Library of climate resources

The objective of this Standard is to inform communities on measures for safe roof snow removal from existing buildings and for protection of building occupants and assets from overloading risks due to increasing accumulations and weights. Procedures that can reduce risks for roof and building collapses are outlined, including procedures for monitoring heavy snow and ice accumulations, safe removal of snow on roofs when needed, and for maintenance and snow removal planning.

This National Standard of Canada provides a guideline for planning and design of new fire resilient northern wildland urban interface (WUI) community subdivisions and developments.

This standard provides guidance to northern infrastructure designers, builders, operators, and owners to address the increased risk of damage to the built environment, including the potential effects of climate change (specifically, risks from higher and more frequent wind loads and from associated snow drifting).

This is the twelfth edition of CSA S6, Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code. This Code is based on limit states design principles and defines design loadings, load combinations and load factors, criteria for earthquake resistant design, and detailed design criteria for the various materials. This Code has been written to be applicable in all provinces and territories. This Code applies to the design, evaluation, and structural rehabilitation design of fixed and movable highway bridges in Canada. There is no limit on span length, but this Code does not necessarily cover all aspects of design for every type of long-span bridge. This Code also covers the design of pedestrian bridges, bicycle bridges, retaining walls, barriers, and highway accessory supports of a structural nature, e.g., lighting poles and sign support structures. This Code does not apply to public utility structures or to bridges used solely for railway or rail transit purposes. This Code does not specify requirements related to coastal effects (e.g., exposure to sea action and icebergs) or to mountainous terrain effects (e.g., avalanches). For structures that can be subject to such effects, specialists need to be retained to review and advise on the design and to ensure that the applicable requirements of other codes are met. For bridges not entirely within the scope of this Code, the requirements of this Code apply only when appropriate. Necessary additional or alternative design criteria are subject to the approval by the owner.

This Standard is intended to provide owners of wastewater treatment plants with a comprehensive resource for design, operation, and retrofit criteria that can be implemented to increase the resilience of such plants. This Standard addresses considerations for adapting wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to a changing climate by reviewing climate, regulatory, risk, design, construction, and operations and maintenance aspects. It applies to existing, new, or retrofit/upgrade projects. This Standard provides a user-friendly framework and tool for designers, engineers, and managers to use when designing, constructing, or operating/maintaining WWTPs. This Standard provides guidance on climate change data sources and how to use them in determining impacts on WWTP components. This Standard highlights climate change adaptation measures for building resilience and addressing high-risk scenarios related to WWTPs. This Standard applies to the WWTP itself and its processes and property. It does not apply to collection systems feeding into the plant or to disposal receivers.

This standard specifically addresses the planning, design, operation, and maintenance of intermittent/seasonal discharge lagoon and wetland systems that are most appropriate for use in Northern regions, where effluent discharge is either difficult or not possible in colder months.

The purpose of this Standard is to provide compliance criteria and guidance on the design of flood-resilient new residential communities as it relates to greenfield development. This Standard covers the following considerations: a) design for resilience to address extreme weather events and operational uncertainties; b) storm sewer system design (minor drainage system considerations); c) street design (major overland drainage system considerations); d) sanitary sewer design (wastewater drainage system considerations); e) wastewater pumping station design; and f) considerations for preservation of natural infrastructure and low impact development measures.

This National Standard of Canada draws on industry expertise and best practices in Canada and internationally to address requirements for managing erosion and sedimentation risks in coastal and lakeshore environments, open-channel environments, and terrestrial environments.

This is the fifth edition of CSA Z240.10.1, Site preparation, foundation, and installation of buildings. Significant changes to this edition address climate change adaptation with revisions and new provisions. This standard is intended to be referenced by regulatory authorities, land-lease community owners, and building designers and installers so that proper on-site installation of buildings can be achieved.

This Standard provides requirements and recommendations for the design of bioretention systems intended for the management of urban stormwater runoff. The following types of bioretention systems are covered by this Standard: a) bioretention with underdrain and with no underdrain; b) biofilters (impermeable liner); and c) bioretention planters and bioretention bump-outs (curb extensions). The following sub-types of bioretention systems are not covered by this Standard: a) bioswales; b) tree trenches or pits; and c) rain gardens. Design and performance criteria considers the following: a) volume reduction criteria; b) water quality improvement criteria.