The Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) is undertaking the review of a number of standards that were published at least five years ago, and that are in need of a technical review (these are referred to as Time-Dated standards).   You will find a link to this survey below:

Annex A                       Annex B                

This review will determine the technical validity of the standards and level of support for maintaining them. The standards included in this survey are in the construction area. Some are currently referenced in the National Master Specification (NMS) (Federal Government, architects and various Canadian stakeholders use the NMS as a tool for specifying requirements with regards to buildings and building maintenance). In addition, some of these standards are referenced in the National Codes (National Building Code of Canada, National Fire Code of Canada and/or National Plumbing Code of Canada) (see Annex A).  

In-depth technical reviews of the CGSB Standards referenced in the National Codes were performed by the relevant National Research Council Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) Standing Committees (for a complete list of these Standing Committees please see http://www.nationalcodes.ca/eng/ccbfc/committees.shtml). These reviews deemed some of the standards as non-problematic. A summary of the CCBFC findings is included in Annex A. Standards deemed non-problematic may be potentially suitable for reaffirmation or minor technical revision, while those deemed problematic may require revision.  

The costs for a full technical revision and new edition of a CGSB Standard are estimated to be between $130,000 and $200,000 over the work period, depending on the work complexity (potential translation costs are not factored into this estimate). On the other hand, for standards that are proven to still be technically valid and require a reaffirmation, the projected costs are estimated to be approximately $40,000.

  In the event the identified CGSB standards are not required or sufficient funding does not exist for their reaffirmation or revision, they will be processed for withdrawal after a 60-day public notification via the CGSB Web site at: http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/ongc-cgsb/programme-program/norms-standards/notification/index-eng.html and subsequently withdrawn. Should it be determined at a future date that sufficient support exists to revise withdrawn standards, CGSB can begin the process to reinstate and update said standards.  

Six questions are posed for your consideration and response in Annex B. Please note that standards listed in Annex B are only a part of CGSB standards in the construction area. Previous surveys were sent to selected stakeholders in the areas of Paint, Wire Fencing, Glass, Air Filters and Thin Film Materials. Water Marked Copies of the standards under review may be obtained for your review by contacting CGSB.  

We thank you in advance for taking your valuable time to assist CGSB with its review of these standards. Your return of the completed Annex B would be very much appreciated by no later than, December 30 2011 to:

Cosmina.Panu-Anghel@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca .