Being equipped with the right knowledge is just as important as having the right tools on any construction site. It does not matter if you have all the answers memorized. What matters more is that you have the tools and ability to find the answers when you need them urgently. Knowing when and where to search for information is a core aspect of navigating uncertainty on a job site. With the help of continuing education with an experienced online instructor, construction professionals can gain confidence and become well versed in the BC Building Code 2018.
Responsibility and Necessity
Construction is currently designated as an essential service in British Columbia, fueling the economy and supporting the housing market during unpredictable times. Service providers and construction personnel are routinely required to maintain the safety, cleanliness and operability of commercial and residential buildings. The Province of British Columbia has designated “construction work, construction firms, skilled trades, and professionals” as essential service providers during this time. Based on their latest online updates, construction is firmly included in the list of “daily services essential to preserving life, health, public safety and basic societal functioning.”
Early in the pandemic, the executive director of the BC Construction Safety Alliance, Mike McKenna, published an editorial feature to unite the voices of over 40,000 construction employers and 220,000 contract workers in the province of British Columbia. In his own words, the construction sector recognizes the collective “responsibility to the province, continuing to build essential infrastructure to serve its people.” McKenna also notes the necessity of “ensuring that construction projects already underway were taken to a point where they were safe and secure” and also “ensuring that the core of the province’s economy continued to operate.”
Requirements and Objectives
Because the construction industry is so essential, project coordinators and site managers need to be fully equipped to accurately navigate and find clarity within the BC Building Code. Understanding the requirements and objectives of the code is one of the first steps to ensure safe working conditions. The preface of the BC Building Code lists five core objectives as outlined by the NCB. These main objectives focus on safety, health, accessibility, fire and structural protection, and the environment. Each individual requirement listed in the code reflects and upholds these overall objectives. The requirements are also designed to be reasonable, attainable and enforceable in the field. Whoever on the job site is responsible for compliance should be able to effectively meet those requirements using commonly accepted practices. The requirements must also take potential policy implications under consideration and there must be a broad consensus about the requirement from people across the construction and design industries. The BC Building Code also varies from other codes governing the rest of the country. British Columbia is unique because of the climate, seismic activity and availability of materials. These considerations impact the creation and implementation of the code. If you have years of experience in construction but you are relocating to British Columbia, you will definitely want to get familiar with the specific parameters of the BC Building Code.
Understanding the BC Building Code
No one has the capacity to memorize the entire building code, but anyone in the field can develop their sleuthing expertise. Taking a BC Building Code 2018 course will provide you with the skills and insight you need to confidently navigate the code and find answers in a pinch. It will also enable you to ground your decisions in factual evidence whenever you have to think quickly on a job site. During the course, your online instructor will help you analyze various scenarios so you will know instinctively when and where to apply the code. There will also be discussion around how to balance time and financial pressures against the need to be thorough and ensure code compliance. The most important skill you will develop is your ability to hunt through the document and identify the necessary requirements for a given scenario. By investing in continuing education courses, you will be able to react in an informed and safe manner whenever something does not feel quite right. Being able to communicate concerns or solutions to your team is also vital on any construction site. If that sounds daunting or challenging, consider a communications course to build up your confidence and help you clarify your directives or notes.
Home Inspection Courses
If you enjoy the technical aspects of working on a construction site but want to get more analytical and become your own boss, home inspection courses are an excellent option. The certified continuing education courses at Ashton College will help you develop the necessary technical and analytical skills to become confident in all the responsibilities of the job. This includes properly evaluating the plumbing, heating, cooling, electrical and insulation of a home, along with the interior and exterior structure.
This content is sponsored by Ashton College in collaboration with ConstructConnect® Media. Ashton College offers various continuing education courses including comprehensive Red Seal exam preparation courses, home inspection courses, and the BC Building Code 2018 course. To learn more about Ashton College, visit www.ashtoncollege.ca.
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