In 2014, a 45-day public consultation resulted in over 150 stakeholders providing input.
The changes follow consultations in 2010, 20 led by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing with a broad range of stakeholders, including the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, the Fire Fighters Association of Ontario, the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association and the Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officers Association. The amendments will take effect on January 1, 2015, and will be applicable only to buildings used for major occupancies classified as Group C, residential occupancies, or Group D, business and personal services occupancies. On September 23, 2014, Ontario Regulation 191/14 was filed to amend Ontario’s Building Code ( Ontario Regulation 332/12) to allow for the construction of wood frame buildings up to six storeys, an increase from the previous limit of four storeys. The reference is a blueprint for designers and developers to build upon as they navigate through approvals for their high performing mass timber buildings.Amendments to Ontario’s Building Code Allowing Mid-Rise Wood Frame Buildings Topics such as proving equivalent fire performance, proof of concept for new structural systems and many others are covered in the reference. Since most designers have probably never had to apply for an alternative solution under Ontario’s Building Code, the Tall Wood Reference spells out the requirements, as they specifically relate to tall wood buildings. Provide a Tall Wood methodology for navigating the building code.For those who have not had first-hand experience with tall wood construction, the reference gives them an in-depth view of what to expect. When developers and builders see the potential efficiencies of building tall wood buildings they take notice. Why change when you have established supply chains, previous investments in tools and familiarity with systems? Education is key. The tried and true methods and materials are always an easier path. The construction industry has a lot of moving parts and can be slow to accept new ideas. Educate building officials, architects, engineers, developers and builders.The Tall Wood Reference illustrates an alternative pathway within the mechanism of the building code to speed up introduction of tall wood construction in the market to meet market demand, without compromising on the performance objectives of the building code. A new idea may take a few cycles until they are adopted, meaning that a new idea may take 10 to 15 years to be adopted. New versions of building codes in Canada are typically published every five years, followed by adoption in provinces and cities. Changing the way we build requires changes to our building codes.
Provide an approval mechanism that maintains performance and safety objectivesĬhange takes time.Renewable, sustainably harvested forests combined with the carbon storage in tall wood buildings are all measurable benefits to the environment to combat carbon emissions from other sources.