November 1, 2023 – The Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) invites you to have your say in third Public Review of proposed changes to the 2020 editions of the National Model Codes, in preparation for the 2025 editions. The National Model Codes are:

• National Building Code of Canada (NBC)
• National Plumbing Code of Canada (NPC)
• National Fire Code of Canada (NFC)
• National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NEBC)
• National Farm Building Code of Canada (last published in 1995)

The purpose of this Public Review is to:

• provide code users, the codes community, and the public with a detailed look at proposed technical changes,
• seek comment on each proposed technical change as to whether it should be approved, altered or withdrawn.

The proposed changes included in this review will address topics such as:

• Alterations to existing buildings
• Greenhouse gas emissions
• Radon
• Airtightness
• Accessibility: illumination levels and projection of protruding building elements
• Building envelope: thermal bridging and insulation
• Building fire safety
• Climatic loads
• Combustible construction: fire protection and safety
• Encapsulated mass timber construction
• HVAC equipment efficiency
• Large farm buildings
• Hazardous materials and activities
• Plumbing materials and equipment
• Fire protection
• Use and egress
• Penetrations
• Prescriptive trade-off path
• Vegetated roof assemblies
• Windows, doors and skylights
• Environmental separation standards
• Lighting
• Fenestration: thermal characteristics

The Public Review will close at 11:59 pm PST on December 18, 2023, after which comments will no longer be accepted.

Those interested in participating in the review can access the proposed changes on the CBHCC website and provide feedback.

Following this review, all comments will be considered by the relevant code development committees, and recommendations on the proposed changes will be made. If approved, the changes will be included in the 2025 editions of the National Model Codes, which are published by National Research Council Canada.