Project Specifications and Building Code

Project Specifications
and the
Ontario Building Code

Georgian College
January 24th, 2012

Introduction

„Specifications‟ is not a defined term under
the Architects Act or the Building Code Act.
However, the term „design‟ is defined under
the Architect‟s Act as meaning;
“a plan, sketch, drawing, graphic representation or
specification intended to govern the construction,
enlargement or alteration of a building or a part of a
building”

What purposes do specifications serve?

Construction Specifications Canada
(CSC)and Digicon Information Inc.,
from their ProductFormat© 2008
document, provide the following
purposes for project specifications …

“In the commercial construction industry, a
specifier, architect or engineer develops one or
more specification sections for each product, or a
small collection of products, used on a project.
This specification is used for design team
coordination, bidding, contracting, acquiring and
installing, product commissioning and project
administration.
As an integral part of a construction contract,
specifications are read and interpreted by
contractors and subcontractors in order to provide
the specified quality of product.”

In summary;

Specifications are an important part
of the design of a building

Generally, how do specifications get created
for using products in project?

Specifications usually start from the manufacturer‟s
information, in the form of a product or technical
data sheet.

Once a product‟s technical properties have been
proper communicated to the designers using the
Product or Technical Data Sheet, the
specifications may be drafted by the designer or
specification writer.

Specifications are used to distinguish the product
requirements that a contractor must fulfill for a project.

Products may be specified by any one of the following
methods;

• Prescriptive – meaning a product is described using
its physical attributes
• Performance – meaning a product that is described
by how it must function and perform
• Proprietary – meaning the product is named
specifically by manufacturer, model, etc.

For example

• Prescriptive – the compressive strength of
unreinforced concrete after 28 days shall be not
less than 32 Mpa for garage floors
• Performance – Sheathing membrane is permitted to
be omitted beneath cladding when the joints in
cladding are formed to effectively prevent the
passage of wind and rain.
Proprietary – Model: ERP-TP, Explovent pressure
relief panel systems shall be manufactured by
Conspec Systems, Inc. Cranford, NJ; or C/S
Construction Specialties Company,
Mississauga, Ontario.

As a designer specifications are important, so don‟t
rely on the fact that some building departments don‟t
include them as part of the building permit documents.
More on this subject in the next couple of slides.

In addition and more importantly for a designer,
specifications form part of the contract documents,
they are contractually enforceable.

Contract documents = $$$$$$

So, what about the role of the
Ontario Building Code with
respect to the project
specifications?

Building Code Act
A designer is obliged to provide as much information as possible
to ensure the building‟s construction conforms to the Building
Code.
Section 1.1 of the BCA states;
It is the role of the designer, if the designer’s designs are to be
submitted in support of an application for a permit under this Act,
• to provide designs which are in accordance with this Act and the
building code, and
• to provide documentation that is sufficiently detailed to permit
the design to be assessed for compliance with this Act and the
building code, and
• to allow a builder to carry out the work in accordance with the
design, this Act and the building code.

Design is often cited in the
Building Code Act, recall the
term „design‟ is defined under the
Architect‟s Act as meaning;
“a plan, sketch, drawing, graphic
representation or specification
intended to govern the
construction, enlargement or
alteration of a building or a part
of a building”

Building Code Act
A municipality may require a designer to provide as much
information as possible to ensure the design conforms to the
Building Code.
In part, Section 7 of the BCA states;
The council of a municipality may pass by-laws providing
for applications for permits and requiring the applications to
be accompanied by such;
• plans,
•specifications,
•Documents, and
• other information as is prescribed

Markham Building By-law
Section 5 of Markham Building By-law states;
As part of the application for a permit and in addition
to the requirements of section 4 of this by-law, every
applicant shall submit to the chief building official the
following;
Sufficient plans, specifications, documents, forms and
such other information as may be deemed necessary
by the chief building official to determine whether the
proposed construction, demolition, or change of use
conforms to the Act, the Building Code, any other
applicable law.

Do Municipalities Regard
Specifications Necessary for the
Construction of a Building?
A typical specification for a large ICI building contains
100‟s if not 1000‟s of details for the building‟s design
and construction.
Sound important and they are, so why do some
municipal building departments not require the
submission of specifications as part of their permit
application?

Staff resources – time to review the specifications
Manage risk – if you don‟t have time to review
information submitted for a building permit, better not
to request the information

ICI Specifications/Building – Building Code
Compliance

In the summer of 2010, construction started on an
indoor tennis facility.

• Four international standard tennis courts

• All four courts enclosed for winter tennis

• Includes construction of a small clubhouse facility
(including washrooms and change facilities)

• Total construction cost approximately $1.7 million

Generally, what information is important to Building Officials?

There are many construction components/products
contained in the specifications. However, not all items
are regulated by the Building Code. ie. painting,
washroom accessories, etc.
Building Officials are more concerned with life safety,
building science, type of issues, such as;
Concrete Masonry
Structural Steel Metal Decking
Plumbing HVA/C
Insulation Fire Stopping
Concrete Formwork Reinforcement
Curtain Walls Pre-engineered Products

Specifications
Let‟s consider 2 construction components/products for
compliance with the Building Code

1. Sprayed Foam Insulation Air and Vapour Barrier
System (Building Science), and
2. Shear Connectors for Brick to Masonry Back-up
(structural)

The issues from a Building Code
perspective:

1. Do the products comply with the Building Code?
• As specified, and
• As installed

Municipal Building Inspections
What role do the specifications serve on the
construction site from the building officials perspective?

If there is an issue on site, such as a Building Code
infraction, then the building official may reference the
specifications to find some answers.

Municipal Building Inspection
(Suggested sequence of events)
1. The municipal building inspector attends the site
2. Observes the sprayed applied insulation and
connectors for attachment of brick
3. Requests and obtains specifications on the
insulation and shear connectors
4. Specifications indicate product and manufacturer
(Proprietary Specification)
5. Confirm product compliance with Building Code
6. Confirm product installation with Building Code

Sprayed Foam Insulation
Air and Vapour Barrier System

Review Specifications for Compliance with the
Building Code

Inspectors will
Spray foam insulationgenerally review the
installation visually and
not intrusively.

Confirm Building Code requirements/standard
for spray foam insulation

Specifications for spray foam insulation indicate the correct
reference to Building Code standard

Before we go any further, lets remember,

methods;


Specifications indicate manufacturer/type
of spray foam insulation

Back

Technical Data Sheet for insulation confirms compliance
with standard referenced by the Building Code

Footnote – Important for designers/specifiers to
know almost everything
The product specified is available in 3 types. When installed
during cold temperatures, Walltite ECO v.2 CT is required.

What will happen if the incorrect type is installed in cold
weather?

Since the incorrect system chosen does not have the proper
catalyst level, the cold temperature of the substrate will cause
a heat sink and rob the foam of its required heat for expansion.

The contractor will need to install additional foam to reach the
required thickness. More foam = more $, therefore the
contractor may opt to reduce the amount of foam in order to
save money. The result, less insulation as required by the
Building Code and specifications.

Project Specifications and Building Code

Shear Connectors for Brick to Masonry Back-up

Review Specifications for Compliance with the
Building Code

Inspector
recognizes the
incorrect type
of tie installed

But at another
location the
correct type
was installed

Building code requirement for tie/connector found in Part 4

Within CSA Standard A23, states ties to
conform with CSA Standard A370

Specifications for the project do not indicate the Standard CSA
Standard A370 for tie/connector compliance

Specifications for the project included a material or product that conforms
to CSA Standard A370 for tie/connector compliance, see next slide

Product data sheet indicates ties/connectors
conform to CSA Standard A370

Correct tie to
be used on site

Therefore, the
full slotted tie
as installed is
confirmed as
not conforming
to the
specifications

Remember,

methods;


Footnote

During construction the general review engineer observed the
contractor was installing the incorrect masonry connector and
instructed the contractor to use the proper specified connector.

What will happen if the incorrect connector is installed?

Summary
1. It is important for designers to know the
properties of building materials
2. Incorrect specifications can result in
materials being used for the wrong
purpose
3. Incorrect specifications can result in
materials being installed contrary to the
requirements of the Building Code and
cause health and safety issues
What can go wrong?

Specifications for
Dwellings
(subdivision type construction)

Specifications for dwellings are not as
sophisticated when compared to ICI buildings,
however, they are just as important for the
design of the building

Specifications for dwellings may be
comprised of one or more of the following;

• General Notes Sheet
• Construction Notes Sheet
• Shop drawings
• Engineered Shop Drawings
• Notes on architectural drawings
• or whatever

Construction Notes

The closest thing
to specifications,
but lacking floor
joist and beam or
LVL information

For the most part, specifications for dwellings
are;

Prescriptive – meaning a product is described
using its physical attributes

For example, the Construction Notes page often
lists the specifications for Compliance with the
Building Code.

Example

Note # 4 – is prescriptive because it states the sizes of
the materials, it does not give its intended functions or
provide a product manufacturer

Case Study

Shop Drawings for Engineered Wood Products
and Compliance with the Building Code

What are shop drawings?

