The Building / Fire Codes Kin Man Wong, M.Sc., P.Eng., CP

BCBC 2006 / VBBL 2007 Set out technical provisions for the design and construction of Buildings –new –alteration –change of use –demolition Formulatedd based on NBC 2005 (2010)

BCBC 2006 / VBBL 2007 Address the following broad objectives –safety –health –accessibility –fire protection –environmental protection (VBBL) Next BCBC revision in 2012

BCFC 2006 / VFBL 2000 Applicable to facilities other than buildings Include following provisions –maintenance and use of fire safety and fire protection features –conduct of activities –limitations on hazardous contents –fire safety plan –fire safety at construction and demolition sites

Objective-Based Code Format

Objective vs Performance Benchmark approach –BCBC 2006 Div. A Clause (1)(b), “…that will achieve at least the minimum level of performance required by Div. B ….” Qualitative First principle approach Quantitative

Structure of the Codes Division A –Part 1: Compliance –Part 2: Objective Statements Safety Health Accessibility Protection of buildings and facilities –Part 3: Functional Statements

Structure of the Codes (cont’d) Division B – Acceptable Solutions –Part 1: General –Part 2: (reserved) –Part 3: Fire Protection, Occupant Safety and Accessibility –Part 4: Structural Design –Part 5: Environmental Separation

Structure of the Codes (cont’d) Division B – Acceptable Solutions* –Part 6: HVAC –Part 7: Plumbing Services –Part 8: Safety Measures at Construction and Demolition Sites –Part 9: Housing and Small Buildings –Part 10 (VBBL): Existing Buildings Division C – Administrative Provisions * Intent statements and Application statements

Practitioners Certified Professional Building Code Consultant

Certified Professional Program Optional fast track projects through dedicated Registered Professional –Building Permit –Occupancy Permit Only in participating municipalities –Vancouver, Surrey –Kelowna (?), Delta (?)

Roles of CP Retained by owner Undertake plan reviews and field reviews on behalf of the AHJ with respect to “code co-ordination” Issue CP letters of Assurance

Areas of coordination by CP Code coordination with Registered Professionals of record per Div. B parts 1 to 7 and relevant portions of part 9 Code interpretation of Div. B parts 1, 2 and 3 Through design stage, field review stage and occupancy stage

Building Code Consultant Specialist consultant to advise on Building Code conformance per Div. B (predominately parts 1, 2 and 3) Develop Alternative Solutions based on Div. A

Alternative Solution Alternative solution DIVISION A objectives sub-objectives functional requirements DIVISION B quantitative performance criteria (minority) basic acceptable solutions Mandatory Links

An Example Building with Interconnected Floor Space (i.e. atrium)

Interconnected Floor Space noncombustible construction [ (1)] vestibules for exit stairs [ (1)] cumulative exit capacity [ (6)] mechanical venting (4 a.c./hr) [ (1)] draft stops [ (1)] smoke detectors [ (1)(f)] close spaced sprinklers [NFPA ] combustible content limits [ (1)]

Alternative Solutions Fire Safety Engineering Approach

Division A Performance Criteria Mitigating proposals Fire modelling/ TEA Meet Criteria? Alternative solution yes no Develop Alternative Solution

Design Option meets code compliance requirements via alternative solution Code Reference 1 Objective 1 Sub- objective A Functional statement 01 Performance criteria-2 Performance criteria-1 Code Reference 2 Objective 2Objective 3Objective 4 Sub- objective B Functional statement 02 Performance criteria AND gate

Mitigating Measures Sprinkler system –Enhanced reliability Early warning system –Smoke detectors adjacent to interconnected floor spaces to activate alarm and smoke management system Automatic smoke management system –Smoke exhaust and make up air supply Power supply –Enhanced reliability

Fire modelling /TEA Fire Dynamic Simulator Pathfinder

Division B Acceptable Solution establishes the baseline level of performance ASET RSET Code conforming vestibules and cumulative exit stair widths incorporated

Division A Alternative Solution to perform as well as or better than the Acceptable Solution ASET RSET

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