Safety Codes Council Partners Newsletter - Fall 2019
31 October 2019
Code Review Process Underway
The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) invited Code users and stakeholders to participate in the fall 2019 public review of proposed changes to the following Codes Canada publications:
National Building Code of Canada 2015
National Fire Code of Canada 2015
National Plumbing Code of Canada 2015
The public review closes at 4:00pm EST on December 23, 2019, after which comments will no longer be accepted. The relevant committees of the CCBFC will review every comment received up to that date.
Read more to learn about the proposed changes and how to submit your comments here.
Red Tape Reduction at the Safety Codes Council
The Safety Codes Council is committed to reducing administrative barriers for businesses, homeowners, and our stakeholders throughout Alberta.
Beginning in spring 2019, we have made changes to how we operate, streamlining our processes to reduce the burden on our clients and accelerate our turnaround time. We know that little things can make all difference—that’s why we’re going to continue to make improvements in our practices.
Our administrative changes touch a wide range of departments and impact a diverse number of our stakeholders.
NATIONAL BUILDING & FIRE CODES - 2019 ALBERTA EDITIONS
Transition Period Ending December 1, 2019
Permit applications received on or after December 1, 2019 must proceed in accordance with the National Building Code - 2019 Alberta Edition, the National Fire Code - 2019 Alberta Edition, and the National Energy Code for Buildings 2017.
Get ready for the end of the transition period for these new codes by accessing resources from the Safety Codes Council, Alberta Municipal Affairs, and the National Research Council.
On the Safety Codes Council website, you can find 3-column documents that outline code update information for the National Building Code - 2019 Alberta Edition.
The National Research Council of Canada offers seminars on changes to the national codes that are the basis for the 2019 Alberta editions as well as free and downloadable editions of the new codes.
COUNCIL CONNECT
Council Connect Celebrates its First Anniversary
In the past year, our software has certified new safety codes officers and Master Electricians, registered students for courses, processed certification renewals, and provided our clients with round-the-clock access to their records with the Safety Codes Council.
We are continuing to make improvements to our platform, adding functionalities and improving ease of access in response to user suggestions.
Upload Your Continuing Education Credits
All active SCOs need to complete continuing education activities and report their completed credits to the Council in order to maintain their certification(s). Council Connect gives you quick and easy access to report a summary of your completed continuing education activities.
Learn how to report your continuing education credits in Council Connect.
View Your Organization's Financial Transactions
Authorized representatives of an organization are able to see details of their organizations’ completed financial transactions in Council Connect.
Learn more about how authorized users can view these details.
CONFERENCE 2020
Get Ready for Conference 2020
We are thrilled to announce the theme of Conference 2020: A Safety System for All Albertans.
Do you have an idea for a breakout session?
Send in your proposal today!
We are currently seeking presenters for our 2020 Breakout Sessions. These sessions provide our attendees with up-to-date information on a variety of topics within our safety codes system.
Presentations are 45 minutes in length. To submit your proposal, please download our 2020 proposal form and submit to conference@safetycodes.ab.ca no later than December 1, 2019.
Show your support for safety in Alberta
Our all-new sponsorship packages offer exclusive opportunities for every budget. You can view and download our sponsorship packages here.
Questions? Comments? Ready to pledge your support? Contact our Conference planning team at conference@safetycodes.ab.ca.
TRAINING
Training Opportunities Upcoming in 2020
Announced: Dates for 2020 SCO Core Competencies
The Safety Codes Council has announced dates for its 2020 offerings of 100179: Introduction to the Safety Codes System in Alberta and 100140: Professional Communication Skills for Safety Codes Officers.
These courses are available via classroom offerings throughout the province as well as online. You can find a full list of dates here.
In Development: New Workshop on Inspection Best Practices
Following the 2019 launch of the Tools for Writing Effective Inspection Reports workshop, the Council is working with stakeholders to create more continuing education opportunities. Set to launch in 2020, this new workshop will explore the eight best practices that contribute to a successful on-site inspection.
Coming Soon: Quality Management Plan Training
The Council will soon be launching a new course, Quality Management Plan Training. The course aims to provide students with the fundamentals of quality management plans and how they fit into Alberta’s safety codes system. Best of all, the course materials will be available free of charge on Council Connect! Paid offerings of this course will include an advisor and multiple choice exam.
