CodeRed 3 0draft2018.feb

Building Code Services
Branch
Report No. 3 – Winter Edition
C
DE RED Newsletter
February 2018
X
This Issue in a
Glance
Health & Safety
Fall Protection
Technical Issues
Radon Protocol
Stair Landings
Garage Floor Drains
Operational
Duty to Document
Quick Hitters
Escape Rooms
Inspections Manual
Renewal
Backflow Prevention
Intern Diary
Angle of Repose
Changes +
Innovations
SALUS Clementine
This issue of Code Red
Newsletter thanks the
following
contributors:
Richard Ashe
John Buck
Bob Moore
Gwyn Nicholson
Helen Tsang
Please submit your articles for the Code RED Newsletter to René Ivars and Helen Tsang.
Deadline for submission for the next issue is May 1, 2018.
Issue No. 3
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Building Code Services Branch

Building Code Services
Branch
C
DE RED Newsletter
February 2018
Health & Safety Corner
Fall Protection Training
The Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training
Regulation (O. Reg. 297/13) requires workers on construction
projects to successfully complete an approved Working at Heights
Training Program when travel restraint systems, fall restricting
systems, fall arrest systems, safety nets and work belts or safety
belts methods are employed- systems which Building Inspectors do
not use. Working at Heights training is not required. For Inspectors,
Basics of Fall Protection is the mandatory awareness training which
covers various methods of fall protection as well as our legal obligations to recognize fall hazards,
scenarios and to ensure the correct system is used. Please speak with your Program Manager should
you wish to attend either course offered to the City of Ottawa employees, as an upgrade or a
refresher.
Technical Issues
Building Code Services Technical Bulletins are stored on Ozone. Check back periodically as this
repository is growing regularly at:
Ozone > My Department > BCS > Building Code Work Tools > Bulletins
Radon Protocol
Issue:
Decision:
Implementation:
Reference:
A number of Ottawa area builders have chosen to adopt radon mitigation measures
during the construction of a new home as a voluntary, proactive approach. The
municipality can also direct the builder to address soil gas testing when a pre -
occupancy radon test confirms levels in excess of 200 bq/m 3 . The Code requires
builders to comply with one of two compliance paths outlined in SB-9. TARION
warrants radon mitigation up to 7 years from the date of occupancy.
The builder may install a soil gas barrier that complies with air barrier provisions or
a subfloor depressurization system which may involve soil gas rough in, passive vent
or complete sub-slab ventilation system. The inspector will inspect the work for
compliance with these methods. A building permit is not required for radon
mitigation construction on existing buildings.
Where radon mitigation is undertaken voluntarily during construction, inspections
are conducted prior to pouring the basement floor slab and prior to occupancy.
2012 OBC Div. B, 9.13.4.1., A radon protocol has been developed and can be
accessed on the S drive in the following folder, S:\Building Code Services\Standards,
Codes - CSA, ULC, NFPA, etc\Guides and Reference\Radon. The folder also contains
reference documentation from Health Canada and the Environmental Protection
Agency.
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Building Code Services
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C
DE RED Newsletter
February 2018
Self Supported Mid-Landings in Houses
Issue:
More and more stairs manufacturers are yielding to consumer’s desire for open
concept design. Manufactured self supported mid-landings a.k.a. “cranked landings”
are constructed as one single stairs structure without intermediate post supports.
This is beyond a Part 9 design.
Decision:
This design must have P.Eng.’s approval. The stamped drawings may be submitted
for Master Footprint or to the Inspector on site.
Implementation: At the time of the framing inspection, inspector will review of the engineer’s stamped
drawings to verify the installation for each project.
Reference: 2012 OBC Div. B, 9.4.1.1.
Garage Floor Drain
Issue:
Different approaches to the inspection of the design and installation of the plumbing
services in an attached garage’s floor drain needs a standard approach within the
Branch.
Decision:
A residential garage floor drain inside a heated or unheated attached garage is
permitted where the garage slab maintains an overall slope to direct the flow of
liquids from the house end wall towards the garage overhead doors to the exterior.
On serviced and unserviced lots, the preferred method is to direct the drainage to
the house’s sanitary drainages system. Where septic capacity cannot be
demonstrated dry well or surface drainage methods are acceptable.
Implementation: The inspection shall consist of the following elements:
garage floor slab’s overall downward slope to the exterior
min. 3” ø drain pipe, trap, trap seal primer, cleanouts, and venting to comply
with the OBC
protection from freezing
sand and grit interceptor must be accessible and serviceable
Reference: 2012 OBC, Div. B– 9.14.5, 9.14.6, 9.35.2.2.
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Building Code Services
Branch
C
DE RED Newsletter
February 2018
Operational Issues
“Duty to Document”
Going to Court without good notes neither inspire confidence nor boost your credibility. It can unnerve
