Photo courtesy National Research Council Institute for Research in Construction

The National Building Code applies to all construction, including extensions, substantial alterations, changes of occupancy, and upgrades to remove an unacceptable hazard. Design professionals have a chance to comment on proposed changes.

Design/construction professionals interested in helping shape the nation's building codes only have three weeks left to ensure their voices are heard.

The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) is currently allowing a public review on proposed changes to the National Model Codes until November 28. The three codes in question are the 2005 editions of:
• National Building Code of Canada (NBC);
• National Fire Code of Canada (NFC); and
• National Plumbing Code of Canada (NPC).

After the public review closes, standing committees will review all comments and decide whether to withdraw the change, recommend it be reviewed further for future consideration, or recommend it be approved by CCBFC, with or without modification.

Comments on the proposed changes must be submitted online. (Related documents, such as reports, can be e-mailed, mailed, or faxed.) Visit www.nationalcodes.ca/publicreview.