TORONTO - The Canadian Hydronics Council (CHC) successfully secured a spot on the agenda of the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) at its recent annual meeting in Victoria, British Columbia. CHC was appealing a decision by the Standing Committee on Houses to not reference the CSA B214 Installation Code for Hydronic Heating Systems in Part 9 of the 2005 National Building Code.

Representatives of CHC made a 15-minute presentation to the CCBFC, which outlined the rationale for referencing in Part 9 and emphasized that the CSA B214 would:

  • Protect consumers from poor installations of hydronic or hot water heating systems in their home;

  • Ensure that proper procedures are followed; and

  • Promote a corps of qualified hydronics installers.

    The CCBFC decided to support the decision of the Standing Committee on Houses regarding not referencing CSA B214 in Part 9, but did recommend that the Commission allow an "interim" change to the 2005 National Building Code after CSA has made necessary improvements to the hydronic standard. CCBFC members approved this recommendation unanimously.

    It is expected that the CSA B214 will be referenced in Part 9 of the National Building Code by 2006.

    The Canadian Hydronics Council (CHC) is a council within the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH). Its mission is to promote the responsible growth and contribute to the prosperity of members and their customers in the hydronic heating industry.

    For more information, contact Constance Wrigley-Thomas, program manager, CIPH, at 416-695-0447 or hydronics@ciph.com.

    Publication date: 04/26/2004