Alberta unveiled new building and fire codes Friday, including a requirement for fire-resistant gypsum wallboard under vinyl siding instead of the faster-burning oriented strand board that is usually used.
The new codes were long anticipated and are meant to prevent another blaze like the one that destroyed 88 homes in Edmonton last summer, leaving $20 million worth of damage.
Edmonton fire Chief Randy Wolsey said a few months ago that manufactured wood products used under vinyl siding were burning much too quickly, putting public safety at risk.
The new codes also call for new multi-family buildings to put in additional sprinklers in balconies, attics and crawl spaces to those already required.
The changes also aim to make new homes with attached garages safer by requiring fire detectors and gypsum wallboard in the garage.
The regulations will likely add to the cost of a new home, but Municipal Affairs Minister Ray Danyluk believes it's necessary.
"We could all build houses out of stone that would be a lot safer, but they would not be affordable, so we have looked at trying to bring that balance together of safety, affordability and technically sound practices," he said.
Vince Laberge, Alberta president of the Canadian Homebuilders Association, says he's not sure yet how much of a jump in cost there will be.
"I think the devil will be in the details," he said.
The government accepted 18 of 22 recommendations from a study group that included emergency workers, fire departments and members of the Safety Codes Council.
With files from The Canadian Press
