Announcing two new NBC 2005 Courses

• 2005 NBC Update for the Residential Sector
• Objective Based Code Training for the Residential Sector

Two new half-day courses on the 2005 National Building Code (NBC) will be offered extensively throughout the Atlantic Region in the upcoming fall/winter training season. The sessions will build on NRC materials and will focus on areas that are particularly relevant for the residential sector.

The AHB&RSC four-day NBC course has already been updated for the 2005 NBC changes. Seven pilot deliveries of the new course took place throughout the Region from February to April 2006. The full course will be delivered again in each of the Atlantic Provinces in the upcoming months. However, to meet a new mandatory training requirement for all Atlantic Home Warranty Program members, we will also be offering a half-day session to highlight the 2005 NBC changes for individuals who have previously taken a version of the longer NBC course.

In addition, we will be offering a half-day Objective Based Code Training session. This is not a mandatory course. The 2005 Code now includes information on the reasoning behind each of the code requirements. This new information, in the form of objectives and functional statements, is designed to enhance code users understanding code requirements. Objectives and functional statements can also assist builders, renovators and project developers who may want to propose alternatives to code requirements. Those engaged in some of the following activities may be the early users of the new code information:

• preparing new building designs to align with alternative land situations;
• developing new methods to reduce the cost of construction;
• seeking more environmentally benign housing;
• pursuing increased durability of products or systems.

As most builders, renovators and developers will require professional assistance in seeking approval of alternative solutions, it will become increasingly important that they know how to assess and manage the process. The Objective Based Code Training for the residential sector will provide the opportunity for participants to work through the process from the .idea. stage through the .assessment and argument preparation. stage to the .interface with the authority having jurisdiction. process that will result in approval of an alternative solution.

The 2005 NBC has many technical changes included in the code requirements (as .acceptable solutions.). It can be helpful to have the Objective Based Code Training integrated with the technical update. This can provide participants with the opportunity to learn about the technical changes while at the same time using the code.s new information to assess code requirements from a creative/alternative perspective. For those individuals who wish to take both the 2005 NBC Update and the Objective Based Code Training, the two half-day sessions will be scheduled back-to-back wherever there is interest. Dates and locations for the new courses will be posted on the website in early fall.

Details About our Course Fees

Every effort has been made to keep course fees to a minimum while ensuring quality training. After several years of Atlantic-wide training subsudies from HRDC, our industry courses are now delivered on a cost-recovery basis. Some exceptions apply:

• Fees for some courses are reduced for HBA and AHWP members, where the Industry Associations' Training Trust Fund subsidizes the training costs.
• Financial assistance may be available for eligible Nova Scotians receiving Employment Insurance benefits.
• A late payment fee of $50 will apply to registration and/or payment received less than two weeks prior to any Course Start Date.

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