The Ontario Building Code

Changes effective January 1, 2012

A number of changes have recently occurred to the 2006 Ontario Building Code.

As of January 1, 2012 houses and other small residential buildings (i.e. Division B, Part 9 residential buildings) must comply with the new energy efficiency requirements set out in the Building Code if building permits for their construction were applied for on or after that date. Under these new requirements, the energy efficiency of houses and other small residential buildings that are intended for occupancy on a continuing basis during the winter months must have a performance level that is equal or better than EnerGuide80 or conform to Supplementary Standard SB-12. Further information regarding this requirement can be found on the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing web site.

Also new is the requirement for Occupancy Permits. Occupancy shall not take place until an Occupancy Permit is issued for residential buildings that:
- are three storeys or fewer in building height and have a building area not exceeding 600m2,
- have no accommodation for tourists,
- do not have a dwelling unit above another dwelling unit and
- do not have any dwelling units sharing a common means of egress.

Air Barrier Systems is now a separate inspection and as such will need to be booked separately from the previously combined Insulation & Vapour Barrier inspection.

Further information regarding these and other Code changes can be found in the following information, you are also encouraged to visit the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing web site.

Highlights of the Building Code Changes

Occupancy Checklist

Sample Occupancy Permit

Energy Efficiency Design Summary Guide

Notice to Home Builders

Air Barrier Details - examples 1-5

Air Barrier Details - examples 6-7

Air Barrier Details - examples 8-10

Air Barrier Details - examples 11-12

The Ontario Building Code: How it can help you

A code is a collection of requirements which pertain to a specific subject, to regulate specific practices. A Traffic Code is a good example. A Traffic Code is a collection of requirements (driving and parking regulations) intended to regulate practices for automobile use on public thoroughfares.

A Building Code is a collection of regulations (such as exit sign and smoke detector requirements) which pertain to specific subjects (such as exiting and fire protection systems) which regulate specific practices (such as designing, constructing or remodeling buildings).

The Purpose of Codes

No matter what the specific subject may be - construction, property maintenance, fire prevention, or plumbing - ALL codes have the same purpose: To protect the health, safety and welfare of the building occupants.

Codes protect the public's
health, safety and welfare

We all need protection from tragedy due to fire, structural collapse and general deterioration of the structures that surround us: our homes, schools, stores and manufacturing facilities. Building codes provide protection by reducing potential hazards to building occupants - you and I!

Codes keep construction costs down

Codes provide uniformity in the construction industry. This uniformity permits builders and material manufacturers to do business on a larger scale - Province-wide, regionally or national - than if construction was unregulated. Larger scale allows cost savings which are ultimately passed on to the consumer.

Historical background
& uses of codes

Codes are not a product of modern civilization, but rather have evolved from the distant past. One of the earliest requirements regarding regulation of a specific subject is found in "Babylon" in the Code of Hammurabi. One of the articles held the builder liable by stating that if the house collapsed and killed the householder, the builder "shall be slain."

By the latter part of the 19^th century widespread loss of life and property by fire led to the first set of building regulations in North America.

In 1905 the first modern code laid the basis for testing methodology, specifications and the various formats used in today's codes. Its specific purpose was to reduce fire hazards, but it had a more general and humanitarian purpose: To protect the public health, safety and welfare.

Today's Ontario Building Code carries this early 20^th century philosophy one step further by creating uniformity in building codes in each community across Ontario and providing a process for code regulations to reflect current technology in construction methods and materials.

Codes provide consistent standards in construction

Codes establish predictable and consistent minimum standards which are applied to the quality and durability of construction and construction materials.

Codes contribute to the well-being of a community

The preservation of life and safety as well as the maintenance of property values over time, are a direct result of the application and enforcement of the codes related to building.

The Uses of Codes

Codes provide standards for the design and construction of homes and businesses. Codes are used by architects, engineers, contractors, builders and materials manufacturers to ensure safety, economy and consistency of construction. You, as a homeowner, landlord or business owners, have a substantial investment which can be seriously jeopardized through code violations. Plan review prior and inspections made during construction verify that building code regulations have been followed.

Who Administers the Ontario Building Code?

The Province of Ontario is responsible for the development of cost-effective building regulations; the Ontario Building Code Act and Code. Each municipality is then responsible for the enforcement of the Act and Code in the areas in which it has jurisdiction. (For questions about the Building Code, you can contact the Ontario Buildings Branch at 416 - 585-6666).

Permit Fees

Permit Fees have been established to help defray the costs of enforcement. Generally, fees account for less than one percent of the overall costs of a building project. Public protection is thus obtained in a cost-effective manner with the entire process, from plan review to field inspection, carried out by professionals.