Code Seminar Videos and Handbook available at NRC’s virtual store. (1. Select Construction Publications 2. Select Seminars in the left navigation bar.)
New editions of the National Building, Fire, Plumbing and Energy Codes have just been published. Almost 600 technical changes ensure that codes keep pace with industry change and provide effective building and safety regulations that are harmonized across Canada.
To help Code users understand the new Code provisions and their impacts, the National Research Council of Canada is in the process of developing a variety of products to engage and inform stakeholders on the significant technical changes in the 2015 Codes.
Some of these changes include the following:
- The National Building Code of Canada 2015 now permits construction of six-storey wood buildings with additional protection measures. There are updates to accessibility requirements, airborne sound transmission ratings, seismic design and climatic data. There are also changes to stairs, ramps, handrails and guards, including a change that increases the run dimension for steps inside houses.
- The National Fire Code of Canada 2015 includes requirements resulting from the introduction of mid-rise wood buildings and the classification system used by Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) to define dangerous goods.
- The National Plumbing Code of Canada 2015 includes more design and material choices. It also introduces new water-use efficiency requirements that aim to reduce water usage in all buildings, regardless of water source.
- The National Energy Code for Buildings 2015 now includes requirements for pressure-sensing controls for service water and efficiency regulation of heat rejection equipment. There are also updates to lighting power density values.
The information products, include on-site seminars, handbooks, Video presentations and workshops as described below.
| Product | Description | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| On-site seminars | A full-day, on-site seminar communicates all the significant technical changes that were introduced in the 2015 Code editions and allows participants to ask questions directly to Codes Canada Technical Advisors. Four presenters will present 13 technical presentations on significant changes. Participants will receive a printed handbook with technical details of all changes in the 2015 model Codes. A half-day seminar is also available for clients who want to focus on specific subject areas. The client is responsible for arranging and paying for the logistics (e.g. venue, registration, marketing, A/V equipment). | By request pending NRC staff availability. Phone: 613-993-9632 Email: NRC.CodesSeminars-Seminairessurlescodes.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca |
| Handbook | The handbook provides detailed information on the majority of technical changes that were implemented in all four Code publications. It can serve as a stand-alone product or be used to complement information delivered during the on-site or online Code presentations. | Visit the NRC’s virtual store.
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| Video presentations (Online) | The video presentations are on-demand, filmed performance of a live presentation (without follow-up questions). They explain all the significant technical changes that were introduced in the 2015 Code editions in an easily accessible format and at less cost compared to an on-site seminar. | Visit the NRC’s virtual store
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| Workshop | Workshops provide more in-depth training in a particular subject area (e.g. acoustics or energy efficiency). Generally workshops are more interactive and narrower in focus. As such, they offer opportunities to exchange ideas with subject specialists. Workshop participants will not receive the 2015 Codes handbooks. | By request pending NRC staff availability. Phone: 613-993-9632 Email: NRC.CodesSeminars-Seminairessurlescodes.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca |
The variety of information products offers some flexibility in terms of price, venue and level of interaction.
They should appeal to builders, codes officials, manufacturers, fire protection services, designers, architects, engineers and anyone with a general interest in construction and codes.