Summary of Significant Proposed Changes

NBC – Part 9

Lateral Loads (Part 9)

A task group examined the requirements in Part 9 regarding lateral load resistance against wind and earthquake and investigated various related factors such as high seismic and wind load regions, and anchorage and bracing. The resultant proposed changes introduce the concept of braced wall panels. Other proposed requirements for fastening and framing details are based on local wind and seismic conditions.

New Notes for Tables A-9.10.3.1.A. and A-9.10.3.1.B.

Two proposed notes to the fire and sound resistance Tables clarify that the Tables were developed based on wood I-joists fabricated with phenolic adhesives that comply with the prescriptive requirements of the referenced CSA standards and that the application of the Tables depends on whether finger-joined lumber fabricated with a heat-resistant adhesive is used.

Windows, Doors and Skylights (Part 5 and Part 9)

A task group reviewed and compared the currently referenced standards for windows, doors and skylights with the North American Fenestration Standard (Harmonized Standard) and the Canadian Supplement. The resultant proposed changes to Sections 9.6. and 9.7. are aimed at maintaining the level of performance dictated by the currently referenced documents. However, compliance with the Harmonized Standard and the related Canadian Supplement differs significantly from the standards previously referenced and will require substantial adjustment of the industry. As the Harmonized Standard and the Canadian Supplement now address doors and skylights in addition to windows, a substantial reorganization of Sections 9.6. and 9.7. became necessary.

Sealant Standards (Part 5 and Part 9)

The sealant material standards currently referenced in Article 9.27.4.2. are severely outdated, and the testing and certification of these products is not based on these standards. More importantly, product groups that have been introduced into the market place during the last ten to fifteen years are not addressed. The proposed ASTM standards offer up-to-date specifications, contain equivalent or similar performance criteria, and address relevant product categories.

Secondary Suites in Houses

A task group evaluated the requirements that currently apply to buildings with not more than 2 dwelling units and has recommended revisions to address secondary suites in Part 9. Secondary suites are often created by retrofits in existing single-family dwellings, which are sometimes referred to as accessory apartments or "in-law suites."

The proposed changes limit the size of secondary suites relative to the size of the main dwelling unit in houses. Some proposed requirements are relaxations compared to similar requirements for dwelling units, some are more stringent, and some are regarded as trade-offs. Many proposed changes simply insert "house" into requirements that previously only applied to dwelling units alone. "House" and "secondary suite" are both proposed to be defined terms.

Low Permeance Materials in the Building Envelope

The requirements in Article 9.25.1.2. were significantly revised in the 2005 National Building Code. A task group has reviewed the approach chosen for the 2005 National Building Code.

The resultant proposed changes introduce a simplified approach to requiring the correct position and properties for low air and vapour permeance materials in building envelopes. Many of the proposed changes attempt to clarify the structure of Section 9.25.

Residential Care Occupancy (Part 3 and Part 9)

A new occupancy classification designated Group B, Division 3, is being introduced. The proposed changes can be summarized as follows: a relaxation of the requirements for smaller care occupancies that have a limited number of occupants requiring care or treatment. In addition, depending on the nature of these clearly identified occupancies, the proposed changes introduce new construction, sprinklering, emergency power and fire alarm requirements.

Spatial Separation between Buildings (Part 3 and Part 9)

Four sets of proposed changes have been developed to address the following issues: the relationship between fire service response time and limiting distance between buildings; cladding and sheathing materials used in wall construction; distribution of openings; and protection of soffits.

Fire Alarm Systems (Part 3 and Part 9)

Proposed changes relating to fire alarm systems are being introduced, which can be summarized as follows: requirements for smoke alarms in bedrooms; a common intelligibility scale of 0.70 for voice communication systems in buildings with over 1000 occupants; and the introduction of a temporal pattern for smoke alarms.

Exit Signs and Markings (Part 3 and Part 9)

Proposed requirements are being introduced for photoluminescent way-guidance systems in stairwells of buildings falling under Subsection 3.2.6. Current requirements regarding lettering for exit signs have been replaced with proposals for a green pictogram conforming to ISO standards.