Safety Codes Updates - Fall 2024

The RMWB is partially built on muskeg. The sinking and heaving of the ground is greater than in many areas of Alberta, and by extension Canada.  We have witnessed many fires caused by this effect.  The standard expansion joint has approx. 2” (50mm) of travel either way.   

In many of the house fires that we have attended in conjunction with the fire department, it has been noted that the service conduit has heaved past the travel of the expansion joint and pushed through the meter base.  This excessive heave causes contact between the service conductors and the terminals of the meter.  As these are unfused, there is enough sustained arc from this fault to produce enough heat to cause the building to ignite.

There is little that can be done for sinking ground with this other than preventing exposure of the USEB due to a separation of the expansion joint.

An alternative that has been found to better perform is the installation of 2 different sizes of PVC.  The combination of a 2” and 1 ½” works very well.  The smaller pipe moves effortlessly inside the larger which is held in place.  This picture demonstrates an acceptable installation.

Conditions that must be in place for acceptance of this option:

1. The larger pipe must be over the smaller to prevent the ingress of water.
2. There must be a min of 8” (200mm) of smaller pipe inside the larger, with a mark to indicate this length.
3. There must be at least this length of room to travel inside the larger pipe.

This only applies to raceways entering/leaving the ground.

Winter Wiring

As winter is fast approaching, we remind the electrical contractors that special care must be taken when wiring in the cold.  Contractors must be mindful of the limitations found in 12-102, and the notes to Appendix B.  If it is -10C, special precautions should be taken, such as:

Appropriate precautions include

a) warming the insulated conductor or cable prior to handling and installation, in accordance with the

manufacturer’s instructions;

b) minimizing flexing of the insulated conductor or cable;

c) when flexing the insulated conductor or cable, bending the insulated conductor or cable slowly;

d) working with an increased minimum bend radius;

e) working with a reduced pulling speed; and

f) applying other precautions recommended by the manufacturer.

Upcoming 2024 Code Information

The 2024 Canadian Electrical Code, 26th Edition, has been released, and will be adopted into legislation on April 1, 2025. All electricians must keep updated on the new codes.  The Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta (ECAA) is an excellent provider of the code update. To access the training and schedule please visit ECAA Code Update Training.

2025 Annual Technical Conference

The Electrical Inspectors Association of Alberta (EIAA) holds an annual technical conference every February.  This year’s conference will be at the Nisku Inn & Conference Center on February 7th & 8th, 2025.  It is a 2-day conference where we discuss code items that have been submitted for clarity and consensus across the province. There are also trainings on relevant or upcoming technologies, which helps the inspectors keep abreast of the coming changes.  Vendors have tables showing the newest equipment and can answer questions on the spot.

As this is a code change year, it is a good time to come and hear about the new changes from the inspector perspective.  We welcome contractors to attend and bring their thoughts on our discussions.  There are options to attend virtually or in person for one or both days. Please visit 2025 EIAA Annual Technical Conference for more information and to register.

The term “swing joint” is only found in the B149.1:20 gas code once.  That brief mention is just that the combination of fittings used to make one can’t be concealed (6.14.4).

Sentence 6.16.3 of the Code states “Piping or tubing shall be mounted, braced, and supported to provide for expansion, contraction, jarring, vibration, and settling, and shall be protected against either damage or breakage due to strain, wear, and mechanical impact.

Note: Moving snow loads and ice on sloped roofs have been known to damage or break pipes.”

The items detailed in the center of the sentence describe the purpose of a swing joint; the swing joint offers protection against settling.  The SCC clarification of the clause states, “6.16.3 The piping system must be protected from any movement that may cause stress or strain on any of its components. This involves the use of properly spaced supports, swing joints, sleeves and other methods of hanging and mounting the lines. If lines are prone to excessive movement due to temperature changes (e.g., systems mounted on rooftops), the equipment must be connected by swing joints. The piping must also be protected against wear from rubbing against components. Excessive vibration from equipment may warrant the use of swing joints or flexible connections. Any piping installed in areas such as service garages or production facilities must be protected from physical damage due to equipment and movement of products.”

