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70th Annual Meeting and Training Sessions |
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AGENDA
| Sunday, October 4th, 2026 | ||
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| 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm | OBOA Registration - Rideau Canal Alcove Pickup official access badge and registration package. OBOA Registration: Mike Gagne & Macy Huynh Mike Leonard | Christina Costanza | Jonathan DeWeerd | Lawrence Wagner | |
| 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Ice Breaker Reception - Canada Hall 3 Meet the Exhibitors on the Tradeshow floor. Don't forget to complete your passport to be entered into a prize draw! | |
| 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm | Night Class - Westin - Ontario/Les Saisons Rooms Take some time to relax with your colleagues and discuss the day's training. | |
| Monday, October 5th, 2026 | ||
| 6:45 am - 8:45 am | Delegates Breakfast - Canada Hall 3 Continental Breakfast | |
| 7:30 am - 9:30 am | OBOA Registration - Rideau Canal Alcove Pickup official access badge and registration package. OBOA Registration. | |
| 8:00 am - 10:00 am | Exhibitor Tradeshow - Canada Hall 3 | |
| 8:15 am - 10:00 am | Opening Ceremonies / AGM - Trillium Ballroom (Occupational Skills -S) Opening and Welcome to the 70th Annual Meeting and Training Sessions | |
| 10:00 am - 10:30 am | Coffee Break - Canada Hall 3 | |
| 10:30 am - 12:00 pm | Keynote Speaker - Meeting Room 214 (Occupational Skills -S) | |
| 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm | Delegate Lunch - Trillium Ballroom 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 30th, 2025) Lunch Prize is $500 | |
| 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm | NRC Facility Tour - Registration Desk (Professional Tours) This tour will take delegates through four testing facilities located on the NRC grounds, including: • Fire safety testing facility, • Sound Transmission (Acoustic) Testing, • Hygrothermal performance of buildings testing facilities, and • Civil infrastructure and related structures testing facilities | |
| 1:40 pm - 3:00 pm | Risk Management Tips for Municipal Building Departments - Meeting Room 214 (Structured Technical Training) Marianne and Alison will bring you up to date on the latest claims against Municipalities, highlight red flags, and provide risk management tips for Building Departments. | |
| 1:40 pm - 3:00 pm | Battery Energy Storage - Meeting Room 206/208 Battery technologies have become an integral component of the modern built environment, with applications ranging from e-bikes and battery energy storage systems to electric vehicles. These widespread advancements introduce significant fire and explosion hazards and have modified the overall fire risk profile across building types, from single-family homes to complex structures. The presence of interconnected energy supply systems, such as solar panels, can further complicate this risk landscape. Addressing these challenges within the Canadian regulatory framework is multifaceted, involving the intersection of multiple codes and standards such as the OBC, OFC, and CEC. This presentation will examine these associated risks and outline fire management strategies for potential inclusion in the code framework, considering both Part 9 and Part 3 buildings. | |
| 1:40 pm - 3:00 pm | Approving innovative products in Ontario - Meeting Room 205/207 Everyone acknowledges that we want to build homes faster and more affordably, but how do we do that? One of the best ways is with innovative building products. Hundreds of innovative building products enter the market every year, from space-age materials, to composite systems, to pre-fabricated panels, and more. But how do you know which products are code-compliant? The building code’s prescriptive/acceptable solutions lag far behind innovation. In this session David will take you behind the curtain of conformity assessment, into the world of innovative products, and show you how the conformity assessment for code compliance blends expertise is materials and building science, product testing and manufacturing, and more so you can feel confident approving innovative building products in Ontario. | |
| 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm | Coffee Break - Canada Hall 3 | |
| 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm | LIVE DEMO 1 - Canada Hall 3 | |
| 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm | What's Next in Regulatory Workflows: A preview from Trax - Meeting Room 214 Across the building sector, expectations for speed, clarity, and consistency in regulatory processes are rapidly evolving. At the same time, the complexity of building codes, regulations, and compliance pathways continues to grow. In this session, the Trax team will share an early look at a new set of tools designed to support building officials in navigating and applying regulatory requirements. Without revealing full details ahead of release, this preview will highlight emerging approaches to structuring and working with regulatory information in practice. | |
