CODE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM & OBJECTIVE-BASED CODES

National Research Council Canada Conseil national de recherches Canada CODE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM&OBJECTIVE-BASED CODES Canada

Next Generation of Codes New Code Development Process Current Code Documents Move Towards Objective-Based Codes 2005

Code Development System National Code Documents • National Building Code • National Fire Code • National Plumbing Code • National Farm Building Code • Model National Energy Code for Buildings • Model National Energy Code for Houses • National Housing Code 1998 and Illustrated Guide

Then - What is NRC’s role ? Code Development System British North America Act / Constitution Act • building regulation is a provincial /territorial responsibility

Code Development System Historical Background 1937 • no national model codes • no provincial codes • multiplicity of municipal codes Federal Dep. of Finance  NRC • We need a model code to encourage greater uniformity.

Code Development System National Building Code 1941

ASSOCIATE COMMITTEE ONTHE NATIONAL BUILDING CODE Code Development System ASSOCIATE COMMITTEE ONTHE NATIONAL FIRE CODE CANADIAN COMMISSION ON BUILDING AND FIRE CODES

Code Development System Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes CCBFC TG SC SC SC SC Standing Committees (e.g. Standing Committee on Houses) TG Task Groups(e.g. Task Group on Stairs)

Code Development System 300 MEMBERS in 10 to 20 COMMITTEES

Code Development System Public Review • twice during each 5 year cycle • forums across the country • every single comment is considered 1995 Edition • 15000 change packages issued • > 4000 comments by 900 commentors

Code Development System Provincial/Territorial Responsibilities • enact building and fire regulations • inspect and enforce the Code • provide legal interpretation • initiate training programs • license trades and professions • provide policy guidance

Code Development System Canadian Codes Centre Code Development • evaluate proposed changes • conduct studies for committees • provide administrative support • assist in application of Code(s) • coordinate with IRC and other researchers Production and Marketing

Code Development System Good Points • broad consensus • strong technical support • technically driven – isolated from non-technical pressures

Code Development System What’s missing? • only technically driven – isolated from policy issues • provinces and territories are not adequately engaged • many code users in provinces with ‘own’ codes don’t participate in national process

Code Development System One Goal of Strategic Plan “Address provincial/territorial concerns in national model codes so well that they will not feel the need to make changes”

New Code Development System New Code Development and Maintenance System • Endorsed by provincial/territorial deputy ministers and the CCBFC in February 2000

New Code Development System Key Added Elements • Concept of ‘Core Codes’ National codes will only cover those issues that all P/T’s agree should be covered P/T’s will cover other issues separately

New Code Development System Key Added Elements (cont’d) • Provincial/Territorial Policy Advisory Committee on Codes (PTPACC) • created by deputy ministers • provides policy guidance to the CCBFC • has three Sub-Committees: • Fire Regulation • Building Regulation • Plumbing Regulation

New Code Development System Key Added Elements (cont’d) • Coordinated public consultations engage code users in all provinces and territories in the national process and consult them only once

New Code Development System Key Added Elements (cont’d) • P/T’s can participate in current and planned code development activities at all stages no surprises • P/T issues resolved by CCBFC before standing committees act no dead end activities

New Code Development System Key Added Elements (cont’d) • Attempt to resolve existing technical differences next cycle • Share costs of national system in an equitable way revenue from code sales is important

New Code Development System Benefits of the New System • greater uniformity • faster adoption

New Code Development System Benefits of Greater Uniformity • consistent levels of Health & Safety • effective, technically progressive codes • reduction in design & verification costs • efficiencies in the regulatory system

New Code Development System Benefits of Greater Uniformity • efficiencies in industry • international credibility for Canadian technologies • facilitate harmonization with international codes • mobility of code users

Next Generation of Codes New Code Development Process Current Code Documents Move Towards Objective-Based Codes 2005

Objective-Based Codes Objective-Based Codes • Why Objective-Based Codes? • What are they? • How do they work? • When will they come into effect? • What are the benefits? • Summary

Objective-Based Codes The Starting Point As part of 1995 CCBFC Strategic Plan development, 1994 Survey of Code Users said codes should – • have clearer scope • have clearer intents • more accommodating to innovation • be easier to apply to renovation

Objective-Based Codes Current Codes Current Canadian codes are mix of prescriptive and performance requirements • Prescriptive (e.g. swing type door in fire separation must have latch) • Performance (e.g. exit stair will not contain more than1% by vol. of contaminated air)

Objective-Based Codes International Trend • Many countries are moving towardsPerformance Codes • But the trend is to write qualitative, not true(quantitative) performance codes

Objective-Based Codes Two Options for CCBFC • “True” Performance Code would require decades of research to set performance levels for all aspects of building performancecurrently dealt with in the codes • Objective-Based Code uses current code requirements but gives user more info to • interpret code • evaluate equivalents

Objective-Based Codes What’s New in Objective-Based Codes ? Each provision is linked to additional information, such as: • overall objectives (e.g. Health, Safety, Accessibility...) • more detailed sub-objectives (e.g. Indoor Conditions – inadequate indoor air quality) • functional statements • a specific intent (or reason) • anapplication statement

Objective-Based Codes What’s new? Objectives Each provision is linked to at least one Objective, which • describes the overall goals that code provisions serve to fulfill • is very broad

