In This Issue
NATIONAL CODES PROPOSED CHANGES
PROVINCIAL-TERRITORIAL CODES AND REGULATIONS
STANDARDS
 Quick Links
Regional Information

Manufactured Housing Association of Atlantic Canada 

 

Modular Housing Association - Prairie Provinces

 

Abbreviations

CSA

Canadian Standards Association

 

NBC

National Building Code

 

CCBFC

Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes

 

SC

Standing Committee

 

SC-HSB

Standing Committee on Housing and Small Buildings

 

JTG

Joint Task Group

 

TC

Technical Committee

 

PTPACC

Provincial-Territorial Policy Advisory Committee on Codes 

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August 2014
 

This e-bulletin provides the latest technical news pertaining to manufactured building, with links to CMHI technical reports and other information available online.

NATIONAL CODES PROPOSED CHANGES -
SC ON HOUSING AND SMALL BUILDINGS
The SC-HSB met on 13-15 May 2014. 

Review of Public Comments on Proposed Changes
The SC reviewed all of the comments submitted in the fall 2013 public review of proposed changes. A summary of the proposed changes that have been recommended for inclusion in the 2015 NBC that may be of particular interest to factory-based builders has been posted under the heading "Proposed Changes to NBC Part 9 Housing and Small Buildings" on the Codes, Standards and Regulations page of the CMHI website under Technical Information for Members.

Proposed Changes for the Fall 2014 Public Review 

A few issues have been identified as being sufficiently critical to warrant public review in the fall of 2014 in order to be considered for inclusion in the 2015 NBC. These issues are posted under the heading "Proposed Changes to NBC Part 9 Housing and Small Buildings" on the Codes, Standards and Regulations page of the CMHI website under Technical Information for Members.   

 

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PROVINCIAL-TERRITORIAL CODES AND REGULATIONS

British Columbia 
CMHI has been working with the Manufactured Housing Association of British Columbia (MHABC) to resolve a number of issues that have arisen in the province.

CAN/CSA A277 Procedure for Factory Certification of Buildings
The reference to CAN/CSA A277 was deleted from the BC Building Code. The change was meant to remove
a circular reference but has left municipalities with no code language to use as a basis for accepting A277-certified buildings without inspection. The BC Building standards and Safety Branch (BSSB) has agreed to issue a bulletin to advise that buildings can be accepted based on certification.

BSSB has indicated that it is open to considering acceptance of buildings other than housing based on A277 certification.  CMHI is developing a code change request to accept all buildings where "professional involvement" is not required by the architects' and engineers' acts.   
 
Design to Resist Seismic Loads 
A number of municipalities have been asking questions or imposing additional requirements to address seismic loads. BSSB has agreed to consider issuing a bulletin to advise that because the BC Building Code references CAN/CSA Z240 MH Series "Manufactured Homes" and CAN/CSA Z240.10.1 "Site Preparation, Foundation and Anchorage of Manufactured Homes", compliance with those standards constitutes compliance with the Code.        
          
Airtightness and Watertightness of Doors
Cases have been reported where exterior doors have been damaged in transit to the installation site. This has been linked to the requirements in the standard for doors to resist water ingress at the driving rain wind pressure at the installation location. Information has been provided to MHABC on the limited water (LW) rating that allows doors to comply with the standards with lower water penetration resistance. This has been posted on the CMHI website as a Technical Bulletin under Technical Information for Members.

Manitoba
CMHI has been in discussions with the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC), responsible for building regulations in Manitoba, regarding the updating of the act and regulations that apply to factory-constructed buildings. Since the updating requires significant time, the OFC has agreed to issue a bulletin in the interim to clarify how manufactured buildings are accepted in Manitoba.

Nova Scotia
Compliance with the new energy efficiency requirements in Nova Scotia can present challenges depending on current construction practice. Achieving the minimum level of attic insulation above exterior walls is one such case. CMHI has prepared a Technical Bulletin explaining the requirements and identifying options. It has been posted on the CMHI website under Technical Information for Members.   

 

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STANDARDS  

CAN/CSA A277 Factory Certification of Buildings

CAN/CSA Z240 MH Series Manufactured Buildings

CAN/CSA Z240.10.1 Site Preparation, Foundation, and Anchorage of Manufactured Homes    

The Technical Committee on Factory Certification of Buildings (TC) had a face-to-face meeting on 29-30 April to review the proposed changes to the A277, Z240 MH Series and Z240.10.1 standards. This was followed by conference calls on 19 and 27 June to review the subsequent revisions and consider industry input, particularly comments from panel manufacturers on the CSA A277 requirements for panels.   

 

CSA A277 and CSA Z240 MH Series are being balloted to the TC for approval to publish for public review.  Pubic review is expected to begin in August and run for 60 days.    

 

For Z240.10.1, requests for proposal have been distributed to a number of engineering firms. The scope of work includes  determining the earthquake performance of the existing pier and anchorage requirements and updating those requirements as needed. 

 

Information on the proposed changes to the standards can be found on the Codes, Regulations and Standards page under Technical Information for Members on the CMHI website.   

  

Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) - New Brunswick Interpretation - Receptacles in Kitchen Islands and Peninsulas
Public Safety of New Brunswick (PSNB) has issued an Electrical Inspection Bulletin that provides an interpretation of the requirements for fixed island and peninsula receptacles in kitchens. The interpretation would require that counter-top receptacles be installed where receptacles are required for fixed island and peninsula counters.

CMHI wrote to PSNB requesting that the Bulletin be withdrawn. PSNB subsequently contacted CMHI and a range of issues were discussed including the wording of requirements in the CEC and more recent information from the Canadian Standards Association. CMHI will be following up with CSA and PSNB.

 

The CMHI Manufactured Building Technical Update is published by the Canadian Manufactured Housing Institute. If you have a comment, a question or news to share, please contact us at cmhi@cmhi.ca.