INFORMATION BULLETIN
April 2003
97-IB-030
Page 1 of 2
BUILDING CODE AMENDMENT REGULATION
Order in Council 43/2003 amending the Building Code Regulation (AR 50/98) came into effect on
February 19, 2003.
Please note that Building Code Amendment Regulation (AR 25/2003) is amending the previous
Building Code Regulation (AR 50/98). However, most of the amendments pertain to sections or
clauses of the Alberta Building Code 1997 and users of the Code should therefore make the
necessary changes in their code document.
The amendments in the Regulation are more specifically referenced to the relevant sentences of
the Code in the following:
(a) In Part 4, in the Subsection dealing with live loads due to snow, ice and rain, Sentence
4.1.7.2.(2) is to be amended by striking out “with rise to span ratios equal to or less than
1/10”.
(b) In Part 9, in the Article dealing with structural requirements for residential attics, Sentence
9.4.2.4.(1) is to be modified by striking out “may be designed for a total specified load of
0.5 kPa” and substituting “shall be designed for a total specified load of not less than
0.35 kPa”.
(c) Regarding the construction of stair treads, Sentence 9.8.9.4.(2) is to be clarified by adding,
“not continuously supported by the riser,” after “OSB”.
(d) Concerning fire stops, a second sentence is to be added to Article 9.10.15.3. as follows:
(2) Asbestos board used as a fire stop shall conform to the requirements of Subsection
9.27.8.
(e) Under Article 9.25.2.2., which deals with insulation materials, Sentence 9.25.2.2.(4) is
repealed.
ISSUE OF THIS INFORMATION
BULLETIN IS AUTHORIZED BY
THE DIRECTOR/ADMINISTRATOR.
C.M. TYE
Alberta Municipal Affairs, 16th Floor, Commerce Place, 10155 – 102 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 4L4
Safety Codes Council, Suite 800, 10707 – 100 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 3M1
(f) In context of structural requirements for loads in attics, the following note is to be added
after Appendix note A-9.4.:
A-9.4.2.(1) Specified Loads for Attics with Limited Accessibility. Typical residential
roofs are framed with roof trusses and the ceiling is insulated.
Residential trusses are placed at 600 mm on centre with web members joining top and
bottom chords. Lateral web bracing is installed perpendicular to the span of trusses. As a
result, there is limited room for movement inside the attic space or for storage of
material. Access hatches are generally built to the minimum acceptable dimensions of
500 mm by 700 mm, further limiting the size of material that can be moved into the attic.
With exposed insulation in the attic, access is not recommended unless protective
clothing and breathing apparatus are worn.
As the attic space is considered to have no occupancy, loading can be based on actual
dead load. In emergency situations, or for the purpose of inspection, it is possible for a
person to access the attic without over-stressing the truss or causing damaging deflection.
The Building Code Regulation is further amended by the following Disclaimer:
(It should be noted that this disclaimer applies generally and to all provisions of the 1997
Code)
1.2 The Code declared in force in this Regulation, and any codes and standards
referenced in the Code, do not make or imply any assurance or guarantee by the Crown
with respect to the life expectancy, durability or operating performance of materials,
appliances, systems and equipment referred to in the Code, codes or standards.
The expiry date in section 3 of the Regulation is also amended by striking out “June 1, 2003” and
substituting “March 1, 2013”.
Anyone requiring further information can contact a technical advisor of Safety Services, Alberta
Municipal Affairs, telephone no. (780) 427-8256. Copy of the Order in Council (O.C. 43/2003)
is available on the web site of the Queen’s Printer under Orders in Council. The specific internet
link is: http://www2.gov.ab.ca/home/publications/orders_in_council/2003/203/2003_043.html
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