Part 9 of the NBC. Prescriptive provisions for houses and small buildings up to 3 storeys and 600 m².
Every Small Buildings practice question links back to the reference you'd use in the real exam.
National Building Code of Canada
Small buildings reference
Part 9 construction reference
Seismic performance reference
Examitect drills each of these areas. The list below maps to the question categories you'll see inside.
Why this topic matters. Part 9 questions test whether you can apply prescriptive provisions confidently for small buildings. Examiners reward candidates who know when to switch between Part 9 and Part 3 thinking.
Part 9 of Division B applies to buildings of 3 storeys or less, with a building area of 600 m² or less, and used for major occupancies in groups C, D, E, or F (Division 3). Part 9 provides simplified, prescriptive rules. If a building exceeds any Part 9 threshold or contains an excluded occupancy, Part 3 applies.
Six topic clusters: 9.10 (fire protection, occupant safety, and accessibility), 9.9 (means of egress), 9.25 to 9.27 (envelope), 9.36 (energy efficiency), 9.7 (windows, doors, skylights), and 9.31 to 9.33 (plumbing, ventilation, heating). Sections 9.10 and 9.25 dominate exam questions.
Part 9 thresholds: 3 storeys, 600 m² building area, Group C, D, or E. Minimum window areas for ventilation: 2.8 percent of floor area for unfinished rooms, 5 percent for bedrooms. Minimum smoke alarm count: one per storey plus one in each sleeping area. R-value targets for envelopes: 9.36 with zone-specific values.
Watch for distractors that apply Part 3 provisions to small buildings. Part 9 has its own spatial separation, fire protection, exit, and envelope rules: Section 9.10.14 for spatial separation, 9.9 for exits, 9.25 to 9.27 for envelope. The wrong Part is the wrong answer.
Placeholder notes. Full Small Buildings notes (with diagrams, worked examples, and references) ship with paid access.
Estimated study time. Most candidates spend 10 to 15 hours on Small Buildings. Adjust up if you don't see this work in your day job, down if you do.
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A building of 3 storeys or less, 600 m² or less in area, in occupancy group C, D, E, or F (Division 3). Section 1.3.3.3 of Division A sets the application of Part 9.
Section 9.25 (heat transfer, air leakage, condensation control), 9.26 (roofing), 9.27 (cladding), and 9.36 (energy efficiency).
A detached house. Most single-family residential design in Canada is governed by Part 9, including foundations, framing, envelope, and energy.
10 to 15 hours. Pair it with NBC 2020 Part-9 Illustrated and the Canadian Wood-Frame House Construction reference for the highest payoff.
Topics that pair well with Small Buildings prep.