Div B 3.2.1.1.(4), (5) & (6) Exceptions in Determining Building Height BCBC1998-3.2.1.1.(4), (5) & (7) replace (harmonize with NBC) - NBC 2005 has significant revisions to provisions for mezzanines. These revisions bring the NBC in line with the BCBC but there are some minor wording differences. These minor differences do not change the BCBC provisions. Div B 3.2.2.30.(3) Group A, Division 3, up to 2 BCBC1998-3.1.2.3.(2) relocated (clarify) Storeys Div B 3.2.2.32.(3) Group A, Division 3, One BCBC1998-3.1.2.3.(2) relocated (clarify) Storey, Increased Area Div B 3.2.3.2.(2) Area of Exposing Building Face BCBC1998-3.2.3.2.(2) replace - Taking into consideration the presence of sprinklers, the need for rated floor assemblies and the fact that for buildings without sprinklers the maximum rating required for floor assemblies in buildings with no excessive fire loads is 1 hr, it is deemed to be sufficient to set the limit of 45 min for internal fire separations for the purposes of assessing the area of an exposing building face. Div B 3.2.3.7.(8) Div B 3.2.3.8. Area of Exposing Building Face Construction of Exposing Building Face Protection of Exterior Building Face BCBC1998-3.2.3.2.(3), (4) & (5) delete (redundant) add - Relocated from Appendix. BCBC1998-3.2.3.7.(7) & (8) relocated - Sentences 3.2.3.7.(7) and (8) were not directly related to the remaining Sentences in Article 3.2.3.7. Relocation to new Article 3.2.3.8. should avoid misunderstanding of the application and intent. Div B 3.2.3.12.(1) Area Increase for Unprotected BCBC1998-3.2.3.11.(1) replace (add reference to new sentence) BC Building Code 2006 1
Div B 3.2.4.1.(2)(c) Div B 3.2.4.1.(3) Div B 3.2.4.1.(4) Div B 3.2.4.1.(5) Div B 3.2.4.4.(2)( c) Div B 3.2.4.5.(1) Div B 3.2.4.5.(2) Openings Fabric Canopies and Marquees BCBC1998-3.2.3.20. deleted (relocated to 3.1.16.1.) Determination of Requirement BCBC1998-3.2.4.1.(2)(c) replace - Revised to clearly limit size to for a Fire Alarm System three storeys in total before a fire alarm system is required. Determination of Requirement for a Fire Alarm System Determination of Requirement for a Fire Alarm System Determination of Requirement for a Fire Alarm System Description of Fire Alarm Systems Installation and Verification of Fire Alarm Systems Installation and Verification of Fire Alarm Systems BCBC1998-3.2.4.1.(3) BCBC1998-3.2.4.1.(4) BCBC1998-3.2.4.1.(5) replace - Clarifies the intent of the Code is that a fire alarm system is always required if a sprinkler system is installed, even if the requirements of Sentence 3.2.4.1.(2) were to be waived for a building having the characteristics of Clauses (a) and (b). The function of the fire alarm system is to monitor the sprinkler system and give warning of a fire that causes a water flow device to actuate. replace - See 3.2.4.1.(2)(c) replace - See 3.2.4.1.(2)(c) BCBC1998-3.2.4.4.(2)(c) add reference to new Appendix note - Clarifies the type of operation permitted for a two stage fire alarm system. BCBC1998-3.2.4.5.(1) replace - clarifies that a voice communication system is not independent of the fire alarm system. BCBC1998-3.2.4.5.(2) replace - clarifies that full verification is intended, not just testing, by using the word verified. BC Building Code 2006 2
Div B 3.2.4.7.(2) Signals to Fire Department BCBC1998-3.2.4.7.(2) replace - The 1998 wording uses incorrect terminology and does not take into account that the fire alarm system is the component that transmits the signal to notify the fire department. Div B 3.2.4.7.(4) Signals to Fire Department BCBC1998-3.2.4.7.(4) replace - new ULC standard replaces out-of-date NFPA standards Signals to Fire Department BCBC1998-3.2.4.7.(5) delete - out of date Div B 3.2.4.7.(5) Signals to Fire Department BCBC1998-3.2.4.7.(6) replace - Clarifies that unless the sprinkler system is installed throughout the building, the notice is required beside each manual pull station. Div B 3.2.4.8.(7) Annunciator and Zone Indication Annunciator and Zone Indication BCBC1998-3.2.4.8.(7) BCBC1998-3.2.4.8.(8) delete - out of date replace- The 1998 provision was not clear. This clarifies the relationship between annunciator and control unit. Div B 3.2.4.10. Fire Detectors BCBC1998-3.2.4.10 replace - clarifies the need for fire detectors, required by other provisions of the NBC, to be connected to the fire alarm system. Div B 3.2.4.11.(2) Smoke detectors BCBC1998-3.2.4.20.(2) add - Relocation and editing of Sentence 3.2.4.20.(2) to clarify the intent, use correct terminology and eliminate any confusion with the requirements for visible signals required by Articles 3.2.4.18. and 3.2.4.19. Smoke and Heat Detectors BCBC1998-3.2.4.11.(2) deleted - harmonization with NBC Div B 3.2.4.15.(2) System Monitoring BCBC1998-3.2.4.16.(2) replace - Editorial clarification BC Building Code 2006 3
