1. Ontario Building Officials Association
Annual Meeting and Training Session
Building and Development Branch
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
October 05, 2015

2. Topics 1. Policy Activity 5. Guidelines and Supports
Next Edition of the Building Code
Scope
Key Topics
Code Development Process
Municipal Survey Results
Climate Change
E-Code
2. Responses to Elliot Lake Inquiry
3. Building Code Advisory Services Model
4. Training, Qualification and Fees
5. Guidelines and Supports
6. Councils and Commissions
7. Contacts

3. Policy Activity

4. The Next Edition of the Building Code
MMAH has begun work on the next edition of the Building Code
Releasing a new edition of the Building Code helps to:
Provide Ontarians the highest standards of building safety;
Promote economic competitiveness in the construction sector; and,
Support broader societal goals and objectives
A new edition of the Code is released approximately every five years
Release typically follows about a year to two years after the model National Building and Plumbing Codes
The next edition of the model National codes are due to be released in the fall 2015
Development of a new edition of the Building Code is a lengthy process
Typically, it takes two years from start of work to regulatory filing

5. Next Edition of the Building Code (cont’d)
• The potential scope of changes for the next edition of the Building Code fall within three broad areas:
Harmonizing with the model National Building Code and National Plumbing Code
These include changes developed by NRC’s Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes – examples include:
Expected are new requirements for seismic and atmospheric load (i.e., wind, snow), stairs and guards
The mNBC is also expected to introduce new requirements for mid-rise wood construction, accessibility and energy efficiency - Ontario will review against current requirements to determine what if any action is needed
Typically harmonizing with the mNBC results in approximately 250 changes to Ontario’s Building Code (average number in previous cycles)
Will be available for Ontario to consider for its Code when they are published by CCBFC in Fall 2015

6. Next Edition of the Building Code (cont’d)
Ontario-Specific Code Change Proposals Submitted by Stakeholders
Approximately 450 received since September 2010 (the cut-off date for changes that were considered for inclusion in 2012 version of the Building Code)
Proposals received include:
Sector/applicant specific changes, for example:
Plastic signs
Shallow buried trenches
Qualification requirements for septic system installers
Miscellaneous changes:
Part 3 occupancy and fire safety related changes
Structural changes
HVAC, environmental, plumbing and sewage changes
Part 11
A cut-off date for potential changes for the next edition of the Building Code will be announced shortly
Proposals received after that date will be held for subsequent amendments/editions

7. Next Edition of the Building Code (cont’d)
Government Policy Priorities
Energy efficiency
Potential changes would further enhance energy efficiency of buildings for 2017 and beyond
Climate Change Adaptation
Changes would help to make buildings more resilient to severe weather events associated with climate change
Temporary Structures
Taking action on recommendations submitted by the Expert Advisory Panel regarding requirements for demountable structures (i.e., temporary stages)
Day Care Facilities
MMAH and Ministry of Education and Universities are working to harmonize construction requirements between the Building Code and the Child Care and Early Years Act, regarding day care facilities (e.g., windows, washrooms)

8. Revisions to SB12 Energy Efficiency - Houses
Effective January 1, 2017, the energy efficiency design of a building or renovation of a small, non-seasonal residence within Part 9 must:
Achieve an energy efficiency performance level that exceeds the current energy efficiency requirements by 15%, or
Comply with Chapter 3 of Supplementary Standard SB-12
Chapter 3 of SB-12 sets out compliance options
Currently, MMAH is:
Developing models to be included in SB-12
Planning for stakeholder and public consultation in Fall 2015
MMAH anticipates issuing a revised SB-12 in early 2016; however, requirements for small buildings will not be in force until January 1, 2017
ULC = Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada I- an independent, not-for-profit product organization that does safety testing and certifies products and develops standards.
CAN/ULC = the Canadian ULC Standard for…
EIFS = Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems

9. Revisions to SB10 Energy Efficiency – Part 3 Buildings
Effective January 1, 2017, the energy efficiency design and construction of large buildings must:
Be designed to exceed by 13% the current energy efficiency level; or
Achieve the energy efficiency levels attained by conforming to a modified version of ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 “Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings”
Currently, MMAH is:
Reviewing and developing 2017 compliance options
Planning for stakeholder and public consultation in early spring 2016
MMAH anticipates issuing a revised SB-10 in spring 2016; however, requirements for large buildings will not be in force until January 1, 2017
ULC = Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada I- an independent, not-for-profit product organization that does safety testing and certifies products and develops standards.
CAN/ULC = the Canadian ULC Standard for…
EIFS = Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems

