Frequently Asked Questions

• General
• National Energy Code for Buildings
• Purchasing
• Cost
• Application
• Training
• Objective-based Codes
• Changes in the 2010 Codes
• Issues
• Other
  • Earthquakes and Canadian buildings

General

1. What are the National Model Construction Codes?

The National Model Construction Codes comprise the 2010 National Building Code of Canada, National Fire Code of Canada and National Plumbing Code of Canada. They also include the 2011 National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings and the Model National Energy Code of Canada for Houses (last published in 1997) as well as the National Farm Building Code (last published in 1995).

The Codes are developed and maintained by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes, an independent committee of volunteers established by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). They are published by the NRC as models for provincial and territorial building and fire regulations and must be adopted by an authority having jurisdiction to come into effect. In some cases, they are amended and/or supplemented to suit regional needs, and then published as provincial Codes.

2. Have all the National Model Construction Codes been updated?

Only the National Building Code, National Fire Code, National Plumbing Code and National Energy Code for Buildings have been updated so far.

The new edition of the National Energy Code for Buildings will be to be released on November 18, 2011. The National Energy Code for Houses will no longer be published separately. Its provisions dealing with energy efficiency for housing and small buildings will be incorporated into a new section of Part 9 of the 2010 National Building Code, which is scheduled for publication in late 2012.

With respect to the National Farm Building Code, last published in 1995, a Joint Task Group of the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes and the Provincial/Territorial Policy Advisory Committee on Codes has been established to set the format, scope and timetable for the update of the technical requirements.

3. Have the intent statements been updated for the 2010 Codes?

The intent statements pertaining to the 2010 National Fire and Plumbing Codes are now available, free of charge, on the national codes website at www.nationalcodes.nrc.gc.ca. Those for the 2010 National Building Code of Canada are scheduled to be available by July 2012.

The application statements for the 2010 National Building, Fire and Plumbing Codes have not been updated as the CCBFC discontinued their publication.

4. Will revisions to the 2010 Codes/2011 National Energy Code for Buildings be published after they are released? If so how do I get the revisions?

Revisions to the 2010 National Model Construction Codes and the 2011 National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings will be published over the next five years, in which case they will be posted on the publications web site of the NRC Construction Portfolio at http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/codes/codes-guides.html. Code users who purchase their Codes directly from NRC or who return to NRC the reply cards located at the front of their book will be notified when revisions are available.

5. If I find something wrong with the 2010 Codes/2011 National Energy Code for Buildings that needs to be changed, who do I tell and what do I do? OR I would like to make a change to the 2010 Codes/2011 National Energy Code for Buildings. How do I forward this change and who do I forward it to?

Any code user can submit technical inquiries or request a change to the national code documents. Information on how to do this can be found on the national codes website at www.nationalcodes.nrc.gc.ca.

6. How are the Codes developed and updated?

The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes is responsible for developing and updating the National Model Construction Codes. It is assisted by nine standing committees and several task groups and working groups comprised of hundreds of volunteer members. The Codes are developed and updated using an extensive consensus-based process involving all sectors of the construction community and the public. This code development process benefits from the research, technical and administrative support of the NRC. Ongoing development and updating of the National Model Construction Codes is necessary so future editions can reflect improvements in technology, address emerging health and safety issues and generally continue to meet the evolving needs of the construction industry.

2011 National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB)

7. What is the NECB?

The 2011 NECB is one of several National Model Construction Codes published by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). It replaces the 1997 Model National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (MNECB). As with other Codes, the NECB was developed by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC), an independent committee of volunteers established by the NRC, and published by the NRC. It is a model for provincial and territorial regulations and must be adopted by an authority having jurisdiction to come into effect. In some cases, it may be amended and/or supplemented to suit regional needs, and then published as a provincial Code.

