Introduction to the OBC
With focus on Architects
Prepared by:
Rafik Nassif
Kamel Abdelmalek
M. Arch, OAA, LEED® GA
B. Arch, OAA Int, LEED® GA
Prepared for Engineering Group at St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, Toronto
Part 1
The OBC, an Overview
Contents • Construction in Canada • Ontario Building Laws • The OBC: An Overview • Architect Career Map
Construction in Canada • Who are the Key Players? Developer, Designer, Builder & Authorities Having Jurisdiction
• Types of buildings, Structural system & Materials used • Wood frame construction • What do I need to know? • Resources: Building Construction Illustrated TACBOC Details Canadian Wood-Frame House Construction Renovation Guides & Workshops
Ontario Building Laws • The Building Code Act Ontario Building Code (regulations) • Municipal Bylaws (Zoning, Fencing, Trees,…) • Referenced Standards (NFPA, ASHRAE, CSA…)
The OBC: An Overview What does the Ontario Building Code talk about?
Classification • Classify the building based on Number of Occupants, Size & Use to specify requirements, Design Criteria and safety measures for each type..
• A house is different than an apartment building and a senior housing is different than a community center.
The OBC: An Overview Accessibility • Address design requirements for people with special needs or disabilities: Barrier free Entrances, Parking, Washrooms, Path of Travel, seating‌ etc.
The OBC: An Overview Building Safety • Address building safety requirements: Fire alarm, Fire Safety, Fire Escape, Fire Resistant Materials • Other safety requirements like: guards, openings, harmful gases, resistance to forced entry… etc.
The OBC: An Overview Weather & Environment • The code is concerned about how to keep undesired weather conditions out of the building; ‘Insulations’. • It is also concerned about how to minimize the effect of buildings on the environment; ‘Energy Efficiency’.
The OBC: An Overview Prescribed Design • The Building Code have ‘Prescribed’ design solutions for Houses (with some limitations) that allows nonprofessionals to design their own houses. • It contains all the methods, martials & calculations needed for design. • Only Architects & Engineers are allowed to by-pass these limitations.
Architect Career Map What is the role of an Architect within the construction industry? • How to become an Architect? • What do you need? • How much time? • What difference would a licence make?
Architect Career Map What other job options for architects in Canada? • Using your drafting skills • Building Code Qualification • Project Management • Construction Jobs • Software Certification • Running your own Design/ Architecture practice • Supplementary studies/ certifications
Part 2
The OBC, an In-Depth look
Contents • Building Code Act • How to read the OBC
Building Code Act • Enforcement of building code • Authority and powers of: CBO, INSPECTORS, RCA,… • Qualifications & registrations (BCIN, Education, Examination,…) • Building Permit Process (Forms, Certificates, Fees, Timeline,…)
George Brown College – Education (online courses + study guides): https://coned.georgebrown.ca/courses-and-certificates/subject/building-code-distance-education
Humber College OBC Examinations: http://www.humber.ca/buildingcodeexams/
Inspector / Designer • Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Apply for BCIN, Register for QuARTS http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/
• Qualifications Categories: Houses, Small Building, Large Building,…
• Ontario Building Code (OBC 2012) Compendium (Volume 1 & 2) Purchase: http://www.publications.serviceontario.ca Online: http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca Local Library
Ontario Building Code BCA 1(1). “building” means, • (a) a structure occupying an area greater than ten square metres consisting of a wall, roof and floor or any of them or a structural system serving the function thereof including all plumbing, works, fixtures and service systems appurtenant thereto, • (b) a structure occupying an area of ten square metres or less that contains plumbing, including the plumbing appurtenant thereto, • (c) plumbing not located in a structure, • (c.1) a sewage system, or • (d) structures designated in the building code
1.3.1.1. Designated Structures
(1) The following structures are designated for the • (a) a retaining wall exceeding 1 000 mm in exposed height adjacent to, (i) public property, (ii) access to a building, or (iii) private property to which the public is admitted, • (b) a pedestrian bridge appurtenant to a building, • (c) a crane runway, • (d) an exterior storage tank and its supporting structure • (e) signs regulated by Section 3.15. of Division B that are not structurally supported by a building, • (f) a solar collector that is mounted on a building and has a face area equal to or greater than 5 m², • (g) a structure that supports a wind turbine generator having a rated output of more than 3 kW,
OBC Language • and/or 3.2.2.21 (2) The building referred to in Sentence (1) is permitted to be of heavy timber construction or noncombustible construction used singly or in combination, and, (a) floor assemblies shall be fire separations, (i) with a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min, or (ii) of heavy timber construction, and (b) loadbearing walls, columns and arches shall, (i) have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly, or (ii) be of heavy timber construction.
