Required Inspections
Throughout the course of construction the Ontario Building code requires construction inspections by a Professional Engineer and/or an Architect. The requirements of these inspections depend on the use, occupancy and size of the building. These inspections ensure that construction is proceeding according to the design. Furthermore, Ontario Regulation 260/08 Performance Standards under the Professional Engineer’s Act reinforces the need for general inspections during construction.
Ontario Regulation 260/08, Part 1
(2) The following are prescribed as performance standards with respect to the general review of the construction of a building by a professional engineer as provided for in the building code:
1. The professional engineer, with respect to the matters that are governed by the building code, shall,
i. make periodic visits to the construction site to determine, on a rational sampling basis, whether the work is in general conformity with the plans and specifications for the building,
ii. record deficiencies found during site visits and provide the client, the contractor and the owner with written reports of the deficiencies and the actions that must be taken to rectify the deficiencies,
iii. review the reports of independent inspection and testing companies called for in the plans and specifications and which pertain directly to the work being reviewed,
iv. interpret plans and specifications in writing when requested to do so by the client, the contractor or the owner, and
v. review shop drawings and samples submitted by the contractor for consistency with the intent of the plans and specifications.
Ontario Building Code Section 1.1. Administration
1.1.1. Administration
1.1.1.1. Conformance with Administrative Requirements
(1) This Code shall be administered in conformance with the Act.
Section 1.2. Design and General Review
1.2.1. Design
1.2.1.1. Application
(1) Article 1.2.1.2. applies with respect to a described in clause 11 (3) (a) or (b) of the Architects Act or subsection 12 (4) or clause 12 (5) (a) of the Professional Engineers Act.
1.2.1.2. Design by Architect or Professional Engineer
(1) Where the of a are to be constructed below the level of the footings of an adjacent and within the angle of repose of the , as drawn from the bottom of the footings, the shall be designed by a .
(2) A sprinkler protected glazed wall assembly described in Article 3.1.8.18. of Division B shall be designed by a .
(3) A described in Section 3.16. of Division B shall be designed by a .
(4) The time-based egress analysis for a described in Sentence 3.16.1.7.(7) of Division B shall be prepared or provided by an or a or a combination of both.
(5) The supporting framing structure and anchorage system for a tent occupying an area greater than 225 m² shall be designed by a .
(6) A sign structure attached in any manner to a shall be designed by an or a or a combination of both where it is,
(a) a projecting sign that weighs more than 115 kg, or
(b) a roof sign that has any face that is more than 10 m².
(7) A projecting sign attached in any manner to a parapet wall shall be designed by an or a or a combination of both.
1.2.2. General Review
1.2.2.1. General Review by Architect or Professional Engineer
(1) The , including, for greater certainty, enlargement or alteration, of every or part of it described in Table 1.2.2.1. shall be reviewed by an or a or a combination of both as set out in Column 3 of the Table.
