BY T H E n u m b e rs
CODE CHANGES BREAKING DOWN THE FAST PACE OF BUILDING AND ENERGY CODE CHANGES
FRANK LOHMANN, SENIOR DIRECTOR, BUILDING SCIENCE
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f it feels like significant building and energy code changes are coming at a fast pace, that’s because they are. The residential construction industry is being inundated with late adoption of 2020 codes and major proposed changes to Canada’s 2025 National Model Construction Codes at the same time. Each proposed change has implications on how homes are built and renovated, and should ideally be evaluated
Knowledge Centre
CHBA’s newly launched Knowledge Centre will help share technical information with members more efficiently. This searchable repository includes building code meeting briefs and summaries of public consultations so that all members can stay informed about new and proposed building code changes and technical information. Find it under at chba.ca under Resources > For Members > Knowledge Centre.
based on its feasibility and impact on affordability. Keeping up with the sheer volume of proposed changes is an extremely difficult task, and it doesn’t look like it will slow down any time soon. The association works with members to provide input into the code system to bring the industry’s
perspectives, concerns and recommendations to the code development process, and to stay on top of the implementation challenges and upcoming changes to best prepare members for the future. Below are some highlights to show the work being done.
58 AND 162
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CHBA’s Technical Research Committee (TRC) is comprised of the provincial HBA representatives (which make up the TRC Management Committee) and members representing more than 30 organizations including government research agencies, codes and standards organizations, allied industry associations, colleges, university research networks, home warranty providers and other members at large. Showing the importance of these meetings and the interest members and HBA staff have in content covered at TRC, the last TRC meeting in Ottawa had more than 160 attendees, including observers. TRC is the CHBA’s forum for all things related to innovation, new technologies, building and energy codes, standards and regulations affecting how homes are constructed. TRC also works to identify technical problems being experienced by the industry, to achieve consensus on their priority, to mobilize private and public R&D resources to resolve these problems and to communicate solutions to members. TRC’s Management Committee occasionally provides policy advice to CHBA’s Board of Directors.
Keeping up with all the code changes takes a lot of staff time. So far in 2024, CHBA National staff have spent a combined total of 1085 hours participating in code meetings, reading thousands of pages of code change proposals ahead of meetings, and interpreting the impact these changes will have. This number does not include the invaluable time also spent by members in these meetings, or the staff time collecting and summarizing member feedback to inform the committees and influence the proposals, or for time spent communicating the resulting codes-related information to members and HBA staff across the country.
TECHNICAL RESEARCH COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND TRC MEETING ATTENDEES
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WINTER 2024
HOURS, CODE MEETINGS
BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA