Administration, Definitions, and Scope of the Building Code Act / OBC
The Building Code Act, 1992 is the statute; the Ontario Building Code (OBC) is the regulation made under it, chiefly O. Reg. 332/12. Candidates must separate the Act, the Code, and referenced standards. The Act creates the roles of owner, chief building official (CBO), and inspector, and it defines 'building' and 'construct' broadly. 'Construct' includes erection, installation, extension, alteration, repair, renovation, and demolition of a building or part of it; HVAC work is therefore within the Act when it forms part of a building's systems. The Code is arranged in Division A (compliance, objectives, functional statements), Division B (acceptable solutions), and Division C (administration). Division A tells you why and what must be achieved; Division B gives deemed-to-comply rules; Division C covers permits, inspections, and enforcement.
Scope traps are common. The Act regulates construction, demolition, and change of use; it is not a general maintenance statute for every repair, and some work is exempt under the Code's scope provisions. Federal buildings and certain farm buildings have special treatment. Do not assume that because a task is 'just HVAC' it is outside the Code: a new furnace, duct alteration, or ventilation system can be part of construction. Conversely, do not assume every service call needs a permit.
Worked example: a contractor replaces a forced-air furnace and adds a new return-air duct in a house. The work is installation/alteration of a building system, so check permit requirements with the CBO before starting; the Act's broad definition, not the contractor's label, controls. When in doubt, request a written permit-scope determination.