Objective-Based Codes What’s new? NBC Objectives SAFETY Fire Safety Structural Safety Safety in Use Resistance to Unwanted Entry Safety at Construction and Demolition Sites • ACCESSIBILITY • Barrier-Free Path of Travel • Barrier-Free Facilities FIRE & STRUCTURAL PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS Fire Protection of the Building Structural Sufficiency of the Building Protection of Adjacent Buildings from Fire Protection of Adjacent Buildings from Structural Damage • HEALTH • Indoor Conditions • Sanitation • Noise Protection • Vibration or Deflection Limitation • Hazardous Substances Containment

Objective-Based Codes What’s new? NFC Objectives SAFETY Fire Safety Safety in Use FIRE PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES Fire Protection of the Building or Facility Protection of Adjacent Buildings or Facilities from Fire • HEALTH • Hazardous Substances Containment

Objective-Based Codes What’s new? NPC Objectives SAFETY Safety in Use Fire Safety Structural Safety PROTECTION OF THE BUILDING OR FACILITY FROM WATER AND SEWAGE DAMAGE • HEALTH • Indoor Conditions • Sanitation • Hazardous Substances Containment

Three Levels of Objectives OH Health An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design or construction of the building, a person will be exposed to an unacceptable risk of illness. OH1 Indoor Conditions An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design or construction of the building, a person in the building will be exposed to an unacceptable risk of illness due to indoor conditions. The risks of illness due to indoor conditions addressed in this Code are those caused by— OH1.1 - inadequate indoor air quality OH1.2 - inadequate thermal comfort OH1.3 - contact with moisture OH2 Sanitation An objective of this Code is to . . .

Objective-Based Codes What’s new? Functional Statements Each provision is linked to one or more functional statements, which: • describe the conditions to be achievedin moredetail than objectives do • arequalitative

Objective-Based Codes Functional Statements NFC Division A Part 3 Functional Statements 3.2.1.1 Functional Statements • The objectives of this Code are achieved by measures, such as those described in the acceptable solutions, intended to allow the building to perform the following functions: F01 To minimize the risk of accidental ignition. F02 To limit the severity and effects of fire or explosions. F03 To retard the effects of fire on areas beyond its point of origin. . . .

Objective-Based Codes Objectives vs Functional Statements OS1 Fire Safety An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of a) activities related to the construction, use or demolition of the building or facility, b) the condition of specific elements of the building or facility, c) the design and construction of specific elements of the facility related to certain hazards, or d) inadequate built-in protection measures for the current or intended use of the building, a person in or adjacent to the building or facility will be exposed to an unacceptable risk of injury due to fire. The risks of injury due to fire addressed in this Code are those caused by - OS1.1 fire or explosion occurring OS1.2 fire or explosion impacting areas beyond its point of origin . . . F01 To minimize the risk of accidental ignition. F02 To limit the severity and effects of fire or explosions. F03 To retard the effects of fire on areas beyond its point of origin. . . .

Objective-Based Codes What’s new? Intents Each provision has at least one intent statement (one per objective), which • explains the thinking behind specific code requirements in plain language • helps code users apply the code, assess equivalents/alternative solutions • will only be published electronically

Objective-Based Codes Intent Example from the database NBC 3.8.1.3.(2) 2) Interior and exterior walking surfaces that are within a barrier-free path of travel shall a) have no opening that will permit the passage of a sphere more than 13 mm diam, b) have any elongated openings oriented approximately perpendicular to the direction of travel ... Intent To reduce the probability that a wheelchair or other mobility assistance device used by a person will be trapped in a walking surface, which could lead to loss of balance of the person, which could lead to harm to the person or persons nearby.

Objective-Based Codes What’s new? Application Each provision has an application statement, which • describes the situations to which the code provision applies and does not apply • will only be published electronically

Objective-Based Codes Application Example NBC 3.8.1.3.(2) A1. Openings in interior and exterior walking surfaces that are within a barrier-free path of travel, as stated in Sentences 3.8.1.2.(1) and (2), 3.8.1.4.(1), 3.8.2.1.(1) and (2), and 3.8.2.2.(1), and Article 3.8.2.3. This applies to buildings described in Sentence 2.1.2.1.(1). Exception: except as stated in Sentence 3.8.1.1.(1), which applies to: • A. houses, including semi-detached houses, duplexes, triplexes, town houses, row houses, and boarding houses, • B. buildings of Group F, Division 1 major occupancy, and • C. buildings that are not intended to be occupied on a daily or full time basis, including automatic telephone exchanges, pumphouses and substations. Application

Objective-Based Codes Application Example (cont’d) NBC 3.8.1.3.(2) A2. Also applies to < buildings > to which Part 9 applies [see Sentence 2.1.3.1.(1)], as stated in Sentence 9.5.2.1.(1). Exception: except as stated in Article 9.5.2.3., which applies to apartment < buildings >. Application

Objective-Based Codes Structure of New Codes Division A - Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements • policy level, • suitable for adoption by legislative authorities • will change infrequently Division B - Acceptable Solutions • working level • will be updated regularly Division C - Administrative Provisions

Objective-Based Codes Division A Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements Table of Contents Part 1. Compliance Part 2. Objectives Part 3. Functional Statements

CODE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM & OBJECTIVE-BASED CODES