10. Climate Change
In the 2014 Budget, government signalled their commitment to respond to Climate Change
Implications for buildings:
How to lower GHG emissions through energy conservation in buildings
Making the built environment more resilient to severe weather
Climate Change Strategy Discussion Document released by Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) this spring signalled:
Government’s desire to implement a Carbon Tax/Cap & Trade scheme
Various other ideas aimed at encouraging conservation
Potential impact on buildings may include:
Energy efficiency requirements for renovations
New additional energy efficiency requirements for new construction

11. Guidelines and Supports

12. 2014 Code and Construction Guide for Housing
The 2014 Code and Construction Guide for Housing is currently available.
The Guide:
Provides current, practical and accurate construction information to builders, inspectors, designers, and others in the housing industry. 
Contains excerpts from the Building Code specifically related to house construction.
Focuses on new detached, semi-detached and row house construction.
Builds upon the success of previous editions and includes updated material as well as new content.
Key features of the Construction Guide include:
Content presented in construction sequence rather than Building Code sequence
Colour illustrations clearly depicting Building Code construction requirements
Building insights
Better building practices
 The Guide is available for purchase at ServiceOntario-Publications

13. Mid-Rise Wood – Safety During Construction Guideline
Mid-rise wood construction requirements came into effect January 1, 2015
MMAH has worked with the Ministries of Labour as well as Community Safety and Correctional Services-Office of the Fire Marshal to develop a guideline
Stakeholders including Ontario Home Builders Association, fire services associations, insurance industry, manufacturer and building industry representatives have discussed and commented during development
The Guideline is now in the final stages of development and, once approved and translated, will be made available to the public
Release is expected before December 31, 2015
Some of the changes mentioned in the last two slides were already included in the September 14, 2012 version of the SB-12 that is part of the 2012 Code; DWHR had been added through its September 1, 2013 version.

14. Code and Guides for Plumbing and Sewage Systems
The Building and Development Branch are currently developing the Code and Guides for
Plumbing
Sewage Systems
These will build upon the success of previous Guides that were created for the previous editions of the Code
The Guides will contain the relevant excerpts from the 2012 Building Code Compendium
A CodeNews bulletin will be issued later in 2015 announcing the availability of these Guides from ServiceOntario - Publications

15. Code and Guide for Barrier Free Design
MMAH is also developing a Code and Guide for Barrier Free Design
The purpose of the Guide is to develop a design guideline, as well as public education materials to ensure Ontario’s building industry, municipalities, and the public understand the importance of accessible design
The audience for the Guide will be designers, including architects, interior designers, engineering and architectural technologists, and other qualified designers
Illustrations of possible designs and layouts to accommodate items such as adult-size change tables in universal washrooms be provided
Anticipated release is in early 2016

16. Electronic Building Code
MMAH is implementing an e-version of the 2012 Building Code Compendium
The e-Code is a full version of the Building Code Compendium which includes the Act, regulations, appendices and supplementary standards
Final beta version is being tested by 10 volunteer building officials/stakeholders
The e-Code can be used on smart phones, tablets, laptop and desk top computers
The e-Code was created as two e-books (one each for Volumes 1 and 2 of the Code) using e-publishing software
Roll-out
Following testing, MMAH will release a “beta” version to subscribers to amendment packages of Compendiums
In order to access the beta version, users will need to have e-reader software on computers,
Preferred e-reader applications such as Caliber
NOTE – CHECK WITH YOUR I.T. DEPARTMENT NOW TO GET READY!
A CodeNews will be released to announce when it is available, and an will be sent to all subscribers

17. E-Code (cont’d) “Go To” – for specific locations or words
Scroll or Page
Search box
“Hamburger”
Toggle table of contents on/off
Bookmarks – works just like a browser, can nest in folders
Reference tool – lists paragraph number
Contents search box

18. E-Code (cont’d) …and Amendment data appears Text looks like hard copy
Click on amendment symbol….
On wide tables, double-click heading…and table pops-up in full screen
…and Amendment data appears
January-28-18

