CODE UPDATES
2020 National Model Codes Released
March 28, 2022 - The National Research Council (NRC) has finally released the 2020 editions of the Canadian Building, Fire, Plumbing and Energy model codes. The NRC is providing the codes as free PDF downloads here. Please note that printing pages from the free downloads is limited. The codes are available for purchase at the NRC store. They are available in looseleaf binder format (easier to update) or paper-bound versions. The Building code is $100 (binder) or $80 (soft-bound); the Fire code is $65 (binder) or $60 (soft-bound). Most provinces/territories will need to adopt the 2020 codes legislatively. BC, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec have their own codes. The NRC provided all provinces/territories with the codes in December 2021 so they could begin the process of adapting their regulations and identifying any necessary modifications.
Ontario Signs Canada-wide Agreement on Construction Code
Sept 25, 2020
On August 27, 2020, Ontario signed the Reconciliation Agreement on Construction Codes under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.
In taking this important step, Ontario is committed to further harmonizing the Ontario Building Code and Ontario Fire Code with the National Construction Codes. The harmonization of codes will help reduce barriers related to trade, product manufacturing, and building design and maintenance.
The Agreement was jointly signed by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, with responsibility for Ontario’s Building Code, and the Solicitor General, with responsibility for Ontario’s Fire Code.
Key elements of the Agreement include:
- Greater alignment of technical requirements in Ontario’s Codes with the National Construction Codes meaning that Ontario’s Codes will be more harmonized with those in effect in other provinces and territories.
- Timely and consistent adoption of Construction Codes across Canada so that the same rules are in place at the same time.
- A transformed national code development system, including a new governance structure that will be more responsive to provinces and territories.
- Access to free National Construction Codes across Canada (in digital format).
Ontario’s Building Code and Fire Code establish fire, health, safety, accessibility and energy efficiency standards for buildings in the province. While signing the Agreement means that the technical content of Ontario’s Building and Fire Codes will begin to more closely reflect that of the National Construction Codes and Codes across the country, Ontario intends to maintain certain variations and exceptions in its Building Code and Fire Code that will differ from the National Construction Codes.
The Agreement also requires the development of an Implementation Plan that will provide details and direction on how the changes will be achieved. Work on this plan is ongoing.
For more information, please contact Mansoor Mahmood, Director, Building and Development Branch at mansoor.mahmood@ontario.ca.
L’Ontario signe un accord pancanadien sur les codes de construction
25 septembre 2020
Le 27 août 2020, l’Ontario a signé l’Accord de conciliation sur les codes de construction en vertu de l’Accord de libre-échange canadien.
En franchissant cette étape importante, l’Ontario s’est engagé à harmoniser davantage le Code du bâtiment de l’Ontario et le Code de prévention des incendies de l’Ontario avec les codes nationaux de construction. L’harmonisation des codes contribuera à réduire les obstacles au commerce, à la fabrication de produits et à la conception et l’entretien des bâtiments.
L’Accord a été signé conjointement par le ministre des Affaires municipales et du Logement, responsable du Code du bâtiment de l’Ontario, et la solliciteure générale, responsable du Code de prévention des incendies de l’Ontario.
Éléments clés de l’accord :
- une harmonisation plus poussée des exigences techniques des codes de l’Ontario avec les codes nationaux de construction, ce qui se traduira par une meilleure harmonisation avec les codes en vigueur dans d’autres provinces et territoires;
- l’adoption opportune et cohérente des codes de construction partout au Canada afin que les mêmes règles soient en place en même temps;
- la transformation du système d’élaboration des codes nationaux, notamment par une nouvelle structure de gouvernance mieux adaptée aux besoins des provinces et territoires;
- l’accès gratuit aux codes nationaux de construction (en format numérique), partout au Canada.
Le Code du bâtiment et le Code de prévention des incendies de l’Ontario établissent des normes de protection contre l’incendie, de salubrité, de sécurité, d’accessibilité et d’efficacité énergétique pour les bâtiments dans la province. Bien que la signature de l’Accord signifie que le contenu technique des codes du bâtiment et de prévention des incendies de l’Ontario commencera à refléter plus étroitement celui des codes nationaux et des autres codes de construction à travers le pays, l’Ontario a l’intention de maintenir certaines particularités et exceptions dans son code du bâtiment et son code de prévention des incendies qui diffèreront des codes nationaux de construction.
L’Accord exige également l’élaboration d’un plan de mise en œuvre qui fournira des détails et une orientation sur la façon dont les changements seront réalisés. Les travaux d’élaboration de ce plan sont en cours.
Pour de plus amples détails, veuillez communiquer avec Mansoor Mahmood, directeur du bâtiment et de l’aménagement, à mansoor.mahmood@ontario.ca.
April 2019
Free electronic access to Codes announced by the NRC!
