tender_20726 - Ontario Building Code and Ontario Fire Code Recommendations to Address Requirements for Four-Storey Townhouses

Detailed Description

To enhance housing supply, the Ministry seeks a Vendor to research and provide recommendations to amend Ontario’s Building Code and Fire Code to improve the design efficiency and economic viability of four storey (plus basement) single dwelling unit townhouses, including compensating safety measures. The Vendor’s tasks include a research and analysis program to support evidence-based decisions ensuring no increased risk to building occupants, including persons with disabilities, and firefighters, while evaluating impacts on ground operations, firefighter training, access, and locational factors.

A Technical Report must outline Ontario-specific fire and economic data, safety analysis results, and assessments of building systems and compensating measures. Initial recommendations with rationale and economic analysis for code changes will precede complete code change proposals using the Ontario Code Change Request Form.

The Vendor will create and implement a peer review process to inform the Technical Report and recommendations. This ensures that final recommendations are robust, and support safe and economically viable construction standards for four-storey townhouses.

Scope of Work

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing seeks a Vendor to research and recommend amendments to Ontario’s Building Code and Fire Code to facilitate constructing four-storey plus basement townhouses.

Currently classified as large buildings under the Code, this project aims to develop alternative requirements that can improve the economic viability of this building type while maintaining safety for occupants and firefighters. The Vendor will conduct a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of fire and life safety considerations and proposed changes to ensure risks are not increased.

The project includes six key deliverables:

1. Workplan: Detailed plan with milestones, resources, communication, and quality control strategies.
2. Draft Technical Report: Initial report covering Ontario-specific fire and economic analysis, risk assessment, and compensating measures.
3. Initial Recommendations: Updated report with initial recommendations, rationale, and presentation.
4. Peer Review: Review processes, with findings in a summary report.
5. Final Technical Report: An updated report with final code change proposals and presentation.
6. Close-Out/Knowledge Transfer: A close-out meeting and ongoing support for Code development
The project begins September 2025 and concludes March 2026, with milestones.