19. E-Code (cont’d)
To report bugs, glitches and text errors, as well as ideas for future releases, BDB has set up two boxes to help us perfect the E-Code:
– for general correspondence related to the E-Code, including wish lists and “bug reports”, and
– for problems downloading the documents, or in getting software to run it properly
Both will ‘go live’ when E-Code is released to subscribers
BDB will continue to work on the E-Code to make it more responsive to user needs.
E-Code may eventually be available as an alternative model for purchase
January-28-18

20. Commissions and Councils

21. Building Materials Evaluation Commission (BMEC)
Update on the BMEC and its Authorizations
The BMEC issued 6 new authorizations during fiscal year
The BMEC continues with its housekeeping task of reviewing authorizations to determine if the BMEC approved products continue to be new and innovative
The BMEC revoked 21 authorizations that were either no longer required by the authorization holder, not required due to amendments to the Building Code, or not in accordance with terms and conditions set out in the authorization
When an authorization is revoked, it is removed from the BMEC’s webpage, therefore building officials should look to the BMEC’s webpage to ensure that an authorization is still considered valid

22. Building Code Commission (BCC)
Update on BCC and its Hearings: Fiscal Year Caseload
35 new applications received: 30 building related, 4 septic system related and 1 time based appeals
26 hearings held; average time from application to hearing was 9 weeks for the building and septic disputes
To date, 100% of the hearings related to time frame disputes have been scheduled within five business days of receipt of the completed application

23. Building Code Conservation Advisory Council (BCCAC)
Provides strategic advice to the Minister of MMAH on Building Code measures that conserve water and energy 
BCCAC is providing recommendations on the principles that will underlie the new Supplementary Standards SB-10 and SB-12 that implement the requirements in the 2012 Code
Supported the general direction of the Ministry of the Environment’s Climate Change Discussion Paper but drew attention to capacity challenges in the sector that will need to be addressed if energy efficiency enhancements were to become more aggressive in the future
Will make recommendations on future energy and water conservation measures that will go forward for consultation to support the next edition of the Building Code

24. Municipal Survey

25. Municipal Building Services Survey Results
In June 2015, MMAH asked municipalities to complete a survey regarding the delivery of Building Code related services
Approximately 97% of municipalities completed the survey
The survey helped highlight areas where MMAH operational policies may be required to help promote consistency in reporting within QuARTS
i.e., how to record when municipalities have an acting/interim Chief Building Official

26. Municipal Building Services Survey Results (cont’d)
261 Chief Building Officials carry out other duties in addition to their building code enforcement role
The most common of those additional duties are by-law and property standards enforcement
Some CBO’s have a number of other duties
Does the Chief Building Official carry out any other duties?
(Pie Chart)
If yes, select all that apply.
(Bar Chart)

27. Municipal Building Services Survey Results (cont’d)
60% of municipalities reported at least one or more BCIN-qualified inspectors in addition to the CBO
MMAH needs to clarify with municipalities reporting “1” to verify that there is only a CBO, or if it was meant that there is one CBO plus one inspector

28. Municipal Building Services Survey Results (cont’d)
14 % (52) of municipalities use internships or other developmental placements for new building officials
Tends to be more common among larger municipalities
43% (166) of municipalities use joint servicing agreements with other municipalities to deliver building services
Tends to be more common among smaller municipalities

29. Municipal Building Services Survey Results (cont’d)
54% of municipalities reported having building department reserve funds
Use of reserves funds was directly related to municipal size the larger the municipality - the more likely a reserve fund was established

30. Municipal Building Services Survey Results (cont’d)
Approximately 12% of municipalities reported an agreement with an upper tier municipality to deliver building services
21% of municipalities reported retaining engineering firms to provide services related to building permits
Of these municipalities, most indicate they use engineering firms for advice on large and complex buildings, followed by general review, and “other”
A small number of municipalities indicate they use engineering firms for permit review and enforcement
Almost no municipalities reported using Registered Code Agencies

31. Municipal Building Services Survey Results (cont’d)
27% of municipalities report that they have agreements in place with Health units to deliver plumbing review
32% of municipalities in southern Ontario report that they have agreements in place with Health Units or Conservation Authorities to deliver on-site wastewater services
Next steps:
MMAH will:
Follow-up with individual municipalities to clarify information where needed
Complete analysis of survey data to information captured in QuARTS
Work with OBOA and Large Municipal Chief Building Officials to discuss how information can be used to support future training, education and information sharing