| 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm | Green Roofs - Meeting Room 206/208 Green roofs have evolved from specialty features to mainstream building‑envelope systems, driven in part by their stormwater‑management benefits. In this session, Ginkgo will break down the main types of green roofs, their functions and advantages, and the performance standards that guide their use. The presentation will also highlight how proper design, construction, and maintenance are essential to ensuring public health and safety. | |
| 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm | Retaining Structures: Challenges and Enhancements for Urban Projects - Meeting Room 205/207 Urban development is increasingly constrained by diminishing building lot sizes, necessitating a significant rise in the use of earth retaining structures for light residential and commercial applications. As urban areas continue to grow and available land becomes scarcer, developers are compelled to maximize the utility of smaller plots, leading to heightened demand for innovative civil engineering solutions. Among these solutions, the implementation of earth retaining structures has become prominent for stabilizing soil and preventing erosion and control drainage. The adoption of mid-size segmental and mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls has emerged as a preferred approach due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and ability to accommodate various design requirements. This session will explore the application of earth retaining structures in light residential and commercial contexts, emphasizing both civil and geotechnical design considerations and the lack of design requirement in the current building code. The session will cover current design practice and compare different design codes and manual used across Canada and the United States. Case studies of past and ongoing projects will illustrate different design considerations and practical applications, highlighting successful implementations and lessons learned from projects that encountered unforeseen challenges. By analyzing real-world examples, attendees will gain insights into best practices and innovative approaches applicable to future projects. | |
| 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm | Accessibility into Practice - Meeting Room 215 | |
| 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Theme Night Dinner - Trillium Ballroom Comedy Night | |
| 9:30 pm - 11:30 pm | Night Class - Westin - Ontario/Les Saisons Rooms Take some time to relax with your colleagues and discuss the days training. Entertainment | |
| Tuesday, October 6th, 2026 | ||
| 6:45 am - 8:45 am | Delegates Breakfast - Canada Hall 3 Continental Breakfast | |
| 7:30 am - 9:30 am | OBOA Registration - Rideau Canal Alcove Pickup official access badge and registration package. | |
| 8:00 am - 10:00 am | Exhibitor Tradeshow - Canada Hall 3 | |
| 8:30 am - 10:00 am | Part 2: Large Farm Buildings - Meeting Room 214 Large farm buildings don’t fit neatly into conventional building categories—and the Ontario Building Code recognizes that. This presentation explores how OBC Part 2 provides designers with flexibility for agricultural structures, allowing practical, cost effective alternatives to standard Part 3 requirements. We dive into the real world structural challenges of long spans, increased environmental loads, foundations, and durability, while highlighting key architectural considerations such as safe access, design conformance, and accommodating modern farm operations. Through case studies, we show how performance based solutions, smart coordination, and proactive collaboration with Authorities Having Jurisdiction turn code intent into buildable, economical designs that work for farmers and regulators alike. | |
| 8:30 am - 10:00 am | S1001 - What's really happening in the Field and the AHJ's Responsibilities - Meeting Room 206/208 In this session, Jensen Hughes will offer a clear overview of the CAN/ULC‑S1001 requirements, including essential administrative and technical documentation, qualification expectations, and a review of all required persons, including AHJ. The presentation will outline the key items AHJs should request when a project requires a S1001 integrated test, case studies and common issues observed in the field. Attendees will leave with a stronger understanding of the AHJ’s role and clearer expectations for successful integrated testing. | |
| 8:30 am - 10:00 am | Building Envelope - Meeting Room 205/207 In this technical session, MTE will explore the key pathways that lead to enclosure failures, including common design weaknesses, moisture ingress, vapour entrapment, and insufficient pressure moderation. The presentation will demonstrate how poor envelope design can accelerate deterioration of cladding and structural components, while a properly designed system supports durability and long‑term energy efficiency. | |
| 8:30 am - 10:00 am | Concrete Fundamentals - Meeting Room 215 | |
| 9:00 am - 11:00 am | Student Day - Trillium Ballroom 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. Student Welcome – 10:45am | |
| 10:00 am - 10:30 am | Coffee Break - Canada Hall 3 | |
| 10:00 am - 10:30 am | LIVE DEMO 2 - Canada Hall 3 | |
| 10:00 am - 12:30 pm | Caivan ABIC - Tour - Registration Desk ABIC (Advanced Building Innovation Company) is state‑of‑the‑art 105,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Ottawa—one of Canada’s most advanced MMC operations. ABIC utilizes robotics, autonomous and human‑operated systems, and digital production technologies to deliver between five and seven homes per day on a single shift. Delegates will be guided through the facility, to view how this factory helps to streamline the construction process. | |
| 10:30 am - 12:00 pm | CMHC Housing Design Catalogue - Meeting Room 214 This session offers an insightful look at the CMHC Housing Design Catalogue, how municipalities are adopting it, and how the OBC pre‑review process supports faster, more consistent approvals. Using real case studies, the presenter will highlight practical applications and share key lessons learned to help jurisdictions streamline their own housing delivery efforts. | |
| 10:30 am - 12:00 pm | Significant changes introduced in the 2025 National Model Codes - Meeting Room 215 This session outlines the significant changes introduced in the 2025 editions of the National Model Codes—the National Building Code (NBC), National Fire Code (NFC), National Plumbing Code (NPC), and National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB). Key changes include new provisions for large farm buildings, expanded requirements for encapsulated mass timber construction, and updated design approaches for wind, snow, and seismic loads. The session will also cover new accessibility provisions for adaptable and visitable dwelling units, revised requirements for radon mitigation, energy performance, and new requirements for operational greenhouse gas emissions, as well as updates to climatic data to reflect projected future conditions. In addition, changes affecting plumbing systems, drainage, and potable water protection will be highlighted, along with updates to thermal bridging calculations, lighting, and energy modelling requirements in the NECB. The session will also address the new Parts dealing with the alteration of existing buildings introduced in both the NBC and NECB. | |
| 10:30 am - 12:00 pm | Identifying Smoke Control Measures in Existing Buildings - Meeting Room 205/207 This session provides an overview of smoke control measures commonly found in existing buildings, including pressurization systems, smoke exhaust, zoned smoke control, and related fire‑protection features. Attendees will learn how these systems function, how to recognize key components during reviews or inspections, and how to assess whether they align with their intended design objectives. The session will also highlight common deficiencies encountered in practice—such as improper sequencing, unmaintained equipment, incorrect damper operation, and gaps in documentation—and will present practical strategies for identifying and addressing these issues to improve building safety and compliance. The following codes and standards will be discussed during the presentation: 2024 Ontario Fire Code Requirements (in force as of January 1, 2026) 2024 Ontario Building Code, Volume 2 – Supplementary Standard SB‑4 NFPA 92 – Standard for Smoke Control Systems | |
| 10:30 am - 12:00 pm | Optimizing Offsite Wood Construction Project Approvals - Meeting Room 206/208 | |
| 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm | Lunch - Trillium Ballroom | |
| 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm | Exhibitor Lunch - TBD | |
| 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm | LIVE DEMO 3 - Canada Hall 3 | |
| 1:40 pm - 3:00 pm | Navigating code compliance adn best practices for cold-formed steel framing - Meeting Room 214 Cold‑formed steel is rapidly growing in popularity—especially in residential and panelized construction—as designers and builders look for efficient, high‑performance materials. This session offers a clear, accessible look at the essentials: what cold‑formed steel is, the codes and standards that govern it, and the best practices every stakeholder should know. CISC will highlight the CSSBI 61 Lightweight Steel Framing Certification Program, now administered by CISC following its merger with CSSBI in 2021, and dive into the program and it's benefits. | |
| 1:40 pm - 3:00 pm | Sound Transmission Class (STC) Requirements - Meeting Room 205/207 This session explores how Sound Transmission Class (STC) requirements are applied under Parts 5 and 9 of the Ontario Building Code. Participants will learn how STC ratings are determined, how flanking paths and construction details influence sound movement, and how to assess assemblies for compliance. Practical examples help translate rating requirements into real-world inspection, design, and review decisions. | |
