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FACADE INSPECTION (BILL 122)

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What Is Bill 122 as It Relates to Buildings?

In the building industry, Bill 122 is the law that amends the “Building Act” and focuses on updating safety standards. This law brought into force a new chapter of the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) Safety Code, specifically for high-rise buildings and multi-storey parking lots. Its aim is to improve the safety of occupants, as well as that of people in the vicinity of these buildings. The new requirements for building facades and multi-storey parking lots are available on the Régie du bâtiment du Québec website.

  • 1. Facade Requirements

    • Maintenance and inspection of facades: Buildings with at least one facade of 5 storeys or more above ground level are concerned. These structures must be regularly inspected to ensure their safety.

  • 2. Requirements for Multi-Storey Parking Lots

    • Maintenance and inspection of parking lots: This applies to underground or above-ground parking facilities where a structural slab serves as a driving surface. These infrastructures must also undergo periodic inspections.

  • 3. What Are the Main Changes Brought about by Bill 122?

    The new provisions of Bill 122 introduce several obligations for owners of buildings meeting certain criteria. These include the need to keep maintenance records and have buildings inspected by qualified professionals.

  • 4. What about Facades? Which Buildings Are Affected?

    The buildings covered by this new legislation are those with facades of at least 5 storeys above ground level. It is these structures that must meet the new inspection and maintenance requirements.

  • 5. What about Parking Lots? Which Buildings Are Affected?

    The parking lots concerned are those with a structural slab, i.e. parking lots where vehicles travel on a surface that does not rest directly on the ground. If the slab is purely pedestrian or grassed, it is not subject to the new regulations.

  • 6. What Are the Requirements for Facades?

    Owners of affected buildings must:


    • Keep a building maintenance log for the duration of the building's existence.
    • Have facades inspected regularly by professionals (engineers or architects).
    • Follow the directives of the Régie du bâtiment if dangerous conditions are detected, such as implementing emergency measures and carrying out corrective work.

  • 7. When Should Facade Inspections Be Carried Out, and by Whom?

    Facade inspections must be carried out by an engineer or architect. The first inspection must be carried out before the 10th anniversary of the building's construction, and every 5 years thereafter. An inspection must not be carried out more than 6 months before the final report is produced.

  • 8. What Are the Requirements for Multi-Storey Parking Lots?

    Owners must:


    • Keep a maintenance log for the entire life of the parking facility.
    • Have the parking lot inspected periodically by an engineer.
    • Carry out annual checks, perform preventive maintenance and act promptly if unsafe conditions are detected, in accordance with RBQ guidelines.

  • 9. When Are Parking Lot Inspections Required, and by Whom?

    Two types of inspection are required for parking lots:


    1. Thorough inspection: carried out by an engineer The first must be carried out between 12 and 18 months after construction, and then every 5 years or after any event likely to affect the structure.
    2. Annual visual inspection: carried out by the owner, who must record observations on a form provided by the RBQ, accompanied by dated photos.

  • 10. What Are the Other Benefits Apart from Safety?

    In addition to enhancing the safety of occupants, users and the public, the new obligations can also offer long-term financial benefits Regular inspections enable problems to be detected and corrected as soon as they occur, before they lead to costly repairs or more serious structural damage.

In short, while these new requirements may generate costs for owners, they help to keep buildings and infrastructures in good condition, while preventing more serious problems that are costly to correct.

RAPID QUOTE

Seydou Cissé, T.P. 23895

A Civil Engineering graduate and member of the Ordre des Technologues Professionnels du Québec, Seydou Cissé has gathered a solid experience in construction and building inspection since 2015. Trained at the Collège d'enseignement immobilier de Montréal, he uses his skills in ventilation and thermography to offer you secure and efficient support in your real estate transactions.

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