Introduction

Why an Illustrated Code?

Illustrations assist in the interpretation and application of the Building Code for the design, construction and inspection of Part 9 housing and small buildings. The illustrations or diagrams in this book are intended to illustrate or exemplify a correlation with the Articles of the Building Code so that any stakeholder in the building industry will have a better understanding of the Article. However, the illustrations are not to be interpreted as the only means by which compliance with the Building Code provisions can be attained.

Designers

Designers have the legal responsibility for ensuring there designs conform to the requirements of the Building Code. Correct interpretation of the Building Code is necessary to achieve this responsibility and this guide will assist in this manner. In additions, correct interpretations will ensure designs submitted for building permit applications are expedited. Code compliant designs remove a large portion of risk for a designer prior to and during the construction of their project. This guide provides designers with the knowledge to help manage their risk in designing buildings in conformance with the Building Code.

Builders and Contractors

During construction builders and contractors have a legal responsibility to construct in accordance with;

• Building permit documents,
• Building Code and,
• Building Code Act

There are other documents that a builder must adhere to or follow during construction such as contracts, equipment manufacturer’s instructions and health and safety policies and procedures. Adherence with the building permit documents is mandatory, but the drawings and specifications cannot always anticipate every detail of construction. During construction situations arise where a conflict with the Building Code is not easy identified or understood. This guide provides builders and contractors with straight forward illustrations to help explain or interpret the Building Code requirements for constructing houses and small commercial, industrial and residential buildings. Having a good understanding of the Building Code should result in fewer deficiencies and violations.

Building Code Officials

Building officials are responsible for confirming that a designer’s drawings submitted in connection with an application for a building permit comply with the Building Code before issuing the permit. They are also responsible for conducting inspections when notified by the owner or builder. During an inspection there are occasions where deficiencies are noted by the building inspector. Explaining the deficiency is sometimes difficult when only referring to the text of the Building Code. This guide provides building officials with a tool to help discuss with owners and builders the issue of non-compliance with easy to read illustrations, Code Articles and commentary when necessary.

Educators and Students

Educators are charged with the duty to teach students information that they will be able to use after they graduate. Architectural and engineering programs use the Ontario Building Code as part of their curriculum. It is understood that the Building Code is written as both a technical and legal document, making it at times a difficult piece of legislation to understand and apply. Students need to first understand the building code before they can apply it in their studies through project design assignments. Professors that teach the Building Code play an important role of ensuring future designers design their buildings with the following objectives in mind;

• Safety
• Health
• Accessibility
• Fire, Structural, Water and Sewage Protection
• Resource Conservation
• Environmental Integrity
• Conservation of Buildings
• Fire, Structural, Water and Sewage Protection of Buildings

This guide assists the professor and student to gain an excellent understanding and basic knowledge of the Building Code requirements, using illustrations, Code References and supportive commentary where necessary.

How to Use the Guide

The Ontario Building Code is a legal document setting out the regulations for the design and construction of buildings. The Illustrations in this guide are intended to demonstrate a correlation with the Articles of the Building Code so that a stakeholder in the building industry will have a better understanding during implementation. They are not to be interpreted as the only means by which compliance with the Building Code provisions can be attained.

Building Code References – Each illustration has at least one Building Code Article located within a box to be used as a cross-reference to the Building Code. The Article title is also shown. Please note that some Articles are complex and in some instances not every requirement within an Article can be illustrated.

Text or Commentary – Located below the Article title is text that may help explain or provide a purpose of the Article.

Diagram –The diagram provides a generic interpretation of the Building Code Article or portion of the Article requirements. It is shown as a section, plan, elevation or isometric.

Text within the Illustration – The illustration also contains text that helps to explain the Building Code requirements. In most cases the text contains the Building Code provisions with an arrow pointing to the illustration where the requirement is applicable.

Building Code Numbering System – The Building Code is organized by a decimal numbering system to assist users in identifying specific items in the Code. The first number indicates the Part of the Code in a specific Division; the second, the Section in the Part; the third, the Subsection, and so on. Refer to the table below.

Division	C
3	Part
3.6.	Section
3.6.2.	Subsection
3.6.2.3.	Article
3.6.2.3.(1)	Sentence
3.6.2.3.(1)(h)	Clause
3.6.2.3.(1)(h)(i)	Subclause
3.6.2.3.(1)(h)(i)(A)	Sub-subclause
12.3.4.5.(6).1.	Paragraph

The content of this book is not meant to form a code of mandatory requirements. The mandatory language (“shall”) that is used in the Ontario Building Code 2012 has not been used here. Care has been taken to ensure that the intent of the Ontario Building Code 2012 requirements is clear to the users of the guide.

However, users of this book must not, under any circumstances, rely on it to determine the current requirements of the Ontario Building Code 2012.

As always, reference must be made to the Ontario Building Code 2012 itself and any amendments. Orderline and the authors do not assume responsibility for any errors or omissions resulting from the information contained in this guide.

Part 3 References

There are certain Part 3 Sections referenced in Part 9 of the Building Code. Therefore, the referenced Part 3 provisions must be applied to the design and construction for housing and small buildings. This guide includes Part 3 Articles with illustrations.