Now in Effect

As reported in CodeNews Issue 338, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing made amendments to Ontario’s Building Code (O.Reg. 332/12) that are now in force, which affects the following 3 items:

Demountable Stages and Support Structures - Building Permits Requirement (refer to O.Reg. 30/23)
Building permits are required for demountable stages and associated sound and lighting equipment towers. These stages must also comply with specific technical requirements for stage safety. This amendment responds to recommendations from a Coroner's Inquiry and from an expert panel on strengthening safety standards in the live performance industry following two stage collapses that resulted in injuries and a fatality in 2011 and 2012.

Hospitals, Long Term Care Homes and High Rise Residential: Changes to Smoke and Fire Damper Requirements (refer to O.Reg. 30/23)
A change to s definition of “fire compartment” has been implemented, impacting fire damper requirements for certain project types.

Temporary Health or Residential Facilities - Extension of Building Code Exemptions until March 31, 2024 (Refer to O.Reg. 31/23)
In response to the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Government of Ontario had implemented amendments to the Building Code done via O.Reg 434/22 - Temporary Health or Residential Facilities. Members should be made aware that these amendments have been extended until March 31, 2024. The extension also aligns with changes made to Ontario Regulation 144/20 under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 by the Ministry of the Solicitor General. (Refer to O.Reg. 32/23).