EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill amends the Building Code Act, 1992 regarding the identification of truss and lightweight construction in specified buildings that are under construction or to be constructed.  New section 15.8.1 requires a truss identification emblem be affixed to a building in accordance with specified rules and such other rules as may be prescribed.  Similar amendments are made to the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 with respect to existing buildings.

Bill 33 2018

An Act governing the identification of truss and lightweight construction in buildings

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Building Code Act, 1992

1 The Building Code Act, 1992 is amended by adding the following section:

Identification of Truss and Lightweight Construction

Definitions

15.8.1  (1)  In this section,

“truss and lightweight construction” means structural components assembled from wood members, metal connector plates or other metal fasteners, wood I-beams or any single-plane frame work of individual structural members, made of wood or steel, connected at their ends to form a series of triangles to span a distance greater than there would be possible with any of the individual members on its own; (“composants structuraux à ossature légère”)

“wood I-beam” means a floor or roof beam that consists of,

  (a)  top and bottom chords made of solid or laminated wooden 2x4 (or less), and

  (b)  a web made of oriented strand board or plywood set between the chords. (“poutrelle de bois en I”)

Purpose

(2)  The purpose of this section is to ensure that the following buildings under construction or to be constructed using truss and lightweight construction are identified by truss identification emblems:

    1.  A building used for commercial or industrial purposes, or both.

    2.  A multi-family dwelling of three or more units, other than a townhouse.

Requirement to affix truss identification emblem

(3)  A truss identification emblem shall be affixed to a building in accordance with the following rules and such other rules as may be prescribed:

    1.  The truss identification emblem shall consist of a round reflective decal that is 145 mm in diameter with a white background and red border.

    2.  If only the floor of the building uses truss and lightweight construction, the truss identification emblem with the letter “F” inside the decal must be used.

    3.  If only the roof of the building uses truss and lightweight construction, the truss identification emblem with the letter “R” inside the decal must be used.

    4.  If both the floor and roof of the building use truss and lightweight construction, the truss identification emblem with the letters “FR” inside the decal must be used.

    5.  The truss identification emblems must be affixed to the building in the location or locations specified by the regulations.

Regulations

(4)  The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations governing the identification of the use of truss and lightweight construction which, in the opinion of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, are necessary or desirable, including,

  (a)  specifying any matter or thing that this section describes as being prescribed, specified in the regulations or done in accordance with them;

  (b)  specifying persons who are required to affix truss identification emblems to buildings;

   (c)  providing any transitional matters necessary for the purposes of regulating the identification of truss and lightweight construction.

Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997

2 The Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 is amended by adding the following Part:

Part IV.1
Identification of Truss and Lightweight construction

Definitions

12.1  (1)  In this section,

“truss and lightweight construction” means structural components assembled from wood members, metal connector plates or other metal fasteners, wood I-beams or any single-plane frame work of individual structural members, made of wood or steel, connected at their ends to form a series of triangles to span a distance greater than there would be possible with any of the individual members on its own; (“composants structuraux à ossature légère”)

“wood I-beam” means a floor or roof beam that consists of,

  (a)  top and bottom chords made of solid or laminated wooden 2x4 (or less), and

  (b)  a web made of oriented strand board or plywood set between the chords. (“poutrelle de bois en I”)

Purpose

(2)  The purpose of this section is to ensure that the following buildings that use truss and lightweight construction are identified by truss identification emblems:

    1.  A building used for commercial or industrial purposes, or both.

    2.  A multi-family dwelling of three or more units, other than a townhouse.

Requirement to affix truss identification emblem

(3)  A truss identification emblem shall be affixed to a building in accordance with the following rules and such other rules as may be prescribed:

    1.  The truss identification emblem shall consist of a round reflective decal that is 145 mm in diameter with a white background and red border.

    2.  If only the floor of the building uses truss and lightweight construction, the truss identification emblem with the letter “F” inside the decal must be used.

    3.  If only the roof of the building uses truss and lightweight construction, the truss identification emblem with the letter “R” inside the decal must be used.

    4.  If both the floor and roof of the building use truss and lightweight construction, the truss identification emblem with the letters “FR” inside the decal must be used.

    5.  The truss identification emblems must be affixed to the building in the location or locations specified by the regulations.

Buildings under construction

(4)  Subject to subsection (5), this section does not apply to the unoccupied parts of a building that is under construction within the meaning of the Building Code Act, 1992.

Same

(5)  This section applies to the unoccupied parts of a building that is under construction within the meaning of the Building Code Act, 1992, if,

  (a)  there has been no substantial work related to the construction of the building for at least six months; or

  (b)  the conditions in the unoccupied portions threaten the safety of the occupied portions. 

Regulations

(6)  The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations governing the identification of the use of truss and lightweight construction in buildings which, in the opinion of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, are necessary or desirable, including,

  (a)  specifying any matter or thing that this Part describes as being prescribed, specified in the regulations or done in accordance with them;

  (b)  specifying persons who are required to affix truss identification emblems to buildings;

   (c)  providing any transitional matters necessary for the purposes of regulating the identification of truss and lightweight construction.

Commencement and Short Title

Commencement

3 This Act comes into force on the first anniversary of the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

4 The short title of this Act is the Rea and Walter Act (Truss and Lightweight Construction Identification), 2018.