Builder specification sheets focus on the marketable highlights, such jetted tubs, built-in entertainment center, etc. What’s important to the consumer is not necessarily code-related.

Kevin Griffiths is the Chief Building Inspector for the City of Calgary. “We’re looking from the essence that the building is safe: it’s a healthy environment; it’s structurally sound; and the building infrastructure performs well and meets the code.

“We may not see every bolt or screw that’s put into a building, but we look at critical elements at critical times. The first thing we address is the design of the building. Buildings of size, over 600 square metres and more than three storeys of residential occupancy, require professional involvement from architects and all related engineers. The first level of assurance is that the design meets the Safety Codes Act and the Alberta Building Code. After that, the permit process takes place.

The code itself is a minimum standard. Its chief function is to deal with life safety, health, and construction proficiency. A lot of the issues are not visible to the consumer but are the backbone of what becomes their home.

While building codes reflect minimum standards, some builders use higher specifications to increase a unit’s salability. That said, the consumer drives the standards. Over the years, we’ve seen walls go from 2 x 4 to 2 x 6, which is now an industry standard – in a large part driven by the consumer who is looking for a better insulated home. Insulation will exceed the minimum standards because the consumer has a desire for a more energy-efficient home.

Griffiths adds, “Revising the codes is an open process. Anyone can contribute, based on a rationale. The industry itself changes because of the use of products. Nominal lumber was used to build homes for centuries. In the last part of this century, we’ve gone away from that in the Calgary region. The codes need to react to those changes. It’s driven somewhat by the industry itself, the consumer who is demanding different types of product and homes, or it could be us responding to issues that have occurred. That forum is open to anyone. It goes before a committee that reviews it. Then it’s adopted at a national level, then a provincial level.”

The code does not necessarily deal with durability or longevity of products. The code does deal with products that are new and innovative. There is a process for which a new product is tested. Sometimes products don’t even have a standard to be tested to. Quite often, there is an attempt to put the product on the market before all of the approvals have been obtained.

“That’s where we play a role,” says Griffiths, “that only tested materials are installed in a home. But it’s not that we’re not open to innovative ideas.”

Codes, as they’re written, may not address an issue that comes up two years later. Buildings built to code may not meet the performance down the road. What happens is, as buildings begin to deteriorate, products begin to break down.  However, there are issues where adjustments have been made. Asbestos is one example. It’s still used in products and can be safe. It’s when it becomes airborne that it poses a problem, therefore its use has been restricted.

The building code also addresses standards for different types of product. Ian Nash, Project Manager for Hawthorne Homes says, “Building codes really dictate the form of a building. If we’re looking at going from a townhouse to a stacked townhouse product, in order to stay in the same part of the code, we have to build under 600 meters squared, so right there, is the basis for the development of the building.”

Consumers should always try to educate themselves. Information on building codes is available through The City of Calgary Web site. The Alberta Building Code itself is a book that can be obtained, along with several reference documents the code refers to.

Griffiths reports, “A lot of it is simply asking the right questions – asking the builder to confirm that the inspections have been performed. It’s not unreasonable to ask for copies of that documentation. In a condo project, they’re not just one owner, they’re part of a group of owners.”