Call for volunteers to serve on Codes committees

The five-year term for the current Standing Committees of the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) that develop the National Model Construction Codes will expire August 31, 2014. As a result, the CCBFC is issuing a call for volunteers to serve on the Standing Committees in the next code development cycle. Anyone interested in participating in one of the committees is encouraged to submit their application using the online form on the National Codes website. New appointments and re-appointments will be effective September 1, 2014.

This is your chance to give back to the construction industry by using your technical knowledge and expertise to help the Commission improve the Codes. Once adopted into law by jurisdictions, these Codes affect most building construction in Canada.

The CCBFC is an independent committee of volunteers established by NRC to develop and maintain the National Model Construction Codes. It oversees the work of nine Standing Committees, whose members apply their experience in various technical areas of the codes to develop and improve their content and thereby help protect the health and safety of Canadians. These areas include:

• Building and Plumbing Services (National Building Code – Parts 6 and 7, National Plumbing Code)
• Earthquake Design (National Building Code – Part 4)
• Energy Efficiency in Buildings (National Energy Code for Buildings)
• Environmental Separation (National Building Code – Part 5)
• Fire Protection (National Building Code – Part 3, National Fire Code – Part 2 and 6)
• Hazardous Materials and Activities (National Fire Code)
• Housing and Small Buildings (National Building Code – Part 9)
• Structural Design (National Building Code – Part 4)
• Use and Egress (National Building Code – Part 3, National Fire Code – Part 2).

Committee members, selected for their expertise, commit to a five-year term. Members may be re-appointed for further terms subject to maintaining a reasonable degree of membership rotation. The membership of each committee has representation from the industrial and regulatory sectors, as well as general interest groups, and is balanced by geographic region. Such appointments do not carry remuneration; however, travel and hospitality expenses incurred in attending meetings are reimbursed by NRC. For more information, see CCBFC – Standing Committees on the National Codes website.

If you are interested in becoming a member and participating in important national code development work, please send an expression of interest to the Secretary of the CCBFC using the online form on the National Codes website before February 28, 2014. Please indicate which standing committee(s) you are interested in joining, include a 120-word summary of your relevant experience and attach/append your resume.

The call for volunteers to serve on the CCBFC proper in the next code development cycle will be issued in fall 2014, as the term of its current members will end on August 31, 2015. Individuals interested in serving on the CCBFC in the new term can also submit their applications at this time. These will be held on file for consideration in early 2015.