March, 2007
ALBERTA MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS SETS NEW SAFETY STANDARDS FOR SECONDARY SUITES
The following information was taken from the Government of Alberta's website. Legislation was enacted November 22, 2006 to approve the 12 recommendations from the MLA review committee on secondary suites. Secondary suites are self-contained units that include a kitchen, bathroom and separate exit created in a single family home.
Building Code standards for new suites took effect December 31, 2006, and standards for existing suites under the Alberta Fire Code will take effect December 31, 2008, giving owners of existing suites two years to bring their properties into compliance with the new code requirements.
Following are the MLA's recommendations:
- "Standards for secondary suites should be developed for use in single family homes to address the needs for safety and affordability.
- The government should establish province wide standards for secondary suites under the Alberta Building and Fire Codes. Municipalities would continue to have the choice to determine when and where secondary suites will be permitted.
- Standards for secondary suites should apply to both new and existing homes.
- Standards for secondary suites should be developed to accommodate the goal of affordability, provided acceptable safety standards are in place.
- The minimum height of rooms and spaces should be 1.95 m or 6'6".
- Each bedroom should have at least one outside window that can be opened from the inside.
- There should be no requirement for windows in rooms other than in the bedrooms.
- To protect the suite from the spread of fire, fire protection for the walls and ceilings should be required
- For the purpose of life safety, interconnected smoke alarms between the upper and lower suites should be required for every home with a secondary suite.
- The furnace should be enclosed with fire separation walls and ceiling.
- To enhance life safety, there should be a separate exit from the secondary suite to the outside.
- Heating and ventilation systems should meet appropriate safety requirements that recognize the differences between new homes and existing homes."
For further clarification, check out the Municipal Affairs website at www.municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca. Click on "Information on the Alberta Affordable Housing Task Force", click on "Media" , scroll down left hand side and click on "Secondary Suites Information Page".
To speak to a building or fire code technical advisor, call the Alberta Municipal Affairs Safety Services branch toll free at 1-866-421-6929. With questions about municipal bylaws or zoning, contact your municipality.
