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AMTS (Annual Meeting and Training Sessions)

AMTS (Annual Meeting and Training Sessions)

“Niagara Falls”

Past Sessions

Sunday, September 24th, 2023
8:30 am - 10:00 am2023 AMTS Golf Tournament - Niagara Parks Whirlpool Golf Course
Shotgun start 8:30 am
Whirlpool Golf Course is one of more than 145 courses designed by renowned golf course architect Stanley Thompson. In 2002, the course ranked #47 overall in Canada among both private and public courses and also ranked as the #4 golfing value among the same courses. Golf Digest also rated Whirlpool Golf Course as a Four Star facility over the last few years.
11:00 am - 5:00 pmWildPlay Whirlpool Adventure Course - Niagara Parks
You’ll start with a training session on the ground to get comfortable using the ziplines and the continuous belay system. Then, you’ll climb up a ladder and start making your way from tree to tree by walking across tightropes, climbing up cargo nets, sliding down ziplines, flying through the air on rope swings, leaping onto swinging logs and balancing on wobbly bridges.
11:00 am - 9:00 pmZipline to the Falls - Niagara Parks
WildPlay’s Zipline to the Falls is a hands-free, worry-free and fully-guided experience for both the thrill seekers and the hesitant. Enjoy the thrill of adventure and a stunning bird’s eye view of Niagara Falls in this once in a lifetime opportunity for guests over the age of seven.
3:00 pm - 9:00 pmOBOA Registration - Theater Junior Ballroom Pre Function Area
Pickup official access badge and registration package.
7:00 pm - 8:30 pmIce Breaker Reception - Exhibit Hall A
This opening reception provides a great opportunity for all to chat and mingle in a relaxed setting while meeting with colleagues. 7:00pm - 9:00pm
9:00 pm - 10:30 pmThe Night Class - Marriott Salon AB
Join us each evening at “the Night Class”
Monday, September 25th, 2023
8:30 am - 10:00 amOpening Ceremonies - Ballroom C & D (Occupational Skills -S)
AMTS Kick off and acknowledgements
10:30 am - 11:45 amKeynote Speaker - Theater Junior Ballroom B (Occupational Skills -S)
Best known as the colourful and entertaining voice of the 2019 NBA Championship winning team, the Toronto Raptors, Jack Armstrong has spent more than two decades covering basketball for TSN and NBA TV.
12:00 pm - 1:40 pmMonday Lunch - Ballroom C & D
Award Presentations (Certificate of Appreciation - Trail Blazer Award)
Lunch draw: scan in for lunch to be included in the draw - $500 Value
1:40 pm - 3:00 pmAdvanced Framing: Optimize your Structure - Theater Junior Ballroom A (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
This session covers Advanced Framing techniques and details designed to optimize material use and increase energy efficiency. Examples of high-performance wood framed wall assemblies designed to meet effective R-values are shared along with common Advanced Framing details. This session also covers simple techniques and details for engineered wood floor systems. These methods can be applied during the preliminary design stage in order to increase the performance of floor systems while reducing material, labour and waste.
1:40 pm - 3:00 pmLegal Corner - Theater Junior Ballroom B (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
Legal Updates
1:40 pm - 3:00 pmNailor - Fire Dampers - Rooms 201 & 202 (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
Life safety damper presentation will include types of dampers, UL rating certifications, installations, and building codes.
3:30 pm - 5:00 pmSite Servicing - Theater Junior Ballroom A (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
This technical session will give participants an depth photographic code presentation relating to site servicing relating to plans review, manholes, special separations, testing requirements, backfill requirements, swabbing and materials.
3:30 pm - 5:00 pmLaw and Order: OBC - Theater Junior Ballroom B (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
When there are crimes against the building code, the worst offenders are pursued by building officials. These are their stories.
3:30 pm - 5:00 pmNFPA 13 - A Deep Dive - Rooms 201 & 202 (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
"NFPA’s 13-series standards are complex documents. NFPA regional director Laura King dissects relevant parts of the standards, reviews the standards-development process and recent changes to the standards.
This session will look at rack storage and changes from edition to edition, what’s new (electric sprinklers!), what you need to know about residential sprinklers, and how to navigate accessory units in Ontario.
Participants will review types of sprinklers, NFPA 25, and what building official should look for in commercial inspections."