TABLE 1.2.2.1.(4)
GENERAL REVIEW
Forming Part of Sentence 1.2.2.1.(1)
| Item |
Column 1 |
Column 2 |
Column 3 |
| ▼ |
Classification by (5) |
Description |
General Review by: |
| 1. |
only |
Every |
and (1) |
| 2. |
and any other except industrial |
Every |
and (1) |
| 3. |
Care, care and treatment or only |
Every |
and (1) |
| 4. |
Care, care and treatment or and any other except industrial |
Every |
and (1) |
| 5. |
only other than |
Every that exceeds 3 in |
and (1) |
| Every that exceeds 600 m² in and that contains a other than a or |
(2) |
| 6. |
only other than |
Every that exceeds 600 m² in and contains a above another |
(2) |
| Every that exceeds 600 m² in , contains 3 or more and has no above another |
(2) |
| 7. |
other than and any other except assembly, care, care and treatment, detention or |
Every that exceeds 600 m² in or 3 in |
and (1) |
| 7.1 |
only |
Every |
and (1) |
| 7.2 |
and any except industrial |
Every |
and (1) |
| 8. |
only |
Every that exceeds 600 m² in or 3 in |
and (1) |
| 9. |
and any other except assembly, care, care and treatment, detention or |
Every that exceeds 600 m² in or 3 in |
and(1) |
| 10. |
only |
Every that exceeds 600 m² in or 3 in |
and(1) |
| 11. |
and any other except assembly, care, care and treatment, detention or |
Every that exceeds 600 m² in or 3 in |
and (1) |
| 12. |
only and where there are no subsidiary |
Every that exceeds 600 m² in or 3 in |
or (3) |
| 13. |
and one or more other where the portion of the area occupied by one of the other major or subsidiary exceeds 600 m² |
The non-industrial portion of every |
and(1) |
| The industrial portion of every |
or(3) |
| 14. |
and one or more other where no portion of the area occupied by one of the other major or subsidiary exceeds 600 m² |
Every that exceeds 600 m² in or 3 in |
or (3) |
Notes to Table 1.2.2.1.:
(1) An shall provide general review services within the practice of architecture and a shall provide general review services within the practice of professional engineering.
(2) An may engage a to provide general review services within the practice of professional engineering.
(3) Only a may provide general review services within the practice of professional engineering.
(4) Requirements for general review by an or a or a combination of both for the , including, for greater certainty, enlargement or alteration, of a are set out in the Architects Act and the Professional Engineers Act.
(5) For purposes of Table 1.2.2.1., a is deemed to be a separate .
(2) A person who intends to or have constructed a or part of it required by Sentences (1) and (4) to (9) to be reviewed by an or a or a combination of both, shall ensure that an , or both are retained to undertake the general review of the of the in accordance with the performance standards of the Ontario Association of Architects or the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario, as applicable, to determine whether the is in general conformity with the plans, sketches, drawings, graphic representations, specifications and other documents that form the basis for the issuance of a permit under section 8 of the Act or any changes to it authorized by the .
(3) The , or both who have been retained to undertake the general review of the of a , shall forward copies of written reports arising out of the general review to the or , as the case may be.
(4) Where the of a are to be constructed below the level of the footings of an adjacent and within the angle of repose of the , as drawn from the bottom of the footings, the of the shall be reviewed by a .
(5) The of a sprinkler protected glazed wall assembly described in Article 3.1.8.18. of Division B shall be reviewed by a .
(6) The of a described in Section 3.16. of Division B shall be reviewed by a .
(7) The of a supporting framing structure and anchorage system for a tent occupying an area greater than 225 m² shall be reviewed by a .
(8) The of a sign structure shall be reviewed by an or a or a combination of both, where the sign is,
(a) a ground sign that exceeds 7.5 m in height above the adjacent finished ground,
(b) a projecting sign that weighs more than 115 kg, or
(c) a roof sign that has any face that is more than 10 m².
(9) The of a projecting sign attached in any manner to a parapet wall shall be reviewed by an , or a combination of both.
1.2.2.2. Restriction for General Review
(1) Only an may carry out or provide the general review of the of a ,
(a) that is constructed in accordance with a design prepared or provided by an , or
(b) in relation to services that are provided by an in connection with the design in accordance with which the is constructed.
(2) Only a may carry out or provide the general review of the of a ,
(a) that is constructed in accordance with a design prepared or provided by a , or
(b) in relation to services that are provided by a in connection with the design in accordance with which the is constructed.
1.2.2.3. Demolition of a Building
(1) The applicant for a permit respecting the of a shall retain a to undertake the general review of the project during , where,
(a) the exceeds 3 in or 600 m² in ,
(b) the structure includes pre-tensioned or post-tensioned members,
(c) it is proposed that the will extend below the level of the footings of any adjacent and occur within the angle of repose of the , as drawn from the bottom of such footings, or
(d) explosives or a laser are to be used during the course of .
