Regulations and intervention process

Regulations governing the field of plumbing in Québec are those of Chapter III of the Construction Code and Chapter I of the Safety Code.

Latest amendments to Chapter III of the Construction Code

The regulation amending Chapter III– Plumbing of the Construction Code was published in the Gazette officielle du Québec on June 26, 2024. This regulation came into force on July 11, 2024 and calls for a 6-month transition period from that date (until January 10, 2025) during which either the 2015 edition or the new 2020 edition of the code may be applied. Note that the application of both editions to the same project is prohibited, even during the transition period. Many of the Québec amendments to the previous edition have been retained.

The changes include the following :

• extension of the plumbing system limit to bring it in line with that of the NPC
• introduction of non-potable rainwater catchment systems as proposed in the NPC
• harmonization of a number of term definitions
• new certification standards for fibrocement pipe and fittings used in drainage or ventilation systems, for cellular core PVC and for press-connect pressure fittings.

A number of requirements have been retained, including :

• preventive measures against legionella
• prohibition of the sale of unapproved plumbing products
• requirements applicable to potable water treatment units
• an upper limit on bath and shower water temperatures in care facilities and private seniors’ residence.

To learn more, see Chapter III – Plumbing of the Construction Code and download the National Plumbing Code of Canada 2020 from the National Research Council of Canada website, applying the provisions of the regulation appended to Order-in-Council 983-2024 amended by Order-in-Council 1071-2024.

Intervention process

To enforce the plumbing regulations, the RBQ  :

• issues licences authorizing owner-builders to carry out plumbing work
• conducts administrative and technical assessments for any licence application or to follow up on complaints, prior records, unusual construction sites, etc.
• in cases where assessments reveal issues, takes special remedial actions. These actions may take the following forms :
  • more stringent inspection of the plumbing system or construction at various stages
  • notifications to agent corporations and professional bodies.