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BOABC 2021-22 Annual Report

Following another successful year, the Building Officials’ Association of B.C. is proud to present its 2021-22 Annual Report.

The annual report:

Reflects outcomes and targets set out in the Administrative Agreement
Showcases data from the 2021 Member Survey
Presents data surrounding the number of qualified, certified, and designated building and plumbing officials
Highlights collaborations that helped the Association develop and improve training delivery
Speaks to the growing number of online CPD opportunities for qualified officials.

View the Annual Report

Consultation on 2025 National Model Codes

The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (Commission) is currently developing the 2025 editions of the national model codes.

As part of this process, the Commission is inviting code users and stakeholders to review proposed changes to the 2020 editions of the following national model codes:

National Building Code of Canada (NBC) 2020
National Fire Code of Canada (NFC) 2020
National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) 2020
National Plumbing Code of Canada (NPC) 2020

This national public review runs from October 24 to December 23, 2022.

Details about the proposed code changes can be found under the Summary of proposed changes section at the bottom of the Commission website. The proposed changes include updates to the documents referenced in the national model codes.

The relevant Commission standing committees will review comments received during the public review period. Based on their evaluation of the comments for each proposed change, the committees will then either withdraw the proposed change, recommend that it be reviewed further for possible re-submission in revised form in a future public review, or recommend that it be approved, with or without modification. If approved, the code changes will be incorporated in the 2025 editions of the national model codes.

Energy Step Code Q&A Session

The Province of BC has proposed changes to the BC Building code to support cleaner, more energy efficient new construction in BC.

On October 13, 2022, the Building and Safety Standards Branch held an online information session about the proposed energy efficiency requirements and the Building Carbon Pollution Standard.

The presentation covered a number of common questions about the scope and application of the proposed changes and revised targets and values. Participants were also able to pose questions to BSSB staff.

A recording of the session is posted on YouTube so that others can review the information and discussion.

Community Energy Association Training in the Kootenays

The Community Energy Association is offering subsidized training in the Kootenay and Boundary regions. With the increased demand for energy efficiency and year-round home comfort, we are launching full-day workshops to help tradespeople and contractors keep up to date with shifts in the building, renovation, and HVAC industries. The workshops will feature hands-on training from industry experts and experienced local contractors and will cover topics related to improving the building envelope, energy efficient mechanical systems, and undertaking home energy retrofits. Each day of training has been pre-approved for 5 CPD points from BC Housing.

Training will occur late in late October and early November in Cranbrook, Grand Forks, and Castlegar. Go to shiftshappening.ca to learn more and register.

BC Building Code Consultation

The Building and Safety Standards Branch (BSSB) has released proposed revisions to BC Building Code 2018 (BCBC 2018) for public review. These include proposed changes to minimum energy efficiency requirements for most Part 9 and Part 3 buildings, as well as an opt-in carbon pollution standard.

Interested parties may visit gov.bc.ca/buildingcodes to review:

Proposed Code Change Forms (PCFs) regarding:
- Changes to energy efficiency language in Part 9 and Part 10 of BCBC 2018
- Inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions in objective and functional statements
- Inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions targets for Part 9 and Part 3 buildings
Supplementary information:
- Pre-recorded audiovisual presentations summarizing proposed code changes and providing interpretation supports
- Costing and technical analysis
- A draft best practice bulletin for local governments prepared in partnership with the Step Code Peer Network

The main goal of a public review is to receive focused, technical comments on proposed changes to the Code language, such as suggestions about targets and values, and comments about scope or application. Any relevant feedback regarding policy and technical approaches will be considered prior to making a recommendation to the Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing.

The public review period will end at 11:59 pm on November 4, 2022.

To submit your comments or upload attachments, complete the online survey. If the survey does not work for you, email BSSB.Public.Review@gov.bc.ca for further instructions.

Association Consultation

Under the Building Act, all qualified officials are required to complete continuing professional development (CPD) and submit an annual report before December 31 of each calendar year. The Association is asking members and local authorities for feedback on application fees associated with a new process for addressing cases where qualified officials do not complete these requirements by December 31.

This process will provide qualified officials with an opportunity to apply for a 30-day grace period to complete outstanding CPD or reporting requirements and clarify how qualifications removed from the register for non-compliance with these requirements can be reinstated. Fees for grace-period and reinstatement applications will only apply to qualified officials who are not able to complete their legislated annual CPD and reporting obligations.

You can find more details about the fees and process by clicking Consultation Notice.

Please provide any feedback by email to info@boabc.org by November 18, 2022.

CPD Offering – Energy Step Code Training for Building Officials

The Association is pleased to announce that it is partnering with BCIT and BC Hydro to offer Energy Step Code education for qualified building officials. This education is being offered to help enhance the capacity of qualified officials and local authorities to implement the Energy Step Code.

Details and registration information about the first course offering, Fundamentals of Zero Energy/Emissions and Passive House Buildings, are found below. The Association and BCIT are also partnering to offer courses on building envelope and mechanical systems. These courses leverage existing BCIT educational material but also includes specific content and discussion topics relevant to building officials.

Course Name: XZEB 1001 Fundamentals of Zero Energy/Emissions and Passive House Buildings (private offering for BOABC)

Delivery Format: Online (interactive and instructor led)

Duration: Weekly three (3) hour sessions for five weeks (15 total hours of instructional time)

Dates: November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (you are committing to all five sessions when you register)

Time: All sessions are 1:00pm – 4:00pm (PST)

Cost: $199 (plus GST) per student. This special price for members is made possible by generous support from BC Hydro and BCIT.