Sadly, swing joint is not a clearly defined term, so let’s define it for the RMWB; a minimum of three 90° elbows must be installed on the same plane. Sometimes four may be required. An example is below:

Piping arrangement is the primary way to protect against damage or breakage due to strain. A minimum of 3 elbows with 5 horizontal threads and 2 pivot points are a standard industry practice.

Approvals Mean Everything

In the beginning of the Plumbing Code, we have a paragraph on certifications.

“Certification is the confirmation by an independent organization that a product, process,

service or system meets a requirement. Certification may entail physical examination,

testing as specified in appropriate standards, an initial plant inspection, and/or follow-up

unannounced plant inspections. This procedure leads to the issuing of a formal assurance

or declaration, by means of a certification mark or certificate, that the product, process,

service or system is in full conformity with specified provisions.”

Multiple Sentences then use the word “approved”; fittings must be approved, piping must be approved, fixtures must be approved.

We have something similar in the Gas Code with the word “approved”; we’re even provided a definition.

“Approved – Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.”

We also have a Sentence – 4.2.1 “An appliance, accessory, component, equipment, or material used in an installation shall be of a type and rating approved for the specific purpose for which it is employed.”

With all this talk on certifications and approvals, what should we be looking for?

On gas appliances, we will find markings on the rating plate and the literature. On plumbing fixtures, these markings are usually on the literature.  Some examples are below:

Believe it or not, a lot of what you can buy on Amazon doesn’t have any of these approvals/markings.  These items are not accepted for use.

So, a quick word of warning; know what your installing!

The three items from the new building code being addressed in this bulletin are:

• Continuity of Fire Separations
• Fasteners used with Treated Wood
• Engineer Stamped Truss Drawings for Part 9 Buildings and Single-Family Dwellings

Continuity of Fire Separations

Article 9.10.9.2. below now has new fire stopping requirements for the joints in drywall at required fire separations where the joints occur at the junction of ceiling and walls or walls and floors. Previously drywall joints in these locations were only required to be mudded and taped which lead to inconsistent and failed fire separations, to reduce these failures drywall joints occurring at these locations must now be continuously and fully supported by solid dimensional lumber or be fire-stopped with a ULC listed firestopping system. I.E. Hilti, 3M or other proprietary fire-stop system that has been tested per CAN/ULC-S115 and ASTM E2307.

9.10.9.2. Continuous Barrier

1) Except as permitted in Article 9.10.9.3., a wall or floor assembly required to be a fire separation shall be constructed as a continuous barrier against the spread of fire and retard the passage of smoke.

2) Except as permitted in Article 9.10.9.3., a wall or floor assembly required to be a smoke-tight barrier shall be constructed as a continuous barrier against the spread of smoke. (See Note A-9.10.9.2.(2) and (3).)

3) Except as provided in Sentence (6), the continuity of a fire separation where it abuts another fire separation or smoke-tight barrier, a floor, a ceiling, or a roof shall be maintained by a firestop that, when subjected to the fire test method in CAN/ULC-S115, “Standard Method of Fire Tests of Firestop Systems,” has an FT rating not less than the fire-resistance rating for the abutting fire separation. (See Note A-9.10.9.2.(2) and (3).) (See also Note A-3.1.8.3.(2).)

4) Except as provided in Sentence (6), joints located in a horizontal plane between a floor and an exterior wall shall be sealed by a firestop that, when subjected to the fire test method in ASTM E2307, “Standard Test Method for Determining Fire Resistance of Perimeter Fire Barriers Using Intermediate-Scale, Multi-storey Test Apparatus,” has an F rating not less than the fire-resistance rating for the horizontal fire separation.