For more information on training opportunities from the Safety Codes Council, contact training@safetycodes.ab.ca.
CERTIFICATION
Electrical Code Update Training Due 2020 for Electrical SCOs and Master Electricians
As of January 1, 2020, all Electrical Safety Codes Officers must have completed the 2018 Electrical Code Update training. Failure to do so will result in suspension of certification.
All Master Electricians must have the 2018 Code Update training completed by their 2020 renewal date.
SAFETY CODES SUB COUNCILS
Report from Our Sub-Councils
In Quarter 3, six of our sub-councils met to discuss matters relating to the safety of Albertans.
Province-wide Gas Code Regulation Variance issued:
The variance allows an engineer’s authentication for non-certified gas-fired equipment at oil and gas production facilities. This variance has no expiry date and will be evaluated on an ongoing basis. View the variance here.
Report from Breweries/Distilleries Joint Working Group:
This working group, a joint effort between the Building and Fire sub-councils and craft distilling industry representatives, will develop industry guides for breweries and distilleries (with a focus on small-scaled operations) and make recommendations for future STANDATA and Alberta code editions.
In the future, members of the Electrical Sub-Council will provide information on electrical hazardous area classifications.
The Passenger Ropeways Sub-Council recommends the adoption of CSA Z98-19:
CSA Z98-19 specifies requirements for the design, manufacture, construction, modification, operation, inspection, testing, and maintenance of passenger ropeways and passenger conveyors.
The Passenger Ropeways Sub-Council carried the motion recommending the adoption of this standard. It will be in force in March 2020 under the timely code adoption process.
HEALTH CANADA
Health Canada Determines Danger in Certain Firepots and Containers of Pourable Alcohol-based Fuels
In response to incident reports describing fatalities and serious injuries, Health Canada issued a notice regarding the safety of certain firepots that utilize pourable fuels.
According to the Canada Consumer Produce Safety Act, products that pose a danger to human health or safety are prohibited from sale. Consequently, Health Canada is asking that industry stop selling the products of concern.
In order to ensure that there are no harmful incidents with existing products, fuel should never be poured over an open flame. Health Canada also recommends the use of a flame mitigation device, such as plastic or wire mesh that absorbs heat from a container and reduces the chance of fire travelling inside.
You can read Health Canada's full notice here.
ALBERTA MECHANICAL OFFICIALS SOCIETY
Notice to All Plumbing and Gas Safety Codes Officers
The Alberta Mechanical Officials Society (AMOS) exists to promote professional and uniform safety services for Alberta by working in partnership with government, industry, educational institutions, and the public.
AMOS is currently updating their email list in order to ensure timely communication to all Plumbing and Gas SCOs in Alberta. If you would like to be included in all further communications, please send a request to: rbaxter@inspectionsgroup.com.
CAREERS
Job Postings
Town of Stony Plain - Senior Building Safety Codes Officer
If you would like to post a job related to the Alberta safety codes system on our website, please email us. Click here to see our job board.
SAFETY TIPS
Featured Safety Tips: Secondary Suites
New safety tip brochures are now available for download on our website! These brochures provide homeowners and builders with important information about permits and codes.
Secondary Suites
A secondary suite is a self-contained dwelling unit that is part of a house containing not more than two dwelling units (including the secondary suite) and any common spaces such as common storage, common service rooms, common laundry facilities or common areas used for exit.
The following is an outline of the applicable building code requirements that need to be considered when developing a new or upgraded secondary suite.
The minimum ceiling height for living spaces in a secondary suite is 1.95 m.
Provide smoke-tight walls, ceiling, and exits by use of 1/2-inch drywall.
A secondary suite must have a direct exit to the outdoors.
Each bedroom in a secondary suite must have at least one window for emergency escape during a fire.
Homes containing a secondary suite must have interconnected smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms installed to cover both dwellings.
Gas-fired furnaces and water heaters need to be enclosed in a room with fire-protected walls and ceilings by the use of 1/2-inch drywall.
New secondary suites shall be served by an independent heating and ventilation system.
Doors in smoke-tight barriers shall be at least a solid core wood 45 mm thick and have a self-closing device.
Read more about secondary suite standards and other renovation safety tips here.