Manitoba has adopted the 2010 national building codes, which include improved safety and energy-efficiency requirements plus universal design elements that will ensure improved accessibility by the disabled. Most changes take effect April 1, including:

• New requirements for smoke alarm placement
• Mandatory installation of carbon monoxide detectors in buildings that require annual fire inspections, such as child-care centres, schools and personal-care homes
• Technical updates to plumbing to accommodate the use of water-conserving appliances and fixtures.