As of April 2019, the NRC is offering free access to the downloadable and electronic formats of the National Building Code, the National Fire Code, the National Plumbing Code, and the National Energy Code for Buildings, as well as the provincial codes published by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). Paper copies of the Codes, along with other supporting documents including the Guides, are available at a reduced cost.
The Government of Canada confirmed funding in the 2018 Fall Economic Statement that supports ongoing and future building code development work. This is good news that allows the NRC to provide free access to the national model codes.
Building codes make sure that Canadians' health and safety are protected whenever their homes, places of work and other buildings are built or renovated.
Having one set of rules reduces regulatory burden and removes barriers to internal trade in a sector that employs nearly 1.4 million Canadians. Consistently applied, harmonized building will lower costs for the construction industry and make it easier for businesses to bid on contracts across the country.
The goal of this initiative is to reduce barriers to trade and encourage provinces and territories to align building codes across the country. The federal government is continuing to work with provinces and territories towards the timely adoption of the national codes in a way that ensures that the needs of provinces, territories and Canadians are met.
To access the free electronic documents or to order the printed format, place your order online through the NRC Virtual Store.
For further information, contact Codes Canada's Publication Sales Department:
Tel.: 1-613-993-2463 or 1-800-672-7990
E-mail: CONSTPubSales-Ventes@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
May, 2016
National Building Code of Canada
National Building Code of Canada 2015 was released in December 2015
Available for purchase in hard copy from the National Research Council of Canada.
For more information on the nature of some of the changes in the 2015 National Building Code, please click here.
January 1, 2014
Implementation of 2012 Ontario Building Code Starts January 1, 2014
On January 1, 2014, the new 2012 Building Code (O. Reg. 332/12) comes into force. Building permits applied for on or after that date must comply with the updated requirements of the 2012 Building Code, including new requirements for retirement homes introduced through an amendment in May 2013. ...
December 27, 2013
New Accessibility Amendments to Ontario’s Building Code
On December 27, 2013, Ontario Regulation 368/13 was filed to amend the new 2012 Building Code, O.Reg. 332/12.
The effective date of the amendment is January 1, 2015. ...
Building and Fire Codes by Province
Some provinces adopt the National Building and/or Fire Codes without changes; others make amendments to fit their own circumstances, while still others develop their own building and fire codes. In addition, the Provinces use different versions of NFPA 80 (Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives) and NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code). To download a listing of currently applicable Codes and versions of NFPA 80 and NFPA 101, please click here.
| Provincial Building Code4 |
Provincial Fire Code4 |
NFPA 80 Version |
NFPA 101 Version |
Barrier-free Code - Min. Clear Opening Width | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BC |
BCBC 2018 (Based on NBCC 2015) |
BCFC 2018 (Based on NFCC 2015) |
2013 | 2012 | 850 mm |
| Alberta |
ABC 2019 (Based on NBCC 2015) |
AFC 2019 (Based on NFCC 2015) |
2013 | 2015 | 850 mm |
| Saskatchewan | NBCC 2015 | NFCC 2015 | 2013 | 2012 | 800 mm |
| Manitoba5 | NBCC 2010 | NFCC 2010 | 2007 | 2009 | 850 mm |
| Ontario | OBC 2012 (as amended) | OFC 2007 (as amended) | 2013 | N/A | 860 mm |
| Quebec | QCC 2022 (Based on NBCC 2015) | QC Safety Code and NFCC 2010 | 2013 | 2009 | 800 mm |
| New Brunswick | NBCC 20151 | NFCC 2015 | 2013 | 2012 | 800 mm |
| Nova Scotia | NBCC 2015 | NFCC 20153 | 2013 | 2012 | 800 mm |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | NBCC 2020 | NFCC 20202 | 2013 | 2018 | 850 mm |
| PEI | NBCC 2015 | NFPA 1 2003 Edition and NFC 2015 | 2013 | 2021 | 800 mm |
| Yukon Territory | NBCC 2020 | NFCC 2020 | 2013 | 2018 | 850 mm |
| Northwest Territories | NBCC 2020 | NFCC 2020 | 2013 | 2018 | 850 mm |
| Nunavut | NBCC 2020 | NFCC 2020 | 2013 | 2018 | 850 mm |
Footnotes:
- These Provinces do not, themselves, adopt the National Building Code. Instead, individual municipalities adopt it.
- Where the provisions of NFPA 101 are more stringent than those of the NFCC, NFPA 101 takes precedence over the NFCC.
- Does not have a Province-wide fire code. Individual municipalities adopt the NFCC.
- Most Provinces and Territories adopt the National Codes with some modifications and additions.
- Manitoba is proposing to adopt the 2020 model National Codes on January 1, 2024, thereby skipping the 2015 codes.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for reference purposes only. While we have taken every effort to ensure it is accurate as of the date of publication, DHI Canada assumes no liability for any errors that may be contained herein. For definitive information, you should always consult the most current version of your local or provincial building or fire code.
For further information, you may wish to contact your provincial building officials association or your provincial AHJ .