News Codes & Standards
Public comment open for NBC 2020

The Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) is inviting the public to take part in the third public review of proposed changes to the 2020 editions of the National Model Codes. The proposed changes included in this public review will address the following topics:

• alterations to existing buildings

• greenhouse gas emissions

• radon

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• airtightness

• accessibility – illumination levels and projection of protruding building elements

• building envelope – thermal bridging and insulation

• building fire safety

• climatic loads

• combustible construction – fire protection and safety

• encapsulated mass timber construction

• HVAC equipment efficiency

• large farm buildings

• hazardous materials and activities

• plumbing materials and equipment

• fire protection

• use and egress

• penetrations

• prescriptive trade-off path

• vegetated roof assemblies

• windows, doors and skylights

• environmental separation standards

• lighting

• fenestration – thermal characteristics

The public review will run from October 23 to December 18, 2023. Those interested in participating in the review can access the proposed changes on the CBHCC’s website and provide feedback. The public review is an opportunity for all Canadians to participate in the code development process. The CBHCC encourages anyone who is interested to review the changes being considered and comment on whether the proposed changes should be approved, modified, or withdrawn. Following the public review, all comments will be considered by the relevant code development committees, and recommendations on the proposed changes will be made to the CBHCC. If approved, the changes will be included in the 2025 editions of the National Model Codes, which are published by the National Research Council of Canada. Your feedback on the proposed changes will help shape the National Model Codes, which are adopted, with or without modifications, by the provincial or territorial authorities having jurisdiction over local building, fire, plumbing and energy regulations. For more information, please contact the CBHCC at CBHCCSecretary-SecretaireCCHCC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.