
High Buildings
Course
RSM offers many forms of live training courses that provide the perfect platform for you to engage with our expert trainers in real time. Our courses are designed to cater to the specific needs of building officials, designers, architects, and engineers. Live training allows you to interact, ask questions, and gain a deep understanding of the material at hand. With a variety of scheduling options and formats, all available virtually online or in-person, you can choose the training experience that best suits you. Stay up to date, network with peers, and enhance your expertise in a dynamic learning environment. Every RSM training course has been updated to include the changes in the 2024 Ontario Building Code.
Click learn more to see all available dates for each course
Elevating Customer Service: Change Management, Culture and Communication for Building Departments
December 16, 2025
Learn MoreDevon Myers
Devon MyersRSM courses are well thought-out and thorough. They always provide great explanations and group discussions.
Don Helleman
Don HellemanI have attended a few RSM courses. I enjoy how the material is delivered. A good blend of theoretical and working knowledge. I trust the information I receive from them.
Laurie Smith
Laurie SmithGerald is one of the best OBC course trainers I have had. He is very knowledgeable and now has support staff to make the experience even better. Great job!
Grant Young
Grant YoungRSM provides an interactive course with easy-to-follow content. Helpful for graphical learners who may struggle with abstract reading of OBC references.
Trevor Schon
Trevor SchonGerald and the Team at RSM are a wealth of knowledge. Exemplary knowledge of the topics they present and encouraging everyone to "walk the walk" through the various code paths. Always a pleasure!
Alana Pirraglia
Alana PirragliaGerald is a wonderful and engaging presenter. He is mindful of the content and the attendees. He is willing to answer all questions and have conversations within the course content on relevant code topics.
Mike McFarlane
Mike McFarlaneGerald and RSM always provide excellent content and format for materials.
Join us for our bi-weekly technical webinar series, running from February to December, 2025! You will gain exclusive access to 20 expertly crafted webinars. We provide essential insights and training for building officials, designers, and builders. Whether you're looking to stay updated on building code changes, enhance your technical knowledge, or improve your processes, our webinars deliver ongoing and practical training tailored to Ontario's building industry all year long.
View all of our live courses
Course
Description
This comprehensive workshop delves into the application of Section 3.2.6. of the Ontario Building Code and Supplementary Standard SB-4, with a focus on the smoke control provisions required in new and existing high buildings. Participants will engage in in-depth discussions to explore critical aspects of compliance and practical implementation.
Who Should Attend:
This workshop is designed for Part 3 plans examiners, inspectors, and designers currently working with or planning to work on high buildings.
Key Topics Covered:
Detailed review of smoke control requirements for new, existing, and interconnected buildings.
Emergency use of elevators and provisions for firefighter venting.
Alarm and communication systems specific to high buildings.
Testing and verification of smoke control systems.
Essential documentation and information required from the design industry to confirm compliance.
What’s Included:
Participants will receive a digital package of course materials, including:
Detailed course notes.
A high buildings compliance matrix.
Review checklists to streamline plan review and inspections.
This workshop offers the tools and insights you need to ensure safety and compliance in the unique context of high buildings.
Instructor
Course
Fees include workshop, resource material & lunch.
Description
A workshop discussing detailed framing topics with an emphasis on how framing concepts relate to specific Code articles. The intent is to help the building inspector or plans examiner understand complex framing concepts and to understand when they are reviewing framing within the confines of the OBC Part 9, or when need to obtain professional design.
This workshop is a detailed discussion centred on many of the complex framing concepts building inspectors and plans examiners encounter every day. Framing details and scenarios will be discussed with supporting diagrams, physical models, interactive discussion and illustrated details. The course participant will be able to build confidence in understanding the path to Building Code compliance for complicated framing scenarios. A resource manual is included which will provide the participant with a helpful guide to use on the job.
Instructor
Course
Fees include workshop, resource material & lunch.
Description
This workshop, updated with changes from the 2024 OBC, is directed towards plans examiners and building inspectors to further their understanding in the methods of compliance for constructing a secondary unit in existing homes, both over 5 years old and less than 5 years old.
Specific topics discussed will be the application of Part 10 and 11 to secondary suites, compliance alternatives for egress, fire separations and recent building code changes for buildings less than 5 years old. Discussion will take place on the hazard index tables, construction index, early warning and evacuation tables and compliance alternatives. The participant will be able to confidently apply the building code requirements through interactive discussion, examples and activities. A resource manual is included which will provide the participant with a helpful guide to use on the job.
Instructor
Course
Date:December 10 & 11, 2025
Time:9:00 AM
Location: RSM Head Office and Training Facility, 44 Saltsman Dr. Unit 9, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Fee:$835 +tax
Description
Join us as we break down the complexities of enforcing the Building Code. In this two-day course, participants will learn how to write effective orders, issue tickets, prepare for court cases, and more.
This course has been designed to help building officials navigate the complexities of the legal process when faced with non-compliance. The lessons focus on the laws that are applicable when enforcing the Building Code Act, best practices for conducting inspections, the process for issuing search warrants, inspection reports, and orders, how to initiate legal action, and how to proceed with court process and sentencing.
This course is offered live in the classroom at our RSM Training Facility or learners can join remotely, allowing you to choose what best fits your learning style and schedule. Our Owl camera system brings the classroom environment to your office, where you can hear and see the instructor in the classroom in addition to asking questions by voice and hearing other students who take part.
Instructor
Description
This workshop is intended for building department members looking to provide electronic plans review for their e-Permitting process. The participant will gain the necessary knowledge to carry out electronic plans review of drawings utilizing Bluebeam PDF software.
