NMS updates

NMS summary of updates 2024-04

The 2024-04 NMS publication includes new and updated content related to energy efficiency, low embodied and operational carbon, smart building technologies, Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) guidelines, with additional options and requirements on material and design, advancing technology, current industry practices, and performance objectives.

New:

• Section 07 41 16 - Insulated Metal Roof Panels.
• Section 12 24 13 - Roller Window Shades.
• Section 25 35 13 - Integrated Automation Actuators and Operators.
• Section 26 09 13 - Electrical Power Monitoring.

Updates and targeted edits:

• Updates to reorganize content for clarity and in accordance with the SectionFormat^™ standard.
• Updates to reference standards in accordance with the 2020 National Model Codes.
• Updates to 22 sections in Division 31 to include current industry practices and geotechnical requirements on-site during execution of work.
• Technical updates to 6 sections to include residential content and CFHA guidelines.
• Updates to 3 sections in Divisions 23 and 25 to include smart building technologies.
• Technical updates to 7 design specification Level 3 elements and 10 construction specification sections with requirements for low-carbon refrigerants and TBS' Standard on Embodied Carbon in Construction.

Editorial changes:

• Editorial changes and corrections to improve clarity of 44 sections.

NMS summary of updates 2023-10

The 2023-10 NMS publication includes the following:

New:

• Section 00 31 00 - Available Project Information – identified as a key section for compiling existing project information.
• Section 02 26 00 - Hazardous Material Assessment – included to complement the existing suite of hazardous material sections.
• Section 06 83 16 - Fibreglass Reinforced Panelling – new section for a common interior finish.
• Section 10 74 46 - Window Wells – included to better capture Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) guidelines.

Updates and targeted edits:

• Updates to reorganize content for clarity and in accordance with the SectionFormat^™ standard.
• Updates to reference standards in accordance with the 2020 National Model Codes.
• Updates to 6 sections in Divisions 10, 23, and 26 to include residential content and CFHA guidelines.
• Updates to include additional options and requirements on material and design, advancing technology, current industry practices, and performance objectives.
• Technical updates to 3 design specification Level 3 elements and 16 construction specification sections with low-carbon content and guidance.

Editorial changes:

• Editorial changes and corrections to improve clarity of 20 sections.

Deleted:

• One section was deleted (Section 01 14 25 - Designated Substances Report), with content transferred into new sections (Section 00 31 00 - Available Project Information and Section 02 26 00 - Hazardous Material Assessment).

NMS summary of updates 2023-04

The 2023-04 NMS publication includes the following:

• Updates to reorganize content in accordance with SectionFormat^™ and for clarity.
• Updates to reference standards in accordance with the 2020 National Model Codes.
• Updates to include additional options and requirements on material and design, advancing technology, current industry practices, and performance objectives.
• Updates to include bird-friendly design requirements in Level 3 Element B2020.
• 7 new sections in Divisions 22, 23 and 31 that also include content on low-carbon and climate resilient construction.
• 4 deleted sections in Divisions 01, 23 and 31 with relevant content redistributed to other updated sections.

NMS summary of updates 2022-10

The 2022-10 NMS publication includes the following:

• The development of new sections in Division 31-Earthworks and Division 32-Exterior Improvements, that cover the requirements for shotcrete and soil slope and rock stabilization;
• New Section 11 11 36.10 - Electric Vehicle Charging Units, which covers the requirements for electric vehicle charging stations;
• Technical updates to over 60 design and construction specification sections with a focus on mechanical systems and other requirements for net-zero carbon building operation and climate resiliency; and
• Updating the reference standards of the included sections to the 2020 National Model Codes.

NMS summary of updates 2022-04

The 2022-04 NMS publication includes: technical updates to over 300 design and construction specification Sections with content and guidance for net-zero carbon building operation and climate resiliency.