| 1:40 pm - 3:00 pm | AI PreCheck: Automating plan intake and OBC Part 9 compliance for Ontario Municipalities - Meeting Room 206/208 Discover how Ontario municipalities can streamline permit intake and strengthen OBC Part 9 compliance using Archistar’s AI PreCheck platform. This session highlights two practical automation tools: the AI Completeness Check, which screens submissions for missing drawings, documents, and required details; and the OBC Part 9 compliance engine, which applies transparent, machine readable rules to deliver clear, auditable pass/fail results. Attendees will learn how these capabilities enhance consistency, reduce administrative burden, and support faster, defensible permitting decisions—while keeping professional oversight at the forefront. | |
| 1:40 pm - 3:00 pm | Chapter Chairs Meeting - Meeting Room 210 | |
| 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm | Coffee Break - Rideau Canal Prefunction | |
| 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm | Overview of Major changes to CSA 086-2024 - Meeting Room 214 The updated CSA O86 standard, published in June 2024, introduced several important changes to wood engineering design. This session will provide a high‑level overview of the major updates since the 2019 edition, with a focus on both structural and fire‑related revisions that practitioners need to understand for current and future projects. | |
| 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm | Standpipe requirements and considerations - Meeting Room 206/208 With the harmonization of the OBC and NBC, the requirements for standpipe system design, location, and configuration have significantly changed. This session will walk attendees through the updated design and arrangement provisions, offering clear guidance on what has shifted and what it means for future projects. | |
| 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm | Everything but the Kitchen Sink - Plumbing 101 - Meeting Room 205/207 Get ready for Everything but the Kitchen Sink. A photographic Jeopardy style tour through Parts 3, 7, and 9 that shows what really happens out in the field. Whether you’re new to inspecting or have years under your belt, you’ll pick up practical insights on ADUs, low‑rise commercial plumbing, high‑rise residential systems, and a whole lot more. It’s a lively, laugh‑filled session that teaches through real images, real mistakes, and real solutions. Exactly what you would expect from Quattro's Corner. | |
| 7:00 pm - 11:30 pm | Night Class - Westin - Ontario/Les Saisons Rooms Take some time to relax with your colleagues and discuss the days training. | |
| Wednesday, October 7th, 2026 | ||
| 6:45 am - 8:45 am | Delegates Breakfast - Rideau Canal Prefunction | |
| 7:00 am - 9:00 am | OBOA Registration - Rideau Canal Alcove | |
| 8:30 am - 10:00 am | Egress vs. Security, or Egress AND Security? - Meeting Room 214 It is a common misperception that egress and security conflict, that a building can’t accomplish egress and exiting as required by the Code at the same time as keeping solid security against unauthorized access. However the Code gives clear requirements for how people need to be able to leave buildings, that can be respected while configuring the layout to control access to specific spaces. This presentation will summarize the key Ontario Building Code provisions for egress and exiting, look at how they are applied using common questions from design teams, and will review how security objectives can be met while also meeting the OBC for egress and exiting. | |
| 8:30 am - 10:00 am | Single Exit Stairs - Meeting Room 205/207 | |
| 8:30 am - 10:00 am | Understanding Property Surveys - A practical guide for Building Departments - Meeting Room 206/208 Property surveys are essential documents in the permit process, yet clients often have questions about what they show and why they’re required. The session will cover how to read a property survey by identifying boundaries, measurements, easements, structures, and other core elements. It will explain how to locate the most important information quickly when supporting applicants and responding to common permit‑related questions. Participants will also gain an understanding of the difference between draft and final surveys, including how to determine whether a survey is valid for permit purposes. Finally, the session will outline where property owners can obtain surveys, such as through the surveyor of record, lawyers, developers, municipal archives, or land registry sources. | |
| 9:30 am - 11:30 am | Centre Block Rehabilitation - Parliament Hill - Tour - Registration Desk The Centre Block rehabilitation project is the largest, most complex project to rehabilitate a heritage building ever in Canada. Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is using innovative approaches and technologies to deliver the project. When the Centre Block reopens, it will be ready to meet the needs of a 21st-century Parliament for years to come. The group will tour the site. Time permitting, stops will include: • Parliament Welcome Centre excavation • Senate and House of Commons Chambers • Select heritage spaces • Demolition works underway | |
