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CONTACT US

To reach us, please send an e-mail to Don Johnston (johnston@chba.ca).

Any comments or suggestions are very welcome.

BACKGROUND

Canada is a big country. Although it has a few large home building companies, most are small firms operating close to their home base. These firms do little or no "specific" research, but they are facing and often solving individual technical problems on a day-to-day basis.

On the other hand, government departments and agencies, product associations, utilities, colleges and similar groups have technical responsibilities and/or knowledge -- often need a means of transmitting that knowledge, and practical input about what works, or doesn't work, in the field.

How can information about problems, new techniques and materials be shared by builders, sub-trades, suppliers, and the research community when the industry is so spread out? If a problem occurs for one builder, how can he or she find out if a simple solution exists? If there is no simple solution, how can we identify the problem quickly and make sure it does get solved?

The answer is a nation-wide network of technical committees in local and provincial associations and at the national level -- built on the principle that people with real "hands-on" experience, working with those in the research community, can find the most efficient and practical solutions to issues arising in this industry.

PURPOSE OF THE CHBA'S TECHNICAL RESEARCH COMMITTEE

The Technical Research Committee (TRC) is one of the most important groups in the Canadian Home Builders' Association. As the national focus in a growing network of technical committees, it plays a primary role in achieving CHBA's overall objectives, by:

  • promoting technical research to improve the quality and performance of housing
  • liaising with national agencies
  • transferring technical information to the housing industry
  • identifying technical problem areas and
  • making sure they get solved.

MEMBERSHIP

To provide CHBA with as wide a range of expertise as possible, TRC members are appointed from six different groups:

  1. Provincial Home Builder Association Representatives (one designated by each provincial association to report on issues of national significance arising in their provinces, and provide hands-on input into TRC discussions).
  2. Reciprocal Members (representatives from other interested CHBA committees and councils.
  3. Government Representatives (from groups such as Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Natural Resources Canada, the Institute for Research in Construction, and other federal and provincial agencies active in housing-related technical research and/or regulation).
  4. Other Associations (representatives from product and trade associations active in technical issues related to housing).
  5. Members at Large (individuals with special expertise from consulting firms, educational institutions, manufacturers and suppliers, etc.)
  6. Ex-Officio Members (President and Chief Operating Officer of the CHBA).

HOW IT WORKS

The TRC is coordinated by a management committee which consists of the chair, vice-chair, provincial council representatives, and standing committee chairs.

There are two standing committees:

  • Codes and Standards (recommends and reviews changes to the National Building Code and other standards).
  • Research and Technical Publications (monitors current research across the country, identifies research needs, recommends or conducts studies, recommends technical criteria for R-2000, responds to CHBA members' requests for advice on technical problems and identifies information needs, reviews, produces and distributes technical information).

The whole committee meets three times a year, to exchange information on current projects and problem areas, and decide on appropriate action.

In addition, short-term task groups are appointed to deal with specific issues, as the need arises.

LIAISON WITH PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL HOME BUILDER ASSOCIATION

The success of the TRC and technical committees across the country depends on good liaison and information transfer. To meet those needs, local association representatives (often the chair of the provincial technical committees) sit on the national TRC.

Local association technical committees serve as an "early warning system" for problems, a forum for information exchange at the local level and a focus for liaison with local municipal departments and other regulatory groups.

Provincial technical committees identify emerging technical issues, manage industry projects, distribute technical information, act on provincial issues and refer national issues to the TRC.

All three levels emphasize getting information back out to members in the field, where it is most useful.