Registration: Click here

CPD Points: 5 points – Category A3

Course Description:

This course covers the fundamentals of for zero energy/emissions and Passive House buildings, with a focus on wood-frame construction subject to Part 9 of the BC Building Code. Students will acquire knowledge of applicable codes and standards with a focus on the BC Energy Step Code and 2022 changes to the BC Building Code. Course topics will be applied to the role and responsibilities of building officials with case studies and examples of how Energy Step Code has been adopted and incorporated into permitting, plan reviews, site inspections, and monitoring of related construction metrics. Specific topics covered include: the BC Energy Step Code, Net Zero Energy, Zero Carbon and Passive House standards, operational and embodied carbon, building science, and low-TEDI and airtight enclosures, mechanical and electrical systems in Net Zero Energy-ready buildings. The course will focus provides a strong foundation for subsequent zero energy/emissions education.

Please note that you will need to provide a BCIT ID number to BOABC when you register for this course. If you cannot remember your 9-digit BCIT ID number or you need to create a BCIT ID, please visit myBCIT to create or recover your BCIT ID number.

How to become a Building or Plumbing Official

The Association has put together a Fact Sheet to help explain the steps to becoming a Building or Plumbing Official.

Please contact the Association at info@boabc.org or 604-270-9156 if you have any questions.

CPD Offerings – Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association

The Building Officials’ Association of BC is collaborating with the Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association to offer three professional development sessions focused on what building and plumbing officials should know about sprinkler system design and installation.

Each session is being offered online and is a full-day in length, which includes a one-hour lunch break and other breaks at the instructor’s discretion. Qualified officials will earn (5) points of continuing education credit for each session attended.

The cost to register is $100 per session or you can register for all three sessions for $275. To register, click HERE or by following the registration links provided below. Limited space is available so register soon!

The instructor for all sessions is Matt Osbourne, CASA National Codes & Standards Manager. Matt has over twenty-two years of experience in the Fire Protection and Fire Sprinkler Industry. He is currently the National Codes & Standards Manager for the Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association. Matt attended Seneca College in Toronto, where he studied in the Fire Protection Technologist program, and has an extensive background in the Fire Protection Industry is as a Fire Sprinkler Designer and Project Manager. Matt is a past member on the Canadian Commission on Building & Fire Codes Standing Committee for Fire Protection (Part 3), and is a current member on the following NFPA committees:

NFPA 13 Installation & Discharge Committee
NFPA 13 Installation Committee
NFPA 13 Residential Committee
NFPA 14 Standpipes & Hose Systems Committee
NFPA 25 Inspection, Test & Maintenance Committee.

September 14, 2022 from 9:00am to 4:00pm

Introduction to Fire Sprinklers / Understanding, Applying & Enforcing NFPA 25

Introduction to Fire Sprinklers is beneficial for the individual that is just starting out in the sprinkler industry. It provides the participant with basic sprinkler knowledge of sprinkler systems. The program covers types of systems, types of sprinklers, system components and basic definitions used in NFPA 13. The course also provides a brief overview of the historical development of sprinkler systems.

Understanding, Applying & Enforcing NFPA 25 describes the requirements for properly maintaining a water-based fire protection system in accordance with NFPA 25. The seminar clearly describes the responsibilities for compliance & record keeping. It describes the specific scope of the standard and identifies the various ways in which information related to changes in the system are handled. It describes the various Tables used in the standard, their specific purposes, and when to use which Tables. It involves the attendees in a significant number of exercises to describe various problems encountered, identify the proper section(s) of the standard that deals with it, and discuss how to deal with issues not covered by the standard that may still be encountered.

CPD Eligibility: 5 points – Category A3

Cost: $100 plus GST

Registration: Click here

October 12, 2022 from 9:00am to 4:00pm

Sprinkler System Installation Requirements

There are hundreds of types of sprinklers in use today. Determining where to locate them can be a complex task. They need to be spaced properly and installed in specific locations to ensure coverage of the protected area and located far enough from obstructions to ensure that the spray pattern can adequately develop and control or suppress a fire. The rules that govern this complex matrix of decisions are found in Chapter 8 of NFPA 13 (Chapter 10 through 18 in NFPA 13 -2022 Edition) on Installation Requirements. This fast paced and interactive seminar will guide the participants through series of decisions and requirements that lead to compliance with NFPA 13 and ensure the system will operate properly when needed. Attendees should bring a copy of the NFPA 13 with them.

CPD Eligibility: 5 points – Category A3

Cost: $100 plus GST

Registration: Click here

November 23, 2022 from 9:00am to 4:00pm

Sprinkler System Plan Review

Examining fire sprinkler shop drawings, cut sheets and hydraulic calculations is a primary duty of the authority having jurisdiction. This course will provide a method of reviewing plans and other fire sprinkler documents that is efficient and thorough. Attendees will learn what documents to accept to start a review, what steps to take through the fire sprinkler design and systems review, and how to have confidence while reviewing hydraulic calculations. This course applies current codes and standards to fire sprinkler systems from the initial site plan review, through the construction documents, to the as-built drawings. Significant time on how to effectively communicate deficiencies to the design professional. Students will receive a handout that provides detailed checklists with expert commentary that is useful to the fire sprinkler plan reviewer for years to come. Attendees must bring a copy of NFPA 13 to class.

CPD Eligibility: 5 points – Category A3

Cost: $100 plus GST

Registration: Click here

Sprinkler Bundle (includes all three courses above)

CPD Eligibility: 15 points – Category A3

Cost: $275 plus GST

Registration: Click here