National Building Code of Canada (NBC)

Adaptable and visitable dwelling units (Part 2 of Division A and Part 3)

Introduces requirements for low-cost adaptability features in dwelling units to accommodate the changing needs of occupants, including a wider entrance and mounting locations for controls (e.g., light switches, electrical outlets) intended to be used by the occupant.

Also introduces a framework for technical requirements (planned for future public review periods) to make some dwelling units visitable with a barrier-free path of travel in living areas and a washroom with sufficient space to maneuver while using a mobility aid. Flexibility in the breadth of application of the requirements is provided so the requirements can be adjusted to local needs.

Seismic hazard (Part 1 and Appendix C)

Updates certain hazard values in northwestern Canada by decreasing them.

Reference to new standard for testing of protective coverings over foamed plastic insulation (Parts 3 and 9)

Adds a compliance path by introducing references to CAN/ULC-S145:2018, "Standard Method of Test for the Evaluation of Protective Coverings for Foamed Plastic Insulation – Full-Scale Room Test,” in Parts 3 and 9.

Earthquake forces on parts and portions of structures (Part 4)

Modifies the requirements for determining the specified lateral earthquake force to address potential errors in design and inconsistency with international codes and standards.

Performance requirements for post-disaster buildings, High Importance Category buildings and subset of Normal Importance Category buildings (Part 4)

Clarifies the provisions to facilitate application and enforcement in locations with a high seismic hazard.

Scope of Article 4.1.8.4. (Part 4)

Introduces an explanatory Note to clarify that the Code provisions for the determination of site properties may not apply to sites with certain ground profiles.

Simplified method applied to locations with low seismic hazard (Part 4)

Expands the application of the simplified method for earthquake design to more locations in Canada.

Structural and non-structural elements not part of seismic force resisting systems (Part 4)

Addresses the ambiguity in provisions for structural and non-structural elements that are not part of the designated seismic force resisting system of a building, but can contribute to structural distress and failure if not accounted for appropriately.

Airtightness (Part 9)

Replaces the air changes per hour metric with the normalized leakage rate as the regulated airtightness metric in Section 9.36. and aligns airtightness requirements in the tiered performance path with the performance path.

Energy use intensity compliance path (Part 9)

Introduces an energy performance compliance path in Section 9.36. of the NBC by setting energy use intensity targets for compliance with the energy performance tiers based on an annual energy consumption target, annual gross space heat loss budget, and design cooling load budget.

Operational GHG emissions (Part 9)

Introduces performance and prescriptive requirements in the NBC to reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions, determined at the time of design, resulting from the supply and consumption of energy used by the Part 9 building.

Prescriptive compliance for Energy Performance Tier 5 (Part 9)

Provides a complete set of prescriptive requirements for demonstrating compliance with Energy Performance Tier 5 in Section 9.36.

Prescriptive trade-off path in Section 9.36. (Part 9)

Enhances and updates the list of optional energy conservation measures available in the prescriptive trade-off path for demonstrating compliance with the energy performance tiers in Section 9.36. and sets the minimum total number of energy conservation points required for Energy Performance Tiers 3, 4 and 5.

Radon and soil gas mitigation (Part 9)

Introduces requirements for radon mitigation by use of a passive vertical radon stack in dwelling units and home-type care occupancies that have a wall, roof or floor assembly in contact with the ground. Also introduces a requirement to seal the overlapping seams of air barriers in contact with the ground.

Reference to new standard for asphalt core boards (Part 9)

Introduces a reference to CSA A123.25:18, “Asphalt core boards used in roofing,” which includes minimum performance requirements for substrates of asphalt-based and low-slope roofing membranes.

Reference to new standard for the testing of vapour barrier properties of coatings (Part 9)

Replaces a reference to a withdrawn standard with a reference to ASTM D1653-13, “Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Organic Coating Films.”

Reference to new standards for light-density, open-cell, spray-applied polyurethane foam (Part 9)

Introduces references to two new standards that provide material specifications and installation requirements, CAN/ULC-S712.1:2021, "Standard for Thermal Insulation – Light Density, Open Cell Spray Applied Semi-Rigid Polyurethane Foam – Material Specification," and CAN/ULC-S712.2:2021, "Standard for Thermal Insulation – Light Density, Open Cell Spray Applied Semi-Rigid Polyurethane Foam – Installation," respectively.

Alteration of existing buildings (new Part 10)

Introduces requirements in the NBC that apply to the alteration of existing Part 9 buildings to improve the energy performance of HVAC and service water heating systems, above-ground opaque and below-grade assemblies, fenestration, doors and skylights, and the airtightness of air barrier systems.

National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB)

Energy use intensity compliance path (Part 8)

Introduces an energy performance compliance path in the NECB by setting energy use intensity targets for multi-unit residential buildings, schools and office buildings for comparison with the annual energy consumption of the proposed building.

Operational GHG emissions (new Part 11)

Introduces performance requirements in the NECB to reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions, determined at the time of design, resulting from the supply and consumption of energy used by the building.

Alteration of existing buildings (new Part 13)

Introduces requirements in the NECB that apply to the alteration of existing buildings to improve the energy performance of the building envelope and HVAC, service water heating, lighting, and electrical power systems.

National Fire Code of Canada

Screens and curtains used in farm buildings (Part 2)

Introduces flame-testing requirements for screens and curtains used in farm buildings and provides options to divide large areas of screens or curtains into smaller non-contiguous areas.

Reference to CSA B139:19 series without capacity restriction (Part 4)

Removes the capacity restriction on aboveground storage tanks from the reference to CSA B139 Series, “Installation code for oil-burning equipment,” to simplify the requirements and only refers to CSA B139 Series for the installation of aboveground storage tanks, regardless of tank size.

Maximum quantities of dangerous goods kept in laboratories (Part 5)

Limits the quantities of dangerous goods, including compressed gasses, that are permitted for use in laboratories.

National Plumbing Code of Canada (NPC)

Condensate drainage (Part 1 of Division A)

Introduces the definition for “condensate drainage system” in the NPC and the associated requirements for these systems serving HVAC systems. Also revises the definitions for “clear-water waste” and “drainage system” to address condensate drainage.

Defined terms (Part 1 of Division A)

Introduces the definition for “macerating toilet system.”

Neutralization tanks (Part 2)

Removes dilution as an acceptable means of treating corrosive or acid waste to avoid confusion for Code users and to align with local sewer use bylaws.

Pipe sizing and spacing (Part 2)

Extends sizing requirements for soil or waste pipes to storm drainage pipes and introduces horizontal spacing of supports for solid wall PVC plastic pipes.

Reference to new standard for mechanical couplings (Part 2)

Introduces a reference to ANSI/AWWA C227-17, “Bolted, Split-Sleeve Couplings,” to establish a minimum level of quality for plain-end-type mechanical couplings for pressure applications and to facilitate consistent product application.

Reference to new standard for wall carriers for water closets (Part 2)

Introduces a reference to ASME A112.6.1M-1997, “Floor-Affixed Supports for Off-The-Floor Plumbing Fixtures for Public Use,” for the performance of wall carriers for water closets.

Water-use efficiency (Part 2)

Clarifies the maximum water usage requirements for the full and reduced flush cycles of dual-flush water closets.