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 1.2.1.1.(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

• 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

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An Example

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

Interconnected Floor Space• 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

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 2 Objective 3 Objective 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

END