Item - 2011.PG9.6
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on November 29, 2011 without amendments and without debate.
- This item was considered by Planning and Growth Management Committee on November 8, 2011 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on November 29, 2011.
PG9.6 - Glass Balcony Guards: Review
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted on Consent
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on November 29, 30 and December 1, 2011, adopted the following:
1. City Council direct the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to advise the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing of the results of the City's review of the use of glass panels in balcony guards and request that they consider an emergency amendment to the Ontario Building Code to better address concerns for public safety when glass paneled balconies may break.
2. City Council direct the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to advise the Toronto Building and Land Development Association (BILD), TARION, Ontario Association of Architects and Professional Engineers Ontario of the results of the City's analysis of glass panel safety in balcony guards and encourage these organizations to update their practices and professional training regarding the use of glass panels in balcony guards.
3. City Council direct the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to advise Industry Canada, Canadian Glass Association, the Safety Glazing Certification Council and the Glass Association of North America of the results of the City's analysis of glass panel safety in balcony guards and encourage these organizations to communicate and coordinate a comprehensive review of compliance safety standards for the manufacturing of non-metallic product used to produce architectural glazing materials.
4. City Council request the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to re-evaluate wind tunnel standards and criteria and report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee on changes to improve modeling and application standards.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2011/pg/bgrd/backgroundfile-42147.pdf
(October 25, 2011) Staff Report regarding Glass Balcony Guards Review (Notice of Pending Report)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2011/pg/bgrd/backgroundfile-41971.pdf
PG9.6 - Glass Balcony Guards: Review
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:
1. City Council direct the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to advise the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing of the results of the City's review of the use of glass panels in balcony guards and request that they consider an emergency amendment to the Ontario Building Code to better address concerns for public safety when glass paneled balconies may break.
2. City Council direct the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to advise the Toronto Building and Land Development Association (BILD), TARION, Ontario Association of Architects and Professional Engineers Ontario of the results of the City's analysis of glass panel safety in balcony guards and encourage these organizations to update their practices and professional training regarding the use of glass panels in balcony guards.
3. City Council direct the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to advise Industry Canada, Canadian Glass Association, the Safety Glazing Certification Council and the Glass Association of North America of the results of the City's analysis of glass panel safety in balcony guards and encourage these organizations to communicate and coordinate a comprehensive review of compliance safety standards for the manufacturing of non-metallic product used to produce architectural glazing materials.
4. City Council request the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to re-evaluate wind tunnel standards and criteria and report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee on changes to improve modeling and application standards.
Origin
Summary
The purpose of this report is to respond to the Planning and Growth Management Committee's direction that the Chief Building Official report on the Toronto Building's review into glass balcony guard safety and provide recommendations for further action by the City in addressing the issue of glass paneled balcony guard safety.
A placeholder report on the agenda of the November 8, 2011 Planning and Growth Management Committee advised that the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building will be submitting this report for the Committee's consideration on November 8, 2011.
This report provides a summary of the City's review of the commonalities and possible causes for the failure of glass paneled balconies in the City. The report background provides information on the evolution of the design of glass balconies, potential causes of failure and the standards which govern glass in building construction.
The report identifies that a response to the issue is necessary on several fronts. Toronto Building is implementing changes to its review of permits where glass panels may be used and is recommending sharing the City's analysis with stakeholders and regulatory authorities and encouraging them to recognize potential issues with the use of glass panels in an urban setting such as Toronto. The Chief Building Official is also recommending that the City request emergency amendments to both the model national and Ontario building codes so that the minimum standards of construction, enforced by the City, minimize the potential for future glass balcony failures.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2011/pg/bgrd/backgroundfile-42147.pdf
(October 25, 2011) Staff Report regarding Glass Balcony Guards Review (Notice of Pending Report)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2011/pg/bgrd/backgroundfile-41971.pdf
Speakers
Motions
1. That Recommendation 3 in the report be deleted and replaced with the following:
"3. City Council direct the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to advise Industry Canada, Canadian Glass Association, the Safety Glazing Certification Council and the Glass Association of North America of the results of the City's analysis of glass panel safety in balcony guards and encourage these organizations to communicate and coordinate a comprehensive review of compliance safety standards for the manufacturing of non-metallic product used to produce architectural glazing materials."
2. That the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building be requested to re-evaluate wind tunnel standards and criteria and report on changes to improve modeling and application standards.