A BCIN designer’s services are limited to preparing plans for permit submissions for building sizes that they have qualified and passed exams to work on. For example, after successfully passing the building code act and small buildings qualification exams, a BCIN designer could then design, draft plans, stamp drawings and apply to building departments for building permits for a building project within Ontario that is not exceeding 3 stories and is less than 600 sqm(6458sqft) in above grade overall area. According to Statistics Canada, given “the median above-grade living area of recently built single detached houses is 2,380sqft”, a BCIN designer with that qualification could therefore handle designing a home that would more than double the size of the average multi-story home within Ontario.

As the overall scale of a building project increases, so does its complexities in design. For projects like a community swimming pool [Institutional], a Tesla dealership [Commercial] or an Amazon warehouse [Industrial], the buildings would require the designs to be produced by the combined skillsets of Architects and Engineers. These kinds of projects are usually completed by specialized design firms which sometimes operate exclusively within a single building category. usually A, B & F1 occupancies are not covered under BCIN

The BCIN designer or BCIN design firm must be formally registered with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing(MMAH). The BCIN designer or BCIN design firm must stay current with payments for annual registration fees and required insurance fees for Design Firms.

Back on July 25th of 2003, Bill 124, the building code statute law amendment act was proclaimed into Canadian law. In brief, this law states that all building officials and all designers submitting designs for the purpose of obtaining a building permit are to be qualified and registered by the government, effective January 1st, 2006.

This distinction is between synonyms that mean the same thing in regards to BCIN accreditation. Some BCIN designers may refer to themselves as certified BCIN designer’s or licensed BCIN designer’s whereas the language specifically used within the Ontario building code and at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regards designers as qualified BCIN designers. You can go to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Online registry here to search for an individual designer or design firm and determine which qualifications the BCIN designer has and if the design firm has a current status. You’ll also be able to find out which exams an individual has passed or find out if a design firm is registered to offer design services that can be submitted for the purpose of obtaining building permits. For example, if their qualifications show as House, Small Buildings, this means they have passed the comprehensive exam(s) that includes working on both houses and small buildings as defined with the building code here.

The purpose of the BCIN is to ensure that construction in Ontario, Canada, is safe and up to code. The following professionals and businesses are required to be qualified and registered with the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs: - Building officials (this includes on-site inspectors) - Certain classes of designers - On-site sewage system installers - Registered code agencies There are strict standards in place to provide the BCIN on construction drawings and be able to inspect those buildings. One must first apply to receive a BCIN from the ministry. Once individuals receive a number, they must complete the examination program in their area of study. Once the program and exams are passed, the individual or agency must then register with the ministry. These professionals and businesses must also show proof of insurance. Additionally, there is an annual fee, and re-registration is required every year.

The BCIN stands for Building code Identification Number The exame is 3 houres