Notice: This site currently shows the 2012/2017 edition of the Ontario Building Code. The current legally effective code is the 2024 edition (O.Reg. 163/24), in effect since January 1, 2025. Confirm current requirements at ontario.ca.

The Ontario Building Code | Required Soil Gas Control

9.13.4.2. Required soil Gas Control

(1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), all wall, roof and floor assemblies in contact with the ground shall be constructed to resist the leakage of soil gas from the ground into the building.

(2) Construction to resist leakage of soil gas into the building is not required for,

(a) garages and unenclosed portions ofbuildings,

(b) buildingsconstructed in areas where it can be demonstrated that soilgas does not constitute a hazard, or

(c) buildings that contain a single dwelling unit and are constructed to provide for subfloor depressurization in accordance with MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-9, "Requirements for Soil Gas Control".

Note: On July 1, 2017, Clause 9.13.4.2.(2)(c) of Division B of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted: (See: O. Reg. 139/17, s. 120 (1))

(c) houses that are constructed to provide for subfloor depressurization in accordance with MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-9, "Requirements for Soil Gas Control".

(3) Wheresoil gas control is required, a soil gas barrier shall be installed at walls and roofs in contact with the ground according to MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-9, "Requirements for Soil Gas Control".

(4) Wheresoil gas control is required, it shall consist of one of the following at floors in contact with the ground:

(a) a soil gas barrier installed according to MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-9, "Requirements for Soil Gas Control", or

(b) where the buildingcontains a single dwelling unit only, a subfloor depressurization system installed according to MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-9, "Requirements for Soil Gas Control".

Note: On July 1, 2017, Clause 9.13.4.2.(4)(b) of Division B of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted: (See: O. Reg. 139/17, s. 120 (2))

(b) for houses,a subfloor depressurization system installed according to MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-9, "Requirements for Soil Gas Control".

In Plain Language

Soil gas control measures are required under the conditions set out in this article, protecting indoor air quality from gases migrating up through the foundation.

This is a plain-language summary of the 2012/2017 Ontario Building Code text above, for general understanding only and not a substitute for the Code. Always confirm current requirements against the 2024 edition (O.Reg. 163/24) or a qualified professional before construction.