CSA Group Publishes New Standard to Support the Growth of Canada’s Modular Construction Sector

As Canada looks to accelerate the delivery of housing and other critical infrastructure, modular construction is playing an increasingly important role. To support the sector’s growth, CSA Group today has released CSA Z251, Design of volumetric modular structures, a new National Standard of Canada that establishes a common technical framework for the design of volumetric modular buildings.

Governments and industry leaders are increasingly looking to modular construction to accelerate project delivery, reduce waste, improve worker safety and create more predictable outcomes. The federal government has also identified modular construction as one of the modern methods that can support the delivery of housing at scale through Build Canada Homes.

Canada’s modular construction industry is currently valued at more than $5.5 billion and is expected to grow by more than five per cent annually through 2029. As adoption increases, clear and consistent standards can help build confidence among designers, manufacturers, and building officials.

CSA Z251 is intended to complement the National Building Code of Canada by establishing key approaches specific to the design of volumetric modular buildings, which are constructed using modules manufactured off-site and assembled at the building site. The standard addresses several areas specific to modular construction, including structural design, building services, environmental separation, fire protection, manufacturing, and architectural considerations.

“Modular construction has the potential to help Canada deliver housing and infrastructure faster, but scaling the sector requires a consistent approach to how buildings are designed,” said Dwayne Torrey, Director, Construction and Infrastructure Standards, CSA Group. “CSA Z251 provides that common framework, giving architects, engineers, manufacturers and building officials clear recommendations and guidance specific to volumetric modular design. This can help create greater consistency across projects and jurisdictions, while supporting the delivery of safe, high-quality modular buildings across Canada.”

“The future of construction is faster, greener, and more modular,” said Tom Hardiman, Executive Director, Modular Building Institute. “The modular industry is primed for growth, and standards like CSA Z251 provide the consistency and clarity needed to scale modular construction and give confidence to the companies and communities investing in it.”

The new standard was developed by a technical committee including architects, engineers, modular building manufacturers, and provincial and municipal building officials.

CSA Z251 builds on CSA Group’s broader suite of standards supporting modular construction, including:

• CSA A277, Procedure for certification of prefabricated buildings, modules, and panels
• CSA Z250:21, Process for delivery of volumetric modular buildings
• CSA Z252:23, Volumetric modular construction - Guide to compliance and approval processes.

Together, these standards address key stages of the modular construction process, from design and manufacturing to certification, inspections and approvals, helping create a more consistent approach to delivering safe, high-quality and efficient modular buildings in Canada.

For additional information about CSA Group's modular construction standards, visit the Standards for More Efficient Modular Construction Projects webpage.