DECODINGCODE PROCESS 101

Frank Lohmann

November 2019CIPH Webinar

CODES CANADA = National Collaboration

75 years of collaboration and partnership betweenProvinces and Territories, NRC and the independent Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes

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• Open & transparent model codes development• Regulatory impact analysis for all changes• Funded by the federal government• Research and evidence‐based codes• Consensus‐based decision making• Bilingual documents

Benefits of National Model Codes

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Increased national uniformity creates economic prosperity

Partnership focuses on national benefits

Example: Plumbing Products

$24 Billion Canadian trade of residential plumbing/heating products$4.5 Billion total cost per year for testing and certificationOnly 10% of standards are harmonized

Potential Economic Benefit - Reducing duplicate testing and certification

could save Canadian consumers between $120 to $150 Million per year(CIPH)

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Canada Free Trade Agreement

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Intergovernmental agreementon Free Codes & Harmonization

- signed by Can. (Trade) Ministers - came into force on July 1, 2017- modernizes internal trade:

- comprehensive free trade rules - alignment w. int’l obligations - open government procurement- protecting public policy objectives- strengthen domestic trade- reconciling regulatory barriers

https://www.cfta‐alec.ca

RCT

Harmonizing Construction Codes

How does RCT work?1. A barrier to trade is identified (Codes)2. 14 Gov’ts work to establish an agreement3. The barrier to trade is being reconciled

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What will be in the Agreement?

Reduction of variations- Technical Requirements only

Timely AdoptionFree Codes

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Transformation of the national 

code development system

PARTNERSHIP

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Who is working on developing construction codes?

Codes & Guides Development System

Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes

National Research CouncilCodes Canada

Provinces and Territories &Provincial Territorial Policy Advisory Committee on Codes

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Codes & Guides Development System

IndependenceBalanceConsensus

ExpertiseEvidenceNeutrality

Legislative AuthorityPolicy Goals

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What does Codes Canada do?

CODES CANADAOperates the code development process Provides technical expertise and project managementEdits, translates, produces & markets codes & guidesInforms stakeholdersGenerates technical information / analysis / presentationsResponds to technical enquiries from code users

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Who else is involved?

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You

Partners & Stakeholders

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Roles and Responsibilities

Outlines:- roles and responsibilities

of the CCBFC and its committees- provisions and procedures - code development process- supporting role of NRC- communication with the public

Available online

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CCBFC Committees & Interactions

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CCBFCExecutiveCommittee

SC-HSBSC-EE SC-FPSC-HP SC-UE

SC-SDSC-ED SC-ES SC-HMA

40 + Task Groups and Working Groups

PTPACC

Joint Task Groups

TGs/WGS

CCBFC Selection Committee

SC Nominating Committee

Membership Selection• CCBFC Selection Cmt recommends

• NRC Director General appoints

• SC Nominating Committee recommends

• CCBFC Chair decides

• NRC sends appointment letters

CCBFC

9 Standing Committees• HVAC and Plumbing (SC-HP)

• Energy Efficiency (SC-EE)

• Earthquake Design (SC-ED)

• Environmental Separation (SC-ES)

• Fire Protection (SC-FP)

• Hazardous Materials and Activities (SC-HMA)

• Housing and Small Buildings (SC-HSB)

• Structural Design (SC-SD)

• Use and Egress (SC-UE)

CCBFC Committees & Interactions

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ExecutiveCommittee

SC-HSBSC-EE SC-FPSC-HP SC-UE

SC-SDSC-ED SC-ES SC-HMA

40 + Task Groups and Working Groups

TGs/WGS

PTPACC

Joint Task Groups

NATIONAL MODEL CODES

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What does a code look like?

Why model codes?

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Today’s Codes & Guides

50+ Codes published since 1941Latest editions of 4 codes

- National Building Code 2015- National Fire Code 2015- National Plumbing Code 2015- National Energy Code for Buildings 2015

Paper & Electronic

3 Guides, supplements and commentaries- User's Guide–NBC 2010, Structural Commentaries - Illustrated Guide–Part 9 NBC 2010, Housing and Small Buildings- User’s Guide–National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2011

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National Building Code (2015 NBC)

Division A – Objectives, Application (Legislative/Policy)Division B – Acceptable Solutions (Technical)

- Part 1 General- Part 2 Reserved (soon to be farm buildings)- Part 3 Fire Protection, Occupant Safety and Accessibility- Part 4 Structural Design- Part 5 Environmental Separation- Part 6 Heating, Ventilating and Air-conditioning- Part 7 Plumbing Services- Part 8 Safety at Construction and Demolition Sites- Part 9 Housing and Small Buildings

Division C – Administrative Requirements

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National Plumbing Code (2015 NPC)

Division A – Objectives, Application (Legislative/Policy)Division B – Acceptable Solutions (Technical)

- Part 1 General- Part 2 Plumbing Systems

- Section 2.1 Materials & Equipment- Section 2.2 Piping- Section 2.4 Drainage Systems- Section 2.5 Venting Systems- Section 2.6 Potable Water Systems- Section 2.7 Non-Potable Water Systems- Section 2.8 Objectives & functional Statement Attributions

Division C – Administrative Requirements

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How does the Codes Process work?