5:30 pm - 7:30 pmDinner - Greg Frewin Magic Theatre
Dinner - Awards (Leadership Award) and
The Greg Frewin illusion spectacle is a quintessential component of a Niagara Falls vacation. Our show is breath-taking with a Vegas style format and features illusions that are both one of a kind and internationally renowned, performed by the International Grand Champion of Magic, Greg Frewin. Draw Prize - $500 Cash.
9:30 pm - 11:30 pmThe Night Class - Marriott Salon AB
Join us each evening at “the Night Class”
Tuesday, September 26th, 2023
8:30 am - 10:00 amAnnual General Meeting - Ballroom C & D (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
Is held every year to on OBOA business, introduce board of directors and inform members of future plans.
9:00 am - 4:00 pmStudent Program - Rooms 207 & 208
9:00am – 4:00pm Providing an exciting opportunity for students to build and strengthen relationships, partake in dynamic discussions and learn from each other's experiences. Student Day is open to all interested.
10:30 am - 11:45 amWelcome to the World of Heat Pumps! - Theater Junior Ballroom A (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
Come and enjoy this interactive session identifying the different types of heat pumps available in the marketplace today and how they will fit into the green energy plan. Participants will better understand the importance of proper heat pump sizing and selection and how this might affect building performance. Attendees will be introduced to the terminology manufacturers use to describe the performance of these systems and what these metrics represent.
10:30 am - 11:45 am3-Unit Residential Developments - Theater Junior Ballroom B (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
This session will explore the new provincial changes allowing 3 units as-of-right and will highlight code provisions for types of projects. Comparisons with 2 unit developments will also be discussed.
10:30 am - 11:45 amNFPA 96 - A Hot Topic - Rooms 201 & 202 (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
What do building inspectors look for in commercial kitchens? How does NFPA 96 apply to hoods, ducts and fire protection systems? What do you need to know about inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements for these types of operations?
This session delves into NFPA 96 to help inspectors understand the scope and purpose of the standard, changes from edition to edition, and best practices.
12:00 pm - 1:40 pmPast Presidents Lunch - Ballroom C & D
Reconnect and network with past Association Presidents as well as our organization's past leadership that continues to support and participate. (Passport Draw - retrieve codes from exhibitors, complete online before 10:30am Tuesday, September 26th, 2023) Lunch Prize is $500 Cash
1:40 pm - 3:00 pmCSA Standards Prefabricated Buildings and Modular Construction - Theater Junior Ballroom A (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
An overview of CSA standards for modular construction including the newly published CSA Z252 Volumetric modular construction – Guide to compliance and approval processes and CSA A277 Procedure for certification of prefabricated buildings, modules, and panels and CSA Z250 Process for delivery of volumetric modular buildings.
1:40 pm - 3:00 pmLithium-ion and Energy Storage: Reward vs. Risk - Theater Junior Ballroom B (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere, from e-bikes on urban street corners to massive energy storage systems that support electrical grids. They’re also fragile, and any electrical, thermal, or mechanical abuse can initiate thermal runaway, resulting in fire, explosion, injury and death.
Energy storage systems provide clean, low-cost, long-duration sources of energy, but they also present significant life-safety hazards – and they're found in every municipality.
NFPA 855, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems, is a best practice for municipalities concerning the the installation and maintenance of ESS, and emergency response to incidents involving lithium-ion batteries.
This interactive session provides resources for municipalities to deal with lithium-ion batteries and energy storage systems, educational resources, and access to free online training.
There are lots of cool videos too!
1:40 pm - 3:00 pmFraming it Right / Fire rated rim boards - Rooms 201 & 202 (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
Frame it Right: This session discusses common wood construction framing errors found in today’s commercial and 4-6 storey projects. The consequences of these framing mistakes are examined from the ground up, providing practical solutions for avoiding typical issues using APA’s resources as a guide. We will also explore Fire Rated Rim Boards as we walk through the APA publication D350 to provide clarity with allowances and requirements for detailing including when and where they should be used.
3:30 pm - 5:00 pmOBC Changes to Energy Efficiency - Theater Junior Ballroom A (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
As we look toward sweeping changes that are happening to the energy efficiency requirements in the Ontario Building Code this session will explore the provisions in the OBC as we move to become consistent with the National Building Code.
