Terms of Reference for National Model Codes Committee on Performance-Based Solutions

Mandate

The National Model Codes Committee (NMCC) on Performance-Based Solutions will develop performance-based solutions, alongside prescriptive provisions, for the existing provisions relating to earthquake design, egress, and fire protection for the National Model Codes, in accordance with the Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) approved work plan.

Note: the breakdown of mandates shown below does not necessarily reflect the recommended task groups and working groups being planned.

• For egress and fire protection, the NMCC will develop parallel performance-based solutions, where applicable:
  • for existing requirements related to firewalls in the NBC,
  • for existing requirements related to travel distance and exit facilities in the NBC, and
  • to clarify the performance targets of existing requirements in Subsection 3.2.3., Spatial Separation and Exposure Protection, in the NBC.
• For earthquake design, the NMCC will:
  • develop parallel performance-based solutions, where applicable, for existing requirements related to braced wall panels in Part 9 of Division B of the NBC, and
  • develop recommendations to the CBHCC regarding current performance criteria for normal importance (excluding farm buildings), high importance, and post-disaster buildings that need clarifying. Pending CBHCC direction, recommend code changes, where appropriate.

The NMCC is established by, and reports to, the CBHCC. The NMCC exists until the completion of its mandate or as otherwise directed by the CBHCC.

The NMCC will comply with the Operating Procedures of the Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes.

Responsibilities

In accordance with the mandate described above, the NMCC will:

• develop proposed code changes for consideration for public review by the CBHCC;
  • in developing proposed code changes, consider:
    • harmonization with provincial/territorial variations where possible, if multiple provincial/territorial variations exist seek direction from the CBHCC;
    • code change requests forwarded by the CBHCC;
    • new and existing standards and guidelines; and
    • implications on other code requirements;
  • in developing proposed code changes, identify:
    • impacts of the proposed code changes; and
    • enforcement implications of the proposed code changes;
• in consideration of public review comments received, recommend code changes for publication, for consideration by the CBHCC;
• identify where research is needed to support the mandate and support coordination efforts;
• identify opportunities for coordination with standard development and support coordination;
• support development of material for the relevant user’s guides and commentaries, where applicable;
• prepare a final report outlining a brief summary of the deliberations and considerations that led to the recommendation including any outstanding unresolved issues or concerns; and
• through the Chair:
  • monitor progress against the approved CBHCC work plan and provide regular progress updates to the CBHCC; and
  • participate on the Standing Codes Coordination Committee, to ensure that there are no overlaps with, or conflicts between, the work being developed and that of other committees.