This workshop will lead the participant through a paperless plans review utilizing Bluebeam PDF review software. Specific topics of discussion will be how to create and use stamps for repeating notes on plans, creating and managing a toolbox which provides a repository of frequently used markups, discussing workflows and procedures for electronic plans reviews and processes for gaining efficiency in plans review. Through interactive discussion, examples and activities, the participant will be able to confidently apply Bluebeam software to the paperless plans review of digital PDF files. A resource manual is included which will provide the participant with a helpful guide to use on the job.
NOTE: Participants are required to bring their own laptop with Bluebeam software already installed to the workshop. If this is not possible, please contact us for possible solutions at training@rsmbuildingconsultants.com . If participants are considering joining remotely, it is recommended that they are comfortable opening Bluebeam and navigating both Bluebeam and a Teams call simultaneously.
This workshop has been prepared by RSM Building Consultants to assist code practitioners in the use of the Bluebeam software to complete plans examination on building permit applications. Although we have extensive experience using Bluebeam for the specific use of completing plans examination, we are not official trainers of the software provider.
Instructor
Course
Fees include workshop, resource material & lunch.
Description
The 2024 Ontario Building Code becomes effective on January 1st, 2025, and contains thousands of changes from previous versions. This comprehensive course simplifies the changes as they relate to large buildings, focusing on Parts 3, 4, and related updates to other Parts.
In an interactive group setting, participants will be introduced to the changes, one topic at a time. Topics covered include changes to fire safety, egress and exiting, structural, barrier-free requirements, and more. Practical activities will be included to reinforce understanding of the subject matter, and a digital copy of the course workbook will be provided for future reference.
Stay up to date with the code changes to small buildings and register today!
Instructor
Course
Fees include workshop, resource material & lunch.
Description
The 2024 Ontario Building Code becomes effective on January 1st, 2025, and contains thousands of changes from previous versions. This comprehensive course simplifies the changes as they relate to small buildings, focusing on Part 9 and related updates to other Parts.
In an interactive group setting, participants will be introduced to the changes, one topic at a time. Topics covered include changes to fire safety, egress and exiting, soil gas control, Part 9 structural, HVAC, and more. Practical activities will be included to reinforce understanding of the subject matter, and a digital copy of the course workbook will be provided for future reference.
Stay up to date with the code changes to small buildings and register today!
Instructor
Course
Fees include workshop, resource material & lunch.
Description
The process for issuing Unsafe orders, Emergency orders and warrants can be difficult based on the different scenarios presented to the Chief Building Official. This workshop will provide open discussion and experiences from past scenarios to give a better understanding of each order and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each. This workshop is directed towards Chief Building Officials and practitioners enforcing the legal requirements of the Building Code Act.
Discussion surrounding Unsafe and Emergency orders and their inherent liabilities and benefits. Participants will participate in scenario-based learning focused on applying emergency orders, unsafe orders and apply for and execute warrants. The goal of this workshop is to provide the participant with the confidence to know when and how to issue the necessary orders to ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code Act within your community. A resource manual is included which will provide the participant with a helpful guide to use on the job.
Instructor
Course
Course
Course
Course
We will come to you!
Description
With large groups you may want RSM to come to you for team training. Based on the size of the group and availability we can set up many of our workshops at your location. Contact us for availability courses and dates.
Instructors
Description
We have a great track record of providing high quality and thought provoking discussions related to compliance with building codes. Recent speaking engagements have been provided to larger groups including, Ontario Building Officials Association, Ontario Property Standards Association, Ontario Plumbing Inspectors Association, Rural Ontario Municipal Association, and the Canadian Fire Safety Associations.
Instructors
Description
Looking for a technical topic to be discussed at your local chapter meeting? Look no further. We have many 1 to 1.5 hour discussions that focus specifically on building code topics. Open discussion and great examples are discussed to help deepen the groups understanding of specific topics. Topics include: 2 Residential Units, 3 Residential Units, Engineered Floor Systems, Truss Roof Systems, Firestopping, Energy Efficiency Requirements, Micro-Distilleries and Breweries, Part 10/11 Renovations and Change of Use and others!
Instructor
Daniel Prest
Chief Building OfficialWhat RSM does is they focus and concentrate on a certain area (of the code)…it’s really quite interesting in that Gerald obviously does a lot of research on his subject…you can see he’s put the effort into it, and it’s not just reading off of a presentation board. You can see that he knows his topics. His style is an excellent way to teach adults—and he respects some of the feedback he’s getting because a lot of us do have a lot of experience and I imagine it’s quite a challenge for Gerald because he knows his audience is not just 18-year-old students who’ve never done anything. And if he doesn’t know the answer, he’ll get back to you. Gerald (RSM) will find a lot of eastern Ontario municipalities are signing on for the same reasons I am—because it’s good, focused training and it doesn’t drain our budget.
Charles Bray
Chief Building Official | Manager, Building & BylawI truly enjoy Gerald’s presentation style in the Let's Talk About... Technical Webinar Series. His insight and delivery method is both educational and informative. Despite either being a new Building Official in the industry or a seasoned veteran, Gerald has the ability to share his depth of knowledge with everyone. You often leave a webinar with a tidbit that you may have forgotten or overlooked in the past.
Ray Belanger
Chief Building Official"Working for a smaller township with a staff of two, I really look forward to Gerald’s bi-weekly webinars. It gives me an opportunity to engage in a couple of hours of “code talk” which always includes something new and relevant to our daily responsibilities."
Steven Nason
Building InspectorJoining Gerald and his team in the 'Let's Talk About... Technical Webinar Series' since 2020 has been an absolute pleasure! Each series is a great resource, continuously expanding my knowledge and providing fresh insights into the Code —even after 27 years as a building inspector. These webinars have been another tool in the toolbox for learning and growth as an inspector!