New farm buildings that are larger than 6,500 sq. feet will have to satisfy Manitoba’s new farm building code starting Nov. 1.
The government announced the long awaited changes to Manitoba’s building code last week.
The announcement brought to an end a process that began early in 2008.
Hog barn fires killed more than 30,000 pigs in the province that year, which prompted discussions about the need for building codes for large, industrial buildings on agricultural land.
The new regulations include several changes:
• farm buildings, but not dwellings, are now classified as light or medium industrial occupancy;
• fire alarm systems are to be installed in all farm buildings covered under the code;
• all new buildings and major renovations must be certified by a structural engineer;
• travel distance to an exit must be less than 30 metres in all buildings.
Manitoba joins British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan in enacting construction codes for farm buildings.
