Ontario Building Code changes

With the release of the Ontario Building Code 2006 came several changes to building requirements and standards. Here are some of the sections that could affect how you build or renovate your cottage. Don’t worry if your existing cottage doesn’t meet some of these requirements. If it met the standards that were current when it was built, it’s grandfathered – you’ll only need to upgrade when you renovate. For more details, see “OBC: New Rules, More Freedom” in the October 2007 issue of Cottage Life.

Macerating toilets:

7.2.2.2.8. Every macerating toilet system for single bathrooms shall conform to CAN/CSA-B45.9, “Macerating Systems and Related Components”.

7.4.3.5. Macerating Toilet System

(1) A macerating toilet shall only be installed,

(a) where no connection to a gravity sanitary drainage system is available, and

(b) in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

7.4.9.2.4. The discharge pipe serving a macerating toilet shall be not less than 3/4 in. size with a hydraulic load of 4 fixture units.

Access hatches

8.2.2.3.9. Except as provided in Sentences (10) and (11), every septic tank shall be installed in such a manner that the access openings are located not more than 300 mm below the ground surface.

8.2.2.3.10. Where the top of the septic tank is located more than 300 mm below the ground surface, it shall be equipped with risers that extend from the access opening of the septic tank to within 300 mm of the ground surface.

8.2.2.3.11. Where risers are used they shall conform to the requirements of CSA B66, “Design, Material, and Manufacturing Requirements for Prefabricated Septic tanks and Sewage Holding Tanks”, and shall have access openings to allow for regular maintenance of the septic tank.

Effluent filters

8.6.2.1 Septic Tank Systems

(1) An effluent filter shall be installed in the outlet flow path of every septic tank that discharges effluent to a leaching bed.

(2) The septic tank effluent filter required by Sentence (1) shall conform to the requirements of NSF/ANSI 46, “Evaluation of Components and Devices Used in Wastewater Treatment Systems”, and shall be sized and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

(3) A secured access opening to allow for regular maintenance of the effluent filter shall be provided at the ground surface.

Grab bars

9.5.2.3. Stud Wall Reinforcement

(1) If wood wall studs or sheet steel wall studs enclose the main bathroom in a dwelling unit, reinforcement shall be installed to permit the future installation of a grab bar on a wall adjacent to,

(a) a water closet in the location required by Clause 3.8.3.8.(1)(d), and

(b) a shower or bathtub in the location required by Clause 3.8.3.13.(1)(f).

Deck foundations

9.12.2.2.7. The foundation depths required in Sentence (1) do not apply to foundations for decks and other accessible exterior platforms,

(a) that are of not more than 1 storey,

(b) that are not more than 55 m² in area,

(d) that are not supporting a roof,

(e) that are not attached to another structure, unless it can be demonstrated that differential movement mill not adversely affect the performance of that structure.

Cottage definition

9.36.1.1.1. This Section applies to buildings of residential occupancy used or intended to be used as seasonal recreational buildings.

Furnace Efficiency

12.3.1.2 Equipment Efficiency for Buildings of Residential Occupancy

(1) The minimum annual fuel utilization efficiency of a furnace serving a building of residential occupancy shall conform to Table 12.3.1.2.

Table 12.3.1.2. Furnace Minimum Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency

Forming Part of Sentence 12.3.1.2.(1)

Column 1	2
Furnace Fuel Source	Minimum Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency
Natural gas	90%
Propane	90%
Oil	–

Insulation levels

Table 12.3.2.1. Minimum Thermal Resistance of Insulation to be Installed Based on Degree-Day Zones¹

Forming Part of Sentence 12.3.2.1.(4)

Column 1	2	3	4
Building Element Exposed to the Exterior or to Unheated Space	Minimum RSI Value Required
	Zone 1 Less than 5000 degree-days	Zone 2 5000 or more degree-days	Electric Space Heating Zones 1 & 2
Ceiling below attic or roof space	7.00	7.00	8.80
Roof assembly without attic or roof space	4.93	4.93	4.93
Wall other than foundation wall	3.34	4.22	5.10
Foundation walls enclosing heated space	2.11	2.11	3.34
Floor, other than slab-on-ground	4.40	4.40	4.40
Slab-on-ground containing heating pipes, tubes, ducts, or cables	1.41	1.41	1.76
Basement floor slabs located more than 600 mm below grade	–	–	–

Notes to Table 12.3.2.1:

⁽¹⁾ Number of degree-days for individual locations are contained in Supplementary Standard SB-1.

This article was written for cottagelife.com . Copyright © 2007 by Cottage Life. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any article, photograph, or artwork, for other than personal use, in whole or in part, without the written permission of the publisher is strictly forbidden.