British Columbia Building Code question 1

[stookeyfpe]

I need some assistance from my Canadian counterparts.

I am working on a LNG terminal in the Northern part of BC. The project involves a 3-story administrative office building. Can someone in Canada quote the provisions from the 2006 British Columbia Building Code requirements for automatic sprinkler protection in what we in the US would call a Business (Group B) occupancy? Also, how do the code authorities in Canada classify an occupancy like a 3-story office building filled with people capable of self-preservation and cognizant of there surroundings?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

 

[ChrisConley]

National Building Code of Canada classifies Business and personal services occupancies as Group 'D' (From Table 3.1.2.1).

3.2.2.53. Group D, up to 3 Storeys
1) A building classified as Group D is permitted to conform to Sentence (2) provided
a) it is not more than 3 storeys in building height, and
b) it has a building area not more than the value in Table 3.2.2.53.
Table 3.2.2.53.

Maximum Building Area,
Group D, up to 3 Storeys
No. of Storeys Maximum Area, m2
Facing 1 Street Facing 2 Streets Facing 3 Streets
1 4 800 6 000 7 200
2 2 400 3 000 3 600
3 1 600 2 000 2 400
2) The building referred to in Sentence (1) is permitted to be of combustible construction or
noncombustible construction used singly or in combination, and
a) floor assemblies shall be fire separations and, if of combustible construction, shall have a fire-resistance
rating not less than 45 min,
b) mezzanines shall have, if of combustible construction, a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min,
c) roof assemblies shall have, if of combustible construction, a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min,
except that in a building not more than 1 storey in building height, the fire-resistance rating is permitted
to be waived provided the roof assembly is constructed as a fire-retardant treated wood roof system
conforming to Article 3.1.14.1. and the building area is not more than
i) 2 400 m2 if facing one street,
ii) 3 000 m2 if facing 2 streets, or
iii) 3 600 m2 if facing 3 streets, and
d) loadbearing walls, columns and arches supporting an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating
shall
i) have a fire-resistance rating not less

A Group D Structure (Sprinklered, up to 3 storeys)

3.2.2.54. Group D, up to 3 Storeys, Sprinklered

1) A building classified as Group D is permitted to conform to Sentence (2) provided
a) except as permitted by Sentences 3.2.2.7.(1) and 3.2.2.18.(2), the building is sprinklered throughout,
b) it is not more than 3 storeys in building height, and
c) it has a building area not more than
i) 14 400 m2 if 1 storey in building height,
ii) 7 200 m2 if 2 storeys in building height, or
iii) 4 800 m2 if 3 storeys in building height.
2) The building referred to in Sentence (1) is permitted to be of combustible construction or
noncombustible construction used singly or in combination, and
a) floor assemblies shall be fire separations and, if of combustible construction, shall have a fire-resistance
rating not less than 45 min,
b) mezzanines shall have, if of combustible construction, a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min, and
c) loadbearing walls, columns and arches supporting an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating
shall
i) have a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min, or
ii) be of noncombustible construction.

 

[stookeyfpe]

Chris,

Thank you very much. That's exactly what I was needing.