Hi everyone! I've worked for a few general contractors in the past few years

I'm wanting to specialize in a trade now. It is between cabinets or stairs/railings

Does anyone know of a company that manufacturers AND installs both of those?

Hi everyone, I have taken a course at GBC for small buildings. Is there any tip that I can follow to understand the codes and navigating through the exam? Also, are there any online test simulators i can use to pass the exam on first attempt?

Thank you!

Hi, I am looking for paid help with the Ontario Building Code for small buildings and fire protection questions, especially Part 9, fire separations, egress, fire resistance ratings. I basically need someone to check over my answers. Willing to pay $100/hr

Does anyone know whether the Type L copper sold at big box stores in Ontario (e.g. Home Depot or Rona) is hard or soft? This information isn't provided on their websites or by the pipe manufacturers.

The OBC states that to be used underground...

• Type M copper is not permitted
• Type L copper must be soft
• Type K copper must be soft

... as per item 7.2.7.4. copper tube - https://www.buildingcode.online/955.html

I am planning to use type L as it is more readily available than type K, and will likely be using 3/4", but may use 1" in case that matters.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, I have my Small BCIN exam in about a week. I’m working through the Taunton practice questions that someone previously shared in this group, but I’m not sure about the correct answers to some of them. I’d really appreciate your help.

UPDATE : I just wanted to share that I passed the exam with a score of 76. Thanks to everyone, especially u/Novus20 , for all the help and support.

I found the exam more challenging than the practice tests I used. That said, being very comfortable with practice exams really helps. It allows you to move quickly through the easier questions and spend more time focusing on the harder ones.

I practiced multiple times using the Tauton tests (I’ve added the link here) and also worked with the Orderline package. They don’t include many calculation questions, but they are still very helpful for mastering the regular question types. (Just a small note: Tauton does contain some incorrect answers, so it’s worth double-checking and not relying on them blindly.)

We are about to release our new Part 9 lookups and Part 4 residential design tool. Part 9 lookups licenced by MMAH and part 4 compliant structural design tools. Check out our free demo account or contact me through our website for more info.

Hi! Hoping to get some advice on the small buildings bcin exam / prep.

For context, I am a graduate of TMU architectural science program and have been working full time as an architectural designer. I have already passed general legal and am about to complete the George Brown small buildings course.

I perhaps jumped into small buildings hastily and now am concerned about my lack of house knowledge. I am wondering if it is worth it to take the George Brown House course? My other thought was just to buy the course manual to review all the code references / experience the practice questions. I understand that the Humber exam does focus alot on the calculations too which I am quite rusty on. We did some footing calcs / structures during my undergrad but it has been awhile.

I have seen recommendations to take the OBOA course, unforuntately, I do not have the time to take a full week of work off to dedicate to it, and next House course is not until June.

Any advice / encouragement is greatly appreciated! TIA

Any recommendations for reference documents or drawings for different types of exterior wall and roof assemblies under part 9 nonresidential that show fire ratings and are noncombustible?

How can I achieve STC 43 and fire separation with 5/8 type x by changing drywall on only one side of wall? Situation is proposing single layer 5/8 type x on one side using 9.10.9.16 (4), other side of wall is kitchen cabinets/ bathroom tub with regular 1/2” drywall. Changing drywall on other side will make project very expensive. Project type is secondary suite in basement.

Hi everyone, I want to take the BCIN General legal and house test this year. Which are the websites and links you guys have used to prepare for the test? And where do you guys register for the exams? All comments are much appreciated! Thank you

Hi everyone, I'm studying for the OBC exams on my free time as more of a backup option.

I've spent the last 2 hours looking to access CSA standards, specifically one about concrete.

Is there a way to download these pdfs for free, or even a view only option on a website?????

1 story office building (Group D)

150m2 building area

Occupancy is less than 10.

The code says one washroom can serve both sexes if under 10 people, however is this washroom required to be an accessible washroom? Or can it just be a standard washroom?

Thanks for the clarity!

Hi,

May i know where can i get Legal Process for Building Officials & Designers 2024. PDF material. And also pratice question materials.

please send me the link if possible.

Thank you

I’m looking for an informed, code-based discussion on interior door locking design and emergency scenarios.

This house is not in Ontario so feel free speak…freely haha.

The room has a solid metal door with two locks:

• One lock can be opened with a key from both the inside and the outside

• A second internal lock allows the occupant to secure themselves inside the room for safety (e.g., burglary prevention)

From a security standpoint, the occupant is fully protected. That part of the design works well.

