spacer spacer

 ONTARIO CANADA | Local Weather 
spacer
Town of Markham Logo SEARCH | CONTACT US  
background image

HomeDepartmentsServicesAttractionsForms & ApplicationsPublications
spacer

  Last updated May 28, 2009
2006 Building Code

Building Inspection Service Level Changes

2006 Building Code CompendiumThe Ontario Building Code (OBC) is a set of minimum provisions respecting the safety of buildings with reference to public health, fire protection and structural sufficiency. The purpose of the OBC is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public and building occupants.

The OBC provides standards for the design and construction of homes and businesses. To ensure safety, economy and consistency of construction, architects, engineers, contractors, builders and materials manufacturers are mandated to use the OBC. You, as a homeowner, landlord or business owner, have a substantial investment that can be seriously jeopardized through code violations. Plan reviews prior to construction and inspections made during construction verify that Building Code provisions have been followed.

The Province of Ontario is responsible for the development of the Building Code. Each municipality is then responsible for the enforcement of the Ontario Building Code Act and OBC.

The Government of Ontario has introduced a new Building Code with the filing of Ontario Regulation 350/06 on June 28, 2006. The 2006 Building Code includes over 700 technical changes. Changes that will directly affect our housing and non-housing inspection service level will be posted in part at this location on our website. Please return to this site often for the latest information on the new 2006 Ontario Building Code.

The 2006 Ontario Building Code Act may be downloaded from the following link:

*Please note: This copy of the Building Code Act is courtesy of the Town of Markham, Building Standards Department. This electronic form of the Building Code is prepared for convenience only. For complete and accurate reference, consult the Official Volumes.

For more information on the 2006 Building Code and related matters, please see the Bulletins and Builder Tips section.

Changes that will directly affect our housing inspection service level are outlined in the following table. Some of the items will be explained in detail during Spring 2007.

Building in flood plains All sides of stairs are protected by guards 2 storey stud walls
Site assembled and factory-build buildings Loads for guards, past performance Stud posts built into walls
Flat insulating concrete form walls Design of guards to prevent climbing and new height for guards on stairs Heat transfer, air leakage and condensation control
Compressive strength for interior floors Finish for treads, landings and ramps Installation of loose-fill insulation
Concrete mixes (water to cement ratio) in lieu of slump Principal entrance door latching and locking Blown-in insulation in above-ground wood frame walls of new buildings
Termite and decay protection Air barrier between garage and dwelling Solar collection systems
Structural requirements (specified loads) Protection of soffits from fire Profiled metal roof cladding systems
Platforms, decks, etc. subject to snow and occupancy loads Construction of exposing building face (cladding and fire-resistance rating) Sloping of roofs to prevent water ingress and any element, i.e.. guards
Attic and roof space accessibility Fire stopping of floors at party walls Flashing at intersections
Combination rooms and openings between Foundation depths for accessory structures Protection for precipitation ingress
Stud wall reinforcement for grab bars Pyritic material First and second planes of protection
Ceiling heights and entry to rooms Footing area for columns Concrete topping on joists and beams
Mirrored glass doors Adjustments for footing widths (interior) Flashing installation
Window glass areas Reinforced concrete block OSB board standard requirements
Protective enclosure over window wells Reinforcement of flat insulating concrete form foundation walls Clothes dryer exhaust requirements
Window standard – selection guide Support of floors-on-ground Principal exhaust fan to be wired in parallel
Window guards on stairs and landings Support of beams or header joists Sound ratings for required fans
Width of exterior stairs Lateral support of columns Carbon monoxide detector standards
Stair configurations Venting and baffles in roof spaces Reinforced concrete slabs
Stair uniformity and tolerances Mortar and grout placement Cross-slope of treads
Depth of a rectangular tread Hollow masonry unit placement Bedroom window maintains required opening without additional support
Leading edges of treads Steel beams supporting masonry veneer Landing required at top of stairs within an attached garage
Design and attachment of handrails    
Width, height and rise of ramps Installation of flashing behind membrane Footing size calculation for floor joists spans exceeding 4.9 m.
Required landings Above ground flat insulating concrete form walls Anchorage not required for columns supporting accessory structures
Continuity of handrails Connection of chimney flues Guards and the adjacent sloping surface
Ergonomic design of handrails Wood-Frame construction limitations Resource Conservation – Section 12.3 an additional Bulletin will be issued for this Code change

The Building Code changes affect all building permits applied for and issued after March 31, 2007. Our inspectors will work with you to ensure new homes, additions and renovations are built with the new changes. However, owners and builders should also consider developing a plan to implement the changes. Please consult with your designer and Building Code consultant and discuss how to develop your plan of action to implement these changes. Questions on specific changes can be sent to buildinginspection-info@markham.ca.

Back to Building Standards Department

 

[Back to Top]

 
spacer
spacer
© 2010 The Corporation of the Town of Markham. All rights reserved. | Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy