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
Man
dato
ry
Lin
ks
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