Canadian building code question

What are the building code requirements for locker rooms and change rooms in Canada?

Locker rooms and change rooms in Canada must comply with NBC requirements for plumbing fixture counts, ventilation, accessibility, means of egress, and — depending on the building type — privacy provisions. The required number of fixtures (showers, toilets, hand basins) depends on the occupancy type and the number of persons served. Accessible change room and shower requirements apply where the building is subject to accessibility provisions. CodeCan can retrieve the NBC sections applicable to your change room type and occupancy.

Change rooms and locker facilities are found in a wide range of building types — arenas, fitness centres, schools, industrial workplaces, and multi-unit residential buildings. The code requirements that apply differ significantly by setting: a workplace locker room has different plumbing fixture counts than a sports facility, and accessibility obligations vary by occupancy. Getting the right fixture count and layout requires identifying the correct NBC provisions and any provincial or municipal supplements.

What to check first

  • Plumbing fixture counts for locker rooms and change rooms are set by NBC Part 7 tables that key off occupancy type and the number of persons served.
  • Accessible shower and change area requirements apply in buildings subject to NBC accessibility provisions, with specific clearance, grab bar, and fixture height requirements.
  • Ventilation requirements for locker rooms are set by NBC Part 6 and typically require higher air change rates than general office or residential spaces due to moisture and odour loads.

Jurisdiction notes

National baseline

NBC Part 7 (Plumbing) provides fixture count tables for various occupancy types. Accessibility provisions for change rooms appear in NBC Part 3. Ventilation requirements are in NBC Part 6. All three Parts interact for locker room design.

Saskatchewan adoption check

Saskatchewan adopts the NBC with provincial amendments. Workplace locker rooms in Saskatchewan are also subject to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations administered by the Saskatchewan government, which may specify additional fixture counts and hygiene facilities beyond the NBC baseline.

Project-specific variables

The building's major occupancy (workplace, school, arena, fitness centre), the number of persons of each sex served, whether the facility is a new build or renovation, and whether the building is subject to NBC accessibility requirements all affect the applicable locker room code requirements.

Work through it in this order

  1. Determine the occupancy type and the number of persons of each sex expected to use the locker room to select the correct NBC Part 7 fixture count table.
  2. Confirm whether the building is subject to NBC accessibility provisions and, if so, identify the accessible shower and change area requirements.
  3. Check NBC Part 6 ventilation requirements for locker rooms and confirm the required air change rate and exhaust strategy.
  4. Use CodeCan to retrieve the cited NBC sections for your specific locker room occupancy type, occupant load, and accessibility obligations.

Common questions

How many showers are required in a workplace locker room under the NBC?

The NBC Part 7 provides tables for workplace shower counts based on the number of persons requiring the use of the facility. The exact count depends on whether the facility serves employees in a 'dirty' occupation (defined in the NBC) or a standard office environment. CodeCan can return the applicable table result for your occupant load and occupancy type.

Do locker rooms need to be accessible in Canadian buildings?

Where the building is subject to NBC accessibility requirements, locker rooms and change rooms must include accessible facilities. The NBC specifies the number of accessible change areas, accessible shower stalls, and accessible locker reach heights required. The threshold depends on the building type and total number of locker/change positions.

Why doesn't this page give a single fixture count formula?

Fixture counts depend on occupancy type, the number of persons served, sex separation requirements, and the province's adopted code edition. A single formula without those inputs would be unreliable. CodeCan takes your occupant load and building type and returns the cited NBC table result.