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Window Opening Control Devices (WOCD)s under NBC 2020
Under the recently adopted National Building Code of Canada, 2020 edition, windows in single-family dwellings are now subject to rules that limit the chance of small children suffering injury from falling out of windows.
By the letter of Code, if an openable window meets all three of the following conditions:
- Is 1.8m (6’) or more above the ground
- Can open to a width greater than 10 cm (4”)
- Has a sill height less than 90 cm (35.5”)
Then it must have a guard (ie: a railing or similar) or “a mechanism that can only be released with the use of tools or special knowledge to control the free swinging or sliding operation of the openable part of the window so as to limit any clear unobstructed opening to not more than 100 mm measured either vertically or horizontally.” [NBC 9.8.8.1(4)]
Our office, as well as the province, will accept what is often called a "window opening control device" (WOCD) that performs this function for egress windows.
When ordering egress windows for any single-family home or apartment under Part 9 of the Codes, the requirement is that the window opening control device meets ASTM F2090.
Similar requirements exist for Part 3 buildings, and our office will accept the same standard for WOCDs required for windows in those structures.