Course Catalogue.

After participating in this course, you will be able to:

• Ensure adherence to critical construction safety standards, minimizing risks and legal exposure.
• Confidently navigate and apply the Ontario Building Code's key sections to various types of buildings.
• Identify and interpret new amendments and objective-based provisions to optimize your designs and compliance strategies.
• Strategically leverage building code regulations to reduce project costs and avoid costly mistakes.
• Implement preventative measures that reduce long-term maintenance costs and improve building safety.

Description
Understanding the Ontario Building Code (OBC) is essential for anyone involved in building design, construction, or inspection. This course provides an in-depth look at how to effectively apply the OBC to ensure your projects meet the necessary safety, structural, accessibility and conservation requirements. You will explore the latest updates and amendments in the Code and learn how objective-based codes can work in your favour to optimize building performance while adhering to strict safety standards.

The course will cover critical topics such as the Building Code Act, fire protection, emergency lighting, and structural requirements for all buildings including large, encapsulated mass timber and high-rise buildings as well as smaller buildings. You'll gain valuable insight into occupancy classification, plumbing, vertical transportation, and additional requirements for unique structures such as air-supported systems and portable classrooms. Real-world examples and interactive discussions will help you solidify your understanding of the Code's applications.

By the end of the course, you will be better versed in key OBC provisions and able to address compliance challenges across various building types and scenarios confidently. Special emphasis will be placed on practical strategies to reduce project costs and enhance building safety. You’ll leave with the knowledge and tools needed to apply the Ontario Building Code effectively in your projects.

Who Should Attend
This course is ideal for building officials, architects, engineers, home inspectors, and developers who must ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code. It is also suitable for designers, consultants, and individuals preparing to write provincial exams for BCIN qualification.

The knowledge gained will benefit construction, building maintenance, or renovation professionals, who can use it to improve project outcomes and meet regulatory standards.

Course Syllabus

Welcome, Introduction, Course Preview, Learning Outcomes and the Assessment Method

The Building Code Act

• Powers to enforce Building Code
• Building by-law
• Different order enforcement
• Powers inspectors and chief building officials
• When do you require a building permit
• Some drawings and applications for a building permit
• Design of building code

Division A Part 1-Compliance and General

• Application
• Abbreviations
• Legal definitions
• Defined terms Designated structures
• Design and general review

Division A Part 2-Objective Statements

• Division A Part 3-Functional Statements

Functional Statement

Division B Part 1-General

• Standards documents, numbering system, code reference

Division B Part 2-Large Farm Buildings

Division B Part 3-Fire Protection, Occupant Load, Occupant Safety and Accessibility

• Fire protection through compartmentalization, sprinkler system
• Classification of buildings
• Major occupancy
• Multiple occupancy and fire protection requirements
• Combustible construction
• Non-combustible construction
• Encapsulated mass timber construction
• Foamed plastic
• Fire resistance rating
• Fire separations
• Closures
• Fire walls
• Fire stopping
• Flame spread rating
• Roof assemblies
• Occupant load
• Building fire safety

Combustible Construction

• Non-combustible construction
• Foamed plastic
• Fire resistance rating
• Fire separations
• Closures
• Fire walls
• Fire stopping
• Flame spread rating
• Roof assemblies
• Occupant load
• Building fire safety

Building Size and Construction Relative to Occupancy

• Building classification
• Number of streets
• Sprinkler vs non-sprinkler
• Sprinkler in lieu of roof rating
• Spatial separation and exposure to fire
• Exposure protection
• Number size of unprotected openings
• Limiting distance

Fire Alarm and Detection

• Fire alarm
• Types of fire alarms
• Sprinklers in lieu of fire detectors
• Voice communications

Provisions for Fire Fighting

• Access to basements, access to fire routes
• Water supply
• Sprinkler systems

Additional Requirements for High Buildings

• Limits to smoke
• Firefighters elevator
• Smoke venting
• Standpipe system requirements
• Pressurization
• Encapsulated mass Timber Construction

