b'BUILDING CODECodeofCanada(NBC).TheCityof Vancouver is an exception; as a Charter City with unique status across Canada, it operates under its own Building By-law, alsoanadaptationoftheNBC.To understand what the Code is, and why it matters, we need to understand how itfitswithinthelegislativeframework established by government, and how the Code is developed. InCanadagenerallyandinBritish Columbiaspecifically,theCodefalls withinahierarchyoflegislativetools usedbygovernmenttostandardize buildingconstruction.TheBuildingreferencedthroughouttheCodeandof the NBC, the model building code Act in British Columbia is a statute thatsupport its objectives. (template) on which nearly all provincial provides control or directives on legalbuilding codes are based (Quebec oper-authority. 2The Building Regulation isFor example, ASTM E779, Standardates under its own Code de construction du managed by the British Columbia MinistryTestMethodforDeterminingAirQubec). The NBC has jurisdiction across ofFarming, Natural Resources and IndustryLeakageRagebyFanPressurizationthe country only with respect to federal andestablishesconsistenttechnicalisreferencedintheBritishColumibainstitutions and buildings that are owned requirements under the authority of theBuildingCode,DivisionsB,Part10, and managed by ministries of the federal Actfortheconstructionofbuildings.10.2.3.5 Building Envelope Airtightnessgovernment(NationalDefence,for The Code is an example of such a tech- Testing. Some standards do not becomeexample). Beyond that, the NBC has no nical requirement.legal requirements but are simply usedlegal status in provinces and territories in an industry as a recognized articu-Codes have a higher authority overlationofgoodpractice.4 Thestan- who adopt and adapt it to suit specific standards. A code is mandatory, broaddards in the RCABC Roofing Practicesregional requirements. 5inscopeandisintendedtocarrytheManual are often referenced that way. The NBC was first published in 1941, force of law when adopted by a provin- While the Code is the responsibilityand then substantially revised in response cial,territorialormunicipalauthori- to a post-war construction boom. The ty 3Standards, which may be volun- of the Ministry (and managed by theCode as we know it is consensus-based, tary or mandatory, do not possess theBuilding and Safety Standard Branch),developed by numerous federal, provin-strength of the Code but may be refer- theCodecannotbeamendedatthecial and industry stakeholders under the encedwithintheCodeandestablishprovincial level. In fact, the Building anddirection of the Canadian Commission acceptedpractices,technicalrequire- Safety Standard Branch offers no Codeof Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC). mentsandterminologiesfordiversechange mechanism to the public. ThisTheCommissionwasestablishedin fields. Numerous CSA, CGSB, ASTM,is because the Code is an offspring1991 by the National Research Council UL/ULCandindustrystandardsareof Canada (NRC) and maintains other 4 "https://nrc.canada.ca/en/certifications-evalua- tions-standards/codes-canada/codes-develop- 2 Ibid ment-process/canadas-national-model-codes-de- 5 https://nrc.canada.ca/en/certifications-evalua-3 Standards Council Canada, Types of Standards. velopment-system" Canadas National Model Codestions-standards/codes-canada/codes-canada-frequent- https://www.scc.ca/en/types-standardsDevelopment System ly-asked-questions Frequently Asked Questions.Bothwell-Accurate has enjoyed 90 successful years in business and now employs over 500 professionals to meet all your waterproofing, architectural metal and roofing project requirements. With a management team that represents some ofthemostexperiencedprofessionalsintheindustry,andmorethan60,000 completedprojects,weareoneofCanadasoldestandmostexperienced construction firms. We proudly service our growing roster of industrial, commercial and institutional clients proving innovative, superior installations in the lower mainland and interior of British Columbia and across Ontario.604-282-7960bcestimating@bothwell-accurate.combothwell-accurate.com12lROOFINGBC l WINTER/SPRING 2021'