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 Building
Codes
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Following
is a summary from the Canada/Nova
Scotia Business Service Centre web site.
Act: Building
Code Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 46, N.S. Reg. 38/97 (April 8, 1997)
Regulation:
Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations
To
Whom Does It Apply?
This Building
Code applies to public and private sectors of the construction industry.
Summary
A building
code is a legal document that sets forth requirements to protect
public health, safety and general welfare as they relate to
construction and the occupancy of a building. These codes include
specific requirements for building materials, fire protection,
structural design, light and ventilation, heating and cooling,
sanitary facilities and energy conservation.
A Building
Code sets appropriate and cost-effective minimum standards for
construction and performance. The Code is also a driving force in the
continuous efforts to improve our building technology.
In Nova Scotia
the building code is enforced by building officials at the municipal
level. Prior to construction, a builder's plans must be approved
before a building permit is issued. During construction, on-site
inspections ensure that the actual construction is in compliance with
the code. For more complex projects letters of undertaking must be
provided by the professional engineers and architects involved in the project.
Canada's
National Building Code (NBC) sets out requirements for healthy, safe,
secure and structurally sound housing. It is a model code which
provincial governments adopt or use as a basis for their own codes.
The NBC sets a benchmark for construction by setting acceptable
minimum design and construction requirements for new homes based on
current technology and practices. All new construction, commerical,
residential, industrial, public assembly occupancies, alterations to
existing buildings, and change of occupancy classifications must meet
provincial building codes as a minimum. For example, a warehouse that
becomes a restaurant, must be upgraded to current code requirements.
Uniform codes
ensure that builders and home owners right across the country benefit
equally from new and improved building technologies. By creating a
common, viable market for new products, they encourage research and
development by building-material manufacturers. Uniform codes also
promote increased labour mobility among provinces, allowing builders
and trades to respond quickly and efficiently to variations in
housing demand across the country.
The Canadian
Commission on Building and Fire Codes, which is responsible for the
actual content of the Code, is an independent organization that
involves building and fire officials, design professionals, home
builders, consumers and government officials. The National Research
Council plays an important role by providing technical advice and
expertise to help the Commission's volunteer committees make informed decisions.
The Code is a
"living document", updated on a regular basis to reflect
advances and improvements in construction technology. Considerations
include financial benefits for homeowners and sometimes revisions
result in deleting outdated or unnecessary requirements. |