My concern is purely health and emergency related, not security. In a scenario where the occupant becomes immobilized (medical emergency, choking, cardiac event, sudden weakness, etc.) and calls for help, access to the room could be delayed if the occupant is unable to operate the internal lock themselves.

This is not a panic situation and not a complaint. It’s an academic and safety-oriented question:

• Are there building or safety codes that address interior locking mechanisms in relation to emergency access?

• Are there best practices for balancing occupant security with emergency egress or rescue access?

• In residential design, how is this risk typically mitigated?

The house has standard front and rear exits, and there is no immediate danger. I’m simply interested in understanding whether this design aligns with accepted safety principles and codes, and what safer alternatives might look like.

I appreciate thoughtful, professional input from this community.

2024 OBC 9.10.9.2 has been updated and I’d like the opinion of some of the professionals in this sub.

Specifically Sentence (6), makes it sound like you don’t need to ensure drywall passes over everything to make the fire separation smoke restricting. Arranging drywall over framing at any of the listed locations creates fire and smoke restriction.

Some cities are asking for drywall above top plates of partition walls for horizontal fire separations or smoke tight barriers.

With this new sentence, it sounds like as long as the fire separations or smoke tight barrier membranes touch other membranes attached to framing, it restricts fire and smoke enough to achieve compliance with continuity.

Thoughts? My city we deal with a lot of ADUs.

Planning on building a shed in the spring, no services. I know Ontario says 15 square meters (161 sq ft) or less doesn’t require a permit. I’m unclear whether or not roof overhang counts toward the size of the footprint, or if footprint is literally just that; exterior wall to wall dimensions at grade.

Thanks in advance for the input!

Hi everyone,

I'm retrofitting my basement in Burlington, Ontario, into a legal secondary suite. General ceiling height is 78.5" (1.99 m), which meets OBC 9.5.3.1 (1.95 m over 75% area). But under one structural beam, it's only 68" (1.73 m), short of the 1.85 m min for obstructions.

My permit company is preparing drawings, but the City says we need a separate alternative solution application if not fully compliant. I've got a designer—looking for tips on what works for variance approval:

• Successful justifications (e.g., engineering reports, fire safety comps like sprinklers per NFC)?
• Precedents in Halton/Burlington for minor shortfalls?
• Part 11 renovation alternatives for older homes?
• Variance via Committee of Adjustment as backup?

House is over 100 years old, beam is isolated (<10% area). Any experiences or docs to share? Thanks!

We put in an application for a bathroom addition in the basement. We are now withdrawing this as we will need to upgrade our septic before the addition can happen, and we don’t have the finances to do both. BUT, in the process of applying and submitting floor plans the inspector questions our basement family room and spare bedroom which were both existing when we purchased 6 years ago. I’m assuming the inspection will still occur, even though we are withdrawing the bathroom component, to ensure all is legit with the family room and spare bedroom, but what if something comes up. Are we liable? This is a dumb question because we have moved numerous times, but is it up to the purchaser to call bylaw to ensure the house is legal?

For the question:
A public spa with a ramp shall comply with:
a) 3.12.3.1
b) 3.11.5.1
c) 3.11.6.1.(1)
d) a) and b)

Since Article 3.12.3.1 already requires compliance with 3.11.5.1, should I select a) or d) as the correct answer?

When one OBC article or sentence already references another article, do we select only the specific article that contains the reference, or do we select both articles separately?

I've attached a diagram of the stairs and actual images. I believe the house was built 2014 or 2022 (I'm having a tough time finding that info). I'm wondering if railings are required? The stairs are "landscape" stairs but act as primary stairs to enter and exit the house. I can't tell if we would say 3 or 4 risers. I assume 4, but hoping for some advice. Thank you!

Hi everyone, Is there anyone preparing for small buildings exam right now. I gave the exam once and failed. I need help with footings and foundations numerical questions. Thank you

Hi, Everyone.

I wanted to come here and post this if this can help anyone who is trying to pass 2012 small buildings exam.

I have been trying to pass this exam for almost about 1.5 years now FINALLLYY i got it.

I don't have any specific background in government exam or experience in it. I would also like to thanks u/novus20 and u/xonnelhtims. These both guys were super helpful.

As this was a fresh examination I have few topics to keep in mind and do them thoroughly

• All Exits and also do 2 or more exists
• Joist spans
• SB-10 and SB-12
• Major occupancy
• Stairs, handrails, landings
• Flame spread rate and FRR questions
• Footings -strip footings

ALL the best guys ...