Codes Development Process

Process is open, transparent, continuous and consensus-based. Key Features

- One common process for all codes- Balanced by region and interest categories- Substantial public involvement

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Code Development Process

From change request to code provision- change request from proponent- standing committee review & recommendation- CCBFC work plan approval - standing committee reviews code and develops changes - public review- standing committee revision and final recommendation- CCBFC decision- publication of Codes

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Principles of SMART Regulation

Proposed changes criteria• Within scope and objectives of code?• Need to be regulated? • Minimum level of performance?• Enforceable & measurable?• Satisfies cost-benefit analysis?

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Expanding the Scope / Policy Review

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Policy Review

Codes as Instrument Choice

Scope & Objectives

Technical Development

Impact Analysis

Commission / P/T Authoritieswith advice from Provinces & Territories 

and input from Stakeholders

Standing Committees

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How does the Codes Process work –for Standards?

Process for New Standards

- Request (Proponent to Committee)- Task Approval / Policy Review (Commission to Committee)- Proposed Change (Committee)- Public Review (Committee to Public/Stakeholders)- Revision (Committee)- Decision (Commission)- Code Publication (NRC)

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SC

CCBFC

CCR PR CCBFCSCSC PCF ACCEPT

WITHDRAWDEFER

Process for Referenced Standards

- Extranet (SDO staff to Committee)- Single Proposed Change for all updates (Committee)- Public Review (Committee to Public/Stakeholders)- Revision (Committee)- Decision (Commission)- Code Publication (NRC)

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SC

CCBFC

CCR PR CCBFCSCSC PCF ACCEPT

WITHDRAWDEFER

CODES PROCESS

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Access Points

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Access Points

1. Submit Requests

2. Participate in Committees

3. Submit Public Review Comments

4. Inform CCBFC Priorities New

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Participate in the process

https://nrc.canada.ca/en/certifications‐evaluations‐standards/codes‐canada/codes‐development‐process

National Code Development Priorities

Technical enquiries

Codes Canada provides opinions on National Codes requirementsOnly to regulatory officials

https://nrc.canada.ca/en/certifications‐evaluations‐standards/codes‐canada/codes‐canada‐technical‐enquiries

CODES PROCESS

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What’s going on right now?

Meetings Update

August 7 / 8 – Standing Committee Nomination (members only)September 11 - 13 – Executive Committee (members only)October 3 / 4 – PTPACC Meeting (members only)October 22 to December 23 – 1st 2019 Public Review (public)January 13 to March 13 – 2nd 2019 Public Review (public)December 12 2019 – CCBFC Teleconference (public)May 2020 (tbc) – All SCs review public comments and revise proposed changes (public)Sep 2020 (tbc) – CCBFC Approval (public)Early 2021 (tbc) – Publication of all codes

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CODES 101

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Take Aways

Take Aways

Volunteer or observe on a Standing Committee or Task Group (Working Groups are member-only)Submit code change requestsSubmit public review commentsParticipate in priorities discussion

and there is more: - Respond to information requests - Attend training sessions or webinars- Conduct research to inform

committee decisions

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Questions?

Significant Proposed Changes to the National Plumbing Code

Author: Taous AchourTechnical Advisor

NPC 2020

CODES CANADA

Outline

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1. Seismicity2. Piping and transfer systems3. Potable and non-potable water

systems4. New materials and equipment

Posted for public review – Fall 2019

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Seismicity

Seismic restraint and design

Requirements from the NBC apply to plumbing systems in the NPC

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Piping and transfer systems

Nominal Pipe Size (NPS)

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PEX fittings and tubing

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Use of copper tube for urinals

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Neutralization tanks

New requirements:- Separate venting to outdoor air- Vent sizing requirements

Help prevent:- Premature corrosion and failure of the building’s sanitary

venting system- Improper sizing of vents

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Protection from backflow

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Potable and non-potable water systems

Protection of drinking water from chemical contamination

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NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 "Drinking Water System components - Health effects"

PR– Fall 2019

Non-potable water in health carefacilities

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Rainwater harvesting

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Safely be connected

Good engineering practice

Properly labeled

Safe location

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New materials and equipment

Personal hygiene devices for water closets

Reference to ASME A112.4.2/CSA B45.16-15, “Personal Hygiene Devices for Water Closets”

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Water temperature control

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ASSE 1070/ASME A112.1070/CSA B125.70, “Performance Requirements for Water Temperature Limiting Devices”

Safer temperatures for everyone A maximum water temperature of 43 °C in

health care and senior residence facilities

PR– Fall 2019

Low lead

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ASME A112.4.14/CSA B125.14, “Manually Operated Valves for Use in Plumbing Systems”ASME A112.18.6/CSA B125.6, "Flexible Water Connectors”

PR– Fall 2019

PE-RT

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CSA B137.18, "Polyethylene of Raised Temperature Tubing for Pressure Applications”

New acceptable material

Greater design flexibility

Fibrocement pipe and fittings

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CAN/CSA-B127.3-18, “Fibrocement Drain, Waste, and Vent Pipe and Pipe Fittings”

PR– Fall 2019

Co-extruded Polyvinyl Chloride (C-PVC) drain pipes

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ASTM F3128, "Standard Specification for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Schedule 40 Drain, Waste, and Vent Pipe with a Cellular Core”

Additional option

Residential installations only

Thank you

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CONTACTTaous AchourTechnical advisor, Codes Canada1200 Montreal RdOttawa ONK1A 0R7Taous.Achour@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca