1. Project Specifications and theOntario Building CodeGeorgian CollegeJanuary 24th, 2012

2. IntroductionSpecifications is not a defined term underthe Architects Act or the Building Code Act.However, the term design is defined underthe Architects Act as meaning;a plan, sketch, drawing, graphic representation orspecification intended to govern the construction,enlargement or alteration of a building or a part of abuilding 3. What purposes do specifications serve?Construction Specifications Canada(CSC)and Digicon Information Inc.,from their ProductFormat 2008document, provide the followingpurposes for project specifications 4. In the commercial construction industry, aspecifier, architect or engineer develops one ormore specification sections for each product, or asmall collection of products, used on a project.This specification is used for design teamcoordination, bidding, contracting, acquiring andinstalling, product commissioning and projectadministration.As an integral part of a construction contract,specifications are read and interpreted bycontractors and subcontractors in order to providethe specified quality of product. 5. In summary;Specifications are an important partof the design of a building 6. Generally, how do specifications get createdfor using products in project? 7. Specifications usually start from the manufacturersinformation, in the form of a product or technicaldata sheet. 8. Once a products technical properties have beenproper communicated to the designers using theProduct or Technical Data Sheet, thespecifications may be drafted by the designer orspecification writer. 9. Specifications are used to distinguish the productrequirements that a contractor must fulfill for a project.Products may be specified by any one of the followingmethods; Prescriptive meaning a product is described usingits physical attributes Performance meaning a product that is describedby how it must function and perform Proprietary meaning the product is namedspecifically by manufacturer, model, etc. 10. For example Prescriptive the compressive strength ofunreinforced concrete after 28 days shall be notless than 32 Mpa for garage floors Performance Sheathing membrane is permitted tobe omitted beneath cladding when the joints incladding are formed to effectively prevent thepassage of wind and rain. Proprietary Model: ERP-TP, Explovent pressurerelief panel systems shall be manufactured byConspec Systems, Inc. Cranford, NJ; or C/SConstruction Specialties Company,Mississauga, Ontario. 11. As a designer specifications are important, so dontrely on the fact that some building departments dontinclude 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 = $$$$$$ 12. So, what about the role of theOntario Building Code withrespect to the projectspecifications? 13. Building Code ActA designer is obliged to provide as much information as possibleto ensure the buildings construction conforms to the BuildingCode.Section 1.1 of the BCA states;It is the role of the designer, if the designers designs are to besubmitted in support of an application for a permit under this Act, to provide designs which are in accordance with this Act and thebuilding code, and to provide documentation that is sufficiently detailed to permitthe design to be assessed for compliance with this Act and thebuilding code, and to allow a builder to carry out the work in accordance with thedesign, this Act and the building code. 14. Design is often cited in theBuilding Code Act, recall theterm design is defined under theArchitects Act as meaning;a plan, sketch, drawing, graphicrepresentation or specificationintended to govern theconstruction, enlargement oralteration of a building or a partof a building 15. Building Code ActA municipality may require a designer to provide as muchinformation as possible to ensure the design conforms to theBuilding Code.In part, Section 7 of the BCA states;The council of a municipality may pass by-laws providingfor applications for permits and requiring the applications tobe accompanied by such; plans,specifications,Documents, and other information as is prescribed 16. Markham Building By-lawSection 5 of Markham Building By-law states;As part of the application for a permit and in additionto the requirements of section 4 of this by-law, everyapplicant shall submit to the chief building official thefollowing;Sufficient plans, specifications, documents, forms andsuch other information as may be deemed necessaryby the chief building official to determine whether theproposed construction, demolition, or change of useconforms to the Act, the Building Code, any otherapplicable law. 17. Do Municipalities RegardSpecifications Necessary for theConstruction of a Building?A typical specification for a large ICI building contains100s if not 1000s of details for the buildings designand construction.Sound important and they are, so why do somemunicipal building departments not require thesubmission of specifications as part of their permitapplication? 18. Staff resources time to review the specificationsManage risk if you dont have time to reviewinformation submitted for a building permit, better notto request the information 19. Case Study 20. ICI Specifications/Building Building CodeComplianceIn the summer of 2010, construction started on anindoor 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 21. Generally, what information is important to Building Officials? 22. There are many construction components/productscontained in the specifications. However, not all itemsare 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;ConcreteMasonryStructural SteelMetal DeckingPlumbingHVA/CInsulationFire StoppingConcrete Formwork ReinforcementCurtain Walls Pre-engineered Products 23. SpecificationsLets consider 2 construction components/products forcompliance with the Building Code1. Sprayed Foam Insulation Air and Vapour Barrier System (Building Science), and2. Shear Connectors for Brick to Masonry Back-up (structural) 24. The issues from a Building Codeperspective:1. Do the products comply with the Building Code? As specified, and As installed 25. Municipal Building InspectionsWhat role do the specifications serve on theconstruction site from the building officials perspective?If there is an issue on site, such as a Building Codeinfraction, then the building official may reference thespecifications to find some answers. 26. Municipal Building Inspection (Suggested sequence of events)1. The municipal building inspector attends the site2. Observes the sprayed applied insulation and connectors for attachment of brick3. Requests and obtains specifications on the insulation and shear connectors4. Specifications indicate product and manufacturer (Proprietary Specification)5. Confirm product compliance with Building Code6. Confirm product installation with Building Code 27. Sprayed Foam Insulation Air and Vapour Barrier SystemReview Specifications for Compliance with the Building Code 28. Spray foam insulation 29. Inspectors willSpray foam insulationgenerally review the installation visually and not intrusively. 30. Confirm Building Code requirements/standardfor spray foam insulation 31. Specifications for spray foam insulation indicate the correctreference to Building Code standard 32. Before we go any further, lets remember,Products may be specified by any one of the followingmethods; Prescriptive meaning a product is described usingits physical attributes Performance meaning a product that is describedby how it must function and perform Proprietary meaning the product is namedspecifically by manufacturer, model, etc. 33. Specifications indicate manufacturer/type of spray foam insulationBack 34. Technical Data Sheet for insulation confirms compliancewith standard referenced by the Building Code 35. Footnote Important for designers/specifiers toknow almost everythingThe product specified is available in 3 types. When installedduring cold temperatures, Walltite ECO v.2 CT is required.What will happen if the incorrect type is installed in coldweather?Since the incorrect system chosen does not have the propercatalyst level, the cold temperature of the substrate will causea heat sink and rob the foam of its required heat for expansion.The contractor will need to install additional foam to reach therequired thickness. More foam = more $, therefore thecontractor may opt to reduce the amount of foam in order tosave money. The result, less insulation as required by theBuilding Code and specifications. 36. Specifications 37. Specifications 38. Shear Connectors for Brick to Masonry Back-up Review Specifications for Compliance with theBuilding Code 39. Inspectorrecognizes theincorrect typeof tie installed 40. But at anotherlocation thecorrect typewas installed 41. Building code requirement for tie/connector found in Part 4 42. Within CSA Standard A23, states ties toconform with CSA Standard A370 43. Specifications for the project do not indicate the Standard CSA Standard A370 for tie/connector compliance 44. Specifications for the project included a material or product that conformsto CSA Standard A370 for tie/connector compliance, see next slide 45. Product data sheet indicates ties/connectors conform to CSA Standard A370Correct tie tobe used on site Therefore, the full slotted tie as installed is confirmed as not conforming to the specifications 46. Remember,Products may be specified by any one of the followingmethods; Prescriptive meaning a product is described usingits physical attributes Performance meaning a product that is describedby how it must function and perform Proprietary meaning the product is namedspecifically by manufacturer, model, etc. 47. FootnoteDuring construction the general review engineer observed thecontractor was installing the incorrect masonry connector andinstructed the contractor to use the proper specified connector.What will happen if the incorrect connector is installed? 48. Summary1. It is important for designers to know the properties of building materials2. Incorrect specifications can result in materials being used for the wrong purpose3. Incorrect specifications can result in materials being installed contrary to the requirements of the Building Code and cause health and safety issuesWhat can go wrong? 