USE OF WOOD IN MID-RISE CONSTRUCTION – CHANGES TO ONTARIO BUILDING
WHEREAS the proposed changes to the Ontario Building Code will expand the role of wood in mid-rise construction, providing significant social, economic and environmental benefits to the province and its people without compromising safety; and
WHEREAS the proposed changes include fire safety measures which help ensure that six storey wood frame buildings will perform at least as well or better than buildings permitted under the current version of the code; and,
WHEREAS the proposed code changes will permit increased design flexibility and help reduce the current impediments to the construction of mid-rise buildings; and,
WHEREAS mid-rise wood framed buildings are safe, cost-effective, and will help municipalities achieve densification while preserving the richness of mixed-use community neighbourhoods; and,
WHEREAS creating demand for Ontario’s wood products also supports the forest industry, a key economic sector of Northern Ontario and the province as a whole. By increasing opportunities to build with wood from Ontario’s sustainably managed forests, the proposed code changes support forest industry jobs and forest dependent communities.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association express to the Government of Ontario its full support of the proposed changes to the Ontario Building Code regarding the use of wood in mid-rise construction and urge that the proposed changes be included in the Ontario Building Code effective January 1, 2012.
Adopted by the membership: April 2011