32. Elliot Lake Commission of inquiry

33. The Elliot Lake Commission of Inquiry
The Elliot Lake Commission of Inquiry was established in July 2012 to inquire into and report on:
The events of the collapse; the two deaths and injuries; and the emergency management response
Relevant legislation, regulations and by-laws, policies, processes and procedures of the province, municipal governments and other parties with respect to the structural integrity of the Algo Centre mall (Part 1 of the Inquiry)
Relevant legislation, regulations and by-laws, policies, processes and procedures of the province, municipal governments and other parties with respect to emergency management and response (Part 2 of the Inquiry)
The Commissioner first held evidentiary hearings to gather facts. Then, in November , policy roundtables were held, with a range of impacted parties called to participate in order for the Commissioner to gather information to help inform potential recommendations

34. Report of the Elliot Lake Commission of Inquiry: Key Findings
The Report of the Elliot Lake Commission of Inquiry was released on October 15, that contains 71 recommendations to government
Part 1 of the report contains 33 recommendations related to building safety
Part 2 of the report contains 38 recommendations related to the emergency response
The Commissioner reported that “Ontario can be justifiably proud of their existing system of rules and regulations meant to ensure public safety in the construction of buildings”
The structural collapse of the Algo Centre mall was a result of:
A rusted weld which gave out. After 30 years of wetting and drying in the presence of chlorides, the weld had only 13% of its original capacity at the time of the collapse
Loss of structural capacity from extensive corrosion throughout the Mall. Several structural steel components had lost as much as 20% of their thickness
A flawed waterproofing system. Although the designs were in accordance with the 1975 Ontario Building Code, the system was never able to provide a watertight roof
The building failure was a result of rust, but the cause was because of human – not material – failure
Failure of designers and builders, owners, some architects and engineers, as well as municipal and provincial officials “charged with the duty to protect the public”

35. Overview of Recommendations
Requirements for existing buildings including the types of buildings and requirements for making them water-tight and structurally sound
Requirements for inspections of existing buildings and frequency
Municipal enforcement of potentially unsafe conditions (i.e., making sure issues identified by engineers’ inspections are remedied)
Enhanced qualification requirements for building officials and engineers (continuing education)
Increased transparency and public sharing of information
Includes a central registry on engineers inspection reports of existing buildings and municipal enforcement of them; tracking of public complaints to municipalities; reporting problems between Ministry of Labour inspectors & building officials; etc.
Assorted other areas (legislative accountability for the Elliot Lake Retirement Living corporation; etc.)

36. The Building Safety Technical Advisory Panel
The Building Safety Technical Advisory Panel (BSTAP) was established in March as a response to Recommendation 1.16 of the Report of the Elliot Lake Commission of Inquiry:
“An advisory panel should be established as soon as possible to determine the appropriate classes of buildings, grouped by risk and the consequences of their failure, and to make recommendations no later than 12-months from the release of this report, on the following:
Which classes of buildings should be given priority for the initial periodic inspection;
The time within which each class of buildings should have had an initial periodic inspection; and
The appropriate period within which each class of building should be inspected on a periodic basis.”
BSTAP has held 5 meetings to date (out of approximately 8 meetings) and is expected to deliver a recommendations report for government consideration by fall
BSTAP includes a broad range of stakeholders, including experts from the municipal, engineering and architecture sectors

37. Building Code Advisory services Model

38. Code Advisory Services
BDB is working on implementing a new model for Code Advisory Services that would provide enhanced engagement with municipal building departments
MMAH is proposing a “one-window” delivery model where Code Advisors would be assigned responsibility for specific municipalities
Municipalities would still have access to the expertise of all Code Advisors; however, the initial point of entry would be through the assigned Code Advisor
Code Advisors would attend (in-person and/or by teleconference) OBOA Chapter meetings and TACBOC meetings to discuss/clarify Building Code intent/requirements to:
Update municipal building officials on critical information on building regulation
Discuss questions raised by building officials
Identify emerging issues related to Building Code application or enforcement
BDB will continue to work with OBOA and Chapter Chairs to seek advice on services needed and the implementation strategy

39. Code Advisory Services (cont’d)
In addition to working with municipalities, Code Advisors will also continue to:
Provide technical advice throughout the Building Code policy and regulatory process
Engage in the national code development process, as well as engage with standards setting bodies (e.g., Canadian Standards Association and Underwriters Laboratory of Canada), industry stakeholders and stakeholder organizations to make sure Ontario’s interests are met
Provide technical support for the Building Code Commission (BCC), Building Materials Evaluation Commission (BMEC), Building Code Conservation Advisory Council (BCCAC) and Building Code examination question revisions/updates

