Regulators Collaborate to Modernize National Building Code Schedules
A joint working group of the Association of Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) and the Alberta Association of Architects (AAA), with support from Alberta Municipal Affairs and the Safety Codes Council (the Council), has updated the National Building Code (Alberta Edition) [NBC(AE)] Schedules and created a user guide to assist stakeholders.
The purpose of the NBC(AE) Schedules is to track the legislated responsibilities of registered architects, licensed interior designers, and professional engineers involved in building projects in Alberta, as defined in the NBC(AE), the Safety Codes Act, the Architects Act, and the Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act.
The NBC(AE) Schedules User Guide was developed jointly and is approved for use by APEGA and AAA.
Read the NBC(AE) Schedules User Guide
A successful collaboration
“APEGA is pleased to have been part of such a successful collaboration with AAA, the Council and Alberta Municipal Affairs. We believe this collaboration will significantly contribute to the public interest through safer building projects being completed in a more cost- and time-effective manner,” said Jay Nagendran, APEGA’s registrar and chief executive officer.
“AAA is delighted to have worked collaboratively with Alberta Municipal Affairs, APEGA and the Safety Codes Council to refresh the NBC(AE) Schedules and develop a companion guide that will bring greater clarity to the roles and responsibilities of the users of these schedules. We are confident that these documents will be well received and will ultimately enhance public safety,” said Barbara Bruce, executive director of AAA.
Over the next several months, APEGA and AAA will provide education sessions, supported by Alberta Municipal Affairs and the Safety Codes Council, for its members and other stakeholders now that Alberta Municipal Affairs has issued a STANDATA to permit the use of the updated schedules.
“The Council congratulates and thanks both AAA and APEGA for all their work on developing the new building schedules. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with these organizations and Municipal Affairs to ensure that all those involved in the building industry continue to work together. Copies of the schedules will be made available on our website when they come into force,” said Amina Deiab, president and chief executive officer of the Safety Codes Council.
In place since the mid-1990s, the schedules needed modernizing to better protect the public. A key issue was inconsistent interpretation of the schedules by owners, constructors, contractors, registered architects, licensed interior designers, professional engineers, safety codes officers and the public.
Related Links
Questions or suggestions concerning the NBC(AE) Schedules User Guide can be addressed to APEGA's Director, Professional Practice, by emailing [email protected].