• Exceptions 9.8.8.3. Height of Guards (1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) to (6), all guards shall be not less than 1 070 mm high. (2) All guards within dwelling units shall be not less than 900 mm high. 9.9.6.4. Door Action Except as provided in Sentences (4) and (5), required exit doors and doors in required means of egress, except doors in means of egress within dwelling units, shall swing on the vertical axis.
• Numbering System 1.
Part
1.4 1.4.1 1.4.1.2 1.4.1.2 (1) 1.4.1.2(1)(c) 1.4.1.2(1)(c) (i)
Section Subsection Article Sentence Clause Subclause
• Section 1.4. Terms and Abbreviations Live/work unit means a dwelling unit having an area of not more than 200 m2 that contains a subsidiary business and personal services occupancy or a subsidiary low hazard industrial occupancy, and which is used and operated by one or more persons of a single household.
• Table, Text & Footnotes • Supplementary Standards & Referenced Documents • Appendices and illustrated guides
Building Classifications (a) Group A, Division 1 - Assembly occupancies intended for the production and viewing of the performing arts, (b) Group A, Division 2 - Assembly occupancies not elsewhere classified in Group A, (c) Group A, Division 3 - Assembly occupancies of the arena type, (d) Group A, Division 4 - Assembly occupancies in which occupants are gathered in the open air, (e) Group B, Division 1 - Detention occupancies, (f) Group B, Division 2 - Care and treatment occupancies, (g) Group B, Division 3 - Care occupancies, (h) Group C - Residential occupancies, (i) Group D - Business and personal services occupancies, (j) Group E - Mercantile occupancies, (k) Group F, Division 1 - High hazard industrial occupancies, (l) Group F, Division 2 - Medium hazard industrial occupancies, and (m) Group F, Division 3 - Low hazard industrial occupancies.
Application 1.1.2.4. Application of Part 9 (1) Subject to Articles 1.1.2.6. and 1.3.1.2., Part 9 of Division B applies to all buildings, (a) of three or fewer storeys in building height, (b) having a building area not exceeding 600 m2, and (c) used for major occupancies classified as, (i) Group C, residential occupancies, (ii) Group D, business and personal services occupancies, (iii) Group E, mercantile occupancies, or (iv) Group F, Divisions 2 and 3, medium hazard industrial occupancies and low hazard industrial occupancies.
Houses (DIV.B PART 9) • Includes single family detached houses, semis, town houses, additions and alterations, accessory buildings, etc. • Review Architectural/Structural Drawings in conformance with the requirements of Div. B, Part 9 of OBC. If Drawings are stamped by P. Eng. – Cursory review • Generally provided with standard drawings (tacboc details). • Can be prepared by home owners for small additions, alterations, and custom homes.
Small Buildings (DIV.B PART 9) • Building area less than 600 m2, up to 3 storeys in height, and used as Group C, Group D, Group E, Group F, Divisions 2 and 3 major occupancies • Additions and alterations to the above. • Qualified designer, Architect or P.Eng
Large Buildings (DIV.B PART 3) Used for major occupancies classified as (Any area or height): Group A - Assembly (Ex: Churches, Daycare centres, Restaurants, Schools) Group B - Care or detention (Ex: Hospitals, Police station) Group F, Division 1 - High hazard industrial (Ex: Chemical manufacturing plants, spray painting operations, etc.) (OR) Exceeding 600 m2 in building area or exceeding three storey’s in building height and used for major occupancies classified as: Group C - Residential Group D - Business and personal services Group E - Mercantile, OR Group F, Divisions 2 - Medium hazard industrial Group F, Divisions 3 - Low hazard industrial
Complex Buildings (DIV.B PART 3) 3.2.6. Additional Requirements for High Buildings 3.2.6.1. Application (1) This Subsection applies to a building, (a) of Group A, D, E or F major occupancy classification that is more than, (i) 36 m high, measured between grade and the floor level of the top storey, or (ii) 18 m high, measured between grade and the floor level of the top storey, and in which the cumulative or total occupant load on or above any storey above grade, other than the first storey, divided by 1.8 times the width in metres of all exit stairs at that storey, exceeds 300, (b) containing a Group B major occupancy in which the floor level of the highest storey of that major occupancy is more than 18 m above grade,
Questions