingsPart 11 applies only to alterations to buildings at least 5 years oldIf an existing Building is renovated, the code generally applies only to parts altered. There are, however, exceptions in Parts 10 and 11 for specific change of uses, increases in hazard and extensive renovationsCode Ref:Division A, , (1)1-91-25 Energy EfficiencyExcept for industrial & farm, all buildings must be designed to energy efficient standardsThe architect or HVAC/electrical consultant may be required by the municipality to certify design for Resource Conservation requirements at time of permit application (SB 10)Part 9 residential buildings (SB 12) code Reference:Division B, DocumentsThe approved permit drawings and other documents must be kept at the construction site, and the Building permit must be postedIntention is that consultants, contractors and owner s representatives have ready access to approved documents on siteMunicipalities retain copy for own useCode Reference:Division C, & PermitsAn occupancy permit is only required if occupancy is necessary while Building still unfinished.

7 An occupancy permit is not necessary at the completion of construction of any buildingMinimum completion standards for occupancy are explicitly listed. CBO mustissue occupancy permit if minimum criteria metWhere RCA appointed, CBO must issue occupancy permit after receipt of a certificate of occupancy issued by RCANew, Part 9 residential buildings require occupancy permit , even if unfinished. code Reference:Div C , & and General Review (1)Requirements for professional design and review determined on the basis of occupancy, height and gross or Building areaWhere professional design is required, general review is also mandatoryCode Reference:Division C, and General Review (2)All A (Assembly)and B (Care & Detention)classified buildings must be designed and reviewed by an architect.

8 No exceptionsOther occupancies require professional design & review where specific height and gross areaexceededProfessional requirement boundaries are not the same as Part 3/9 distinctionCode Reference:Division C, and General Review (3)No requirement for an architect for interior space partitioning and other alterations in any Building where structure, exits, fire separations and exterior walls exist & are unaffected Architects and engineers can do incidental portions of the other s responsibilities, and may coordinate each other s workCode Reference:Division C, Soon The Next Building CodeNew 2012 Building code (O. Reg. 332/12)Eff. January 1, 2014No transition periodBinder and online options, available in Summer 2013 (Publications Ontario )32 The Building permit ProcessWhat can Architects do to be successful?

9 33 Building PermitSuccess Strategies 1. Be informed. Know the Building code and the basic obligations of Building Manage unreasonable client expectations. Put the public interest PermitSuccess Strategies3. Confirm code fundamentals early in design development, and incorporate OAA data matrix on final drawings 4. Review and understand code issues before consulting with Building officials35 Building PermitSuccess Strategies5. Perform a final coordination check of the work of the consulting Do not release incomplete drawings for a Building permit PermitSuccess Strategies7. Appoint a coordinator to communicate with municipality on behalf of the owner and design Visit site regularly, submit report to Building Inspector and include any deviations in Applications Architect s Library2006 Building code Compendium (Publications Ontario )Illustrated Guide to the BCNational Building code of CanadaULC Fire Resistance Ratings and Firestop systems Fire Ratings of Archaic Materials and Assemblies1-38 permit Applications Other ResourcesMMAH Buildings Branch, code Advisors & sign-up for Ontario CodeNews (Cont Ed - training + SB 10 & SB 12 information)

10 Interactive Building code on CDReview checklistsTACBOC Construction Details and specifications for Part 9 housingBuilding code /Fire Protection Consultants1-39 permit Applications Pre-application MeetingsUseful to reduce the chance of significant redesign later in the process, and to confirm specific code interpretations Best to submit drawings with code issues or questions identified. Provide rationale behind your design solutionAvoid using this process as a general consulting service employ specialty consultants instead if necessary 1-141-40 permit Applications Submission Requirements (1)Municipal Building bylaws usually require submission of sufficient plans and other documents to enable the CBO to determine if the proposed construction will comply with the code and any other applicable law Complete and coordinated A, S, M & E signed & sealed drawings are imperative.