Canadian Advisory Council on Plumbing
(CACP) UPDATE
The Canadian Advisory Council on Plumbing, under the auspices of Standards Council of Canada
accredited certification organizations, Provincial/Territorial Regulators, the Canadian Institute of
Plumbing and Heating, and Health Canada provides an opportunity for Industry, Regulators, and
Product Certification Organizations to share new concepts and ideas, to discuss policy and
programs, and to review innovations and new technologies that affect the standards and the
certification and testing of plumbing products.
The CACP met in Quebec City for its Annual Meeting on August 25, 2008. Here is a summary of
issues that were covered and recent developments that were reported.
Water Efficiency
The Standing Committee on Building and Plumbing Services (SCBPS) agreed to reference CSA
B128.1 in Article 2.7.4.1 of the 2015 Building Code of Canada to address situations where the
availability of potable water is limited.
At the 20th meeting of the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) held in
Montreal, February 2008, a task group was formed to determine how to address requests for new
objectives, such as water efficiency, within the national model codes.
The request to remove 13lpf water closets from the CSA B45 standard was balloted in the fall of
2008, and is expected to be published, as an amendment, in the summer of 2009. It was noted that
the proposal needs to be balloted in conjunction with ASME as this is a harmonized standard.
Enforcement and Inspections
A national plumbing inspector training program is being created and co-funded by CSA’s Training
Group and the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH), supported by the
Provincial/Territorial Policy Advisory Committee (PTPACC).
The committee responsible for content development is now being formed, with the goal of being up
and running by 2009. Some provinces that already have a similar program in place will provide a
representative to participate on the committee.
CIPH has written letters to make officials aware of its concerns that in certain areas of the country, a
lack of inspectors may compromise public safety.
Non-approved Products
CIPH has developed an information bulletin for uncertified plumbing products that will be posted on
its website. This useful reference for plumbing and building inspectors, wholesalers and retail
distributors will enhance public safety by simplifying the identification of safe, third-party certified
plumbing products for use in Canada.
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Health Canada Bill C-52
A report on Health Canada Bill C-52 was presented, covering the following topics:
• Current legislation: Hazardous Product Act
• The need for legislation renewal
• The focus on three pillars:
o Active prevention
o Targeted oversight
o Rapid response
• The proposed Canada Consumer Product Safety Act which includes the following key
features:
o Coverage of all “consumer products” including components, parts and
accessories
o Focus on both acute and chronic health effects
o Criteria which prohibit the manufacture, importation, sale or advertisement of
consumer products
• Next steps in the Parliamentary process
• Involvement of all stakeholders, such as regulators, industry, certification bodies and
standards development organizations
• Other mechanisms and jurisdictions that address product safety (as Bill C-52 is not
intended to supersede or replace other requirements)
• Launch through a pilot project for electrical products and, if successful, an extension to
plumbing and gas products
Canadian Code System and Potential Need for Reform
CIPH discussed its concern that regulations across jurisdictions are not uniform, and that the code
cycle hampers speedy resolution of issues. Adding a new objective to the code may consume six to
eight years.
For more information on how you can become involved in CACP, please contact:
Jason Bourque, CAE
Program Manager
Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating
295 The West Mall, Suite 330
Toronto, ON M9C 4Z4
PH: (416) 695-0447
Fax: (416) 695-0450
Email: j.bourque@ciph.com
website: www.ciph.com
Lauro Pilla, P.Eng.
Project Manager | CACP Secretariat
Canadian Standards Association
5060 Spectrum Way, Suite 100
Mississauga, ON
PH: (416) 747-4205
Fax:(416) 401-6799
Email: lauro.pilla@csa.ca
website: www.csa.ca
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