40. Training, qualification AND fEES

41. Building Code Training
In fall 2013, MMAH transferred responsibility for ministry training to George Brown College:
Updating ministry overview courses and detailed technical courses to reflect current Code requirements
Delivering courses in-class and online
Sublicensing in-class delivery to other Ontario community colleges and organizations
Courses are now being delivered across the province through colleges and stakeholder organizations
Seven online e-module courses are now available
Remaining overview courses will be available on-line by the end of 2015

42. Building Code Exams
Since November 2014, Humber College has delivered Building Code examinations offering:
Live virtual online proctoring(LVOP)
Online or paper format examinations completed at test centres across the province
MMAH continues to be responsible for developing Building Code examination questions
Benefits to this delivery model have included:
Increased convenience for building officials and other practitioners, especially those in rural and northern locations
Improved turnaround in examination results
Formal process and timeframes for appeals

43. Building Code Exams (cont’d)
Topic
Statistics
Top four exams
Small buildings
General/legal process
House
On-site sewage
Delivery methodology
Total exams – 1,800 (635 by building officials):
56% through LVOP
41.2% online at test centre
2.8% in paper format at test centre
Appeals
Total of 79 to date:
18.8% appeals on the examination process
71.2% appeals regarding examination questions
44% of appeals granted

44. Building Code Fees
The 2012 Building Code was amended in December 2013 to revise fee structure/rates, as well as provide for annual increases based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Item
Current Fee
January 1, 2016 Fee
Building official registrations (including renewals and reinstatements)
$105
$107
Applications to the BCC
$172.60
$176.50
Applications for certain Minister's Rulings
$568.40
$581.50
Applications to the BMEC
$5,000
$7,000

45. Registration
Amendments to the Building Code filed in December 2013 require that all practitioners renew their registrations annually
To support implementation and assist municipalities, MMAH worked with OBOA to support implementation:
Provided for renewals to be made on-line (with credit card payment), as well as through the mail (cheque or money order)
Provided flexibility for municipalities to not submit certified cheques
Developed a process for persons who may be employed by more than one municipality to only have to register once and applied it to all employment
Established a process for municipalities to do “bulk registrations”
A total of 2,350 building officials registered/renewed since January 2015:
Previously there were 3,100 building officials registered in QuARTS
QuARTS has been updated to accurately reflect all current registered building practitioners

46. QuARTS
MMAH is replacing the Qualification and Registration Tracking system (QuARTS)
New QuARTS technology will continue to support Qualification and Registration:
Processes registration applications
Maintains records for BCIN holders and allows on-line access to their accounts
Maintains a public registry of qualified/registered building practitioners
New features include:
Practitioners can complete all transactions online and pay securely by credit or debit card
Where bulk payment arrangements are in place for municipal building departments, individual building officials can register online without personal payment
Automatic notifications to registrants 60 days before registration expires
Enhanced information security

47. QuARTS (cont’d)
To access the new QuARTS all registrants will be required to go through the provincial government’s “ONe-key” portal
ONe-Key is a data security application that the province has adopted to keep secure data provided to the province
Accessing ONe-Key is similar to setting up on-line banking
Go the ONe-key webpage (
Choose ID and password
Select three security questions
Keep information confidential and if you record it, keep the information in a secure location
If you are currently registered on QuARTS, and have provided an address, you will receive and that provides information on how to set up your QuARTS account within ONe-key
Please verify your address in QuARTS as soon as possible to ensure that QuARTS has accurate information

48. MMAH plans to launch the new system on October 26, 2015
QuARTS (cont’d)
MMAH will communicate information on the implementation of QuARTS through:
s to BCIN holders
MMAH website will provide general information, as well as links to instructional guides
CodeNews beginning in mid-October
dedicated staff will be available to respond to calls ( ) and s
MMAH plans to launch the new system on October 26, 2015

49. QuARTS: ONe-key
QuARTS will be listed here

50. QuARTS: ONe-key Login Screen

51. Contacts

52. Provincial Contacts
Director, Building and Development Branch: Brenda Lewis
Manager, Building Code Operations & Technical Support: James Douglas
Manager, Building Code Policy Development: Chris Thompson
Manager, Code Implementation and Regulatory Modernization: Ben Somers