Safety Codes Updates - Fall 2023

All permits issued by the RMWB have permit conditions. In Alberta, these conditions are subject to the Permit Regulation. Reviewing these conditions is highly recommended, as they contain information that may aid in the progression of the project and help avoid any costly rework or misunderstandings.

Understanding what is being agreed to when signing the permit application, is critical to successful completion of a project and a compliant permit. Two important conditions when obtaining a permit are listed below:

9) The permitted work required the approval of a Safety Codes Officer before any part of the building or system is covered or concealed. If required by Safety Codes Officer, the owner shall uncover and replace at the owner's expense.

10) Permits must be inspected and compliant prior to the use and/or occupancy.

a. Commercial, Industrial and Institutional projects must have all the applicable electrical, plumbing, gas and ventilation permits inspected and compliant prior to issuance of the Occupancy Certificate.

b. Residential projects must have the applicable electrical, plumbing, gas and ventilation permits inspected and compliant prior to the final building occupancy inspection.

The clauses governing the approval status of any fixtures used can be found in every applicable code. (Building, Electrical, Plumbing & Gas). A couple of questions to ask when searching for equipment or other materials are:

• Is this approved for use in Canada? Is it CSA approved or equivalent?
• Am I using this for the purpose it was intended?

Switching the neutral in a transfer switch

This is a complicated issue with a set of rules that is the source of a lot of discussion. We are seeing large generators being added to buildings via a transfer switch. If the generator has a floating neutral, the neutral bus must be a common neutral bus. This is typically 12KW or less. See 10-214 (1):

10-214 (1) A portable generator assembly shall not be required to be connected to a grounding electrode if the generator has the neutral bonded to the frame.

Generators larger than 12 KW have the neutral bonded to the frame from the factory and are required to be grounded. Most transfer switches have a common neutral bus for the Utility/Backup/Load. When the generator (over 12kw) is required to be grounded, the neutral bus must be switched to avoid any back feed/circulating currents to the utility.

If a backup generator is permanently connected, it is easy to determine what the requirements are. Notwithstanding this, often a backup generator is brought to site when needed, and this clarification will help to eliminate stray current issues.

We will attempt to simplify the rules below, explaining these requirements. Sections will be taken out of the Canadian Electrical Code 2021 edition, including Appendix B. The Code handbook will be referenced, as well as Standata from Alberta Municipal Affairs. These referenced sections will be a larger bolder font.

This rule is written from CSA 22.2 No 100, and specifies the construction requirements for generators, including portable generator assemblies. From Appendix B 10-214 (1):

A portable generator assembly

a. consists of a prime mover, a generator, overcurrent devices, and output receptacles that are
assembled and connected on a common machine frame; and

b. is capable of being carried or moved about by personnel.

A portable generator assembly is rated at not more than 12 kW and not more than 240 V and intended to be used as an isolated system for the supply of cord-connected electrical equipment.

As a condition of approval of certain types of electrical equipment, such as portable generators, the manufacturer supplies instructions pertaining to its installation and operation. It is important that the end-users closely follow the instructions supplied by the manufacturer to fulfill the terms of the approval agreement.

Figure B10-9 Appendix B (below) from the Canadian Electrical Code, shows 2 grounded systems with the neutral point grounded. In this case the neutral bus cannot be a common neutral but must be switched with the others. This will prevent any circulating currents that may travel through the neutral bus and onto the grounding and bonding conductors.

The Section 10 Standata speaks to this. As the Standata is not legislation, the language is not written in a mandatory format. It’s clarifying the rule which is mandatory.

Rule 10-214 from the Section 10 Standata, is grounding connections for portable generator assemblies and vehicle-mounted or mobile generators:

Neutral Connections

Portable generators are being used more often by homeowners as back-up or stand-by power. It is important the electrical system is properly grounded. Generators are available with the neutral bonded to the frame or without (floating neutral). The following is recommended:

Neutral bonded to frame

If the generator has a neutral bonded to the frame, the neutral should also be grounded to a grounding electrode and the transfer switch should have an extra pole to switch the neutral. Switching the neutral will ensure that, at any given time, the neutral is only grounded at one point (either the main switch or the generator).

Floating neutral

If the generator has a floating neutral, it should not be grounded to a grounding electrode, nor should it be switched in the transfer switch. The generator frame is bonded to ground because of the “equipment bonding” requirements of the CE Code and the neutral connection to the electrode is maintained at the main service via a solid neutral connection in the transfer switch.

Because of the variety of emergency and standby power systems, it is not always feasible to provide fixed recommended practices. Each installation should be evaluated and designed to satisfy specific load, customer, and code requirements. In situations where it may be necessary to remove bonding screws or jumpers in the service switch or at the generator, you should always follow manufacturers’ instructions.

Be careful with the last line quoted from the Standata. The manufacturer must state if the bond jumper can be removed. Removing a bond jumper from a generator without manufacturer approval voids the certification on the generator. Unlike a sub-panel, the neutral bond jumper is not necessarily rated to be removed. Failure to follow due diligence may result in costly delays and/or rework.

Temporary heat permits

With cold weather right around the corner, temporary heat permits that are required for heating a home or business during the colder months while under construction, we will require a separate temporary gas permit.

RWSS (Rural Water and Sewer) Guidelines

The purpose of the rural water and sewer servicing guidelines is to provide the minimum acceptable standards to follow to design and install water and sewer on private residential property in rural communities when connecting to the municipal sewer system. You can find the guidelines here RWSS Guidelines.

