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
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new
alteration
change of use
demolition
• Formulatedd based on NBC 2005 (2010)
BCBC 2006 / VBBL 2007
• Address the following broad objectives
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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 1.2.1.1.(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
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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
DIVISION B
• quantitative performance
criteria (minority)
• basic acceptable solutions
Mandatory
Links
DIVISION A
• objectives
• sub-objectives
• functional requirements
Alternative
solution
An Example
Building with Interconnected Floor
Space (i.e. atrium)
Interconnected Floor Space
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noncombustible construction [3.2.8.3.(1)]
vestibules for exit stairs [3.2.8.5.(1)]
cumulative exit capacity [3.4.3.2.(6)]
mechanical venting (4 a.c./hr) [3.2.8.8.(1)]
draft stops [3.2.8.7.(1)]
smoke detectors [3.2.4.11.(1)(f)]
close spaced sprinklers [NFPA 13-1999 5-13.4]
combustible content limits [3.2.8.9.(1)]
Alternative Solutions
Fire Safety Engineering Approach
Develop Alternative Solution
Division A
Performance
Criteria
Mitigating
proposals
Fire modelling/
TEA
no
Meet
Criteria?
yes
Alternative
solution
Design Option meets code
compliance requirements via
alternative solution
Code Reference 2
Code Reference 1
Objective 1
Objective 2
Subobjective A
Performance
criteria
Objective 3
Objective 4
Subobjective B
Functional
statement 01
Functional
statement 02
Performance
criteria-1
Performance
criteria-2
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
RSET
ASET
Code conforming vestibules and
cumulative exit stair widths
incorporated
Division A Alternative Solution
to perform as well as or better
than the Acceptable Solution
RSET
ASET
END