NMS summary of updates 2021-10

The 2021-10 NMS publication includes:

• New sections:
  • Section 01 35 13.93 – Special project procedures during COVID-19 pandemic, to reduce the risk of exposure during construction.
  • Section 01 57 00 – Temporary controls, specifying the installation of temporary erosion and sediment control measures' installation during Work Execution to prevent soil, groundwater and waterway pollution.
  • Section 07 81 23 – Intumescent Fire Protection, for preparation and application procedures of thin film spray-on intumescent fire-resistant materials.
• Technical updates:
  • Seven Sections in Division 04 – Masonry, to integrate Canadian Heritage conservation work practices.
  • Three Sections in Division 07 – Thermal and Moisture Protection, to incorporate sustainable construction requirements, such as low carbon, water, materials, plastics, and construction waste disposal.
  • Six Sections in Division 09 – Finishes, to incorporate current flooring construction techniques.
• Revisions:
  • Four Sections in Division 31 – Earthwork, and two sections in Division 34 – Transportation, to integrate the requirements of temporary erosion and sediment control measures on-site during Execution of Work.

NMS summary of updates 2021‑07

The 2021‑07 NMS publication includes:

• New sections that specify requirements for the commissioning of fire suppression, plumbing, HVAC and electrical systems:
  • Section 21 08 00 - Commissioning of Fire Suppression
  • Section 22 08 00 - Commissioning of Plumbing
  • Section 23 08 00 - Commissioning of HVAC
  • Section 26 08 00 - Commissioning of Electrical
• Updates to division 06 – Wood, Plastics and Composites, including a new Section 06 17 00 - Shop‑Fabricated Structural Wood that specifies technical requirements for shop‑fabricated structural wood components.
• New reference guides:
  • Mass Timber and Shop‑Fabricated Structural Wood, which introduces Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction (EMTC) systems.
  • Wood Treatment, which describes different pressure treatment methods that are applicable to provide protection against the effects of moisture, biological degradation and fire as they are applied to wood and mass timber products.
• Quality assurance and Quality control:
  • New Section 01 43 00 – Quality Assurance: Specifies administrative and procedural requirements to ensure building code compliance and conformance to Contract Documents before and during Execution of Work.
  • Revision to Section 01 45 00 – Quality control: To highlight the administrative and procedural requirements to ensure Contract Documents conformance during Work Execution.
  • Revisions to a large number of Sections to integrate the changes related to the Section on Quality control and Quality Assurance.
• Technical updates to a number of sections in DIV02 and DIV06 to ensure the integration of Canadian Heritage conservation work practices.
• Revisions to Section 01 73 00 - Execution; to include common application/erection/installation and bracing/anchoring requirements to execute the Work.

NMS summary of updates 2021-01

The 2021-01 NMS publication includes:

Master performance and design specifications: 102 specifications are now organized by major building functional elements using the UniFormat^TM classification system. References for energy efficient and net zero operational carbon building design and operation were introduced into 37 Sections across Elements B and D to G.

Updates to master prescriptive specification Sections include:

• Incorporated guidance on thermal resilience into 9 Sections across Divisions 04 and 07.
• Updated Division 01 and Division 03 Sections with requirements for Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to demonstrate life-cycle assessment of embodied carbon in construction materials.
• Integrated sustainability requirements into 15 Sections in Division 01 for aspects such as low carbon, water, materials, plastics, and construction waste disposal in projects.
• Updated 3 sections on resilient flooring from Division 09 to meet current industry standards and best practices, and to improve cross-trade coordination.
• Edited acronyms and references in 3 sections in Divisions 01, 08 and 09.

NMS summary of updates 2019-10

The 2019-10 NMS publication includes:

• Update to corrosion protective coating requirements including certification requirements for coating application specialists per ANSI/NACE No.13/SSPC-ASC-1-2016-SG.
• Update to Sections on concrete and masonry

NMS summary of updates 2019-04

The 2019-04 NMS publication includes:

• Sections in Division 32, to reflect the requirements of the new Canadian Landscape Standard (CLS) and the revised Canadian Nursery Stock Standard (CNSS).

NMS summary of updates 2019-01

The 2019-01 NMS publication includes:

• The Prohibition of Asbestos and Products Containing Asbestos Regulations as they were published in Canada Gazette, Part II, on October 17, 2018. Reference to this regulation was added to NMS Sections in DIV01, DIV02, DIV07, DIV23 and DIV33.
• Revised Section 01 35 21 – LEED requirements, reflecting current sustainability requirements for renewable energy and regionally manufactured materials, recycled content and low-emitting materials.
• The addition of new NMS Section 07 08 13 – Building Enclosure Performance Testing, which includes general commissioning and verification procedures to support quality assurance for delivering high-performance building envelopes and for performing whole building air tightness testing.
• Updating technical content in DIV31 and DIV32, adding references to the new requirements of the Canadian Landscape Standard (CLS) and the Canadian Nursery Stock Standard (CNSS).

NMS summary of updates 2018-10

The 2018-10 NMS publication includes updates across several construction industry sectors. References to the most current codes, standards and the Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC) documents were modified. These updates are highlighted below:

• DIV01: updating three NMS sections to consistently communicate sustainability goals and requirements.
• DIV03: adding a new NMS section; Pressure Grouting Rock. Adopting the new certification requirements for precast concrete manufacturers to enhance quality assurance for climate resilient commercial buildings.
• DIV05, DIV07, DIV08 and DIV09: modifying the requirements for ECOLOGO® certified building materials, chemicals and plastics to reduce environmental impact due to construction activities.

NMS summary of updates 2018-07

• Development of New Section 00 01 15 – List of Drawings Sheets; where the project's "Drawing Sheets" are to be listed in a unique manner that maintains contract documentation consistency throughout the Project Manual.
• Development of New Section 02 22 10 – Existing Building Conditions Assessment; this new Section underscores the importance of evaluating the existing building conditions before beginning retrofit work to improve energy efficiency or climate resiliency.
• Sustainability Requirements: A number of NMS Sections in DIV02, DIV04, DIV05, DIV06, DIV07, DIV08, DIV09 and DIV22, were updated to consistently communicate sustainability goals and requirements.

NMS summary of updates 2018-04

The 2018-04 NMS publication includes major updates to meet construction industry demands and incorporated current codes and standards. Highlights include:

• DIV01 and 02: adopting new regulations of Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) 2015 for Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for hazardous products sold, distributed or imported into Canada which replace the Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) format of previous WHMIS 1988 regulation. References across all NMS sections now reflect this change.
• DIV03: adding two new NMS sections; Concrete Restoration and Precast Concrete Cleaning: Water Pressure Method. Adoption of new certification requirements for precast concrete manufacturers to enhance quality assurance for climate resilient commercial and residential buildings, and to produce materials that are durable and can increase lifespan of structures.
• DIV04, 05, 06, 08, 09 and 33: updating technical standards and some editorial changes, such as reference standard names and Section reference numbers.
• DIV07: developing new technical content of Section 07 84 00 – Fire Stopping, and updating requirements across several dozen related NMS sections. Developed with the Firestop Contractors International Association (FCIA) to capture industry best practices, offer options for quality assurance and align terminology with industry and National Building Code of Canada 2015 (NBC). Includes industry recommended practices for certification, use of design listings and alternative solutions, fire stop inspection/validation and identification/documentation procedures of fire stop systems in construction projects. Technical updates of the renumbered Section 07 21 26.16 – Blown Insulation - Mineral Fibre, adding new administrative requirements and updating products and procedures in order to better capture industry best practices.
• Implementing unit soft conversion of imperial units to metric units for dimensions related to spacing of framing elements.

NMS summary of updates 2018-01

The 2018-01 NMS publication includes two new sections, on designated substances reporting, as well as epoxy injection and chemical grouting.

Technical content in Divisions 01, 02, 03, 08, 22, 23, 25 and 26 were updated, and editorial changes were made to other Sections listed.

NMS summary of updates 2017-10

The 2017–10 NMS publication includes updates to technical content in Divisions 21, 22, 23, 33 and 42. Extensive editorial changes were made to all sections listed as well as renumbering and renaming a large number of sections in alignment with MasterFormat^® 2016.

NMS summary of updates 2017-07

The 2017–07 NMS update releases adjustments for 41 NMS Sections as follows:

• Updating 34 Sections to incorporate comments received from a range of stakeholders including Public Services and Procurement Canada, and the Department of National Defence
• Adding two new NMS sections to Division 02 to specify selective demolition only for exterior and interior building elements, considering sustainability requirements
• Renumbering and changing Titles of 19 NMS Sections to align with MasterFormat^® 2016

NMS summary of updates 2017-04

The 2017–04 NMS update features updates to several material categories such as concrete and steel as well as updates to sections on transportation and disposal of hazardous materials and Regulatory requirements. In addition to updates on selective demolition, this publication introduces new sections related to selective demolition for electrical, plumbing and HVAC.