Property owners who request to connect to the municipal piped water and sewer systems are required to follow and adhere to this municipal guideline as the acceptable minimum standard. Inspections of equipment and piping before covering up is a minimum to adhere to the code.

It is recommended that all service piping, tanks, pumps, and associated products are installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation guidelines and all applicable codes.

Gas Code General Information

CSA B149.1-20 Clause 6.16.8 (Natural Gas & Propane Installation Code)

When piping or tubing passes through an exterior wall above ground, it shall be sealed watertight and the portion of piping or tubing that runs through the wall shall be sleeved or double wrapped with a pipe wrap tape. (This is for all types of construction wood, concrete, block walls etc.

Gas Appliance Vent Information

Gas Appliance Vent permits are required when changing out gas appliances and modifying the venting. When the gas piping remains unchanged, there is no requirement for a gas permit for residential change outs. Commercial installations will always require a gas permit when changing out appliances and may need a Gas Appliance Vent permit as well.

Backwater Valve Information (referencing basement suites)

Please review the requirements for back flow protection in dwellings with basement suites within the National Plumbing Code (NPC) 2020.

Separate permits are required for the suite and currently the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) require the following protection:

National Plumbing Code of Canada 2020, Clause 2.4.6.4.

5) A backwater valve is permitted to be installed in a building drain, provided that
a) it is a “normally open” design conforming to
i) CSA B70, “Cast iron soil pipe, fittings, and means of joining,"
ii) CSA B181.1, “Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) drain, waste, and vent pipe and pipe fittings,"
iii) CSA B181.2, “Polyvinylchloride (PVC) and chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC) drain, waste, and vent pipe and pipe fittings,” or
iv) CSA B182.1, “Plastic drain and sewer pipe and pipe fittings,” and
b) it does not serve more than one dwelling unit.

The New Plumbing Code

The new Plumbing Code came into effect on April 1, 2023, and contractors can review this to become familiar with any requirements that may be new or changed.
We are always available to answer any questions related to the new plumbing code changes or updates. Call our office at 780-743-7813 or email inspections@rmwb.ca.

Guidelines for subleasing in a single tenant space

National Building Code - 2019 Alberta Edition Reference: Div A, Article 1.4.1.2.
Suite means a single room or series of rooms of complementary use, operated under a single tenancy, and includes dwelling units, individual guest rooms in motels, hotels, boarding houses, rooming houses, and dormitories as well as individual stores and individual or complementary rooms for assembly occupancies, business and personal services occupancies, medium-hazard industrial occupancies and low-hazard industrial occupancies.

Subleased Offices & Sales Areas

A space with subleased offices, sales areas and other business and personal services occupancies, such as doctors, dentists, massage therapists, estheticians, hair salons and similar businesses can be considered as a single suite provided the following requirements are satisfied:

a) The building lessees must provide a written letter of authorization from the building owner confirming the owner’s approval of the subleases for all tenants and confirm the following.
b) The building owner or prime lease holder must provide Safety Codes with a floor plan and letter advising that the entire space is under a single management.
c) All businesses share all office facilities such as secretaries, receptionists, meeting rooms, copy machines, coffee rooms, etc.
d) All businesses have the same operating hours.
e) All washroom, egressing and exiting facilities are always accessible to all tenants and the public and comply with NBC/AE 2019 (National Building Code Alberta Edition).

Note: Fire separations are not required between the subleased spaces operating as a single tenancy but the requirements for fire separations remain at the demising walls as required by the NBC/AE 2019.

Flea Markets:

A space with subleased sales or market areas can be considered as a single suite provided the following requirements are satisfied:
a) The building lessees must provide a written letter of authorization from the building owner confirming the owner’s approval of the subleases for all tenants and confirm the following.
b) The building owner or prime lease holder must provide Safety Codes with a floor plan and letter advising that the entire space is under a single management.
c) All tenant spaces have the same operating hours.
d) Individual spaces have counter or open type storefronts only.
e) Tenants share all the building facilities.
f) All washroom, egressing and exiting facilities are always accessible to all tenants and the public and comply with NBC/AE 2019.

Note: Fire separations are not required between the subleased sales of market areas operating as a single tenancy but the requirements for fire separations remain at the demising walls as required by the NBC/AE 2019.

Low and Medium Hazard Industrial Occupancies:

A primary space with a single subleased low or medium hazard industrial occupancy may be considered as a single suite provided the following requirements are satisfied:
a) The building lessees must provide a written letter of authorization from the building owner confirming the owner’s approval of the subleases for both tenants and confirm the following.
b) The building owner or prime lease holder must provide Safety Codes with a floor plan and letter advising that the entire industrial suite is under a single management.
c) The operations and activities of all occupancies must be mutually compatible in terms of operations and processes and have the same use classification per NBC/AE and NFC/AE (National Fire Code/ Alberta Edition).
d) All occupants share all the building facilities.
e) All occupants have the same operating hours.
f) All washroom, egressing and exiting facilities are always accessible to all tenants and the public and comply with NBC/AE 2019.

Note: Fire separations are not required between the subleased suite and the prime suite operating as a single tenancy but the requirements for fire separations remain at any demising walls as required by the NBC/AE 2019.

Permits Required:

Approvals for subleases shall in all cases be subject to inspection, review, and approval by both branches of the Building and Fire Safety Codes authorities of the RMWB. Occupancy and other related Safety Codes permits may be required and all changes or additions to the business use or arrangement shall require a new reviews, approvals, and new permits.