8. How was the 2011 NECB developed?

The 2011 NECB is the result of an extensive consultation process involving stakeholders from multiple levels of government (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal), the construction industry, and the general public. It was developed by the CCBFC, with technical support and funding provided by the NRC and Natural Resources Canada as part of its commitment to improving the energy efficiency of Canadian buildings and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

9. What’s new in the NECB?

The 2011 NECB contains close to 245 technical changes to address a host of issues and accommodate the many new technologies and construction practices that have emerged in Canada over the past 15 years. The NECB is an objective-based code, the same format as the other National Model Construction Codes, and offers compliance flexibility, which means that engineers, architects and designers can follow multiple paths to ensure that their proposed building designs are compliant.

10. What performance improvement can I expect in using the 2011 NECB?

Generally speaking, the 2011 NECB is 26% more energy efficient than the 1997 Model National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (MNECB) and fulfills the energy code performance target expressed by federal, provincial and territorial government leaders. This result is a weighted average for the whole country and is based on many factors, including the energy performance level from which a region started. Its impact will be less in regions where energy efficiency construction practice is already higher than that specified in the MNECB and greater for those starting from a lower energy efficiency performance.

11. How can I get more information on the major technical changes in the 2011 NECB?

The major changes are explained in free online presentations available on the National Model Construction Codes web site (www.nationalcodes.nrc.gc.ca).

12. What is the scope of the 2011 NECB? Is there going to be an energy code for houses as well as for buildings?

The 2011 NECB applies to all buildings in Part 3 of the National Building Code (NBC). There will no longer be a National Energy Code for Houses. Instead, energy efficiency requirements for small buildings and houses will be incorporated into a new section of Part 9 of the 2010 NBC, scheduled for publication in 2012.

Purchasing

13. Where do I purchase the Codes?

The National Model Construction Codes can be purchased on line via the NRC Virtual Store at www.nrc.gc.ca/virtualstore, or by downloading the Codes order form available at www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/publications/ordering-information.html and faxing it to 1-613-952-7673. You can also call the Publication Sales Department at 1 800-672-7990 or 1-613-993-2463 (Ottawa-Gatineau and outside of Canada).

14. Will the delivery of the Codes be faster if I order them through the NRC Virtual Store?

No. All orders are processed in the order they are submitted. Codes are usually delivered within 2 weeks; however, if they are out of stock, it could take 4-6 weeks for delivery.

15. The 2010 National Building Code is sold in two volumes. Can I purchase only Volume 1?

No, the volumes are not sold separately. The reason is that both volumes are required to understand and use the Codes’ requirements. Please note that the distribution of code material in each 2010 volume is different than in the 2005 editions. Volume 1 contains Division A (compliance options, objectives and the functional statements) and Division C (administrative provisions) as well as related appendices and all attribution tables. Volume 2 contains Division B (acceptable solutions) and its related appendices as well as the index. The appendices offer pertinent explanations to help users understand and apply the Codes’ requirements.

16. Can I get a discount if I purchase more than one Code?

The following discounts are offered for the 2010 Codes at time of purchase:

1. A 10 % discount on a minimum order of 10 copies of same printed document; and
2. A 15% discount if you order one of the following combinations:
   • Three or more different 2010 Codes in the same print or downloadable PDF format
   • Three or more different 2010 Codes in the 1-year online subscription format
   • Three or more different 2010 Codes in the 5-year online subscription format
   • At least one print copy of a Code (binder or soft cover) combined with either the downloadable PDF (off-line) format or the 5-year on-line subscription.

17. The Codes are available in printed formats. Can they also be viewed online on the Web?

The National Model Construction Codes are available for viewing on the Web on a 10-day, annual, or 5-year subscription basis. The on-line subscriptions are offered for single and concurrent users. Visit the NRC Virtual Store (www.nrc.gc.ca/virtualstore) for more information.

18. Are the CD ROMs and Users’ Guides available? If not, when will they be available?

Electronic versions of the 2010 National Model Construction Codes are available as downloadable PDF documents (single user only), which replace the CD-ROM versions of the code documents. On-line subscriptions are also offered. The User’s Guide – NBC 2010, Structural Commentaries (Part 4 of Division B) was published on August 25th, 2011 and the Illustrated User’s Guide to Part 9 of the 2010 NBC will be added in 2012.

