Welcome to the Ontario Building Officials Association

March 2010: The Ministry of Government Services Security Services and Contingency Planning Branch - Annual security conference "Security Matters"

The Ministry of Government Services Security Services and Contingency Planning Branch is holding its annual security conference, "Security Matters" On March 23 and 24, 2010 in Toronto at the South Building, Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

The conference showcases the latest trends, best practices, research and innovative security ideas to
both the Ontario Public Service's security community and its partners across different sectors and levels of government.
Specifically, there will be sessions such as: security at the 2010 Olympics, national security and the Privy Council Office,
security at Canada's Wonderland, security and public transit, and terrorism.

Professionals in various disciplines such as security, emergency management, business continuity planning,
IT, human resources, communications, procurement, legal services and law enforcement would benefit
from the learning and networking opportunities at the conference.

For agenda and registration information, go to www.opssecurityconference.ca or call 613-226.8317 for more details.

Jan 2010: Phase 2 Report – CCMC Business Review

A follow up on last summer’s communication regarding the CCMC Business Review. Overall, we received good feedback from building officials across the country.

The report produced at the end of phase 2 of the CCMC business review is now available on CCMC web site (see link below). It summarizes how key stakeholders perceive the role, mandate and services of the CCMC and its relationship to the Canadian construction industry. Feedback is welcome, and anyone wishing to provide comments, ideas, or suggestions can do so by sending them to me by phone at 514-234-3993 or by e-mail at Francine.belzile@brioconseils.com.

Report: http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/services/irc/ccmc/business-review-reports.html

Regards,

Francine Belzile, executive consultant
C  514.234.3993
www.brioconseils.com

Jan 2010: Canadian Fire Safety Association – 2010 Annual Education Forum

“The Ontario Fire Code – Cover to Cover” and

Updates on the National Codes and Ontario Building Code

Better than ever!

· Our topics and speakers should continue to interest municipal fire and building officials, fire safety consultants, and building owners/managers

· New location – last years attendance level was so high that we have now booked Paramount Conference Centre

· Same price!

For the Preliminary Program and registration information, please see the attached: Link

December 2009: The Building Code Act, 1992 (BCA) and the Building Code have been amended

December 23, 2009 The Building Code Act, 1992 (BCA) and the Building Code have been amended to update, clarify and modify technical and administrative requirements. The BCA has been amended through the Good Government Act, 2009, which received Royal Assent on December 15, 2009. These changes include:
· Requiring that municipalities provide certain building permit information to the Tarion Warranty Corporation to assist Tarion in taking action again illegal residential builders;
· Clarifying the requirements for building permit applications that are subject to full review within the timeframes set out in the Building Code; and
· Changing the commencement of the limitation period for the prosecution of offences under the BCA to one year after the offence is discovered. In addition, the Building Code (Ontario Regulation 350/06) has been amended through Ontario Regulation 503/09, which was filed on Dec. 21, 2009. A number of the Building Code amendments are technical and editorial in nature. Others modify the administrative requirements of the Code, including amendments that implement the changes to the BCA. The changes are intended to help business by reducing costs, increasing flexibility and increasing certainty. The changes also support the environment, promote a greener economy, increase public safety and enhance consumer protection. The amendments were developed in consultation with affected stakeholders and the public. You can find out more about these changes by visiting the Building Code website at: www.ontario.ca/buildingcode

December 2009: BLUEWATER CHAPTER of OBOA -- OBOA Training Courses & MMAH Exam Centre

Please be advised that the following training courses and exam dates are being offered by the Bluewater Chapter (formerly Grey-Bruce and Associate). If you would like the Chapter to consider hosting another course, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned and the Chapter will try to accommodate your request. Please make every effort to circulate this email to anyone in your office that may be interested. As always, thank you for your assistance in this matter!!! Brenda Goetz Town of Hanover

December 2009: OMAFRA - FACTSHEET - Building permit requirements for Livestock Operations

Factsheet provides an overview of requirements to obtain a building permit from a municipality to build a farm structure associated with a livestock operation. Matt Wilson Environmental Specialist Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs 401 Lakeview Drive, Woodstock, Ontario, N4T 1W2 Tel: 519-537-6592 Fax: 519-539-5351 matt.wilson@ontario.ca

Building Permit Requirments for Livestock Operations.pdf

October 2009: Technologists given Self-Regulating status in Alberta

In Alberta, legislation has now been enacted that gives technologists the right to practise their skills independently and to use their stamps. With changes to the Engineering, Geology and Geophysical Professions Act, a new category of Professional Technologist or "P.Tech" has been created. These licensees will have the right to "a scope of practice that is the routine application of industry recognized codes, standards, procedures and practices using established engineering or applied science principles and methods of problem solving." The scopes of practice will be tailored for each prospective P.Tech. The P.Tech licence is being regulated jointly by the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA) and the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET). They will be jointly responsible for licensing individuals and enforcing the rules and code of ethics. However, the individuals having the title will be members only of ASET. Another change in the legislation was to make ASET a self-regulating professional association. ASET alone will govern two other categories known as Certified Technicians and Certified Engineering Technologists. The changes to the licensing regime in Alberta are complex and were brought about under the banner of a "One Act, Two Associations" arrangement. Neil Windsor, P.Eng., executive director and registrar of APEGGA, said about the new situation: "Joint regulation is a powerful symbol of a new level of cooperation between APEGGA and ASET. Our members and ASET's members have been working together on effective teams for decades -- teams that drive the economy of Alberta.

For more details see www.apegga.org

September 2009: 2010 Companions Program Survey

To all delegates who will be attending the 2010 AMTS being held at Blue Mountain Resorts. We have noticed that the number of male companions is rising and would like to offer a program if the interest is there.