Sprinklers in Lieu of Fire Detectors BCBC1998-3.2.4.15. delete - This provision relates directly to Sentence 3.2.4.10.(2) and is relocated as Sentence 3.2.4.10.(3). Div B 3.2.4.16.(1) Manual Pull Stations BCBC1998-3.2.4.17.(1) replace - Requests have been made for manual pull stations at every exit, whether required or not, to reduce the possibility of a person leaving a building without passing a manual pull station, thus not being able to warn others in the building. Other requests have been made to eliminate some pull stations because they are used to give false alarms. The 1998 Clause (b) has been interpreted that the pull stations are also required within an exit facility. Div B 3.2.4.18.(2) Audibility of Alarm Systems BCBC1998-3.2.4.19.(2) replace - Editorial change to clarify that the referenced temporal pattern is required. Div B 3.2.4.18.(3) Audibility of Alarm Systems BCBC1998-3.2.4.19.(3) replace - Editorial change to make the text easier to apply in conjunction with new Sentence 3.2.4.20.(9) for smoke alarms. Div B 3.2.4.18.(6) Audibility of Alarm Systems BCBC1998-3.2.4.19.(6) replace - Clarifies that the fire alarm signal sound levels apply to all buildings, including residential, but allowing for the application of Sentence (5) within dwelling units and residential suites. Div B 3.2.4.18.(9) Audibility of Alarm Systems BCBC1998-3.2.4.19.(9) replace - Allow an exception based on new Sentence 3.2.4.18.(13). Div B 3.2.4.18.(10) Audibility of Alarm Systems BCBC1998-3.2.4.19.(10) replace - What was originally conceived to be a cost effective addition to the system (i.e. about $25 per device), to achieve the required level of audibility, BC Building Code 2006 4
has become one of the costliest (i.e. about $200 per device). A design that completely conformed to 1998 Sentence 3.2.4.19.(10) is not available. The 1998 Sentence 3.2.4.19.(10) was written 1992-93 in response to the addition of the Sentence 3.2.4.19.(5), which set the ambient alarm level within a sleeping room. That level requires fire alarm signalling devices within the suite, exposing it and its circuit to possible damage or tampering. Sentence (10) was meant to address those situations where a fire in a suite destroys the wiring to these devices within the suite which can prevent signal devices in the adjacent suites or floor area from sounding. Also, the signal silence feature required by Sentence.(9) was intended to prevent the tampering or destruction of the device by the occupant, due to the annoyance from false alarms. The 2006 Sentence 3.2.4.18.(10), along with the new Sentence 3.2.4.19.(11), allows the use of standard approaches (i.e. Class A signal circuits) and equipment currently available. By requiring that a signal circuit be utilized to serve the suites, separate from the corridors, the fire alarm message will still get through to the degree currently in use in most residential buildings. An Appendix Note clarifies that a Class A signal circuit is the required method. BC Building Code 2006 5
