The construction industry is a fast-paced environment that includes dealing with unexpected situations, managing conflict and planning around challenging timelines. As a business owner or manager of a general contracting firm or a trade-specific business, ensuring employees have additional training, beyond their skillset, can often fall by the wayside when the pressure on job sites is high.
But, did you know that having employees who know the BC Building Code can actually reduce errors, conflict and other types of job site challenges? This is one of those cases where some additional knowledge can make a significant difference to a number of situations.
About the BC Building Code
The BC Building Code 2018 is the provincial regulation that defines minimum standards for all types of construction: residential, commercial, institutional and industrial and covers both new builds as well as alterations and additions. Within these categories, the code outlines the standards for: Health, safety, fire and structural protection, accessibility and energy and water efficiency. It also includes the BC Plumbing Code.
How Employees Armed with the Code Make a Difference
Firms that invest in training their employees with a BC Building Code 2018 course are going to see immediate benefits. When team members understand how the code influences what they do, they gain a greater appreciation of their tasks and how they fit within the overall needs of the building. Additionally, knowing the ins and outs of the code allows these employees to approach their tasks with purpose, looking at each element critically to ensure everything is the best it can be while fitting within the necessary standards. It can be an eye opener for employees to learn why doing things a certain way matters to the end result.
Knowing the Code can Reduce Conflict and Improve Planning
Know that saying, “Get on the same page?” When employees have all taken BC Building Code continuing education courses, they will be on the same page and working with the same knowledge base. While the code itself is filled with flexibility given the regional or site requirements, performance-based requirements and alternative solutions, the starting point within the code is the same.
By having this same basic knowledge, it reduces the questions of whose approach to a problem is right, because the answer is that the code determines the right approach. Employees can work together to determine how to meet the code while addressing an unexpected problem. Additionally, these employees working together will be giving the same message to a homeowner who asks why something needs to be done a certain way (Or why something can’t be done) which reduces unnecessary back-and-forth and uncertainty.
There is also the added benefit of employees working together to resolve an issue to help reduce time. Both know there are no ways to cut corners – the requirements of the code must be adhered to – but they can brainstorm while appreciating the requirements for the project they are on. This allows them to see if there are ways to achieve the appropriate outcome while reducing the time invested. Without having the shared knowledge of the code, resolving the problem would become a game of “what-ifs” and the need for those who do know the code to step in and determine what is possible.
Finally, in on-site planning stages, changes to original plans and drawings can be made quickly and easily by knowing what fits the code and what does not. Building owners may want to make a wide range of changes, but when employees know the code they can easily guide the conversation to what is possible and find solutions that fit the code and the owner’s wishes.
It’s an investment to have employees take BC Building Code courses, but definitely one that will pay off quickly. Any construction-based business will find that having employees who know the provincial building code makes the organization much more efficient and effective.
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.
Recent Comments
comments for this post are closed