Every NBC requirement must address at least one of the Code's five stated objectives, namely:

• safety
• health
• accessibility for persons with disabilities
• fire and structural protection of buildings
• environment

In dealing with proposed changes or additions to any Codes Canada, the CCBFC considers many issues such as the following:

• Does the proposed requirement provide the minimum level of performance-and no more than the minimum-needed to achieve the Code's objectives?
• Will persons responsible for Code compliance be able to act on or implement the requirement using commonly accepted practices?
• Will enforcement agencies be able to enforce the requirement?
• Are the costs of implementing the requirement justifiable?
• Have the potential policy implications of the requirement been identified and addressed?
• Is there broad consensus on this requirement among Code users representing all facets of the design and construction industries as well as among provincial and territorial governments?

Guidelines for requesting changes to the NBC are available on NRC's Web site. Printed copies of the guidelines may also be requested from the Secretary of the CCBFC, whose address is provided at the end of this Preface.