3:30 pm - 5:00 pmTesting of Integrated Fire Protection - Theater Junior Ballroom B (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
The Fire Code is complex and ever evolving. As technology evolves and life safety systems become more complex, building and fire codes need to change along with them to make buildings safer. This session will discuss one of these recent code changes which mark a major milestone in building safety right from the commissioning stage – CAN/ULC S1001 – Standard for Integrated Systems Testing. Hear real life, practical examples of anomalies of systems commissioned and working independently but failing to work in an integrated manner in emergency situations and how this standard address these anomalies. The session will be rounded out by an interactive Q&A with the panel to engage the audience with a variety of perspectives on the S1001- Integrated Systems Testing Standard.
3:30 pm - 5:00 pmCommercial Plumbing - Part 3 Buildings - Rooms 201 & 202 (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
This technical session will give participants an depth photographic code presentation relating to Oil/Grease interceptors, food premises, circuit venting, vent stacks, premise isolation and so much more.
7:00 pm - 8:30 pmThe Night Class - Marriott Salon AB
Join us each evening at “the Night Class”
Wednesday, September 27th, 2023
8:30 am - 10:00 amSafety for Building Officials - Theater Junior Ballroom A (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
This technical session will explore safety for Building Officials and touch on hazard awareness, training standards for building inspectors, and recognition of unsafe work practices.
8:30 am - 10:00 amThe Ontario Seismic Landscape - Theater Junior Ballroom B (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
This session will investigate the seismic landscape in Ontario while considering detailed definition of what projects and locations require seismic bracing. The session will also investigate the decision-making process from conception the installation and will also discuss installation methods including traditional rigid & cables.
8:30 am - 10:00 amNational Code Compliance service by CCMC - Rooms 201 & 202 (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
The Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC)’s David Beauchamp will provide a presentation on the Centre’s National Code compliance service, including its new publicly available evaluation format, a look at the CCMC Technical Guide and CCMC requirements for Auger-installed Helical Steel Piles, and how the CCMC approaches alternative solutions for innovative products, with several examples.
10:30 am - 12:00 pmCASA - Fire Related - Theater Junior Ballroom A (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
Fire Related Topic-TBV
10:30 am - 12:00 pmRadon Control Options for New and Existing Buildings - Theater Junior Ballroom B (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
Radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer for people who live in non-smoking households. Homes with high radon levels are found all across Canada, even in regions where radon is typically low. Over the past couple of decades, multiple measures to reduce radon levels have been developed with some already being adopted into the various building codes across Canada. This provides builders several radon control options during construction to protect buildings from radon gas infiltration from the ground. The Canadian-National Radon Proficiency Program along with Health Canada will present an overview of these radon control options, available for both new and existing buildings. Specifics on each control option and its components will be presented along with how they may be identified. A specific emphasis will be placed on best practices to avoid the potential future failure of a radon control system following construction. Current radon standards and the building code will be compared in light of recent results from research on radon levels across Canada. This session aims to raise discussion among industry professionals and provide an opportunity to answer questions on the hazards and mitigation of radon gas.
10:30 am - 12:00 pmIntegrated Information Systems - Rooms 201 & 202 (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
Learn about the benefits and future of Integrated Information Systems.
12:00 pm - 1:30 pmWednesday Charity Lunch - Ballroom C & D
Lunch draw - $500 Cash
1:30 pm - 3:00 pmChapter Chairs Meeting - Room 207
OBOA Regional Chapters.
1:40 pm - 3:10 pmFirestopping 101 - Theater Junior Ballroom B (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
Just ask a building occupant...do you know what sprinklers are? Detection and alarm systems? SURE, is the response. Ask if the occupants know what fire-resistance is ---- and a blank stare results. What's that?
Fire-resistance seems to be one of those disciplines that is forgotten both in new construction and existing buildings. This technical session focuses on the basics of fire-resistance and firestopping through understanding fire-test methods used in Canada. We'll look at listings and analize systems. In the listings, we'll focus on how and where collars are used, and mounted for plastic pipes. We'll look at what the fine print says. Pictures tell a thousand words, and this session has the good, bad, the ugly to look for when it comes to firestopping and fire-resistance.
3:30 pm - 5:00 pmMMAH-Updates by Ministry - Theater Junior Ballroom B (OBOA/College/University Courses, AMTS, Conferences)
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing staff will provide updates on policy and code changes.
6:15 pm - 9:00 pmPresidents Dinner - Ballroom C & D
Board and other acknowledgements
9:00 pm - 10:30 pmThe Night Class - Marriott Salon AB
Join us each evening at “the Night Class”
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