1. Ontario Association of Architects Leadership in Building Regulation – October 7, 2015 Session 4: Interface with and among professionals Ontario Association of Architects Toon Dreessen, Architect OAA, MRAIC, AIA, LEED AP President

2. Ontario Association of Architects OAA’s Perspective: Report of the Elliot Lake Commission of Enquiry Belanger Report recommendations Professional design Prime consultant

3. Ontario Association of Architects Self-regulating, self-governing profession established under the Architects Act Principal objective established under Act to “regulate the practice of architecture…in order that the public interest may be served and protected” Feedback to government, stakeholders and awareness initiatives combines these two objectives Set standards of practice, performance and conduct and entry to the profession Supports profession with tools & resources to ensure continued competence Administers program of mandatory Continuing Education for Architects since 1999 Who we are

4. Ontario Association of Architects 3,704 architects; 1,450 intern architects, and 333 student members 1,726 architectural practices; approx. 75% are small practices while the bulk of traditional work in terms of fees rest with the largest firms Architectural profession offers a very diverse range of services and specialties to a wide variety of clients, including other architects However architecture is focused on built environment OAA also has an official architectural technology program, the Ontario Association for Applied Architectural Sciences (OAAAS) which licenses technologists in the architectural discipline The Architectural Profession

5. Ontario Association of Architects Professional Design Requirements The Architects Act and Professional Engineers Act define when architect and/or engineer is required and for what type of building Public Safety is at the core Architects are responsible for providing best services possible and exercising clear professional judgment OAA supports provision of tools for Building Officials to ensure a clear understanding – used to be previously provided through “the table” OAA working with government to reinstate the connection between the OBC and the table

6. Ontario Association of Architects OAA Valued opportunity to be involved in the Elliot Lake Commission of Inquiry (COI) OAA - goal is to have all buildings designed and constructed correctly even though report focuses on publicly accessible large scale commercial buildings OAA supports the recommendations and creation of appropriate, precise and enforceable legislation to improve building safety Clear definitions and terminology are going to be critical Elliot Lake Commission of Inquiry Report

7. Ontario Association of Architects Prime Consultant – Coordinating Professionals Coordination is critical to public safety OAA position that Prime Consultant required (Coordinating Professional) to ensure this happens Where Architects Act requires an Architect, the Coordinating Professional must be an Architect Allowing non-professionals to perform co-ordination of professional services is contrary to public safety mandate Elliot Lake Commission of Inquiry Report

8. Ontario Association of Architects Recommendations out of Inquiry focused on Structural integrity (e.g. “structural maintenance standards”, “structural capacity”, “structural integrity”) Effective application of the COI recommendations should address Building Integrity to cover additional elements such as: –Fire detection, alarm and suppression systems –Emergency exits –Requires an Architect Structural component assessments should only be done by a professional engineer who is a structural engineer Elliot Lake Report– Building Integrity vs Structural Integrity

9. Ontario Association of Architects OAA supports requirement to maintain records by building officials, jurisdictions having authority and professionals and development of the resources that make this possible OAA recommends a renewal of occupancy permits system with heightened enforcement powers for building officials COI Recommendation for Structural Reports – consider Life safety Reports to be more inclusive Reports on safety in publicly accessible buildings should not be limited to structural engineering – there’s more An Architect is required to design and assess for life safety - travel distance for fire exits, safe and accessible design. Elliot Lake COI Report – Critical Records

10. Ontario Association of Architects OAA upholds governing legislation - mandate includes regulating the profession and protect use of the title “Architect” Contravention of the Architect’s Act if someone who is not licensed calls him or herself an Architect. OAA enforces to prevent public from being confused about who is an Architect. Consumer protection mechanism legislated and administered by OAA OAA ongoing resource for Building Officials where clarification is required re. Professional Design Requirements OAA Enforcement of Architects Act

11. Ontario Association of Architects Concluding Remarks Public Safety of paramount importance and MUST be considered first Architects are regulated professionals governed by legislation The OAA has legislated requirements for architects to maintain competency – Continuing Education