Building Codes and Regulations in Canada
How building regulation shapes construction in Canada: objective-based codes, the national model codes and provincial adoption, permits, inspections and occupancy, occupancy classification and occupant load, building size and construction type including mass timber, fire separations and spatial separation, egress, fire protection systems, accessibility under CSA B651 and provincial and federal law, structural, energy and plumbing requirements, zoning, heritage and environmental approvals, and a capstone code review.
CON-140 Year 1 3 credits 12 lessons · 5 h 50 min
Offered by HSM University · Construction Management
This is the Canadian version of this course. See the American version.
What you'll learn
- Explain why building codes exist, how prescriptive and performance requirements differ, and how model codes, adopted codes and referenced standards relate
- Describe the Canadian code system, including the national model codes, the CBHCC, provincial adoption, municipal enforcement and other regulations
- Plan permits, plans review, inspections, general review and occupancy approvals into a construction schedule
- Classify occupancies, deal with mixed and accessory uses, calculate occupant loads and recognize changes of occupancy
- Determine whether a building's size is permitted for its occupancy, construction type and sprinklering, and explain mass timber and firewall provisions
- Explain fire-resistance ratings, fire separations, closures, firestopping and spatial separation, and check exterior wall openings
- Calculate and check exits, exit separation, travel distance and exit width, and identify the construction details of exits
- Explain when fire alarm, sprinkler, standpipe, smoke control and emergency power systems are required and plan their acceptance testing
- Apply accessibility requirements from provincial codes, CSA B651, provincial accessibility laws, human rights law and the Accessible Canada Act
- Summarize structural, envelope, energy, plumbing, mechanical and electrical code requirements and check an energy compliance calculation
- Explain zoning, variances, rezonings, site plan review, heritage and environmental approvals and build them into a development schedule
- Manage code compliance on site, resolve deficiencies and disputes, explain how codes change and carry out a code review of a small building
Course content
12 lessons · 5 h 50 min total · final exam
- 1 Why building codes exist and how they work 29 min · quiz
- 2 The Canadian code system: national model codes and provincial adoption 27 min · quiz
- 3 Permits, plans review and inspections in Canada 31 min · quiz
- 4 Occupancy classification and building use 30 min · quiz
- 5 Building size and construction type 28 min · quiz
- 6 Fire separations, fire resistance and spatial separation 28 min · quiz
- 7 Means of egress: occupant load, exits and travel distance 30 min · quiz
- 8 Fire protection systems and life safety 27 min · quiz
- 9 Accessibility: CSA B651, provincial codes and the Accessible Canada Act 30 min · quiz
- 10 Structural, energy and other technical requirements 28 min · quiz
- 11 Zoning, land use and environmental approvals in Canada 27 min · quiz
- 12 Code compliance on site, code change and capstone code review 35 min · quiz
- E Final exam 20 questions
Requirements
Recommended background. You can start any course at any time.
Description
How building regulation shapes construction in Canada: objective-based codes, the national model codes and provincial adoption, permits, inspections and occupancy, occupancy classification and occupant load, building size and construction type including mass timber, fire separations and spatial separation, egress, fire protection systems, accessibility under CSA B651 and provincial and federal law, structural, energy and plumbing requirements, zoning, heritage and environmental approvals, and a capstone code review.
Part of the Construction Management stream, typically taken in year 1.