The Building Fire Codes Kin Man Wong M

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 coordination” • 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 • • 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 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

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