The overall law is the Alberta Safety Codes Act under which other codes in specific areas exist. The Safety Codes Council is responsible for administering the laws and regulations related to many aspects of safety codes. Safety Code Officers carry out inspections under the Act. Federal laws may also have an impact on any work that you intend to do on your building. There are detailed codes in the areas of:

• Building
• Fire
• Electrical
• Gas
• Plumbing
• Private sewage treatment systems
• Boilers and pressure valves
• Elevators

Permits may be required before certain types of work begins. Sometimes your local municipality has the authority to issue the permit required, for example, building permits.

The Safety Codes Act does include enforcement mechanisms for breaches of the Act and regulations. Penalties range from fines to up to six months imprisonment. Remember that your municipality may also have bylaws requiring property to be maintained to a certain standard and for which there also may be penalties.

The Safety Services branch of Alberta Municipal Affairs works closely with the Alberta Safety Codes Council and disseminates information to the public, including recent information bulletins on specific issues.

Before you carry out work of any kind on your building it is worthwhile to check to see if you need permits, need to comply with specific safety codes, or just generally to see if there is anything particular you should be aware of.

More Information: 

Safety Services - Alberta Municipal Affairs: http://www.municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca/ss_index.htm

Alberta Safety Codes Council: http://www.safetycodes.ab.ca/

May 2006