Noncompliant Brian

Intel

BC Now Permits Single Exit Stairs to 6 Storeys

Following the engineering study completed earlier this year by the Province on measures to permit single exit stairs in residential buildings, the Province has now revised the 2024 British Columbia Building Code to permit single exit stairs in residential buildings up to 6 storeys. The new provisions are in force as of August 27, 2024.

The specifics of the revision can be found in this Ministerial Order.

The revision adds a new Subsection 3.2.10. to Division B, which states that a single exit is now permitted in:

buildings not more than 6 storeys,
having a height not more than 18 m between the first storey floor and the uppermost floor level that,
maximum of 4 dwellings permitted per storey,
maximum of 24 occupants per storey, and
maximum travel distance of 25 m within dwellings to an exit, and maximum 6 m from the dwelling egress door to an exit.

The provisions are restricted to residential apartment buildings and do not apply to:

detached house, semi-detached houses, houses with a secondary suite, duplexes, triplexes, or row houses,
hotels, motels, dormitories or lodging houses,
residential clubs, colleges or schools,
monasteries,
senior's residences, or
small care facilities accepted for residential use.

It is unknown at this time if the City of Vancouver will also adopt these provisions over the come months or in the new 2025 Vancouver Building Bylaw that is expected in early 2025.

Lore

Building Codes: An Underused Climate Policy?

In British Columbia, the Province has been using the Building Code as a vehicle to mandate minimum energy efficiencies in non-residential buildings since the 2006 edition. I recall at the time of this change, some Architects were upset as they felt their designs provided their clients with a quality and efficient building, and I believe this was true. However, the Provincial mandate ensured that all new buildings met a minimum level of efficiency and not just those with an energy utilization conscious design.

This Forbes article argues for a greater role of Building Codes as a climate policy tool on the basis of reduced operating costs through increased energy efficiency. This path is of course, not without challenges.

Wisdom

Measurement of 1.8m Vestibule

The Building Code requires gas vestibules to be provided between storage garages and exit stairs that serve various occupancies or buildings over 3 storeys. These vestibules are required to be not less than 1.8 m long. But how is this 1.8 m length measured?

This BC Building Code Interpretation Committee interpretation indicates that it is good practice to measure the 1.8 m length as a straight line between the latching jambs of the two vestibule doors. The intent of this measures is to minimize the migration of carbon monoxide from the storage garage to the remainder of the building.

Visibility of Exit Signs – Good Practices for Life Safety

Exit signs have undergone changes in recent years with the National Building Code of Canada changing from the old and familiar illuminated red "EXIT" signage to the newer international ISO green "running man" signage.

As discussed in this article by Stefan Germann, the British Columbia Building code and other Provincial adoptions of the National Building Code of Canada have included this change.

More recently, we have seen a push by authorities to enforce matching the exit sign image with exit door swing direction.

About

Thanks for reading today! The summer rain was sorely needed, but I had hoped it wasn't during my camping trip! It is wonderful that you have taken time out of your busy day to educate yourself on some of the current issues in our industry.

I appreciate your support and if you found this information useful, please forward this newsletter to a colleague!

If you have any comments, please let me know by emailing me at bfraser@celerity.ca.

With the kids back to school I hope your return to routine is welcomed, and see you on the next issue for more Building Code fun!