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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What does IRC do? 
  2. Where is IRC located?
  3. What are your opening hours?
  4. Is IRC part of the government?
  5. Who is IRC's manager?
  6. How can I collaborate with IRC on research projects
  7. How do I find publications of the IRC?
  8. How do I buy the National Building Code, or other national construction codes?
  9. Where can I find technical support for the National Construction Codes on CD-ROM?
  10. Who do I contact for help interpreting one of the national construction codes?
  11. I would like to have my product tested. Can you do this for me, or where can I go for help?
  12. How can I get my product or service evaluated?
  13. Where do I get information about a construction material or product?
  14. Who do I contact for help with building a house?
  15. Who are IRAP Technology Advisors?
  16. How do I find an NRC expert?
  17. How can I get a job at NRC?
  18. Does NRC hire students?

  1. What does IRC do ?

    IRC's three main business lines are construction research, product evaluations, and the development of construction codes and guides. For more information about IRC, see Who We Are and What We Do.

  2. Where is IRC located ?

    Driving directions: Ottawa | Regina | U-96
    IRC's headquarters are on the Montreal Road Campus of the National Research Council in Ottawa, Ontario. The Fire Research Laboratory also has a building U-96 in Carleton Place, Ontario. The Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure Research is in Regina, Saskatchewan.

  3. What are your opening hours ?

    IRC is open from Monday to Friday, 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM.

  4. Is IRC part of the government ?

    IRC is part of the National Research Council of Canada, which is an agency of the Government of Canada, reporting to Parliament through the Minister of Industry (presently the Honourable Maxime Bernier).

    See also: Frequently Asked Questions about NRC and Frequently Asked Questions about the Government of Canada.

  5. Who is IRC's manager ?

    The Director General of IRC is Mr. R.P. (Bob) Bowen. General enquiries should be directed to Client Services at 613-993-2607, or by email to Irc.Client-Services@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

  6. How can I collaborate with IRC on research projects ?

    IRC collaborates in a number of ways with firms, organizations, and other government agencies. This ranges from firms which are capable of transforming our patented inventions and know-how into products and services, to multi-party collaborations addressing broader needs. We actively seek new members for many of our consortium-based research projects. Read more on our Business Opportunities page.

  7. How do I find publications of the IRC ?

    IRC's publications are available on our Publications page. From here you can also search all our publications since 1947. Many are available free in pdf format.

  8. How do I buy the National Building Code or another national construction code ?

    The National Building Code of Canada 2005 (NBC), the National Fire Code of Canada 2005 (NFC) and the National Plumbing Code of Canada 2005 (NPC) are available for purchase through NRC's Virtual Store at www.nrc.gc.ca/virtualstore.

  9. I have the National Construction Codes on CD-ROM. Where can I find technical support ?

    You can contact Codes CD-ROM Technical Support by phone at (613) 990-8425, by fax at (613) 990-9577 or by e-mail at codescd@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca, or you can visit the Codes CD-ROM FAQ page.

  10. I need help interpreting one of the National Construction Codes. Who should I call ?

    Interpreting a code or determining what meets that code's requirements is the responsibility of the provincial and territorial regulatory authorities. In many jurisdictions this responsibility is wholly or partly delegated to municipalities. Architects, engineers, contractors, building owners and other code users are, therefore, encouraged to take their technical inquiries to the municipality where the building or facility is located. If the municipality does not have the expertise to provide a response or does not have access to expertise at the provincial/territorial level, code users should consider engaging a professional consultant who specializes in code matters.

    While staff of the Canadian Codes Centre (CCC) can explain the purpose of a requirement (its intent) or how to use the code, they cannot review plans or provide an interpretation on what meets or does not meet a code's requirements. The Canadian Codes Centre can be reached by phoning (613) 993-9960, by fax at (613) 952-4040, or by email at codes@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

  11. I would like to have my product tested. Can you do this for me, or where can I go for help ?

    IRC is a research Institute and not primarily a testing organization. We undertake commercial testing only when it requires use of our unique facilities. For example, our Fire Research program performs tests of loaded columns and three storey walls as described on their Services page, and our Indoor Environment Program tests products against ASTM acoustics standards, which are described on the IE Services page. Product manufacturers who need to have their products tested against national or international standards should contact one of the laboratories accredited by the Standards Council of Canada by using their Directory of PALCAN Scopes.

    Manufacturers or proponents of innovative construction and infrastructure products, systems and services for which there is no standard can approach IRC's Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) for an evaluation. Testing of innovative products for CCMC evaluation is performed by laboratories accredited by the Standards Council of Canada for that particular test method. For more information on these testing laboratories, see CCMC – Testing Laboratories and the Directory of PALCAN Scopes. See How can I get my product or service evaluated? for more about CCMC.

  12. How can I get my product or service evaluated ?

    The Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) offers a national evaluation service for all types of innovative construction materials, products, systems and services. You can contact CCMC by visiting our web site at http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/ccmc/services_e.html, by phoning (613) 993-6189, by fax to (613) 952-0268, or by email to ccmc@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca. Web users can learn about our services, review the Registry of Product Evaluations, or submit an Application for Product Evaluation.

    The Canadian Infrastructure Technology Assessment Centre (CITAC), is part of CCMC's evaluation service, and focuses on new or innovative products and technologies for the construction and repair of Canada's infrastructure systems, including roadways, bridges, and buried services such as sewers, water mains and cables. For more information about CITAC visit their website at http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/ccmc/citac_intro_e.html or contact Harry Baker, tel: (613) 993-3807, fax: (613) 952-0268 or e-mail: Harry.Baker@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

  13. Where do I get information about a construction material or product ?

    You can contact The Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) by visiting our web site at http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/ccmc/services_e.html, by phoning (613) 993-6189, by fax to (613) 952-0268, by email to ccmc@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca. Please note that the CCMC Registry includes only products on which CCMC has provided an opinion, and other sources should be consulted.

  14. Who do I contact for help with building a house ?

    For information on building a house please contact the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CHMC).

    The NRC Institute for Research in Construction is a research institution and is not equipped to deal with questions on building homes.

  15. Who are NRC-IRAP Technology Advisors ?

    NRC's Industrial Technology Advisors (ITAs) help to identify and address the technical and research needs of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as their sustainable development issues, at every stage of the R&D development process and the innovation cycle. For additional information see the NRC Industrial Assistance Research Program.

  16. How do I find an expert ?

    NRC Expertise provides a direct link to more than 1,700 men and women at the National Research Council of Canada who have scientific, technical and professional expertise.

  17. How can I get a job at NRC ?

    You can find out about careers at NRC on the Working for National Research Council Canada page

  18. Does NRC hire students ?

    Yes, please see Employment Programs.
Date Modified: 2006-05-03
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