Ontario Building Code Consultations Underway with aim to Harmonize
Last week, Ontario’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) held two consultation sessions regarding changes that the government proposed should be considered for inclusion in the next edition of the Ontario Building Code. The changes are broad in scope and will likely have an impact on a wide range of sectors.
Much of the focus of this consultation is on harmonization with other provinces and the national codes, which is a direction broadly supported by HRAI and the HVACR industry.
Among other changes, MMAH is proposing to harmonize by adopting the national approach to house ventilation in its entirety. House ventilation requirements currently differ significantly in approach between Ontario’s Building Code and the National Construction Code (e.g. Ontario addresses ventilation terminologies in terms of natural and mechanical ventilation, whereas the national code uses non-heating season and heating-season mechanical ventilation). Making this change would mean home ventilation standards would change in Ontario creating a learning curve for home builders and HVAC contractors. Ontario practitioners and may require some technical training and support.
Similarly, for plumbing, MMAH is proposing to eliminate various low to medium impact variations between plumbing requirements of both codes -- modifying provisions to be more specific for the general application of plumbing facilities referred to in Part 9 (houses and small buildings). The proposed changes will better align the language and Code provision numbering
with the National Construction Codes. Again, the changes will necessitate training for plumbers, apprentice plumbers and inspectors who will have to adjust to new requirements.
For the exact text of the Building Code Changes, please see the Regulatory Registry Posting, which will close on December 4th, at the following link: https://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/view.do?postingId=39287&language=en
HRAI will be making a submission but if you would like to comment on these changes directly contact emily.Lemarchand2@ontario.ca or josh.bautista@ontario.ca.
For more information, contact Bob Storey at 905-510-9564 or mail robertstorey@sympatico.ca.
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