A shop drawing is a drawing or set of drawings produced
by the contractor, supplier, manufacturer, subcontractor,
or fabricator.

Engineered wood shop drawings are usually sealed by a
professional engineer and contain drawings and
specifications related to the design and installation of the
component.

In the this case study, an engineered wood
product (NASCOR) is specified by the building
designer (BCIN person)

Again to review, products may be specified by any one
of the following methods;


Lets review the shop drawings to determine how the
engineered wood products are specified on this
project.

The next slide is the first page on the wood
engineering shop drawings and is applicable to all of
the engineered drawings.

It specifies the how the engineer‟s shop drawing
design must be co-ordinated with the dwelling
designers information. The dwelling designer must
have a BCIN or be an architect or professional
engineer

The previous slide indicates that NASCOR floor joists will
be used for this project. This type of specification is called,

Proprietary – meaning the product is named specifically by
manufacturer, model, etc.

So, what is or where is the specification for the LVL beam?

Let‟s find out.

Architectural design drawings specify that a double joist is required at this
location at the stair opening. However, Sentence 9.23.9.5.(2) requires
header joists exceeding 3.2 m in length to be determined by calculations.

Floor framing plan for
engineered wood
components;

• floor joists (NASCOR)
• beams ?
• connectors

The G4 2-ply beam is
indicated on the floor
plan to be a LVL

Review, an engineered wood product is
specified by the building designer (BCIN
person) and engineered shop drawings produce
the specifications for the floor joists and beams.
methods;


The engineered wood framing is based on design criteria from the
Building Code. Therefore, the specifications for the LVL beams on this
case study project are;

Prescriptive – meaning a product is described using its physical
attributes.

Therefore, the designer has specified that the builder must select an LVL
manufacturer‟s product that meets these prescriptive requirements:

Back

Since neither the designer and engineered shop drawing
have not specified a product model or manufacturer, the
builder must chose a LVL to be used in the dwelling that
meets the previous physical attributes of:

1 ¾ x 9 West Fraser 2.0 E – 3 16‟ (maximum length of
span)

Shop drawing for
the LVL beam
contains information
to indicate it meets
the specifications,
but does not
indicate the product
to be used on site.

Where does this leave the building official?

The building official must either request the
product information for the LVL beam or wait until
it is installed to determine the product
manufacturer and confirm that the product meets
the Ontario Building Code design criteria.

So off to the site we go.

Site visit, this is the LVL beam
installed around the stair
opening

Design Criteria
Data Report

CCMC Report

Summary
1. Shop drawings form part of the design of a dwelling
and contain specifications for the builder to follow.

2. In this case study, the engineered wood components
were specified by:

• Proprietary – meaning the product is named specifically by
manufacturer, model, etc. (NASCOR) and

• Prescriptive – meaning a product is described using it‟s
physical attributes. (The builder chose to install
Global LVL Inc. that met the physical attributes)

3. Other specifications may come from the product data
sheet and CCMC approval.

There are other components of a dwelling
that should be specified, such as;
• Exterior rigid insulation (SB-12 energy efficiency)
• Windows (SB-12 maximum window areas)
• Framing grading (Stud, no. 1)
• Floor sheathing (CSA standard)
• Mechanical connectors (Brick ties)
• Concrete (Strength, air entrainment, etc)
• Roofing (Shingle standard, Richmond Hill issue)
• Cladding (Product type, ie. Hardie Board)
• Thermal insulation (R or RSI value)
• Heating unit (SB-12 efficiency rating, 90%, 94%, etc.)
• and so on .....

Sheathing tape 3M

Proprietary

Air Barrier
Surround Housewrap

Proprietary Concrete 25 mPa
strength
Prescriptive
Drainage layer as per Clause
9.14.2.1.(2)(b) of the OBC Dove-tail anchor slots
ABC Anchors Ltd.
Performance Proprietary

Drainage Layer Specification

Performance – meaning a product that is
described by how it must function and perform
9.14.2.1.(2)(b) states; a system shall be installed that
can be shown to provide equivalent performance to that
provided by the materials described in Clause (a)
Clause (a) = not less than 19 mm mineral fibre insulation with a
density of not less than 57 kg/m3 or not less than 100 mm of free
draining granular material.

So, the builder could chose a product that meets the criteria in
Clause (a) above. A CCMC approved product would be appropriate,
such as the drainage mat installed by Delta.

Thank you and Questions

Further information on specifications

Construction Specifications Canada - http://www.csc-dcc.ca/

Further information on Building Code issues for designers

Facebook Site for Designers – www.facebook.com/designers.buildingcode

Project Specifications and Building Code

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