DOOR HARDWARE & BRITISH COLUMBIA BUILDING and FIRE CODES

DOOR HARDWARE &BRITISH COLUMBIA

BUILDING and FIRE CODES

OVERVIEW

1. A Bit of History

2. Jurisdictions

3. The Objective Based Code Format

4. Applicability

5. Principles of Fire and Life Safety

6. Permits

HISTORY OF CODE DEVELOPMENT

Model Codes:– National Building Code (NBC)– National Fire Code (NFC)

Written by Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC)

Published by National Research Council First NBC: 1941 First NFC: 1965


Codes are re-issued approximately every five years Code cycle:

– Anyone can submit a proposal to change a code requirement

– Reviewed by CCBFC– Issued for public comment (anyone can comment)– Voted on by CCBFC– Adopted or rejected– New code issued


CCBFC– Members from across the country– Includes: Building and Fire Officials Consultants Contractors Manufacturers

– Matrix representation from various interest groups from all regions

NBC/NFC RELATIONSHIP

Companion Documents

Building Code applies to new construction

Fire Code applies to existing construction, fire prevention, and maintenance & testing

Same numbering system as National Building Code (NBC)

NFC has some requirements that must be ‘built in’

PROVINCIAL CODES

Each Province uses model codes to issue their own code We use:

– BC Building Code (BCBC)– BC Fire Code (BCFC)

Provincial Codes become law by passing of Provincial Legislation

Provincial Codes usually make changes to suit construction environment

PROVINCIAL CODES

For the first time, there was a concerted coordination effort between CCBFC and Provinces when developing the 2005 codes

Result is minimal changes from the model codes Biggest changes in BC are:

– Mezzanines– Barrier Free Accessibility

VANCOUVER BUILDING BY-LAW

Arises from Vancouver Charter Modeled on BCBC Some changes:

– Environmental Issues– Green Buildings– Secondary Suites– Sprinklers

JURISDICTIONS

2007 VBBL/VFBL– City of Vancouver only– Effective May 1, 2007

2010 NBC/NFC– Federal Lands in BC– e.g. First Nations, Transport Canada

2012 BCBC/BCFC– Everywhere else in BC– Effective December 20, 2012

THE OBJECTIVEBASED FORMATBUILDING CODE

NOW SPLIT INTO 3 DIVISIONS:– Division A Compliance, Objectives and Functional

Statements– Division B Acceptable Solutions– Division C Administrative

DIVISION A - Almost all new DIVISION B - Old Code with changes DIVISION C - Old Part 2

HOW TO COMPLY WITH THE CODE:1. Meet literal provisions of Division B,

OR1. Use an alternative solution that meets the objectives

and functional statements of Division A. Compliance Alternative 2 is what we used to know as

‘equivalencies’. Entire building does not necessarily have to comply with

Division A.

DIVISION A

PART 1: COMPLIANCE– Includes definitions

PART 2: OBJECTIVES PART 3: FUNCTIONAL STATEMENTS

DIVISION B

9 PARTS– Similar to old 1998 Code

PART 1– Reference documents, climatic data

PART 2– Reserved (Not used)

PART 3 – 9– Same as 1998 Code, now with revisions

DIVISION C

2 PARTS PART 1: ABBREVIATIONS PART 2: ADMINISTRATION

– Details of drawings– Documentation of alternative solutions

DIVISION A

1.3.3 APPLICATION OF DIVISION A, B AND C:– Division A + C: Applies to ALL buildings.– Division B: Same as 1995 NBC.

Parts 1, 7, 8: - All buildingsPart 9: - ≤ 600 m2

- ≤ 3 storeys- C, D, E, F2, F3

Parts 3, 4, 5, 6: - A, B, F1All big buildings

CODE CONCEPTS

KEY PHRASES:– “Limit the probability” – can’t completely eliminate

undesirable situations. (e.g. Fire)– “Unacceptable risk” - NBC can’t completely eliminate a

building risk.– “Acceptable risk” is what results from code compliance.

