Safety Codes Updates - Spring 2025

As the days are getting longer, the temperatures are increasing, and the snow is melting, we are moving into a new season. Here are some things to keep in mind from an electrical safety aspect:

• Extension cords used throughout the winter for temporary uses such as block heaters, Christmas lights, other heaters or outdoor uses, etc., are at risk of being found in puddles of water or melting snow. Take a proactive approach and ensure cords are picked up, and not able to be left in an unsafe situation.
• Extension cords used throughout the cold winter are prone to becoming damaged. Check the conditions of your cords, looking for damaged cord ends, evidence of overheating or loose connections, and cracked insulation.  If you can see individual conductors or copper wires anywhere, the cord must be repaired or taken out of service and rendered unusable as per CE Code 2-300.
• This is also a good opportunity to ensure your GFCI receptacles are functioning and tested as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Any receptacles that do not function as intended shall be replaced.

Fire Alarms

Who can install, verify, inspect, test and maintain a fire alarm system?

Alberta Municipal Affairs recently released a joint Building/Fire/Electrical interpretation on this topic found here.

There are five types of activities conducted on an fire alarm system:

1. Installation - includes a new install or additions, modifications, and renovations (changes) to an existing installation.

2. Verification - involves inspection and testing for verifying the FAS conforms to the design, and applicable codes and standards, and performs all its intended functions.

3. Inspection - a visual examination to determine the device or system will apparently perform in accordance with its intended function.

4. Testing - the operation of a device or system to determine it will perform in accordance with its intended operation or function.

5. Maintenance - the removal, replacement, or servicing of devices or equipment found inoperative during an inspection and testing of the fire alarm system.

This would include the discovery of an inoperative device at any other time outside of the scheduled mandatory inspections.

These 5 requirements for fire alarm and voice communication systems can only be completed by those recognized as qualified to do so under Division C of the National Fire Code (Alberta Edition).

Important Information

Those persons who have Fire Alarm Technician certification from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology or Southern Alberta Institute of Technology are still qualified to inspect, test and maintain fire alarm and voice communication systems until December 31, 2025.

To continue to inspect, test and maintain these systems after this date, persons must obtain a certificate of training from the CFAA. Prior to 2000, Alberta Labour issued a “P” ticket number or a personal identification number (PIN) card to certified electricians, manufacturer-trained technicians, electronics technicians, electrical engineering technologists, and professional electrical engineers.

This P card was to confirm that the individual had successfully passed their training to conduct work on fire alarm systems. In 2000, the practice of issuing a P ticket or PIN was discontinued. As Alberta Municipal Affairs no longer has the Alberta Labour program in place, the confirmation of a P ticket or PIN can no longer be provided. Anyone still in possession of their laminated P card should note that the card is still valid until December 31, 2025.

Cards issued by the Alberta Fire Safety Association (AFSA) will no longer be recognized as proof of certification effective December 31, 2025.

Solar Photovoltaic Installations

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems on residential properties is becoming increasingly popular in our region. There are many Canadian Electrical Code rules to be followed for such installations, most notably, sections 64 and 84.

RMWB Safety Codes has a guideline to help navigate your way through the permitting process and explains what is required.

Solar-PV-Guidelines

ONE FINAL NOTE: THE 2024 CANADIAN ELECTRICAL CODE COMES INTO EFFECT IN ALBERTA ON APRIL 1, 2025. Any electrical permits issued after this date will be subject to code enforcement of the new edition.

It’s been a long winter, but spring is coming. This means a change in the type of work we’re doing; usually, it means there’s a lot more digging.

Plumbing

Groundworks are going to be a regular occurrence.  Here are some helpful reminders:

• Ensure that a basement suite is protected from sewage from the main floor. This would mean a small change in location of your Mainline backflow preventer. This can also be accomplished by using a few swing checks on the basement lines (bathroom, kitchen, floor drain). 
• The codes governing this can be found in the National Plumbing Code of Canada
• 2.4.6.4 (backflow is required for any items below street level, and between dwellings; the main sewer needs to be unblocked to open air),
• 2.5.6.5(1) (main stack needs to be vented through the roof), &
• 2.5.7.2(3) (main stack cannot be less than NPS 3 in diameter)

Gas 

As the frost comes out of the ground, we become much more aware of the role played by swing joints and exterior vertical supports where the line enters the building. These requirements can be found in the B149.1:20 under clause 6.16 (Protection of Piping).

We need to be sure that any underground piping is done according to Clauses 6.2.8 (soft copper requirements) and the entirety of 6.15 (Underground piping).

A quick side note: the 2025 gas code has been released and is available online for purchase at

2025 Gas Code

And a final thought; please be safe in your excavations. Be mindful of the water seeping in through the sidewalls, pay attention to any cracks you see (they can tell a lot about the potential for sidewall collapse), and be mindful of the choices you make BEFORE you go into the hole. Always communicate with the excavator about the safety of the excavation; they are your subject matter experts.

There are several new barrier free accessibility requirements in the 2023 National Building Code/ Alberta Edition (NBC (AE)), that constructors, designers and business owners should be aware of.  The Codes for accessibility design requirements exist to allow for the proper and safe access and use of the built environment. Designers and builders must demonstrate compliance with the NBC(AE) at the permit application stage in their design prior construction. This helps avoid costly rework and errors. The Codes for accessible design exist to regulate a proper and safe outcome for people of all ages and abilities.

Section 3.8. Accessibility in the NBC(AE) sets forth the technical requirements for accessibility in design. Section 3.8. and other applicable Codes apply to all new construction, additions to existing buildings, changes to existing buildings and changes in use. Below are the new requirements and additional locations for power door operators.

3.8.2.7. Power Door Operators

1) Doors shall be equipped with power door operators complying with Subsection 3.8.3. that allows persons to activate the opening of the doors in the intended direction of travel, where the doors are located

a) in a pedestrian entrance including the interior doors of a vestibule where provided,

b) in a barrier-free path of travel, between the entrance and the entrance doors to suites or rooms served by a public corridor or a corridor used by the public), and

c) in an entrance to a washroom with a barrier-free water closet.

3.8.5.2. Physician Clinics and Offices

2) Every door that is in a barrier-free path of travel to a physician clinic or office shall be equipped with a power door operator that complies with Subsection 3.8.3. and allows persons to activate the opening of the door in the intended direction of travel.

3.8.3.6.(11) Clearance at Doorways / Hallways and Corridors

11) Unless equipped with a power door operator complying with Sentence (6), a swinging door in a barrier-free path of travel shall have a clear space on the latch side extending the height of the doorway and not less than

a) 600 mm beyond the edge of the door opening if the door swings toward the approach side, and

b) 300 mm beyond the edge of the door opening if the door swings away from the approach side.

7) A cane-detectable guard shall be installed on the hinged side of power-assisted doors that swing open into the path of travel.

For more information on Accessibility Design Code requirements, the Alberta Safety Code Council has released the 2024 version of the Accessibility Design. Full of illustrations and in-depth explanations of the codes requirements it is an invaluable design tool for anyone needing to design for accessibility. It can be found here: Accessibility Design Code Requirements