News Release Archive
HOUSING/MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS--CHANGES TO BUILDING CODE REGULATIONS ----------------------------------------------------------------- Better built buildings ... that's what Rick Fraser, manager for building services of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality says are the result of using letters of undertaking. His office has used these letters to improve the process of constructing commercial buildings for the past seven years. The use of letters of understanding means professional designers and their sub-consultants will sign letters assuring municipalities that their designs will conform to the Nova Scotia Building Code. He said he notices an improvement in the overall process as a result. "Since we've been using the letters of undertaking, the quality of the buildings has increased and there's a better working relationship between everyone involved in the project: the building owner, contractor, architects and building officials," he said. The rules are changing for designers, developers and the construction community. Improvements to building code regulations being introduced this month by the Department of Housing and Municipal Affairs will go a long way in helping unravel the tangle of red tape sometimes faced by those in the design and construction sector. There are three major new components to the Nova Scotia Building Code Act Regulations. One involves the mandatory use of letters of undertaking. These letters will allow building designers and consultants to provide an extra measure of assurance to municipalities that buildings will be designed and constructed according to the building code regulations. They will clearly define the responsibility for the design and inspection of the work. Municipal building inspectors will continue to carry out mandatory inspections required by the code. The end result is less red tape, and a more efficient means of constructing office towers, high rise buildings, shopping malls, community centres - just about any building over 1800 square metres. "The letters assure us that the proper individuals are doing the proper work on the building," said Mr. Fraser. "We now have a level of communication with the designer we never had in the past. And better communication means a better building - it's more of a team approach to construction." The second major component of the changes will see sprinkler regulations fall under the building code regulations, instead of the Fire Prevention Act administered by the Fire Marshal's Office. Adding the sprinkler regulations to the building code will simplify the process for owners, builders and developers, in applying for and receiving building and occupancy permits. The adoption of alternate compliance regulations is the third change to building code regulations and will benefit people who wish to upgrade and renovate heritage buildings and other existing buildings. The building code regulations are recommended by the Nova Scotia Building Advisory Committee. Membership includes the Office of the Fire Marshal, the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities, the Disabled Persons Commission, the National Association of Women in Construction, the Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia, the Construction Association of Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Association of Architects, the Building Inspectors Associations of Nova Scotia, the Carpenters Union, the Cape Breton Construction Trades Council, and the Nova Scotia Home Builders Association. The new regulations have received support from the Nova Scotia Association of Architects (NSAA) and the Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia (APENS) and came into effect Oct. 28. It's a change Rick Fraser said is long overdue. "The letters of undertaking open up a whole new dialogue among designers, building inspectors and owners. With so many people involved in the construction of a building, it makes sense to have this type of open communication." -30- Contact: Ted Ross 902-424-8046 trp Oct. 28, 1996 - 2:25 p.m.