CODE CONCEPTS

OBJECTIVES:– Broad goals of Code.– Defines undesirable situations and their consequences

that the Code aims to avoid.– Qualitative statements.– Every code requirement must address at least 1

objective.– Can’t be used on their own.

CODE CONCEPTS

OBJECTIVES:– Safety (e.g. Guards and handrails)– Health (e.g. Washrooms, air quality)– Accessibility (e.g. Paths of travel)– Fire and structural protection (e.g. Ratings)

CODE CONCEPTS

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENTS:– More level of detail.– Interconnected with objectives.– Can’t be used on their own.– Can be multiple functional statements for a single

objective.– Describe conditions in a building that help satisfy an

objective.

PREAMBLE

APPLICATION STATEMENTS:– Describes what each Division B requirement applies to.– Highest level of detail.– Technically, not part of Code.– Available only on CD-Rom.

DIVISION A

DIVISION A

3 PARTS1. COMPLIANCE2. OBJECTIVES3. FUNCTIONAL STATEMENTS

DIVISION A

PART 1: COMPLIANCE 1.2.1.1.(1) “Compliance with this Code shall be achieved

bya) complying with the applicable acceptable solutions

in Division B (see Appendix A), orb) using alternative solutions that will achieve at least

the minimum level of performance required by Division B in the areas defined by the objectives and functional statements attributed to the applicable acceptable solutions (see Appendix A).”

Key Sentence that links Division A and Division B.

DIVISION A

1.2.1.1 COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE– If you meet Division B, no need to use Division A.– Compliance with Division B is what we used to do under

the older Codes.– Division A compliance is used to be considered an

‘equivalency’, now an ‘alternative solution’.– For an alternative solution, must demonstrate that you

have met objectives and functional statements.– Each [most] requirement of Division B is assigned

which objectives and functional statements are applicable (Tables).

DIVISION A

1.2.1.1 COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE– Alternatives have to meet all applicable objectives and

functional statements.– Must demonstrate “as good as”, not “well enough”.– For complex solutions, may need to model a code

compliant solution to compare.– Intent Statements and Application Statements used to

define the applicability of a Division B requirement.– Will clarify “acceptable level of risk”.

DIVISION A

PART 2: OBJECTIVES– SAFETY (OS)– HEALTH (OH)– ACCESSIBILITY (OA)– FIRE + STRUCTURAL PROTECTION (OP)

DIVISION A

OS SAFETY– “An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that,

as a result of the design, construction or demolition of the building, a person in or adjacent to the building will be exposed to an unacceptable risk of injury.”

– Wording ‘typical’ for all objectives.– “Limit the probability” and “unacceptable risk”.– Addresses acceptable risks to safety of the occupants

(a person).– 5 Categories: OS1 – OS5.

FIRE SEPARATIONS

Definition: “a construction assembly that acts as a barrier against the spread of fire”

Standard ULC S101– Standard time temperature curve – Test representative sample in a furnace– Assigned time is time to failure

Basic Construction Features:– Continuity– Must have dampers (label)– Need self closing devices– Need latches– Hold open devices Okay in some circumstances (3.1.8.12) Release on 1st stage alarm Signage is good

– Don’t prop doors open

FIRE SEPARATIONS

FIRE SEPARATIONS

MAINTENANCE

Maintain all elements in good working condition (BCFC) Fix holes Maintain doors and signs Requires diligence Don’t replace wired glass with clear glass, Lexan not rated

SERVICE PENETRATIONS

Pipes Ducts Conduit Exposed Cables

PIPES No limits on size of steel or copper pipes Restrictions on Plastic Pipe but no limit on sizes

DUCTS Need fire dampers in separations Welded steel required for kitchen grease ducts (NFPA 96)


CONDUIT No restrictions on metallic conduit Plastic conduit

– 625 mm2 max (1”diameter)– FT4 labeled

Okay if buried in concrete

EXPOSED COMMUNICATION WIRING FT4 & CMP Max 1”diameter bundle size


FIRE STOPPING

Use of listed assemblies Specific to product, penetrating items 2012 BCBC - cast in place or ‘tightly fitting’ Test to CAN/ULC S115, not ASTM Ratings:

