Designer Roles & Responsibilities - Ontario

Design Professional of Record

The Ontario Building Code requires that designers preparing plans be qualified and registered with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Can include members of organizations such as: AATO (Association of Architectural Technologists of Ontario), OAA (Ontario Association of Architects), OACETT (Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists) and PEO (Professional Engineers of Ontario).

Building Code Act 1982

The Building Code Act requires that a range of individuals and firms responsible for design activities regulated under the Act be qualified in their appropriate area of design and, when required, registered with the Province.

Role of Designers
(2) It is the role of a designer,

(a) if the designer’s designs are to be submitted in support of an application for a permit under this Act, to provide designs which are in accordance with this Act and the building code and to provide documentation that is sufficiently detailed to permit the design to be assessed for compliance with this Act and the building code and to allow a builder to carry out the work in accordance with the design, this Act and the building code;
(b) to perform the role described in clause (a) in respect of only those matters for which the designer has the qualifications, if any, required by this Act and the building code; and
(c) if the building code requires that all or part of the design or construction of a building be under general review, to perform the general review in respect of only those matters for which the designer has the qualifications, if any, required by this Act and the building code.  2002, c. 9, s. 3.

OBC

Commitment to General Review by Architects and Engineers
Section 2.3.2.

Professional Design and Review requirements, O. Reg. 403/97
Dependent upon building classification, design & general review by architect or architect and engineer

Architects Act, Section 50 of Ontario Regulation 27 – Performance Standards for review

Engineers Act, Section 91a of Ontario Regulation 914/90 – Performance Standards for review