New Year New Building Code
As you may already know Ontario has adopted a new building code as of January 1, 2025. This new code referred to as the Ontario Building Code (OBC) 2024 encompasses significant changes, as the code is harmonized with the 2020 National Building Code (NBC) 2020. This has led to the elimination of about 1730 technical variations between the provincial and national requirements. This alignment marks a major shift in the regulatory landscape, including professionals in the HVAC industry who are involved in designing, installing, and maintaining ventilation systems in residential settings.
Historically, Ontario maintained its own set of building standards, particularly in areas such as ventilation, where local climate and building practices necessitated unique requirements. However, with the introduction of the OBC 2024, these differences are being minimized. Part 9.32 of the NBC, which deals with ventilation, will now serve as the foundation for Ontario’s regulations, with some Ontario-specific adjustments. Ontario has decided to harmonize the codes with the National Construction Codes and anyone who previously trained under Ontario's specific regulations, must understand and adapt to these changes and the impact it will have on training, certification and designs in 2025 and beyond.
Below you will find transition timeline Ontario has provided:
• January 1, 2025 - 2024 Ontario Building Code in effect
• March 31, 2025 - Deadline for permit applications using the 2012 Ontario Building Code, where working drawings were substantially complete before January 1, 2025
• April 1, 2025 - All permit applications must use the 2024 Ontario Building Code
Now how does this affect HRAI Certified Designers
For existing certified individuals HRAI will provide guidance on how to get updated on the new requirements in the coming weeks. A new worksheet is available on the HRAI website that reflects the requirements of OBC 2024 and you can click here to download it.
To reflect the changes to stay ahead of the curve as an industry leader, HRAI will integrate a supplemental Ontario-specific portion into the existing NBC Part 9.32 course. So, for new registrants you can now take the NBC 9.32 course, which covers the national ventilation requirements, followed by an additional training supplement that addresses the nuances of the Ontario-specific adjustments. To register for this course please click here.
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