TORONTO, Jun 29, 2006 -- Canada NewsWire

Over the next eight years alone, the Building Code's increased energy-efficiency requirements will save enough energy to power 380,000 homes and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an amount equal to removing 250,000 cars from Ontario's roads.

"Conservation is a fundamental and key component of our energy plan for Ontario," said Energy Minister Dwight Duncan. "The 2006 Building Code will enable future homeowners to enjoy long-term energy savings and at the same time reduce Ontario's overall energy use."

In addition, the Building Code recognizes the installation of green technologies, such as solar panels.

"Codes and standards that set high energy-efficiency standards are powerful tools for creating a 'Culture of Conservation'. Supporting the energy-efficiency targets in the Conservation Bureau submission to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing will result in energy savings," said Ontario's Chief Energy Conservation Officer Peter Love. "Setting dates for the implementation of targets such as Energuide 80 (December 2011) and full height basement insulation (December 2008) is critical. We are pleased that Energuide 80 has also been included as an immediate compliance option. More is achievable. I am asking leading builders and smart home buyers to help us achieve these targets sooner."

"Requiring that buildings provide better accessibility means stronger, more inclusive communities for all Ontarians," said Minister of Community and Social Services Madeleine Meilleur. "These new requirements clearly demonstrate our government's ongoing commitment to Ontarians who have a disability."

The 2006 Building Code is written in a format that promotes innovation in building design and building products. The code's objective-based format is consistent with the code format other jurisdictions across Canada plan to adopt and will help boost Ontario's export of building products to other provinces.

"We're encouraging consumers to seek ways to make their homes more energy efficient. We can all benefit from the energy-efficient choices for buildings and homes that will be offered by Ontario's builders and building products manufacturers." said Gerretsen.

The 2006 Building Code sets new standards for accessibility for people with disabilities, supporting Ontario's goal to be a leader in accessibility. Under a process set out in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), the province will continue to work to achieve even higher accessibility standards to be implemented in phases through 2025. The changes to the Building Code are a step towards fulfilling the government's AODA commitments to improve accessibility for everyone.

The new Building Code also encourages the construction of small care homes by increasing flexibility in the design of such facilities. These changes will make it easier and more cost-effective to build a new small care home or to create one by converting an existing building, and they will help seniors, other Ontarians requiring attendant care and people who have a developmental disability living in small group settings to remain in their neighbourhoods and close to their families.

The Building Code is also being changed to make it easier to design and construct houses and other small buildings by including new requirements that are easy to understand and apply.

The 2006 Building Code is written in an objective-based format. This means that in addition to including prescriptive requirements, the new code will contain objectives explaining the rationale behind the requirements. Builders and designers will now be able to propose alternative designs and building materials that comply with the objectives of the code, while maintaining public safety. This will promote innovation in design and construction.

The new Building Code will also be more closely aligned with those to be adopted in other provinces. The resulting similarity of standards will benefit Ontario product manufacturers, designers and builders who wish to operate in other Canadian jurisdictions.

Most of the changes set out in the new Building Code will be in effect December 31, 2006. Certain energy efficiency changes, however, will not come into effect until the beginning of 2009 and others in 2012, to give the building industry time to prepare for the new requirements.

Certain enabling provisions, including those that promote the use of green technologies such as solar photovoltaic systems and solar hot water systems and those that promote flexibility in the design of small care homes, come into force immediately.

The Building Code is a regulation under the Building Code Act, 1992.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and ServiceOntario are pleased to announce that copies of Ontario Regulation 350/06 will be available for purchase in early August 2006 from Publications Ontario at a cost of $35.00. Please note this is a special printing of the Regulation only, not the complete Office Compendium of the Building Code.

An Office Compendium of Ontario's 2006 Building Code will be available in binder and soft-cover formats in the fall of 2006. The compendium will include not only a fully formatted and indexed edition of Ontario Reg. 350/06, but also supplementary standards, appendices and related materials. ServiceOntario will be accepting pre-orders for the Office Compendium in September 2006.

Copies of the special printing of the Regulation will be available in August 2006 from ServiceOntario.

SOURCE: Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

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