The National Building Code of Canada (NBC) provides prescriptive guidance for fastening typical wood-frame construction. At the same time, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) O86-09, Engineering Design in Wood, provides rational mechanics-based analysis methods for engineered design. Both of these resources rely on CSA B111, Wire Nails, Spikes, and Staples, as the reference specification for small-diameter driven fasteners. That standard was first approved in 1974, and although it was reaffirmed as recently as 2003, it was not updated.

Natural stone can be used in residential and commercial buildings in various ways, ranging from claddings and flooring to architectural trim and landscape accents. As the use of this material increases in Canadian projects, it is critical specifiers be current and accurate in their construction documentation. Products used in conjunction with these materials are rapidly changing, so it is no simple process to determine what should be employed or with what method.

One of nature’s most destructive natural disasters, earthquakes cannot be successfully forecasted or prevented. However, it is possible to predict the effects of these seismic events on buildings and infrastructure by analyzing historical data.

As its name suggests, architecturally exposed structural steel (AESS) must be designed to not only support the primary structural needs of the building (or canopies, ancillary structures, or pedestrian-scale bridges), but also to achieve the esthetic qualities required by being exposed to view.

Canada’s historical buildings present a dilemma in terms of today’s performance expectations. They have little to no wall insulation, and covering their beautiful exteriors with insulation is either undesirable or prohibited by local authorities, since many of these buildings are designated heritage properties with required façade protection.