What is the OBC? Why is it changing? How is it changing?
Ontario’s Building Code is a regulation that sets out minimum standards for new construction, renovation and change of use of buildings. It is based on the National Construction Codes, which are updated every five years by the National Research Council of Canada. The latest edition of the National Construction Codes was released in 2020 and contains several changes that may affect building design and construction in Ontario.
The OBC is updated periodically to reflect advances in technology, best practices and harmonization with national codes. The last major update was in 2012. Since then, several amendments have been made to address specific issues such as energy efficiency, accessibility and fire safety.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is currently developing the next edition of Ontario’s Building Code, which is expected to be released in 2023. The ministry has been consulting with stakeholders and the public on proposed changes to Ontario’s Building Code that would align with the 2020 National Construction Codes as well as address some issues that are unique to Ontario.
If you are a builder, developer, architect, engineer or homeowner in Ontario, you need to be aware of the upcoming changes to the Ontario Building Code (OBC). The OBC sets out minimum standards for new construction, renovation and change of use of buildings in the province. It also regulates building permits, inspections and enforcement.
The next edition of the OBC is expected to be released in 2023. It will incorporate changes that have been proposed through two phases of consultation by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH). The first phase took place in fall 2021 and focused on reducing existing variations from the 2015 National Construction Codes (NCC). The second phase took place in winter 2022 and focused on aligning with the new 2020 NCC.
In this blog post, I will highlight some of the key changes that are being considered for inclusion in the next edition of Ontario’s Building Code. These changes are based on the ministry’s consultation documents and are subject to change pending further feedback and analysis.
Farm Buildings
One of the proposed changes is to introduce a new classification for farm buildings that would recognize their low occupancy and low fire risk. Farm buildings are currently classified as Group F (industrial) occupancies, which may impose unnecessary or impractical requirements for fire protection, structural design, accessibility and energy efficiency.
The new classification would apply to buildings used for agricultural purposes such as crop storage, livestock housing, machinery storage and greenhouses. It would not apply to buildings used for processing, retailing or residential purposes. The new classification would have reduced requirements for fire safety measures such as sprinklers, fire alarms and fire separations. It would also have simplified requirements for structural design based on wind and snow loads. Accessibility and energy efficiency requirements would be exempted for farm buildings.
The proposed change would align Ontario’s Building Code with the 2020 National Farm Building Code, which is a model code developed by the National Research Council of Canada to provide guidance for farm building construction across Canada.
Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction
Another proposed change is to allow encapsulated mass timber construction (EMTC) for buildings up to 12 storeys high. EMTC is a type of construction that uses large solid wood panels or beams that are covered with non-combustible materials such as gypsum board or concrete. EMTC provides several benefits such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions, faster construction time, lower cost and improved aesthetics.
Currently, Ontario’s Building Code limits wood construction to six storeys for residential buildings and four storeys for other occupancies. The proposed change would expand the use of wood construction by adopting the provisions from Division B Part 9.37 of the 2020 National Building Code, which sets out specific requirements for EMTC such as fire resistance ratings, structural design criteria, acoustic performance standards and sprinkler protection. The proposed change would also require additional measures to ensure fire safety during construction such as site security fencing, fire watch personnel and temporary water supply systems.
Earthquake and Structural Design
A third proposed change is to update the earthquake and structural design requirements based on the latest seismic hazard maps from Natural Resources Canada. The maps show that some areas in Ontario have higher seismic risk than previously assumed, especially along the Ottawa River Valley and near Lake Erie.
The proposed change would adopt Division B Part 4 (Structural Design) of the 2020 National Building Code, which incorporates updated seismic hazard values and revised load combinations for different types of structures. The proposed change would also adopt Division B Part 8 (Earthquake Loads And Effects) of the 2020 National Building Code, which provides more detailed guidance on how to calculate earthquake loads and effects on buildings. The proposed change would affect mainly high-rise buildings (more than four storeys) and critical facilities (such as hospitals, schools and emergency services) located in seismic zones with moderate or high seismic hazard levels.
Some of the other proposed changes for the next edition of the OBC include:
- Allowing for early and partial occupancy for super tall buildings (over 36 storeys).
- Removing barriers to multi-unit modular housing construction projects.
- Updating requirements for farm buildings to reflect modern agricultural practices.
- Introducing provisions for encapsulated mass timber construction up to 12 storeys.
- Enhancing earthquake and structural design requirements based on updated seismic hazard maps.
- Improving accessibility features for persons with disabilities such as wider doors, lower thresholds and power door operators.
- Increasing energy efficiency standards for buildings to support climate change mitigation goals.
- Revising fire safety and fire protection systems requirements to address emerging risks such as combustible cladding and balconies.
- Expanding the use of safety glazing to prevent injuries from glass breakage.
- Harmonizing plumbing requirements with national standards for water efficiency and backflow prevention.
- Establishing new occupancy classifications for home-type care facilities that provide residential care services.
These changes are intended to improve public health and safety, support innovation and competitiveness, reduce red tape and regulatory burden, and promote interprovincial trade.
However, these changes may also have significant implications for building design, construction costs, project timelines and compliance processes. Therefore, it is important for stakeholders to familiarize themselves with the proposed changes and provide feedback to MMAH before they are finalized.
To learn more about the proposed changes for the next edition of the OBC , you can visit:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/building-code-updates
https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-4974
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