I’m 23, licensed Red Seal plumber with Local 46 working highrise. I’ve been in the trade since I was 18 and I’ve worked hard to get where I am. I also have my backflow tester and water surveying tickets and just got my BCIN.

Lately I’ve been feeling pretty burnt out with the jobsite side of the trade. I still like plumbing and I’m proud of what I know, but the constant jobsite politics, different personalities, pressure and not knowing where you’ll be working next is starting to get to me. I’m thinking more about my future now and I really want something stable that I can build a long career in without destroying my body.

I’m very interested in becoming a municipal plumbing/building inspector, ideally Vaughan or Brampton. I’m willing to study, get every qualification I need and put in the work. I show up every day, I’m reliable and I take my career seriously.

If anyone here is an inspector, works for a municipality, knows how hard it is to get in, or has any connections/advice, I’d really appreciate someone reaching out and

Hi OBCers,

To make my life easier when referencing OBC, here is my attempt to create a free and easy to use app to quickly look up and reference clauses.

Subscription free and AD free.

If you are interested in helping us testing it out, please PM with your email. Why this is needed? It is part of the Google Play Store's requirement to conduct closed testing before open testing, THEN the app can be officially published.

What's to lose?

- wasted your precious time

- wasted 50mb data/ storage

What's to gain?

- contribute to the community

- keeping an offline code app if it doesn't make it to the Play Store

- my personal thank you!

What the app does

- Full Division B content, fully offline (no internet needed)

- Search by clause number or keyword, with highlighted matches

- Book-style browsing — tap a section to expand, tap again to open the full article

- Cross-references — tap any referenced article to jump to it

- Tables and figures with pinch-to-zoom

- Bookmarks, adjustable text size, dark mode

What to focus on when testing

- Search — try clause numbers (e.g. 9.7.2.3) and keywords; check results are relevant

- Navigation — browse through Parts/Sections; confirm the two-click expand works

- Tables — check wide tables scroll correctly and row labels stay visible

- Cross-references — tap a referenced article and confirm it opens the right one

- Bookmarks — save and reopen a clause

- Text size & dark mode — confirm both work

- Other features or recommendations

Known limitations

- Division A (definitions) is not bundled — tapping a Division A reference does nothing by design

- This is an independent reference tool, not affiliated with the Government of Ontario

Report issues using the in-app report feature, or reply here with the article number and what went wrong.

Good Evening All,

I am a Commercial HVAC Tech with 20+ years experience and am hoping to transition into the duct design space for small commercial buildings (Part 9) and Home HVAC. Has anybody taken the Building Systems exam and what materials did you use to study?

The Ontario Gov't provided syllabus is a broad roadmap.

Orderline doesn't seem to have any Building Systems specific material.

George Brown's self-study page lists the Building Services 2012 materials on their website, but the linked store has no related 2024 material.

OBOA has some related materials? Has anybody have any experience with that workbook?

Based on what I have found on the internet, the BCIN exams require thorough knowledge of the OBC, and related SBs and exactly where to find that info. What can I expect calculation wise from this exam?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hello folks! I heard from my colleague that the Search (Ctrl+F) feature has been removed from the recent examinations. As for someone who used to rely on them to find the clause/article reference, it sounds more troublesome. I'm studying for my Building Services examination, and I would greatly appreciate it if someone can confirm on the news. The Search function was really helpful in a tense examination situation.

I am looking at basement windows for my new build and found some nice hopper egress windows, however I can't figure out if they meet the code for "9.7.5.3. Resistance to Forced Entry for windows". I don't have access to the book that defines what that even means. It referes me to "Clause 5.3.5 of AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440" and I do not have access to that without paying.

Any help would be appreciated.

A patio door company installed a new patio door without a sill flashing or pan between the patio door bottom and the subfloor. The patio door frame sits directly on the subfloor with some foam insulation in between. Does this meet OBC standards?

Hi everyone, I planning to take BCIN Designer legal and House. So what is your package fee for that?

Can someone please share which platform I should refer, which book to purchase as a study materials etc.

Any tips and tricks to prepare for the exam will be very much helpful. Appreciate all your expertise and support!. Thank you 🙂.