49. Specifications for Dwellings (subdivision type construction) 50. Specifications for dwellings are not assophisticated when compared to ICI buildings,however, they are just as important for thedesign of the building 51. Specifications for dwellings may becomprised of one or more of the following; General Notes Sheet Construction Notes Sheet Shop drawings Engineered Shop Drawings Notes on architectural drawings or whatever 52. Construction NotesThe closest thingto specifications,but lacking floorjoist and beam orLVL information 53. For the most part, specifications for dwellingsare;Prescriptive meaning a product is describedusing its physical attributesFor example, the Construction Notes page oftenlists the specifications for Compliance with theBuilding Code. 54. ExampleNote # 4 is prescriptive because it states the sizes ofthe materials, it does not give its intended functions orprovide a product manufacturer 55. Case StudyShop Drawings for Engineered Wood Products and Compliance with the Building Code 56. What are shop drawings?A shop drawing is a drawing or set of drawings producedby the contractor, supplier, manufacturer, subcontractor,or fabricator.Engineered wood shop drawings are usually sealed by aprofessional engineer and contain drawings andspecifications related to the design and installation of thecomponent. 57. In the this case study, an engineered woodproduct (NASCOR) is specified by the buildingdesigner (BCIN person)Again to review, products may be specified by any oneof the following methods; Prescriptive meaning a product is described usingits physical attributes Performance meaning a product that is describedby how it must function and perform Proprietary meaning the product is namedspecifically by manufacturer, model, etc. 58. Lets review the shop drawings to determine how theengineered wood products are specified on thisproject.The next slide is the first page on the woodengineering shop drawings and is applicable to all ofthe engineered drawings.It specifies the how the engineers shop drawingdesign must be co-ordinated with the dwellingdesigners information. The dwelling designer musthave a BCIN or be an architect or professionalengineer 59. The previous slide indicates that NASCOR floor joists willbe used for this project. This type of specification is called,Proprietary meaning the product is named specifically bymanufacturer, model, etc.So, what is or where is the specification for the LVL beam?Lets find out. 60. Architectural design drawings specify that a double joist is required at thislocation at the stair opening. However, Sentence 9.23.9.5.(2) requiresheader joists exceeding 3.2 m in length to be determined by calculations. 61. Floor framing plan forengineered woodcomponents; floor joists (NASCOR) beams ? connectorsThe G4 2-ply beam isindicated on the floorplan to be a LVL 62. Review, an engineered wood product isspecified by the building designer (BCINperson) and engineered shop drawings producethe specifications for the floor joists and beams.Products may be specified by any one of the followingmethods; Prescriptive meaning a product is described usingits physical attributes Performance meaning a product that is describedby how it must function and perform Proprietary meaning the product is namedspecifically by manufacturer, model, etc. 63. The engineered wood framing is based on design criteria from theBuilding Code. Therefore, the specifications for the LVL beams on thiscase study project are;Prescriptive meaning a product is described using its physicalattributes.Therefore, the designer has specified that the builder must select an LVLmanufacturers product that meets these prescriptive requirements: Back 64. Since neither the designer and engineered shop drawinghave not specified a product model or manufacturer, thebuilder must chose a LVL to be used in the dwelling thatmeets the previous physical attributes of:1 x 9 West Fraser 2.0 E 3 16 (maximum length ofspan) 65. Shop drawing forthe LVL beamcontains informationto indicate it meetsthe specifications,but does notindicate the productto be used on site. 66. Where does this leave the building official?The building official must either request theproduct information for the LVL beam or wait untilit is installed to determine the productmanufacturer and confirm that the product meetsthe Ontario Building Code design criteria.So off to the site we go. 67. Site visit, this is the LVL beaminstalled around the stairopening 68. Design CriteriaData ReportCCMC Report 69. Summary1.Shop drawings form part of the design of a dwellingand contain specifications for the builder to follow.2.In this case study, the engineered wood componentswere specified by: Proprietary meaning the product is named specifically bymanufacturer, model, etc. (NASCOR) and Prescriptive meaning a product is described using its physical attributes. (The builder chose to install Global LVL Inc. that met the physical attributes)3.Other specifications may come from the product datasheet and CCMC approval. 70. There are other components of a dwellingthat 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 ..... 71. Sheathing tape 3MProprietaryAir BarrierSurround HousewrapProprietaryConcrete 25 mPa strengthPrescriptive Drainage layer as per Clause 9.14.2.1.(2)(b) of the OBCDove-tail anchor slots ABC Anchors Ltd. PerformanceProprietary 72. Drainage Layer SpecificationPerformance meaning a product that isdescribed by how it must function and perform9.14.2.1.(2)(b) states; a system shall be installed thatcan be shown to provide equivalent performance to thatprovided by the materials described in Clause (a)Clause (a) = not less than 19 mm mineral fibre insulation with adensity of not less than 57 kg/m3 or not less than 100 mm of freedraining granular material.So, the builder could chose a product that meets the criteria inClause (a) above. A CCMC approved product would be appropriate,such as the drainage mat installed by Delta. 73. 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