The application and intent statements that were published as User’s Guides for the 2005 National Building, Fire and Plumbing Codes are available free of charge on the national codes website at www.nationalcodes.nrc.gc.ca. The intent statements for the 2010 National Building, Fire and Plumbing Codes will be be published free of charge on the same website starting in December 2011. The intent statements for the 2011 National Energy Code for Buildings are scheduled to be added in fall 2012.

Cost

19. Why should I pay? Aren’t the Codes a regulation?

The National Model Construction Codes are model documents only. They do not become a regulation unless they are adopted by an authority having jurisdiction. The policy on public access to acts and regulations differs in each jurisdiction. You should contact your province or territory for specific information in your area.

20. Why can’t the 2010 Codes be free if published on the Web?

(See the answer to question 19). The information the Codes contain is developed at great expense (e.g. participation of hundreds of experts in committee meetings, research and studies, administrative and technical support), which is funded in large part from the sale of the Code documents (either in hardcopy or electronic versions) and by the NRC.

21. Why has the price of the Codes gone up?

The price for each code edition is set by the NRC in consultation with the provinces and territories. Price increases are necessary to cover accumulated inflation since the last edition in 2005, increased code development and updating activity, and new code products development. Code prices normally remain fixed over each five-year code cycle.

Application

22. Are the Codes mandatory?

The National Model Construction Codes are model documents only and must be adopted by an authority having jurisdiction in order to come into effect, as Canada's constitution gives the ten provinces and three territories jurisdiction over construction. In some cases, they are amended and/or supplemented to suit regional needs, and then published as provincial Codes. It is anticipated that the 2010 editions will form the basis of provincial and territorial regulations in the near future. To find out about Code adoption in your jurisdiction, please contact the appropriate government agency listed at www.nationalcodes.nrc.gc.ca/eng/links_provincial.shtml.

23. Are the Codes a guide on how to construct a good building?

The Codes are not a design guide or a “how-to” book on how a house or building should be built. Rather, when adopted by a provincial or territorial jurisdiction, they set out minimum requirements for building construction. Best practices will often exceed these minimum provisions.

24. Will I have to update my house or building now that the new Codes have been released?

No. The new Codes are model Codes that apply to new construction and major renovations to existing buildings, as well as additions in some jurisdictions. They must be adopted by a provincial or territorial jurisdiction to take effect. Some regulatory authorities may require that some provisions of the new Codes apply to existing buildings. To find out about the application of the Codes in your jurisdiction, please contact the appropriate government agency listed at www.nationalcodes.nrc.gc.ca/eng/links_provincial.shtml.

25. Do I have to follow the new national Codes as soon as they are released?

No: to come into effect, the National Model Construction Codes must be adopted by a regulatory authority. There may be a period of a few months or years before a province or territory adopts the new Codes. To find out about adoption plans in your jurisdiction, please contact the appropriate government agency listed at www.nationalcodes.nrc.gc.ca/eng/links_provincial.shtml.

26. If I’m regulated by my province, do the Codes apply to me?

It depends on the specific province or territory you are in. To find out about adoption plans in your jurisdiction, please contact the appropriate government agency listed at www.nationalcodes.nrc.gc.ca/eng/links_provincial.shtml.

As a general guidance only, the National Model Construction Codes are normally adopted by reference by Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland Labrador, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, North West Territories, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon Territory (“adoption by reference” means that a public authority includes a reference to a model code in their laws, ordinances, regulations, or other legal instruments, turning the model code into law).

The National Model Construction Codes also form the basis of the provincial Codes in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. Prince Edward Island does not adopt the National Model Construction Codes provincially but the cities of Summerside and Charlottetown have, through bylaws, adopted the National Building and National Fire Codes.

Federal government buildings and buildings associated with federally regulated industries (such as airports) are required to conform to the National Model Construction Codes as well as applicable provincial or territorial regulations.

