Winnipeg, MB — Manitoba is the latest province to officially adopt the 2020 National Model Codes for building, plumbing, energy, and fire.
“The adoption of the 2020 national model codes will bring Manitoba up to date for the building, plumbing, fire and energy industries in a number of key areas, including accessibility and energy efficiency,” said Jon Reyes, minister of labour and immigration.
The National Model Codes will come into effect as of Jan. 1, 2024,
Significant updates affecting Manitoba’s codes include accessibility requirements, requirements for farm buildings, requirements for residential care facilities, and energy efficiency tiers.
The 2020 National Building Code contains updates to address accessibility for buildings that accommodate a range of mobility devices and ageing in place. It also includes major updates for large farm buildings since 1995 and allows for larger farm buildings to be built without compromising the safety of occupants. The building and fire codes contain a home-type care occupancy, which replaces Manitoba’s residential care occupancy classification.
Provincial and territorial regulators can now select energy efficiency tiers for housing and small buildings under the building and energy codes.
The National Building Code of Canada 2020 was developed by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes and published by the National Research Council of Canada.