5) Except as provided in Sentence (6), all gypsum board joints in the assemblies described in Sentences (1) and (2) shall conform to CSA A82.31-M, “Gypsum Board Application,” to maintain the integrity of the smoke-tight barrier over the entire surface.

6) Joints between ceilings and walls, between floors and walls, and between walls at corners need not comply with Sentences (3) to (5) where such joints consist of gypsum board that is attached to framing members and arranged so as to restrict the passage of flame and smoke through the joints. (See Note A-3.1.8.3.(5).)

Fasteners used with Treated Wood

Due to incompatible metal on metal chemical reactions between nails and screws (fasteners) and hangers (connecters) fasteners that resulted in corrosion in treated wood are now required to be hot dipped galvanized or galvannealed.  It is advisable to check with the manufacturer for correct fastener selection.

9.23.2.4. Connections to Preservative-Treated Wood

1) Except as provided in Sentence (3), connectors in contact with preservative-treated wood shall be made of

a) hot-dipped, zinc-coated galvanized steel with a coating weight not less than Z550 conforming to ASTM A653/A653M, “Standard Specification for Steel Sheet, Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) or Zinc-Iron Alloy-Coated (Galvannealed) by the Hot-Dip Process,”

b) a material that provides an equivalent level of corrosion protection to that provided by the material described in Clause (a), or

c) stainless steel.

2) Fasteners used to attach the connectors referred to in Sentence (1) shall be made of

a) galvanized steel coated with zinc in accordance with ASTM A153/A153M, “Standard Specification for Zinc Coating (Hot-Dip) on Iron and Steel Hardware,” or

b) a material that provides an equivalent level of performance and is compatible with the connector.

3) Connectors and fasteners that are in contact with wood that has been treated with a disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (SBX (DOT)) or zinc borate preservative and is installed in a dry interior environment are permitted to be made of uncoated carbon steel. (See Note A-9.23.2.4.(3).)

9.23.14.11 Engineer Stamped Truss Drawings for Single Family Dwellings

In the past roof and floor truss design was typically completed at the truss plant on a computer by a technician however it was determined this type of work constituted engineering that required professional skills to design the trusses and connections in accordance with Part 4 of the code. Going forward, each individual truss drawing and the layout drawings will have to be stamped and signed by a registered professional engineer per article 9.23.14.11 and Part 4 of the National Building Code / 2023 Alberta Edition.

9.23.14.11. Roof Trusses

1) Wood roof trusses shall be designed in accordance with good engineering practice such as that described in TPIC 2019, “Truss Design Procedures and Specifications for Light Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses.”

2) The joint connections used in trusses described in Sentence (1) shall be designed in conformance with the requirements in Subsection 4.3.1. (See Note A-9.23.14.11.(2).)

3) All member bracing shall be installed as per the truss design drawings, and continuous lateral bracing shall be adequately anchored to the roof and ceiling diaphragms at intervals no greater than 6.10 m o.c.

Note on 9.23.14.11. Wood Roof Truss Connections. Sentence 9.23.14.11.(2) requires that the connections used in wood roof trusses be designed in conformance with Subsection 4.3.1., and Sentence 2.4.1.2.(1) of Division C, which applies to all of Part 4, requires that the designer be a registered professional skilled in the work concerned. This has the effect of requiring that the trusses themselves be designed by registered professionals. Although this is a departure from the usual practice in Part 9, it is appropriate, since wood roof trusses are complex structures which depend on several components (chord members, web members, cross-bracing, connectors) working together to function safely. This complexity precludes the standardization of truss design into tables comprehensive enough to satisfy the variety of roof designs required by the housing industry.

We have very knowledgeable Safety Codes Officers that can assist in answering questions that may be relevant to the materials or projects. To speak with a Safety Codes Officer, call our office at 780-743-7813, or email inspections@rmwb.ca.

The Safety Codes Department is committed to supporting safe work across our region.  If you have questions or concerns, please contact us at the phone or email address above. We are always happy to help!