Nine takeaways from the Safety Codes Council’s Summit 2024
Themes shaping the future of the safety system
Oct. 18, 2024 – More than 300 safety codes professionals and industry leaders from across the province (and beyond) gathered in Nisku earlier this month to explore the latest developments, innovations, and the future of the safety codes system during the Safety Codes Council’s Summit 2024.
In 38 breakout and plenary sessions, and over meals and connection breaks, the Summit offered enriching educational content and opportunities for engaging discussions. Among the themes and takeaways:
- There’s a desire—and need—to work and innovate together across disciplines and organizations. It’s a theme that emerged in many sessions and discussions over the three-day gathering, whether about a cross-discipline approach to problem-solving, finding ways to push solutions province-wide (where that makes sense), or how organizations can support each other in adapting to changes, sharing knowledge and innovating, including leveraging the expertise and resources of the Council.
- Change is happening quickly, and the role of a safety codes officer is becoming more complex. The pace of change in technology, construction methods, and materials is faster than safety codes can be updated. It’s also putting pressure on safety codes officers to keep up. Alternative solutions offer a path, but what can be done to ensure there isn’t a patchwork of different rules? And does the code need to adapt to new technologies that might only last a few years?
- Balancing safety with the willingness to explore new ideas is crucial for creating safer, more sustainable buildings. While we are in the business of safety, innovation comes from risk-taking—with new approaches based on data, thoughtful research, and debate. So, how do we innovate without compromising quality and safety? Where is the line between stifling innovation and maintaining safety?
- The Summit was a great opportunity to connect with technical experts. Technical sessions put on by the Municipal Affairs technical administrators from building, electrical, private sewage, accessibility, and plumbing and gas provided opportunities to ask questions about the interpretation and application of these codes.
- Across the system, people are leveraging emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and 3D cameras, to create the inspection of the future—and believe there’s more opportunity. AI is being used to predict the outcomes of inspections, while 3D cameras are enabling remote building inspections in First Nations communities.
- Harnessing data and data analysis will support decision-making, innovation, harmonization, and more. Among the data sought: permit inspections and variances on codes. The Council is working towards an opensource data centre of excellence for the province.
- Accessibility is fundamental to design, and accessible design is for everyone. More and more, builders and designers are integrating accessibility into design in a bigger way—and are looking for support as they do.
- Evolving education and awareness about safety codes can strengthen the system, whether that’s shifting education for safety codes officers to be less about memorization and more about critical thinking, and how to engage with the codes, or educating homeowners, contractors, and builders on what they need to do to comply with codes, or partnering with post-secondary institutions.
- Summit speakers and attendees were universally willing to share their expertise and experiences. That dedication and passion was on display during presentations, workshops, and conversations, as well as through the insights collected for the Council’s wisdom library for use in future educational materials.
Shaping the future of Alberta’s safety system together
Not only did the Summit highlight the opportunities and challenges facing the system, it also demonstrated the collective expertise, energy, and commitment needed to build the safety codes system of the future.
“The Council has a unique ability to bring together safety codes professionals to build collective knowledge and solve problems—driving innovation and change, keeping the built environment in Alberta safe, accessible, and affordable,” says Rob Bennett, Safety Codes Council president and CEO.
“As a system, we are responding to the key themes that were driving conversation at the Summit to ensure Alberta’s safety codes system is not only responsive to current needs but also adaptable for future advancements.”
Summit presentations now available
Click here to access a selection of conference presentations and discover the insights shared by guest speakers. New presentations will be added as they are received.
A special thank you to our sponsors—the City of Calgary, Apex Utilities, Local 488, Alberta Building Officials Association—for your generous support.