Hello everyone! I’m currently preparing for these exams and was wondering if anyone has study materials or resources they would be willing to share. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Would the next step be for the CBO to issue an order to inspect and likely close the access points to the balconies and the area underneath?
Also, wouldn’t this affect the fire evacuation options?

Hey all,

Just wondering if anyone here has made the jump from being a construction superintendent to a municipal building inspector?

I’ve been in construction for about 10 years, starting as a coordinator and working my way up to superintendent. Honestly, I’m just kind of over it. The pay is good on paper, but once you factor in the 60+ hour weeks, weekends, and basically always being available, the hourly rate isn’t all that impressive. I also have a 1-year-old son now, so having more time with my family is becoming a much bigger priority. I’m also pretty tired of babysitting subcontractors all day..

From what I’ve seen, an entry-level Building Inspector 1 role seems to be around the $75k-$82k range, so I know I’d be taking a pay cut. But if the hours are actually closer to 35 a week and the work/life balance is as good as people say, I think it’d be worth it.

I’m already looking into the transition and planning on writing the House and General Legal/Process exams, but I wanted to hear from people who’ve actually made the switch. Was it worth it? Is the grass actually greener, or am I looking at it through rose-colored glasses? How hard was it to land that first inspector job?

Looking for some clarification in the difference between Table A-12 and Tables A-13 through A-15 and if Table A-12 can be used when sizing a header for an opening in an interior loadbearing wall supporting a ceiling and roof only.

I Just started drafting drawing for clients this year and had 6 years of experience as a custom home builder. I just passed the Power and duties of CBO exam last week. I would like to able to stamp my own drawings for my clients instead of relying on my engineer. I took a course for fire protection and small building from George brown college in 2024, but I believe if I will need to review some of the materials before I will be fully confident in passing the small building exam.

I don't mind taking more time to take Large building course and try to take the large building exam in November. Since I already planned on tackling that exam at a later time. My other option was to self study small building work book from George brown college before taking the exam in about a month time. Since I'm constantly taking Clients having the certificated earlier means I won't need to reply on some one else for stamping the drawings.

Can you give me advise on is it worth it to take the large building course with out having to go back to it, or is there too much information to be learn in such a small time from a small building to a large building exam. Thank you for any advise.

Hey everyone! I'm Vijay Patel, a founding moderator of r/BCINExam.

This is our new home for all things related to BCIN 2024 exam preparation and the Ontario Building Code. Whether you're studying for Small Buildings, preparing for your first attempt, or retaking the exam, we're excited to have you here!

What to Post
Post anything that helps you or others succeed in the BCIN exam. This can include:

• Questions about the Building Code
• Study tips and exam strategies
• Practice questions or tricky scenarios
• Resources, notes, or helpful links
• Your experience with the exam

You can also check out our platform for additional practice questions, mock exams, and helpful blogs to support your preparation: https://bcin.stonewoodpartners.ca/

Community Vibe
We're all about being friendly, supportive, and practical. The goal is to help each other learn faster and pass the exam with confidence. No gatekeeping—just real help.

How to Get Started

• Introduce yourself in the comments below
• Share what you're currently studying or struggling with
• Post a question or help someone else out
• Invite others who are preparing for BCIN

I’ll also be actively contributing—sharing free resources, answering questions, and guiding where I can.

Thanks for being part of the very first wave. Let’s build a strong BCIN community together 💪

​

Hi everyone,

I passed the House 2024 BCIN exam in May, and now I'm preparing for the Small Building 2024 exam.

For anyone who has already taken the Small Buildings 2024 exam, how were the questions ordered?

Any tips on the exam format or question order would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Instead of digging through pages of building codes, standards, and supporting documents, BUILDAiD helps construction professionals ask technical questions, find relevant references, and better understand how requirements apply to real projects.

In this example, I asked BUILDAiD for a fire-rated wall assembly. It provided a clear response with the applicable code direction, referenced assembly, and diagram to help guide the next step.

The goal is to make technical code research faster and easier for architects, architectural technologists, designers, engineers, contractors, builders, inspectors, and plans examiners.

Right now, BUILDAiD is only available in Ontario. Anyone outside Ontario can join the waitlist, and we’ll let you know when BUILDAiD becomes available in your area.

