Complete Strategic Guide: Obtaining the RBQ 10 Licence – Solid Fuel Localized Heating Systems Contractor

1. What Is the RBQ 10 Licence and Who Needs It?

The RBQ 10 licence — Solid Fuel Localized Heating Systems Contractor (Entrepreneur en systèmes de chauffage localisé à combustible solide) — is a specialized licence issued by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) for contractors who install solid fuel heating appliances and their associated chimney systems. It authorizes construction work involving:

• Freestanding stoves — wood stoves, pellet stoves and their flue connections;
• Prefabricated fireplaces — factory-built zero-clearance units with prefabricated chimney systems;
• Fireplace inserts — solid fuel inserts installed into existing masonry fireplaces;
• Wood furnaces — solid fuel furnaces for localized heating;
• Prefabricated chimneys — factory-built chimney sections, supports, firestops and terminations;
• Metallic relining — stainless steel liners installed in existing masonry chimneys.

With 80 skills across 4 modules and 13 competency elements, the RBQ 10 is the licence for solid fuel heating system installation. This licence is essential for any contractor involved in stove, fireplace and chimney installation across Quebec.

2. Scope of the Licence: From Clearances to Chimney Terminations

The RBQ 10 covers the installation of solid fuel burning appliances and all associated chimney and venting components. Unlike general mechanical contractors, the RBQ 10 specialist focuses exclusively on solid fuel systems — wood, pellet and other solid fuels — and the unique fire safety challenges they present.

The central reference for this licence is CAN/CSA-B365 — Installation Code for Solid-Fuel-Burning Appliances and Equipment. This standard governs every aspect of solid fuel appliance installation: minimum clearances from combustibles, floor protection requirements, chimney connections, chimney height and termination rules, and air supply provisions. The B365 standard is provided at the exam, making it the primary open-book tool alongside the Construction Code and the Safety Code for Construction Work.

A critical distinction in this licence is between listed (certified) and unlisted (non-certified) appliances. A listed appliance bears a certification mark from a recognized testing organization (ULC, CSA, or Warnock Hersey) and may be installed with reduced clearances as specified on its certification label. An unlisted appliance — typically an older or imported unit — must comply with the larger standard clearances prescribed by the B365 standard. The exam heavily tests candidates on their ability to determine the correct clearance based on the appliance's certification status, the type of wall protection used, and the specific installation configuration.

3. RBQ Exam Format: What to Expect

• Question type: Multiple choice (MCQ)
• Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)
• Passing grade: 60%
• Languages: French or English
• Skills assessed: 80 skills across 13 competency elements
• Exam type: Mixed (3 open-book documents + 6 closed-book documents)
• Tools provided: Calculator, ruler, paper and pencil

With 80 skills and a mixed open/closed-book format, the RBQ 10 exam requires efficient navigation of three open-book documents — particularly the CAN/CSA-B365 standard — and solid memorization of 6 closed-book documents including the testing standards CAN/CSA-B415.1 and ULC-S628.

4. Exam Documentation: Open Book vs. Closed Book

The RBQ 10 exam is a mixed exam with 3 documents provided (open book) and 6 to memorize (closed book) — 9 documents total.

Documents PROVIDED During the Exam (Open Book)

• Quebec Construction Code (CQLR, c. B-1.1, r. 2) — Chapter I, Building (1995) — Contains the technical requirements for heating installations in buildings, including clearances and chimney requirements for Part 9 buildings.
• Safety Code for Construction Work (CQLR, c. S-2.1, r. 4) — Health and safety standards applicable to construction sites, including fire prevention during installation work.
• CAN/CSA-B365-F01 (C2006) — Installation Code for Solid-Fuel-Burning Appliances and Equipment — The central reference for the RBQ 10 exam covering minimum clearances, floor protection, chimney connections, chimney sizing and all installation requirements for solid fuel appliances.

