The new Chapter VIII, Building, of the R\u00e9gie du b\u00e2timent du Qu\u00e9bec (RBQ) Safety Code came into effect on March 18, 2013.\u00a0 It requires complete and periodic mandatory inspection of high-rise buildings fa\u00e7ades and multi-level parkings by professional members of the Ordre des Ing\u00e9nieurs du Qu\u00e9bec (OIQ) in order to protect the public against accidents caused by loose components that could detach from building fa\u00e7ades or by collapse of concrete structural elements.<\/p>\n
Owners must therefore have their buildings fa\u00e7ades and multi-level parkings inspected on a regular basis and proceed to urgent or permanent repair work in order to ensure safety of occupants and of the general public.<\/p>\n
In addition, owners must keep a maintenance record of the building and attest of the safety of building components.<\/p>\n
The owner or the association of co-owners of a residential or commercial building of five (5) storeys and more will be required to keep on premises all building fa\u00e7ades audit reports required to be issued every five (5) years starting from the 10th anniversary of the building construction.\u00a0 Such audits imply verification of exterior sidings, balconies, balustrades and other components of fa\u00e7ades by a thorough visual and tactile inspection and partial dismantling or exploratory cuts, as required.<\/p>\n
Structural concrete slabs and other components of multi-level parking structures will also have to be thoroughly verified by an engineer every five (5) years.\u00a0 The first inspection must be performed between 12 and 18 months after the parking lot construction.\u00a0 Reports issued further to these inspections are also to be kept on premises, according to the R\u00e9gie\u2019s requirements.<\/p>\n
For several years now, our firm has been providing in Qu\u00e9bec professional services required by this new regulation, namely:<\/p>\n
As strong demand is expected and in order to meet deadlines prescribed by the Building Code, we invite you to have this inspection performed as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
For\u00a0 further information on bill 122 and the RBQ Safety Code, here are few relevant links\u00a0:<\/p>\n