The Task Group’s (TG) mandate is to harmonize requirements for alterations to existing housing and small buildings across provinces and territories, excluding heritage buildings.

Much of the discussion centred on the challenges of applying codes designed for new construction to existing buildings. Members agreed that inconsistent requirements across jurisdictions can lead to confusion, unnecessary costs, and sometimes discourage needed upgrades. The group aims to develop clear, harmonized national provisions that balance safety, practicality, and performance.

The proposed structure for NBC Part 10 was reviewed, with the TG-HSB focusing on Section 10.9 (housing and small buildings). A comparative table was shared, showing differences in requirements for means of egress (such as corridor width and door swing) across several provinces. Members agreed to review and supplement this table offline before the next meeting.

The next meeting was scheduled for December 16th, with a “homework” deadline set for December 9th. Members were encouraged to ensure access to provide feedback as needed.

For more information, please contact alex.bols@chba.ca