A network for Ontario's building designers.
BCIN holders design and review Ontario's houses and small buildings every day. BCINs.ca brings them together, designers and building officials alike, for code discussion, referrals and a stronger shared voice.
Every member is verified on the QuARTS public registry.
- FreeNo membership fee
- VerifiedEvery BCIN checked on QuARTS
- Designers + officialsOne room, real names
- Ontario-focusedBuilt around the OBC
Raising the profile of BCIN design in Ontario
Ontario's BCIN designers work alone or in small firms, and many have no regular way to compare notes with peers. Building officials see the same questions come up from both sides of the counter.
BCINs.ca is an independent, member-run community where qualified Ontario designers and officials can ask questions, share interpretations, pass along work, and build the kind of network a professional association gives you, starting with a forum.
It's free, verified and Ontario-focused. If enough designers find it useful, it's the foundation for a formal provincial association.
What is a BCIN building designer?
In Ontario, anyone who designs buildings for a building permit, other than architects, engineers and some homeowners and builders, must be qualified and registered with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Each is assigned a Building Code Identification Number (BCIN).
Designers qualify by class of work, from houses up to large buildings, structural and building services. Registrations are public on the ministry's QuARTS registry. Building officials hold BCINs too, qualified in the same classes.
BCIN designers produce the drawings, specifications and, where qualified, structural designs behind much of Ontario's housing, and work alongside engineers, architects and building departments to get projects permitted and built.
Qualification classes
Members get badges on the forum for each class they hold, so you always know who you're talking to.
Become a member
Membership is free. Your BCIN decides membership, not your job title.
Sign up
Use your real name and enter your BCIN number and region. Only the administrators can see your BCIN.
We verify
We check your name and current status on QuARTS, usually within 24 hours.
You're in
Qualification badges are added to your profile and you get full access to the forum.
Members
Any current Ontario BCIN holder:
- Independent designers and design firms
- Inspectors, CBOs and building department managers
Building officials carry a badge so discussion stays transparent. They're full members.
Associates, by invitation
For professionals without an Ontario BCIN:
- P.Engs and architects working on Part 9 and small buildings
- Out-of-province designers and building officials
- Code educators, standards and research staff
Sales and recruiting accounts aren't eligible. Ask about Associate membership
Where the conversation happens
A private forum, visible to verified members only and not indexed by search engines.
Code & Interpretations
OBC questions and how departments read them. Best answers are marked solved, with the article cited.
Structural
Part 9 spans, loads and bracing, plus the Part 4 work that comes up on houses and small buildings.
Software & Workflow
CAD, calc tools, templates and permit portals. The only place product talk belongs.
Referrals & Overflow
Pass along work outside your area or classes, or pick up overflow from a busy colleague.
From a forum to a provincial association
Building designers in other provinces have formal associations behind them. Ontario's BCIN designers don't yet. This community is the first step. If it gets traction, the plan is to grow it into one.
- Now: verified member forumFree. Code discussion, referrals and a peer network.
- Next: resources and eventsShared templates, code-change briefings, meetups.
- Later: a formal associationA shared voice on code changes and the profession, if members want it.
Hold an Ontario BCIN?
Join free. You'll usually be verified within 24 hours.