NS to Adopt 2020 National Fire Code.
Nova Scotia will adopt the National Fire Code of Canada 2020 effective April 1, along with recommendations from the Office of the Fire Marshal to address local requirements and improvements.
“Fire codes, along with building codes, set the rules for homes and commercial buildings that help keep all Nova Scotians safe,” said John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister responsible for the Office of the Fire Marshal. “Adoption of the 2020 national fire code is an important step for promoting fire safety in the province, and for clarifying responsibilities for inspection and enforcement.”
The code will ensure that new and existing homes, apartments and commercial buildings are held to modern safety standards.
Important changes include:
- consolidating fire safety plan requirements to ensure better compliance and enforcement
- establishing classifications for widely used water-mixable liquids to ensure that appropriate fire safety measures are used for their storage, handling and processing
- introducing new measures for the construction of mass timber buildings.
The National Fire Code of Canada 2020 aligns with the 2020 National Building Codes to provide guidance on provincial construction standards.
The new fire safety regulations are available at: https://novascotia.ca/just/regulations/rxaa-l.htm#firesafety
Quotes:
“The adoption of the 2020 national fire code, and the amended provincial fire regulations, demonstrates the commitment of the Government of Nova Scotia to fire safety in the province. In particular, the changes recommended by the Office of the Fire Marshal will ensure significant protection for Nova Scotians in situations where there has been a greater degree of fire incidences and loss in the past.”
— Greg Jones, President, Fire Inspectors Association of Nova Scotia
Quick Facts:
- the national fire code is a model code that is updated every five years through public consultation and cost-benefit analysis
- model codes have no legal force until they are adopted by each province
- the adoption of the national fire code – along with the building code adopted in September 2024 – will enable the construction of taller mass-timber buildings, while supporting the local forestry sector and green building initiatives
Additional Resources:
Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations: https://novascotia.ca/just/regulations/rxaa-l.htm#bcode
Source : Provincial Release