If you are planning to bring a male companion next year, please complete this survey and fax or e-mail to;

Bill Plewes, Town of Collingwood
Fax # 705-445-4755 or email

bplewes@collingwood.ca

October 2009: The Final Proposed Accessible Employment Accessibility Standard

The Final Proposed Accessible Employment Accessibility Standard, as part of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, has now been posted on the Ministry of Community and Social Services' website. The Initial Proposed Employment Accessibility Standard was developed by an external Employment Accessibility Standards Development Committee (SDC). This external committee included representatives from the disability community as well as the public and private sectors. The initial proposed standard was released for its mandatory public review period from February 18, 2009 to May 22, 2009. The committee then revised the initial proposed standard to reflect the public's input resulting in the Final Proposed Employment Accessibility Standard. The final proposed standard has now been submitted to the Minister of Community and Social Services for consideration. Those interested in reading the SDC's final proposed standard can find more information on the Ministry of Community and Social Services' website at: English | French

July 2009: Building and Electrical Codes Amendment

There is an amendment to the Ontario Building Code. If you have a copy in your office, please download the amendment file. Attached is the order form for the code.
Order Form

July 2009: Public Review of the Initial Proposed Accessible Built Environment Standard

NOTICE:

Today is the launch date of Public Review for the Initial Proposed Accessible Built Environment Standard as part of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

The Initial Proposed Accessible Built Environment Standard was developed by an external Accessible Built Environment Standards Development Committee (SDC). This external committee included representatives from the disability community as well as the public and private sectors. The SDC's initial proposed standard is now posted for public review and feedback. The initial proposed standard does not necessarily reflect the point of view of the government.

It is important to note that the government does not plan to impose requirements for retrofitting existing buildings at this time. Also, the government does not intend to require Ontarians to make their existing or new single family houses accessible at this time.

The public review period to make comments on the SDC's Initial Proposed Accessible Built Environment Standard is from July 14, 2009 to October 16, 2009.

Once the public review period is over, the standards development committee will reconvene to consider your feedback. They may make changes to their initial proposed standard based on the feedback prior to finalizing a proposed standard for submission to the Minister of Community and Social Services.

Those interested in reviewing the SDC's proposed standard or participating in the accessibility standards development process can find more information on the Ministry of Community and Social Services' website at:

English: www.ontario.ca/community
French: www.ontario.ca/communautaires

In September, public consultation sessions will be conducted across the province. To participate in a consultation session please call 1-888-482-4317 or toll-free TTY 1-888-335-6611, or email public.review@oliverwyman.com.

If you require an alternate format or method to provide your feedback, please contact:

Accessibility Directorate of Ontario
Outreach and Compliance Branch
Ministry of Community and Social Services
777 Bay Street, Suite 601a
Toronto ON Canada
M7A 2J4
1-888-482-4317
TTY: 416-326-0148 or 1-888-335-6611 (toll-free in Ontario)
Fax: 416-326-9620
publicreview@ontario.ca

If you require assistance to participate in this activity, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank You.

Download PDF

June 2009: Mechanical Services Advisory Committee - What Every Plans Examiner Should Know About Dust Collector and Spray Booth Systems Plans Review Seminar

MECHANICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
A subcommittee of the Toronto Area Chief Building Officials Committee You are invited to attend a Seminar entitled ….
What Every Plans Examiner Should Know About Dust Collector and Spray Booth Systems Plans Review
Presented by: Andrew W. Wong. MBA, CFIFireE, CFEI, CFII
Executive Officer
Vaughan Fire and Rescue Services...more

May 2009: Navigating the eLaws Website Webinar | Webinar Flyer

A 1.5-hour webinar to help you make better use of www.elaws.on.ca!, Who should attend: Anyone who consults legislation governing municipal operations, Municipal staff new to eLaws as well as more experienced staff.

What you will learn: How the legislative process is reflected on eLaws | Understanding eLaws | Finding Information

January 2009: "Part 12 Energy Efficiency Skills Training - For Residential Building Trades and Site Superintendents"

Free CD available from OBOA. Contact Jane D'Alessandro: admin@oboa.on.ca or use the web request form.

We are pleased to make available to you the “ Part 12 Energy Efficiency Skills Training for Residential Building Trades and Site Superintendents” developed by the Ontario Building Officials Association (OBOA) with financial support from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Under the Ministry's agreement with OBOA, the training material (CD including course presentation files) must be made available free of charge to the Ministry and any non-profit organization that wishes to use it to deliver training courses in Ontario.  The OBOA holds the copyright to the training material. The OBOA is making copies of this material available to the OHBA. Please contact Ron Kolbe of the OBOA at (905) 264-1662

The CD, "Energy Efficiency Skills Training for Residential Building Trades and Site Supervisors - Closing the Hole in the Wall", explores installation issues and best practices related to the building envelope and other systems relevant to building energy efficiency. The training package also includes user-friendly background information on building science and building systems. 

The skills training program is intended to assist residential home builders in adjusting to the new energy efficiency requirements in the Building Code. The new energy efficiency standards will require careful and detailed work by trades people and knowledgeable oversight by supervisors in order to achieve compliance with the Code and avoid problems like thermal bridging, air leakage, moisture and mould.  Additionally, a “Best Practice Guide to Full Height Basement Insulation” is already available.

The Ministry encourages your organization to deliver or arrange for the delivery of this training program to building trades, site supervisors, designers and others who would benefit.  It is the Ministry's objective to seek wide distribution of the training package. Should you have any further suggestions regarding the delivery of the energy efficiency skills training course please do not hesitate to contact Ron Kolbe or myself at (416) 585-7092.

Sincerely,

Viviana Zothner-Cotic, M.Arch., OAA
Manager, Technical Training, Registration and Business Support Unit

 

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