Building Code

noise

A guide to understanding noise in condos

Resolving noise complaints requires an understanding of how sound moves through a building and the obligations of a condominium.
tornado

Tornado research uncovers risks for homeowners

Canada’s tornado risk is more widespread than once thought, according to a growing body of research that, for the first time, tracks the occurrence and aftermath facing property owners across the country.
BOMA BC energy

Greening Ontario’s housing sector

Ontario’s housing sector emits more greenhouse gas emissions than any other province, primarily due to its high population rate. In the province, residential buildings are
reserve fund

Condos at high risk from reserve fund shortfalls

The growing crop of condo owners across Canada will likely encounter huge annual fee increases and lump-sum payments due to low reserve fund contributions, authors of a new research report are warning.
surfside

The fatal flaws behind the Surfside condo collapse

Building failures of this horrific scope are seldom seen in North America. But it is important to examine what happened so we can learn and prevent similar collapses in the future.
condo collapse

Could a Florida condo collapse happen in Ontario?

How would this scenario unfold in Ontario? Leaving aside the construction process itself, there are vast differences between Ontario and Florida condominium laws that would have given the Champlain towers significant added protections following registration.
windows

Condo windows: repair or replace?

For condo buildings built in the 1980’s or 1990’s, there is likely a window project coming up in the reserve fund study.
repairs

Condos in precarious spot if small repairs sit idle

Should the corporation move forward with certain maintenance repairs if the issue has the potential to become exponentially worse?
elevator repair

Ontario advances elevator repair legislation

Ontario is kicking the dust off of elevator repair legislation, which was passed under the Liberal government in May 2018 but never proclaimed into law.
SAIT partnership

Digging into the coming geothermal boom

While the relevance of geothermal has been percolating for years, the buzz is that more developers are starting to pay attention.
climate change

Are condos prepared for climate change?

While many condos haven’t yet experienced the major effects of climate change, statistics and case studies foreshadow the impacts that could come.
Documenting evidence

Documenting evidence in condos amid COVID-19

Condominium property managers should be documenting evidence in the coming months due to losses and claims amid the pandemic.
proposed code changes

Sights and sounds of proposed code changes

A package of proposed changes to Canada's National Building Code aims to improve navigability and safety in large buildings for people with mobility, vision and/or hearing constraints.
Colliers

Windows and doors in the net-zero frame

A wider selection of high-performance windows and doors is expected to hit the market as Canada's National Energy Code continues to push the envelope toward net-zero-energy-ready development.
outdoor air

IAQ standards dissect freshness of outdoor air

Guidance related to natural ventilation, particulate filtration and compartmentalization of multi-residential HVAC systems are prominent in the list of identified "significant changes" compared to the incumbent 2016 version of the standards.
amenity space

Refreshing shared amenity spaces

In keeping with the idea of modernization roadblocks, renovations to amenity spaces can often require a permit depending on the type of work being done.
unpaid building code advisors

Ontario spurns unpaid building code advisors

The 2019 Ontario budget lists the Building Code Conservation Advisory Council among 10 provincial agencies deemed to be unnecessary or imprudent expenditures.