27. I live in Ontario, and will be purchasing the Ontario Building Code. Should I also purchase the national Codes?

If you are planning on doing work for the federal government, you will need the National Model Construction Code documents. Many people also buy the Codes when the projects they are working on involve different provinces.

Training

28. Will training be offered on the technical changes made to the Codes?

Overviews of the most significant technical changes in the 2010 National Building, Fire and Plumbing Codes are available as free online presentations on the National Codes Web site (www.nationalcodes.ca/eng/training.shtml). Those for the 2011 National Energy Code for Buildings are also available on the same website. These broadly-accessible presentations replace the seminars traditionally held across the country during previous code launches.

29. What training programs are there to educate users on the content of the Codes?

Training and education in Canada is a provincial/territorial responsibility. With regards to building and fire Codes, such training is normally provided by community colleges, universities, consultants, associations and other agencies. To find out about Code training programs in your jurisdiction, please contact the appropriate government agency listed at www.nationalcodes.nrc.gc.ca/eng/links_provincial.shtml.

Basic awareness courses on the objective-based approach of the Codes are available on the national codes web site at www.nationalcodes.ca/eng/archives/index.shtml.

Objective-based Codes

30. What is an objective-based Code?

An objective-based Code includes objectives or goals that the Code is meant to achieve. In an objective-based Code, every technical requirement achieves one or more of that Code’s stated objectives (e.g. Safety, Health, Accessibility, Fire and Structural Protection of Buildings, Environment). Applying the provisions in the Codes is one option for compliance, since they meet one or more of the Code’s stated objectives by default. The other option is the use of alternative solutions. These must achieve at least the same level of performance and satisfy the same objective(s) assigned to the associated Code provisions.

31. When did objective-based Codes come into effect?

The National Building, Fire and Plumbing Codes were first published in objective-based form in 2005, following extensive consultation with the provinces and territories. The 2010 Codes follow the same approach, as does the 2011 National Energy Code for Buildings.

32. Aren’t objective-based Codes just performance-based Codes?

No, they are not. Although the Codes have some performance requirements, and there is an ongoing evolution toward adding more of them, they will remain mostly prescriptive for many more years.

33. Are objective-based Codes part of Smart Regulation?

Yes, they are. Objective-based Codes are Codes with all of the “whys” spelled out, so that code users know exactly what is important and why. This should facilitate the development of alternative solutions that meet minimum Code requirements. The additional information should also increase understanding of Code requirements and facilitate conformance assessment.

34. Can a requirement be added to the Codes that is not related to one of the stated objectives?

The simple answer is "no". In an objective-based Code, every requirement is related to at least one of that code's stated objectives.

Of course the existing objectives of the National Model Construction Codes are not necessarily frozen for all time. Other objectives may be added and one or more of the existing objectives could be dropped. However, this would constitute a major change and would only happen if extensive consultation with the provinces and territories and other stakeholders indicates a broad consensus that such an expansion or contraction of the Codes' scope should occur. This process is now taking place with the development of water use efficiency requirements and objectives.

Changes in the 2010 Codes

35. How different are the 2010 Codes from the 2005 editions?

Since the 2005 editions of the National Building, Fire and Plumbing Codes, close to 800 technical changes have been incorporated in the 2010 editions to address technological advances and health and safety concerns. A summary of the major changes to these Codes is available on the national codes website at www.nationalcodes.nrc.gc.ca/eng/2010_codes_significant_changes.shtml

Issues

36. How do the Codes address sustainable built environment?

Sustainability is not an explicit objective of the National Model Construction Codes. However, many code provisions contribute to a more sustainable built environment and are written with an effort to not create a barrier to future innovation. Also, the National Model Construction Codes do not preclude one from proposing innovative technologies as long as it can be demonstrated that these meet or exceed the minimum requirements of the Codes.

