Additional New and Events

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

2011 AGM Moncton Speakers List

Jim Donovan (Halifax Regonial Municipality) Alternative Solutions


Presentation



    Photoluminescent Safety Products Bob McIntosh


    AGM Presentation


    Web Site http://www.pnagroupplm.com


    Greg Thompson Technical Inspections (Building Safety Code Act upate)



    Presentation


    NEMLA Lumber Strength Joma Group Marc LeBlanc P.Eng


    AGM Presentation


    National Foam Supply


    Presentation Link


    DuPont Tyvek Window Flashing Matt Caisse


    Presentation Link

    Friday, April 8, 2011

    New Version of CSA B365 Soon to Take Effect (WETT Newsletter)

    Link To WETT Site

    SPRING 2011


    The Times They Are A Changin’ New Version of CSA B365 Soon to Take Effect In our last newsletter, we mentioned the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) had released a new version of B365 – the Installation Code for Solid-Fuel Burning Appliances and Equipment. While the old version (B365-01) is still in effect for now, the new version (B365-10) is expected to come into force very soon once it is referenced within building codes in Canada.


    To ease the transition and to ensure all members have current, up-to-date information, WETT is currently distributing free copies of CSA B365-10 to every member in good standing. This code book has a street value of $160.00, and is included with your 2011 membership renewal.


    Before CSA B365-10 is enacted, it would be very wise to familiarize yourself with the new document. Information has been completely reorganized into different sections. Some of the definitions have been changed for clarification, and a number of code requirements have been revised. And be forewarned… Some of these revisions are sure to change the way you do business in the future.



    While there are many, many differences, we want to use this newsletter to draw your attention to some key changes that we believe are substantial.


    First, certain sections of the old code book have been moved to the Annex (informative) at the rear of the booklet. These include:

    • Responsibilities of the Installer

    • Training and Quality of Labour

    • Portions dealing with Suitability of Equipment


    These sections have all been combined into a single cat­egory under Annex G in the new document. This has been done because many of the requirements within these sections were con­sidered to be subjective in nature, and difficult if not impossible to enforce. To reflect this, the words “shall” have been replaced with “should”. While there are many arguments for and against the revisions to these sections, we urge members to do their best to comply with the recommendations posted within this annex. This will help to ensure WETT maintains a positive, professional reputation in the minds of the public.


    Hazardous Locations This section can now be found under clause 4.3 in the new document. Language dealing with the installation height of appliances has been clarified. The wording now reads, “Any component representing a source of ignition, such as a blower or the bottom of the firebox, is at least 450 mm (18 inches) above floor level.” The old wording was open to much interpretation. It stipulated that the “appliance” must be mounted 18 inches above floor level. To be sure, the height of the appliance’s pedestal or legs was being factored in as part of the appliance. This resulted in platforms that were taller than they needed to be to satisfy the intent. Even with the revision, installers will still need to check with their local-authority-having jurisdiction as to what they want to see to satisfy the requirement for protection against physical damage.


    Ancillary EquipmentDraft Regulators A new clause related to draft regulators (barometric dampers) has been added under section 4.4.4 in the new document. This clause effectively prohibits the installation of a draft regulator unless it has been certified for use with the appliance by the appliance’s manufacturer.


    Venting Flue Gases Tees are now required in certain liner applications. This new clause (6.2.7) stipulates that a tee is mandatory for a liner system connected to a free-standing space heater, or a hearth-mounted stove that is rear-vented. This does not apply to fireplace inserts or to hearth-mount appliances that are top-vented. Why the change? It just makes good sense to use a tee in these applications as is it improves inspection and maintenance access. If you were already doing this anyway – good for you! Section 6.4.2 in the new code makes some subtle changes to the requirements for horizontal sections of single-wall flue pipe that should not be overlooked. The wording has been revised to ensure that effective lengths of elbows are factored in when determining the overall length of a horizontal flue pipe. Before, it could be interpreted that 3 m (10 feet) of straight pipe was permitted along with up to 180 degrees of elbow. This was never the intent. It is important to note that a 90 degree elbow is roughly equivalent to five feet of straight pipe in terms of resistance. You would be at maximum hori­zontal flue pipe length with single-wall pipe if you used just two ninety degree elbows or four forty-five degree elbows. And while we should not have to say it, elbows should never be included within a flue pipe solely as a means of reclaiming heat from flue gases. This is a bad idea that will only slow down draft and result in excess accumulations of creosote! Readers will also note that a diagram that is commonly referred to has been moved. This diagram shows a cross-section of a breech pipe installed through a combustible wall and into a masonry chimney (Figure 2 on page 23 in the old CSA B365-01). This diagram has been relocated to the back of the new CSA B365-10 and relabeled as Annex H – Breech Pipe Installation.


    Installation of Ducts If you work with central wood furnaces, there are a few differences you are sure to notice too. Joints where sections of duct are connected must now be sealed using approved methods as outlined within section 9.1.2 on page 17. You may also notice that Annex F in regards to Heating Supply Ducts has been removed.


    Installation of Appliances – Spark & Ember Protection Good news!! Wording under section 8.1.3.2 helps to clear up a common problem installers sometimes face when deal­ing with spark & ember protection on floors. Code requires a minimum 200 mm (8 inches) of protection on the sides and rear for wood stoves, yet many of today’s appliances are certified to be installed with much less clearance to a wall if appropriate heat shields are used. In these instances, the floor protection can be less than 200 mm providing the pad butts up tightly to the wall’s base. The key to this new wording is that floor protection applies only to combustible surfaces beneath the appliance. Jumping sparks and embers are not likely to stick to a wall (especially at the rear of the appliance), so this revision just makes good sense and keeps up with the more tolerant clearances required by today’s stove designs. One thing to keep in mind though… just because you can install an appliance with minimal clearance does not mean you should. Always keep in mind that someone may have to get behind that appliance down the road to look at a certifica­tion label, or to work on a fan or other component. They will not appreciate it if the appliance has to be removed in order to get access (this point is actually a code requirement – see section 8.2.1 on page 16). Sections 8.1.4.2, 8.1.4.3, and 8.1.4.4 under Radiant Heat Protection all feature a slight rewording to clarify intent when it comes to installation of appliances with no legs or short legs. The language is now more specific. Clearances should be measured between the “firebox bottom” and the ember pad, instead of between the “appliance bottom” and floor pad. Again, under the old version, some could make the argument that the measurement applied to the very bottom of any legs, an ash pan, shields, or any other portion forming part of the appliance.


    Other Differences There are bound to be more than a few other grey areas when interpreting the new code as we move forward. As time and space permits, we will do our best to discuss these in future newsletters. As always, you can rely on WETT to provide you with sound opinions based on best practices.

    Friday, April 1, 2011

    Technical changes in the 2010 National Model Construction Codes

    Free online presentations providing detailed overviews of major technical changes in the 2010 National Model Construction Codes are now available on the national codes website at http://www.codesnationaux.ca/eng/presentations/2010_codes_presentations.shtml . They include changes to the National Building Code of Canada (NBC), the National Fire Code of Canada (NFC) and the National Plumbing Code of Canada (NPC). These presentations replace the cross-country seminars traditionally offered during past model code launches. The following subjects are covered: · Combustible Penetrations and Plenum Cables (NBC 2010, Parts 3 and 9) · Dangerous Goods, Flammable and Combustible Liquids and Hazardous Activities (NFC 2010) · Fire Alarms and Exit Signs (NBC 2010, Parts 3 and 9, and NFC 2010) · HVAC and Plumbing (NBC 2010, Part 6 and NPC 2010) Lateral Load Resistance (NBC 2010, Part 9) · Part 9 Changes (NBC 2010, Part 9) Radon (NBC 2010, Parts 5, 6 and 9) · Residential Care (NBC 2010, Part 3) · Secondary Suites (NBC 2010, Part 9) · Spatial Separations (NBC 2010, Parts 3 and 9) Stairs (NBC 2010, Parts 3 and 9) · Structural Loads (NBC 2010, Parts 4 and 5) Windows, Doors, Skylights and Sealants (NBC 2010, Parts 5 and 9). Des présentations en ligne gratuites qui décrivent en détail les principales modifications techniques apportées aux codes modèles nationaux de construction de 2010 sont maintenant disponibles sur le site Web des codes nationaux à http://www.codesnationaux.ca/fra/presentations/codes_2010_presentations.shtml. Ces présentations portent sur les modifications au Code national du bâtiment (CNB), au Code national de prévention des incendies (CNPI) et au Code national de la plomberie (CNP). Elles remplacent les séminaires pancanadiens traditionnellement offerts lors du lancement des codes modèles précédents. Ces présentations abordent les sujets suivants : · Pénétrations combustibles et câbles de plénum (CNB 2010, parties 3 et 9) · Marchandises dangereuses, liquides combustibles et inflammables et activités dangereuses (CNPI 2010) · Systèmes d’alarme incendie et signalisations d’issue (CNB 2010, parties 3 et 9, et CNPI 2010) · Installations de CVCA et plomberie (CNB 2010, partie 6 et CNP 2010) · Résistance aux charges latérales (CNB 2010, partie 9) · Modifications à la partie 9 (CNB 2010, partie 9) · Radon (CNB 2010, parties 5, 6 et 9) · Établissements de soins de type résidence supervisée (CNB 2010, partie 3) · Logements accessoires (CNB 2010, partie 9) · Séparations spatiales (CNB 2010, parties 3 et 9) · Escaliers (CNB 2010, parties 3 et 9) · Charges structurales (CNB 2010, parties 4 et 5) · Fenêtres, portes, lanterneaux et produits d’étanchéité (CNB 2010, parties 5 et 9)