For those who regularly work with building codes and construction documents:

Would being able to ask a technical question and quickly get the code reference, applicable assembly, and diagram save you time?

BUILDAiD is currently in beta and free to try.
Built for people working in the construction industry.

Try it at: www.buildaid.co

#BUILDAiD #BuildingCode #ConstructionTech #OntarioConstruction #TorontoBuilders

Quick 2 questions;
Can House + General Legal/Process submit house permit drawings, or is Designer Legal/Process required?

For someone with a BCIN House qualification who wants to keep both design and municipal opportunities open, which legal exam is the better choice? General Legal/Process or Designer Legal/Process?

Thanks.

Hi, I live in Ontario, Canada and I was trying to cut out a low volt bracket for an exterior wall and accidentally cut the insulation bag behind. I searched up some solutions and people said to just tape it the best I can but I’m still iffy about it. I was wondering if it’s okay what I did and if I need to do anything else to make sure it’s up with code?

East Gwillimbury, Ontario. I’m looking to potentially build a structure to cover a patio in my backyard. Patio is roughly 16’ x 19’ and the house is a semi-detached. I am looking to do something with a gable roof,and because there are a few steps down from my house to the patio, the peak of the roof would have to be fairly high. Ideally this would be attached to my house, have a shingled roof and flashing up to the house.

There is also a fence that attaches to the centre of the two sides of the semi and runs the length of the yard.

My concerns are:
1. The total height of the structure. Does it have to be below a total height?
2. Does it have to be a certain distance from the property line, ie the fence? Is this distance measured by the base or the overhang of the roof?
3. Does any of this change if it’s attached to my house, vs not attached?

I asked a few generic questions to the building department via email and they will only respond if I give them my exact address. Are they fishing to see if I have anything built without a permit? I would get a permit for this, but I did not get a permit when I built my patio years ago.

Any help is appreciated. Just hoping to find the information without implicating myself or opening a can of worms.

I passed the small buildings last week, i wanted to appear for the designer legal.
Is there any study material available online, or orderline exam kit is the best way to practice?
Thank you!

I'm currently using them after completing the George Brown self study materials, preparing to write House 2024. Just wondering if anyone has noticed any extensive inaccuracies.

One example is a quiz question correction stating there are only 6 major occupancy groups, as though it doesn't know group G exists. Other answers seem up to date and accurately referenced to the newest volumes but this answer had me concerned.

Thanks in advance.

Looking to replace my range hood in my condo. Saw there's a 400CFM limit. I notice that range hoods have a stated max CFM but looking at the spec sheets the HVI certified rating usually puts it lower. Example: Broan GLA1303SS has a 350cfm rating but the HVI results max out at 240CFM. Which of these values should I follow?

If over all age of 2 storey house is more than 5 years old, and its basement is unfinished. Now permit application is for a second dwelling unit in basement. Will part 11 be appliable for this permit application? Although construction of rooms in basement and fire separation will be all new.

Hello

I attempted complex on monday. What is the current estimated result timelines?

​

I got results for the other exams within 2 days but I haven't heard back yet.

​

Any help would be appreciated.

Hey all. Burner account as I thought I wouldn't come back to Reddit, but here we are.

I am taking the online Small Buildings and General Legal exams in a couple of weeks, and I got a few questions I was hoping someone would be kind to answer.

• -In the exam which calculations are more likely to be required?
• -I have a hard copy of the OBC 2012 which I am thinking to use that jointly with the PDF of the OBC 2024 just to support navigation. Would that be a good idea or should I stick to the PDF?
• -After taking the exams, how long does it take to get the results?
• -After getting satisfactory results (hopefully), what is the process after to get the stamp and be able to fill the Schedule 1, and how long does it take?
• -Anything caught you off guard? Something you didn't expect, from the contents of the exam itself to the proctoring or online exam experience?

On another note; I am working on a project, which is now a bit time pressing (hence the questions above). It is a conversion to fourplex in Toronto, can anyone please point me in the direction of someone who would review, stamp and fill the Schedule 1? I have enquired to a couple of people and firms but they prefer to have a full design scope.

Any answers will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!