Documents to MEMORIZE (Closed Book)

• Building Act (CQLR, c. B-1.1) — The foundational statute governing construction, safety, and contractor qualifications in Quebec.
• Safety Code (CQLR, c. B-1.1, r. 3) — The code governing the safety of existing buildings and installations.
• Regulation respecting the professional qualifications of contractors and owner-builders (CQLR, c. B-1.1, r. 9) — Defines the qualification requirements and conditions for obtaining a licence.
• Occupational Health and Safety Act (CQLR, c. S-2.1) — The foundational statute for workplace safety in Quebec.
• CAN/CSA-B415.1-F00 — Performance Testing of Solid-Fuel-Burning Heating Appliances — The standard governing emissions testing, efficiency measurement and safety testing of solid fuel appliances.
• ULC-S628 — Standard for Fireplace Inserts — The standard governing the design, construction and testing requirements for fireplace inserts installed in masonry fireplaces.

5. The 4 Training and Competency Modules

Module 1 — Definitions and Types of Systems

Covers the foundational knowledge of solid fuel heating systems: types of solid fuel appliances (freestanding stoves, prefabricated fireplaces, inserts, wood furnaces), principles of combustion (primary and secondary combustion, catalytic vs. non-catalytic systems), draft principles (natural draft, chimney effect, factors affecting draft), types of chimneys (prefabricated metal chimneys, masonry chimneys, chimney classes — 650°C, 1000°C), types of flue connectors and their configurations, and the distinction between listed (certified) and unlisted (non-certified) appliances.

Module 2 — Legislative, Normative and Regulatory Framework

Covers the regulatory framework for solid fuel heating installations: the Building Act, the Construction Code (Chapter I, Building 1995), the Regulation respecting professional qualifications, the Safety Code, the Safety Code for Construction Work, the OHS Act, the CAN/CSA-B365 installation standard, the CAN/CSA-B415.1 performance testing standard, and the ULC-S628 fireplace insert standard. This module tests your ability to identify which document governs which aspect of solid fuel appliance installation.

Module 3 — Plans and Specifications

Covers the ability to read and interpret installation plans for solid fuel heating systems: reading floor plans showing appliance placement and clearances, interpreting elevation drawings showing chimney routing through floors, ceilings and roofs, understanding manufacturer installation instructions and certification labels, reading clearance diagrams for listed and unlisted appliances, determining dimensions for floor protection pads, and interpreting chimney termination height requirements relative to roof lines and adjacent structures.

Module 4 — Standards and Work Execution

The most heavily weighted module on the exam. Covers: determining minimum clearances from combustibles for listed and unlisted appliances, calculating floor protection dimensions and materials, installing flue connectors (single-wall and double-wall) with correct clearances and slopes, assembling and supporting prefabricated chimney systems through floors, ceilings, attics and roofs, installing firestops at each floor and ceiling penetration, determining chimney termination height (3-2-10 rule and other configurations), performing metallic relining of existing masonry chimneys, installing fireplace inserts with proper liner connections, reducing clearances using approved wall protection methods (air-cooled vs. solid shields), and ensuring adequate combustion air supply.

6. Key Competencies and Technical Requirements (Official Context)

CAN/CSA-B365: The Central Installation Standard

The CAN/CSA-B365 standard is the backbone of the RBQ 10 exam — it is the Installation Code for Solid-Fuel-Burning Appliances and Equipment, and it governs every installation detail. The standard specifies minimum clearances from combustible materials for every component: appliances, flue connectors, chimneys, and thimbles. For unlisted appliances, the default clearance is typically 1200 mm (48 inches) from the front and 900 mm (36 inches) from the sides and rear. For listed appliances, the manufacturer's clearance label governs — often significantly less. The exam tests your ability to determine the correct clearance based on the appliance type, certification status, and the specific installation scenario described in the question. This document is provided at the exam, but rapid navigation is essential.

Listed vs. Unlisted Appliances: The Clearance Distinction

The distinction between listed and unlisted appliances is one of the most frequently tested topics on the RBQ 10 exam. A listed (certified) appliance has been tested by a recognized organization (ULC, CSA, or Warnock Hersey) to a specific standard — such as CAN/ULC-S610 for factory-built fireplaces or ULC-S628 for fireplace inserts. It bears a certification label specifying its exact clearance requirements, which are typically much smaller than the B365 defaults. An unlisted (non-certified) appliance has no certification and must be installed with the full standard clearances from the B365. The exam requires candidates to identify the appliance's certification status from the question description and apply the correct clearance table — a skill that combines regulatory knowledge with practical installation judgment.