the most seasoned Building Official undergoing cross examination if faded memory is all that one is
relying on, possibly jeopardize the outcome of the case, and propagate a false impression of
incompetence. The value of “Notes, Good Notes and Lots of Them” can’t be understated. The point is to
recognize that we are all Inspectors, whether in the course of Permit Approvals or Field Inspections, and
that there is absolutely no predictability as to when you may need good notes, or which files will wind
up in a Court action, either as a Prosecution, Defence of a Claim, or as an Witness. When documenting,
remember to ask and answer the 5 “W” and “How” questions. The notes will be scrutinized by many so
ensure they have FOCUS, CLARITY, CONCISENESS and RELEVANCE. Let your notes reflect your
knowledge, experience and preparedness.
Quick Hitters
ESCAPE ROOMS
are
physical adventure games in
which people are locked in
a room with other participants,
using elements of the room to
solve a series of puzzles and
clues to escape within a set
time limit. Concerns regarding
the construction of these rooms
without permit, using
prohibited type of construction,
obstructing egress and exits as
well as unlawful manipulation
of the building’s alarm and
detection devices have come to
ours and Ottawa Fire Services’
attention. Please be aware that
building of Escape Rooms must
be carried out with Building
Permit and inspected for code
compliance.
Since
the first edition was launched
about 15 years ago, there have
been new Code requirements,
new Building Officials brought
on board, and risk
management is as central to
our business as ever – it is time
for an overhaul. Helen and
René are currently compiling
information and will be
recommending to the
Inspections’ management
team for the best way to
redevelop the next edition.
The objective is to create a
new e-document that will be
current, user friendly and drive
toward greater consistent
inspections practice across the
city.
Backflow Prevention
Program Update
Mandated by City Council
resolution in 2008, the purpose
of this program is to implement
cross connection protection to
safeguard the municipal
drinking water supply. The
2017 amended Water By-law
will require a large number of
existing buildings to survey, test
their backflow prevention
devices and all buildings must
register and subject to ongoing
annual testing thereafter.
Starting January 1, 2018, the
program has entered
operational rollout phase.
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Building Code Services
Branch
C
DE RED Newsletter
February 2018
The Intern Diaries...
A professional structural engineer must design and review the
construction of a foundation and the procedure for excavation where
the angle of repose* of the soil is critical. Shoring or
other
precautions
may be
necessary
until the
excavation
and
foundation
stages are
complete.
Changes + Innovations
SALUS Clementine, the first 4 storeys multiunit
residential sustainable social housing
project in Canada is under construction
right here in Old Ottawa. The building
targets Leed Platinum certification as well
as Passive House certification. There are
sure to be some innovative components
and methods to be used that can be shared
in future editions. According to CSV
architect, Sonia Zouari: “this will be the
largest cold climate passive house in the
world.” (Ontario Construction Report, Jan.
8, 2016). Smith+Andersen are responsible
for the design of the mechanical and
electrical design and Teplan Contractors is
the builder.
Challenges:
‣ Thermal bridging through the envelope
‣ Low bearing capacity of site soils
‣ Limited access to the infill site
‣ SIPs attachment to structural frame and exterior
cladding and below grade SIPS
‣ Use of innovative European building components
Sources:
1. http://smithandandersen.com/projects/detail/13597
2. http://ontarioconstructionreport.com/salus-clementine
http://www.sabmagazine.com/blog/2015/10/01/the-salusclementine-project
Building Highlights:
• Gross floor area 22,421 s.f.
• Light steel frame with over 300mm
continuous insulation using external SIPS,
roof as well, attached over the building
frame of 11-7/8” I-joists @ 24” o.c.
Issue No. 3
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Building Code Services Branch

Building Code Services
Branch
C
DE RED Newsletter
February 2018
New Staff Announcement
JOHN LUNNEY
Zoning Plans Examiner
March 8 th , 2018
BCSB 6 th Annual Curling
Bonspiel-Olympics Theme
Nepean Sportsplex Curling Rink
Package $45/person
or
$35 game only - $17 dinner only
Contact: Lyndsey Stuart/Ian Kelly
John started his career with a small
planning consulting firm in Lanark County,
before following the bright lights of the
Big City (actually the IKEA electronic
billboard) to Building Code Services and a
role as DIO for two and a half years. He
briefly left for a year to pursue a Master’s
degree, living on a ranch in Alberta while
doing research on oil, gas, and mining
workers there. Upon his return John
successfully interviewed for a DIO position
with Building Code, and has subsequently
been a successful candidate for the recent
Zoning Plans Examiner position at the
Laurier office, a role John held for half a
year in advance of his departure.
Outside of work John enjoys visiting the
countryside around Ottawa, committing to
memory the zoning by-law, and eagerly
awaiting 9:00am Monday morning.
HEADING
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Building Code Services Branch