BCAS has responded to the recent request from the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes for comments on proposed changes to the model National Building Code of Canada. Please see attached summary of the comments which were submitted separately via the CCBFC's online portal
NBC changes March 2023
reference |
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Accessibility | ||
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3.8.3.13. | Emergency lighting in universal washrooms and showers | No concerns |
3.8.3.17. | Emergency lighting in universal washrooms and showers | No concerns |
Building Fire Safety | ||
3.1.5.15 | Testing of Protection for Foamed Plastic Insulation | No concerns |
3.1.4.2. | Testing of Protection for Foamed Plastic Insulation | No concerns |
Combustible construction | ||
3.1.4.8. | Combustible cladding and street frontage of mid-rise combustible buildings | No concerns |
3.2.2.10. | Combustible cladding and street frontage of mid-rise combustible buildings | No concerns |
3.2.5.6. | Combustible cladding and street frontage of mid-rise combustible buildings | No concerns |
Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction | ||
3.2.2.48. | Increase of Height Limit for EMTC Buildings in Group C, up to 12 Storeys and Sprinklered | No concerns |
3.2.2.57 | Increase of Height Limit for EMTC Buildings in Group D, up to 12 Storeys and Sprinklered | No concerns |
Environmental Separation | ||
Table 5.9.1.11. | Deletion of reference to outdated CAN/CGSB Standard | No concerns |
3.2.2.57 | Deletion of reference to outdated CAN/CGSB Standard | No concerns |
Fire Alarm and Detection Systems | ||
3.1.8.11. | Activation of smoke dampers by smoke detectors | No concerns |
Large Farm Buildings | ||
2.2.1.8. | Fireblocks in concealed wall spaces in farm buildings | No concerns |
Noncombustible Construction | ||
3.1.5. | Combustible components in swimming pools and hot tubs | No concerns |
Spatial Separation Between Buildings | ||
3.2.3.1. | Limiting distance and area of unprotected openings | Comment: Please consider an appendix note explaining if interpolation between table values is permissible. |
Spray-Applied Polyeurethane Insulation | ||
5.9.1.1. | Introduction of References to New Material and Installation Standards for Light Density, Open Cell Spray-applied Polyurethane Foam | No concerns |
Structural Design Part 9 | ||
1.1.3.1. of Div B | Seismic hazard values for the design of Part 9 buildings | No concerns |
9.4.1.1. | Resistance to lateral loads | We support this change. However it will mean significant changes to current construction practices, and possibly additional inspections. To support enforcement and education by AHJ's, please consider creating educational packages for both designers (and plans reviewers) and constructors (and inspectors). The educational material will have to be tailored to different audiences (contractors vs designers) but it will be a great benefit for AHJ's who will carry much of the burden of educating the construction and design industry. Additionally Ontario (and possibly other provinces) has proposed adding prescriptive details for building anchorage (truss and wall tie-downs, anchor bolt details, sheathing nailing patterns). Please consider coordinating with those jurisdictions to ensure similar details, terminology and approaches are used. |
9.4.2. | Resistance to lateral loads | |
9.20.1. | Resistance to lateral loads | |
9.23.11. | Resistance to lateral loads | |
9.23.3.1. | Resistance to lateral loads | |
9.23.3.4. | Resistance to lateral loads | |
9.23.3.5. | Resistance to lateral loads | |
9.23.6.1. | Resistance to lateral loads | |
9.23.11.4. | Resistance to lateral loads | |
9.23.13. | Resistance to lateral loads | |
9.23.16.1. | Resistance to lateral loads | |
9.23.16.5. | Resistance to lateral loads | |
9.31.6.2. | Resistance to lateral loads | |
9.33.4.7. | Resistance to lateral loads | |
Appendix C | Seismic hazard values for the design of Part 9 Buildings |
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