Floor Protection: Materials, Dimensions and Configurations

Floor protection under solid fuel appliances is a critical safety requirement and a major exam topic. The B365 standard specifies the minimum dimensions of the floor protection pad based on the appliance type: it must extend a specified distance beyond the front, sides and rear of the appliance. The materials must be non-combustible — typically a combination of sheet metal over a cement board or equivalent assembly. For listed appliances, the manufacturer may specify different floor protection requirements. The exam tests candidates on calculating pad dimensions, selecting appropriate materials, and distinguishing the requirements for different appliance types (freestanding stoves require larger front extensions than inserts, for example).

Chimney Systems: Prefabricated and Masonry

Chimney installation is one of the most complex competencies on the RBQ 10 exam. For prefabricated (factory-built) chimneys, candidates must understand the assembly sequence — support box or ceiling support, chimney sections, firestops at each floor penetration, attic insulation shield, roof flashing, storm collar, and chimney cap. The chimney must be the correct class (650°C for standard installations, 1000°C for specific applications) and must terminate at the correct height above the roof. For masonry chimneys, the exam covers the inspection criteria for existing chimneys, the conditions requiring metallic relining (cracked tiles, deteriorated mortar joints, incorrect flue sizing), and the relining procedure using stainless steel liners. The 3-2-10 rule for chimney termination height — at least 3 feet above the roof penetration and at least 2 feet above any structure within 10 feet — is a fundamental rule tested on the exam.

Clearance Reduction Methods: Wall Protection Systems

When standard clearances cannot be maintained due to space constraints, the B365 standard allows clearance reduction using approved wall protection methods — and the exam tests this extensively. There are two main types: air-cooled protection (a non-combustible shield mounted with a 1-inch air space behind it and open at top and bottom for air circulation) and solid protection (a non-combustible material applied directly to the wall). Air-cooled protection provides greater clearance reduction than solid protection. The B365 standard includes reduction tables showing the percentage by which clearances can be reduced based on the type of protection used. Candidates must determine the reduced clearance by applying the correct reduction factor from the table to the original clearance — a calculation that combines table reading with arithmetic.

Flue Connectors: Single-Wall and Double-Wall

Flue connectors — the pipes linking the appliance to the chimney — are a detail-intensive exam topic. Single-wall connectors require larger clearances from combustibles (typically 450 mm / 18 inches) and must maintain a minimum upward slope toward the chimney. Double-wall connectors have reduced clearance requirements but are more expensive. The exam tests connector sizing (must match the appliance outlet diameter), maximum length and number of elbows, slope requirements, support and fastening methods, and the clearances from combustible walls and ceilings. The connector-to-chimney connection is particularly important — the connector must enter the chimney through a proper thimble and must not extend beyond the inner face of the chimney flue.

7. Preparation Strategy and Tips for Success

The RBQ 10 exam covers 80 skills across 4 modules with 3 open-book and 6 closed-book documents. Here is a recommended strategy:

Phase 1 — Master the CAN/CSA-B365 standard (provided at the exam). This is the most important document. Focus on the clearance tables for listed and unlisted appliances, floor protection requirements, chimney termination rules (3-2-10 rule), flue connector clearances and slopes, and the clearance reduction tables for wall protection systems. Practice finding specific clauses quickly under time pressure.

Phase 2 — Dominate Module 4 (Standards and Work Execution). This module covers the entire installation workflow. Focus on clearance determination, floor protection calculations, chimney assembly sequences, metallic relining procedures, flue connector installation, and clearance reduction calculations — these are the highest-yield topics.

Phase 3 — Memorize the testing standards CAN/CSA-B415.1 and ULC-S628. The B415.1 standard covers performance testing (emissions, efficiency) of solid fuel appliances. The ULC-S628 standard covers fireplace insert testing and certification. Focus on understanding what these standards require and how they relate to the listed/unlisted distinction.

Phase 4 — Memorize the remaining closed-book documents. Group them: contractor law (Building Act, Safety Code, Professional Qualifications Regulation) and workplace safety (OHS Act). Use Prof-RBQ.ca's flashcards to retain the key articles.

Phase 5 — Complete full timed simulations. With 80 skills and 3 open-book documents, you have roughly 135 seconds per question. Practice navigating between the Construction Code, the Safety Code for Construction Work, and the B365 standard under timed conditions.

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