Div B 3.2.4.18.(11) Audibility of Alarm Systems BCBC1998-3.2.4.19.(11) replace - See 3.2.4.18.(10) Div B 3.2.4.18.(13) Audibility of Alarm Systems add - See 3.2.4.18.(10) Div B 3.2.4.18.(14) Audibility of Alarm Systems add - See 3.2.4.18.(10) Visual Signals BCBC1998-3.2.4.20.(2) delete - relocated to 3.2.4.11.(2) Div B 3.2.4.20.(9) Smoke Alarms BCBC1998-3.2.4.21.(9) add - relocated from 3.2.4.19.(3) Div B 3.2.4.21.(2) Voice Communication Systems BCBC1998-3.2.4.22.(2) replace - The 1998 wording introduced an excessive delay in sending messages notifying building occupants about what procedures to follow. The change reduces delay from one minute to 30 seconds before voice messages can be sent throughout the building. Div B 3.2.4.21.(3) Voice Communication Systems BCBC1998-3.2.4.22.(3) replace - See 3.2.4.21.(2) Div B 3.2.4.21.(4) Voice Communication Systems BCBC1998-3.2.4.22.(4) replace - The 1998 provision did not accurately reflect the need for the fire alarm system to be able to transmit various mixtures of voice messages, alarm signals and alert signals in multiple zone high buildings. clarifies the intent. Div B 3.2.5.7.(1) Water Supply BCBC1998-3.2.5.7(1) add reference to new Appendix note Div B 3.2.5.11.(2) Hose stations BCBC1998-3.2.5.11.(2) replace - add reference to new Appendix note. BC Building Code 2006 6
Div B 3.2.5.13.(6) Automatic Sprinkler Systems BCBC1998-3.2.5.13.(6) replace - The additional cost of including sprinklers in small closets and bathrooms in houses has been viewed as a disincentive to include sprinkler systems in these buildings, as well as adding to the cost in areas where sprinklers are mandatory in all residential buildings. Div B 3.2.5.14.(5) Combustible Sprinkler Piping add - At the time that Sentences (3) and (4) were added to the BCBC there were no ULC listings for exposed combustible sprinkler piping. Since that time some types of piping have been tested and it has been determined that they satisfy the standard without additional protection and can be left exposed. Div B 3.2.7.3.(1) Emergency Lighting BCBC1998-3.2.7.3.(1) replace - To provide a reasonable level of illumination so that staff of day care centres, and workers in commercial kitchens and in service rooms can easily assess the need for evacuation and ensure that the expectations of the fire safety plan have been carried out effectively as well as avoiding injuries associated with equipment. Div B 3.2.7.3.(4) Emergency Lighting add - The Code permits battery operated emergency lighting as an option whereas CAN/CSA-Z32 mandates these units for certain critical patient care areas. The change ensures compatibility between the Code and a referenced standard. BC Building Code 2006 7
Div B 3.2.7.5.(1) Div B 3.2.7.6.(1) Emergency Power Supply Installation Emergency Power for Health Care Facilities BCBC1998-3.2.7.5.(1) BCBC1998-3.2.7.6.(1) replace - editorial clarification replace - the reference to a new CSA standard. Note: the new standard is not clear in the classification of nursing homes. It was clear that the previous standard did not apply to nursing homes even though this was required by the NBC. The revised Appendix Note explains the concept of health care facilities. Div B 3.2.7.8. Div B 3.2.7.8.(4) Div B 3.2.8.2.(1)(c) Div B 3.2.8.2.(6)(c) Emergency Power for Fire Alarm Systems Emergency Power for Fire Alarm Systems Emergency Power for Fire Alarm Systems Mezzanines - Exceptions to Special Protection Mezzanines - Exceptions to Special Protection BCBC1998-3.2.7.8. BCBC1998-3.2.7.8.(4) Div B 3.2.7.8.(5), (6) & (7) BCBC1998-3.2.8.2.(1)(c) BCBC1998-3.2.8.2.(6)(c) replace - The 1998 Code did not recognize that voice communication is not a separate system but, if provided, is an integral part of a fire alarm system. The editorial clarifies the intent and that there must be no loss of information within a fire alarm system. 1998 Sentence (5) is covered by changes to Sentence (1), 1998 Sentence (6) is covered by Subclause (3)(b)(i) and 1998 Sentence (7) is covered by Clause (3)(a) and Subclause (3)(b)(i). replace - Clarifies intent that transfer to emergency power be immediate. deleted - covered by revised (1), (2) & (3)) replace (harmonization with NBC) - See Div B 3.2.1.1.(4), (5) & (6) replace (harmonization with NBC) - See Div B 3.2.1.1.(4), (5) & (6). Exception now includes Group F Div 2 occupancies. BC Building Code 2006 8
Div B 3.2.8.6. Protected Floor Space BCBC1998-3.2.8.6 replace - Protected floor space is now a defined term and the "definition" has been removed from Sentence 3.2.8.6.(1). The remaining changes are essentially editorial. Sentence (2) clarifies that the function of a protected floor space is met when a person entering it from an interconnected floor space is able to move to an exit without re-entering the interconnected floor space. BC Building Code 2006 9