Fire Separation Fire Stop0 hour 0 hour3/4 hour 3/4 hour1 hour 3/4 hour1 1/2 hour 1 hour2 hours 1 1/2 hour

FIRE STOPPING

Rating Classes:– F – Fire – T – Temperature rise on unexposed side– H – Hose station test at F time– L – Tested under simulated pressure difference across

assembly

FIRE STOPPING

FIRE STOPPING

Empty holes– not supposed to just fill with mortar (falls out in fire)

Existing cable trays– set fire stop systems ineffective– need replaceable systems – easier to maintain

Diligence required by all to maintain fire separations

FIRE STOPPING

FIRE STOPPING

EXITING

BASIC CONCEPTS

Exit:– Rated enclosure– No services, no storage– Must always be accessible

Access to Exit – nearly everything else Travel Distance – path of travel to an exit Exit Capacity – minimum width required to get everyone

out in a reasonable period of time

EXIT STAIRS/ENCLOSURES

Exits are treated as ‘sacred’ in code No storage No services Max 25 flame spread rating Illuminated signage

DOORS & DOOR HARDWARE

Required ratings (fire protection rating)Fire Separation Door Rating3/4 hour 3/4 hour1 hour 3/4 hour1 1/2 hour 1 hour2 hours 1 1/2 hour

Must be self closing and positive latching in fire separations to overcome buoyant forces

Lever sets are standard (no knobs)

Panic sets – required on all exit doors Must have single handed, single action release

– Needs mortise sets for deadbolts– No storage function deadbolts

Releasable without keys or specialized knowledge (question of request to exit button being specialized knowledge)




MAGLOCKS

BCBC 3.4.6.16.(4):– Fire alarm release (2nd stage)– Power loss release– Remote release by manual switch– 15 second release upon actuation of door hardware– Manual reset after release (excludes authorized bypass)– Sign requirement on door

Can have request to exit buttons, but not as the only way of releasing door

Maglocks with 0 second delay are still subject to code requirements for maglocks

MAGLOCKS

Maglocks cannot incorporate latches or pins Electric strikes preferred – never impede passage in

direction of travel Public vs. Staff – no differences in code application Cannot be used to arbitrarily lock down doors Attempt to restrict access results in non-compliant

restrictions to egress routes

ELECTRIC STRIKES

Can be used in combination with card reader Must fail closed to ensure positive latching when in fire

separation Preferred over maglocks because they never restrict

egress, but achieve security into a room or space

SPECIAL CASES

Contained Use and Impeded Egress Zones (hospitals, jails) Can have maglocks without fire alarm release Required operation by key switch accessible to authorized

personnel

SERVICES IN EXITS

No openings except for exit doors (dampered ventilation openings)

Permitted services:– Standpipe and sprinkler piping– Electrical/mechanical that directly serve exit

Must separate all other services by shaft wall construction (not just furred)

OBSTRUCTIONS IN EXITS

Handrails can reduce width of exit by 100 mm (4”) on each side without penalty

Door swing - min 750 mm clear at landings Headroom - 2100 mm throughout exit

- 2030 mm at doors- 1980 mm for closers

Diligence and action when exit obstructions observed

2012 BC FIRE CODE

Article 1.1.1.1.: It is the owner’s responsibility to comply General Requirements:

– Maintain all fire separations as installed under BCBC Do not remove door hardware Fire stop penetrations Replacements only to BCBC

– Maintain exits per BCBC Hardware must be to BCBC (e.g. maglocks,

deadbolts) Do not permanently lock down doors or reverse

swing

PERMITS

Building Permit– Anytime you alter a fire separation, including doors– Virtually all mag lock installations

Electrical Permit– All electrical work, including low voltage

Alternative Solution– Egress routes effected– BC Building Code prescriptive requirements not being

met

Q & ASession