| 10:00 am - 10:30 am | Coffee Break - | |
| 10:30 am - 12:00 pm | Heat Pumps - Meeting Room 214 Join us for a dynamic technical session exploring key trends and best practices in modern HVAC design. This session will feature: An introduction to HVAC Designers of Canada and their role in advancing industry standards How heat pumps are transforming both new construction and renovation projects Practical selection criteria to help choose the right heat pump for any application Where to find independent, reliable performance data to support informed decision‑making A look at supplemental heat considerations and how to address common challenges Insights into using heat pumps as a 100% space‑heating solution | |
| 10:30 am - 12:00 pm | Expanded Opportunities for Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction - Meeting Room 206/208 Encapsulated mass timber construction (EMTC) has seen major advancements in the Ontario Building Code, including new allowances (as of April 2024) for buildings up to 18 storeys and expanded use across additional occupancy types. This session will highlight the latest technical Code provisions—covering intent, application, and the increased opportunities for exposed mass timber. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how to interpret and apply the 2024 OBC requirements when designing EMTC buildings. | |
| 10:30 am - 12:00 pm | From Site Observation to Defensible Engineering Opinion - Meeting Room 207/205 Engineering assessments often start with site observations, but real professional risk usually comes from how those observations are interpreted and turned into engineering opinions. This session explains the difference between factual observation, technical interpretation, and professional judgment within Canadian practice, helping attendees recognize whether reports meet expected standards. Participants will learn practical strategies for identifying technically sound, defensible reporting, along with guidance on navigating the human side of engineering practice—managing expectations, understanding how risk is communicated, and recognizing when findings may be sensitive, commercially challenging, or disputed. | |
| 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm | Charity Lunch - Trillium Ballroom | |
| 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm | Centre Block Rehabilitation - Parliament Hill - Tour - Registration Desk The Centre Block rehabilitation project is the largest, most complex project to rehabilitate a heritage building ever in Canada. Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is using innovative approaches and technologies to deliver the project. When the Centre Block reopens, it will be ready to meet the needs of a 21st-century Parliament for years to come. The group will tour the site. Time permitting, stops will include: • Parliament Welcome Centre excavation • Senate and House of Commons Chambers • Select heritage spaces • Demolition works underway | |
| 1:40 pm - 3:00 pm | TBD - CloudPermit - Meeting Room 206/208 | |
| 1:40 pm - 3:00 pm | Overview of Fire-resistive Construction Testing for Code Compliance - Meeting Room 205/207 Join us for an engaging and informative session exploring the National Building Code of Canada’s fire‑resistance requirements and how assemblies are tested and certified under CAN/ULC‑S101. Designed for building officials, designers, inspectors, and code practitioners, this session breaks down the essentials of fire‑resistive construction in a clear and practical way. Attendees will learn how walls, ceilings, structural elements, and opening protectives are tested to achieve required fire‑resistance and fire‑protection ratings, with real‑world insights and guidance from UL Solutions. Participants will also walk away with practical tips for conducting effective plan reviews and field inspections, plus an overview of the UL resources available to help verify assembly certifications and support compliance. | |
| 1:40 pm - 3:00 pm | Establishing when to Grant Occupancy - Meeting Room 214 Determining when a building is ready for occupancy is one of the most important decisions made by an inspector. This session reviews the key requirements that must be satisfied before occupancy can be granted, including differences across building types, required inspections, and outstanding work that may still be permitted. Participants will also explore when a formal occupancy permit is required, how to navigate partial occupancies, and how development charge payment requirements can affect the timing of occupancy. | |
| 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm | Coffee Break - Rideau Canal Prefunction | |
| 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm | Legal Corner - Meeting Room 214 Join Leo and John for their annual review of significant court decisions, recent legislation and other matters of interest to building officials. | |
| 6:15 pm - 8:15 pm | Presidents Dinner - Trillium Ballroom | |
| 9:00 pm - 11:30 pm | Night Class - Westin - Ontario/Les Saisons Rooms | |
Past Sessions
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