37. How do the Codes address climate change?

The national code documents do not directly address issues related to climate change mitigation. However, the climatic data that forms the basis for much of the design of buildings is continuously being updated in the NBC to ensure it is current. It is anticipated that adoption of the energy conservation requirements in the 2011 National Energy Code for Buildings will contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

38. How do the Codes address energy conservation?

The 2010 National Building, Fire and Plumbing Codes do not yet explicitly address energy conservation. Although the National Building Code (NBC) contains requirements for thermal insulation, these are currently present not for energy conservation purposes, but rather to minimize condensation and deterioration of the building envelope. The 2011 National Energy Code for Buildings directly addresses the use of energy as it relates to resource conservation under a new objective called “Environment”. The same Environment objective is expected to be incorporated in the 2010 NBC when provisions dealing with energy efficiency for housing and small buildings are added as a separate section of its Part 9 in late 2012.

33. How do the Codes address resource conservation?

Resource conservation is currently not an objective of the 2010 national code documents. However, the existing objectives of the National Model Construction Codes are not frozen for all time. Other objectives may be added and one or more of the existing objectives could be dropped. This would constitute a major change and would only happen if extensive consultation with the provinces and territories and other stakeholders indicates a broad consensus that such an expansion or contraction of the Codes' scope should occur. This process is now taking place with the development of water use efficiency requirements and objectives.

40. Have the 2010 Codes addressed the safety issue of kids falling through window openings?

The 2010 National Building Code (NBC) contains minimum measures aimed at limiting the probability of certain risks. With regards to window openings, the NBC addresses the risk of children falling out of operable residential windows by either requiring a guard or a mechanism to control window openings to not more than 100 mm.

41. Have the 2010 Codes addressed the issue of fire risk associated with houses built close together?

Yes. Additional fire protection requirements have been introduced in the 2010 National Building Code relating to the construction of all buildings and houses that are in proximity to one another or to the property line. The changes may have an impact on all facets of construction, including how close buildings and/or homes are constructed to each other, the nature of exterior construction materials used, and lot sizes in subdivisions.

42. Have the 2010 Codes been revised to reflect the new Health Canada guideline for radon exposure?

Yes. The new Health Canada guideline of 200 Bq/m³ for indoor radon concentration has been referenced in the Part 9 Appendix of the 2010 National Building Code (NBC). Engineers and designers are now required to consider radon protection in their designs, air barrier requirements in Part 9 of the NBC have been consolidated, and prescriptive measures on providing a rough-in for a future radon mitigation system have been added.

Other

43. Under the 2010 National Building Code, what is the level of earthquake that Canadian buildings are supposed to be able to withstand?

This question (what magnitude is the building designed for) is commonly asked but unfortunately a simple answer cannot be given. Currently in Canada we design our buildings to withstand a certain level of shaking - the expected shaking from earthquakes that are likely to occur at a probability of 2% in 50 years, which is roughly once in 2475 years. The effect on the building in question depends on the magnitude of the earthquake, its distance from the building, and the building's characteristics. For the three largest cities in Canada, here’s what this means.

In Montreal, the probability of an earthquake of greater than magnitude 7.5 is vanishingly small. At the National Building Code probability levels, the main contributors of shaking for short structures such as single family homes are earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 to 6.5 that are 30-40 km away, while high-rise structures must withstand magnitude 6.5-7.0 that occur at distances of 30-60 km.

Similarly, in Toronto the models allow for magnitudes in the range of 7.0 to 7.5. Short structures are more affected by a 6.0 magnitude earthquake occurring at a distance of 30-50 km, while for high-rises the main contributors are magnitude 7.0 events no closer than 50 km away.

In Vancouver, the expected shaking from three sources of earthquakes is taken into account; those from the continental North American plate, earthquakes in the subducting Juan de Fuca plate (at depths of 40-60 km beneath Vancouver), and the very large, infrequent earthquakes of the Cascadia subduction zone. It is only these Cascadia subduction zone earthquakes that can result in a large magnitude 9 event such as the recent Japanese earthquake, and they only occur in Canada in the vicinity of Vancouver Island. For Vancouver, this Cascadia event occurs roughly 140 km away, and so its effect is diminished by this distance. The main contributors to shaking at NBC probabilities for Vancouver structures are magnitude 6.5-7.0 events at 50-70 km distance.