Spring is in the air and some of us are thinking of spending some time on a new backyard deck. In many cases a sun deck can act as an extension to your living space so it would make sense to have an this space meet all the strenuous standards as your interior space. Here is a list of types of decks that need Ottawa building permits in order to construct them.
Too many decks are built every year where building permits are not issued so the construction methods are inferior and in many cases illegal resulting in structural failure. Deck failures usually happen when the deck is being used such as parties where the weight of many people lay on the deck. We can probably all remember parties in our college and university days where loud music and strong beverages were being abused on someone’s backyard deck. I remember one party in particular in Sandy Hill where there were at least 100 people standing on a 40 square meter deck. After the party the landlord explained to me that when he had the deck built he had an engineer size the structure so he can park his SUV on it and the deck would not move. Investing in this type of deck were better than fixing a collapsed deck and/or someone getting hurt.
Many decks are still being built resting on deck blocks, which creates a floating structure that can move with the seasons. This means that you may have to adjust the pillars to maintain a level deck surface. This construction method is fine as long as the deck is not fastened to your house or any structure that have a foundation that reaches below frost. The reason is simple – a structure that has a foundation will not move while a floating structure will so if they are attached together there will be some damage done at the connection.
Most decks now days are being built attached to houses creating a convenient platform outside a patio door or garden doors. This type of deck should be sitting on foundations such as sono-tubes with appropriate footings or pre-engineered helical piles. With these proper foundations the deck can be fastened to the house ensuring a sturdy and level surface.
Railings on sun decks are often designed to be a convenient platform to put a cold drink on but the building code requirements are for safety. The minimum height of a railing is determined by the height of the deck. If the deck is lower than 600mm there is no railing required. The minimum railing height on a deck that is higher that 600mm but lower than 1800mm is 900mm. If the deck is higher than 1800mm but lower than 10m the minimum railing height is 1070mm. The higher the deck the higher the railing… A higher railing will discourage users to climb or sit on it resulting in fewer injuries.
In conclusion, this spring when you are planning the construction of your new deck you should ensure it is built properly and the best way to ensure that is to have a building permit.
For more information regarding the needs for building permits in Ottawa or the Building Permit Application process, contact the experts at Ottawa Building Permits today and let us show you how we can protect your most valuable investment.
- A deck that has a greater area than 10 square meters
- A deck that is greater than 600mm in height
- A deck that is attached to your house
- A deck that is elevated that provides principal access to a building
Too many decks are built every year where building permits are not issued so the construction methods are inferior and in many cases illegal resulting in structural failure. Deck failures usually happen when the deck is being used such as parties where the weight of many people lay on the deck. We can probably all remember parties in our college and university days where loud music and strong beverages were being abused on someone’s backyard deck. I remember one party in particular in Sandy Hill where there were at least 100 people standing on a 40 square meter deck. After the party the landlord explained to me that when he had the deck built he had an engineer size the structure so he can park his SUV on it and the deck would not move. Investing in this type of deck were better than fixing a collapsed deck and/or someone getting hurt.
Many decks are still being built resting on deck blocks, which creates a floating structure that can move with the seasons. This means that you may have to adjust the pillars to maintain a level deck surface. This construction method is fine as long as the deck is not fastened to your house or any structure that have a foundation that reaches below frost. The reason is simple – a structure that has a foundation will not move while a floating structure will so if they are attached together there will be some damage done at the connection.
Most decks now days are being built attached to houses creating a convenient platform outside a patio door or garden doors. This type of deck should be sitting on foundations such as sono-tubes with appropriate footings or pre-engineered helical piles. With these proper foundations the deck can be fastened to the house ensuring a sturdy and level surface.
Railings on sun decks are often designed to be a convenient platform to put a cold drink on but the building code requirements are for safety. The minimum height of a railing is determined by the height of the deck. If the deck is lower than 600mm there is no railing required. The minimum railing height on a deck that is higher that 600mm but lower than 1800mm is 900mm. If the deck is higher than 1800mm but lower than 10m the minimum railing height is 1070mm. The higher the deck the higher the railing… A higher railing will discourage users to climb or sit on it resulting in fewer injuries.
In conclusion, this spring when you are planning the construction of your new deck you should ensure it is built properly and the best way to ensure that is to have a building permit.
For more information regarding the needs for building permits in Ottawa or the Building Permit Application process, contact the experts at Ottawa Building Permits today and let us show you how we can protect your most valuable investment.