Emergency Lighting and Power Supply

• Main lighting levels
• Emergency power supply

Mezzanines

• Openings through rated floor assembly
• Exit requirements from the mezzanine
• Interconnected floors
• Smoke control

Safety within Floor Areas

• Separations of suites
• Hazardous area
• Public corridors
• Number of exits
• Assembly occupancy
• Care
• Detention occupancy

Exit Requirements

• In a sprinkled area
• In un-sprinklered area
• Travel distances
• Height and width of an exit
• Protection -fire compartmentation
• What type of glass- G.W. or tempered
• Number of exits

Vertical Transportation

• Elevator requirements
• Fire separations
• Linen and refuse chutes
• Fire separation makeup
• Service facilities

Health Requirements

• Room sizes
• Size of windows
• Windows protection in apartment buildings

Care and Detention

• Hospitals and nursing homes
• Residential occupancies

Plumbing

• How to calculate the number of plumbing fixtures in different types of buildings
• Water distribution systems
• Traps and interceptors

Barrier-Free Design

• Path of travel
• Occupancy requirements
• Design standards
• Assistive listening devices
• Ramps

Portable Classrooms

• Requirements
• Grouping
• Separations
• Fire alarm systems
• Exiting

Pool Design Overview

• Pool designations
• Pool and deck design
• Public pools
• Emergency provisions for public pools

Air Supported Structures

• Spatial separation
• Clearances to surrounding
• Flammable materials
• Structural requirements
• Back up emergency power
• Professional design

Division B Part 4 Structural Design Overview

• Building higher buildings next to lower buildings
• Loading live and dead load
• Use and occupancy
• Wind loads
• Live loads due to earthquakes
• Foundations
• Excavations
• Signs

Division B Part 5 Wind, Water and Vapour Protection (Environmental Separation)

• Separation of environment
• Environmental loss
• Heat transfer
• Air leakage
• Precipitation
• Surface water
• Moisture in the ground
• Prevent mould

Division B Part 6 Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Overview

• Design and installation
• Air duct design system
• Supply, return air, exhaust air system

Division B Part 7 Plumbing Overview

• Plumbing facilities
• Materials, fixtures
• Corrosion-resistant materials
• Connections to drainage
• Potable water systems
• Protection from contamination

Division B Part 7 Sewage Systems Overview

• Sewage system: classification of system, limitations, design standards, earth pit privy tanks, treatment and holding class 1 to class 5 sewage systems,
• Operation and maintenance, grease interceptors

Division B Part 9 Housing and Small Buildings

• Scope of part 9 in detail
• Different materials, systems and equipment
• Compressive strength of concrete
• Wood products
• Snow loads
• Design of areas and spaces
• Resistance to forced entry
• Fire protection of exits
• Occupancy classification
• Spatial separations
• Damp proofing vs waterproofing
• Footing and foundations
• Masonry
• Wood frame construction
• Wood design use of tables
• Heat transfer, air leakage and condensation
• Cladding, stucco, interior finishes
• Ventilation
• Design of floor system framing
• Design of roof system framing

Division B Part 10 Change of Use Overview

• Application
• Performance level
• Re-use of an existing building
• One occupancy changed into another occupancy
• Site documents
• Occupancy of unfinished buildings
• Demolition of buildings
• Notices to chief building officials
• Equivalents
• Search warrants
• Sewage systems-qualifications
• Conditional permits
• Occupancy permits
• Climatic date
• Documents referenced in the Ontario Building Code
• Disputes versus Building Code Commission

Division B Part 11 Renovations Overview

• Multiple occupancies
• Performance level evaluation
• Compliance alternative measures

Division B Part 12 Resource Conservation

• Energy efficiency for buildings under part 9
• Insulation R values in different degree zones
• Lighting/electrical requirements

Division C Part I Administrative Provisions

• Administrative provisions
• When field review is required

Division C Part 2 Alternative Solutions Disputes

• Resolutions
• Rulings

Division C Part 3 Qualifications

• Who needs to be qualified with a BCIN Registration number
• Registration by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
• Quarts

Questions and Answers and Feedback to Participants on Achievement of Learning Outcomes

Summary and Final Adjournment

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