Zachary May Building and Safety Standards Branch FPOABC | Kelowna | May 2013

Fire Safety in the 2012 BC Building Code

Fire Safety in the 2012 BC Building Code

• Codes Development • Exit Signs • Limiting Distance & Fire Containment • 10 Minute Response • A2/B3 Occupancies • Lateral Loads

Confederation

WWII

National Codes

• Early codes • Current codes

National Code Development Process

National Code change

Model national Codes adopted as regulation in each province

Fire Safety in the 2012 BC Building Code

• Codes Development • Exit Signs • Limiting Distance & Fire Containment • 10 Minute Response • A2/B3 Occupancies • Lateral Loads

2012 BC Building Code

Old ‘Exit’ Sign

ISO 7010

Designed by Yukio Ota in 1982

ISO 7010

2010 National Building Code

2012 BC Building Code

Becoming global standard

Hong Kong

Becoming global standard

Stockholm Subway

2012 BC Building Code

Worth clarifying:

• Internally Illuminated exit signs must have a powered light – photo luminescent does not comply • Photo luminescent signs may be used, but they must have a powered light to illuminate •Applies to renovations as well as new construction

Fire Safety in the 2012 BC Building Code

• Codes Development • Exit Signs • Limiting Distance & Fire Containment • 10 Minute Response • A2/B3 Occupancies • Lateral Loads

Limiting Distance

St Lawrence Burns

Edmonton, Alberta

NRC Testing Facility

New changes in the 2012 BCBC

•Some significant changes for buildings within 2.0m of property line • Requirement for windows and projections • New requirements for containment & egress • Clarification of terms and intent of Code

Table 3.2.3.1.A. Maximum Concentrated Area of Unprotected Openings

Forming Part of Sentence 3.2.3.1.(5) Limiting Distance, m Max Area of Individual Unprotected Openings, m² 1.2 0.35 1.5 0.78 2.0 1.88

3.2.3.1.(6) SPACING OF UNPROTECTED OPENINGS WITHIN 2 M The spacing between individual unprotected openings that serve a single room or space shall not be less than: a) 2 m horizontally of another unprotected opening that is on the same exposing building face and serves the single room or space, or b) 2 m vertically of another unprotected opening that serves the single room or space, or another room or space on the same storey.

3.2.3.1.(7) SINGLE ROOM OR SPACE "single room or space" shall mean a) two or more adjacent spaces having a full-height separating wall extending less than 1.5 m from the interior face of the exterior wall, or b) two or more stacked spaces that are on the same storey.

3.2.3.1.(7) SINGLE ROOM OR SPACE 7) For the purpose of Sentence (6), "single room or space" shall mean a) two or more adjacent spaces having a full-height separating wall extending less than 1.5 m from the interior face of the exterior wall, or b) two or more stacked spaces that are on the same storey.

3.2.3.6 COMBUSTIBLE PROJECTIONS •3.2.3.6.(2) L.D. < .45 M - no soffits allowed •3.2.3.6.(3) L.D. > .45 M - soffits not allowed to extend within .45 M of P/L. •3.2.3.6.(4) .45M < L.D < 1.2 M – soffits fire blocked •3.2.3.6.(5) where soffits fire blocked for (4) and building is combustible, additional finishes allowed on surface of fire block materials.

Plenum Wires and Cables 3.1.4.3. , 3.1.5.18. and 3.6.4.3. •Plenum - concealed space often used for return air systems •Cables in plenums in combustible buildings must be FT4 •Cables in plenums in noncombustible buildings must be FT6

•Unless in totally enclosed noncombustible raceway

These requirements do not apply to cables used for transmissions of signals for fire alarm, security, radio and television.

BC Fire Code 2.4.1.1.(5) requires removal of abandoned cables.

3.1.9.3. 3) Single conductor metal sheathed cables with combustible jacketting that are more than 25 mm in overall diameter are permitted to penetrate a fire separation required to have a fire-resistance rating without being incorporated in the assembly at the time of testing as required by Article 3.1.9.2., provided the cables are not grouped and are spaced a minimum of 300 mm apart.

New definition for “Fire Block” and “Fire Stop” Block is to resist fire spread between concealed spaces. Fire block means a material, component or system that restricts the spread of fire within a concealed space or from a concealed space to an adjacent space.

Stop is used for filling gaps around penetrations in fire separations. Fire stop means a system consisting of a material, component and means of support used to fill gaps between fire separations or between fire separations and other assemblies, or used around items that wholly or partially penetrate a fire separation.

Fire Stops and Fire Blocks

3.1.9.1. 3) Penetrations of a fire separation in conformance with Sentence 3.6.4.2.(2) shall be sealed by a fire stop that, when subjected to the fire test method in CAN/ULC-S115, “Fire Tests of Firestop Systems,” has an FT rating not less than the fire-resistance rating for the fire separation of the assembly.

4) Sprinklers are permitted to penetrate a fire separation or a membrane forming part of an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating without having to meet the fire stop requirements of Sentences (1) to (3), provided the annular space created by the penetration of a fire sprinkler is covered by a metal escutcheon plate in accordance with NFPA 13, “Installation of Sprinkler Systems.” 5) Unless specifically designed with a fire stop, fire dampers are permitted to penetrate a fire separation or a membrane forming part of an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating without having to meet the fire stop requirements of Sentences (1) to (3), provided the fire damper is installed in conformance with NFPA 80, “Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives.”

3.3.1.5. 1) [described non-residential buildings that require two

egress doors, in case one becomes blocked.]

2) Where 2 egress doorways are required by Sentence (1), they shall be placed at a distance from one another equal to or greater than one third of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the area to be served, measured as the shortest distance that smoke would have to travel between the nearest required egress doors.

Fire Safety in the 2012 BC Building Code

• Codes Development • Exit Signs • Limiting Distance & Fire Containment • 10 Minute Response • A2/B3 Occupancies • Lateral Loads

Limiting Distance and 10 Minute Response Time

Changes to measurement of limiting distance and 10 minute response time

• Meant to clarify intent of previous Code • Always existed in Part 3 • Now included in Part 9 • Construction requirement only • Only requires information from fire departments

3.2.3.1. [2006 BCBC]

3.2.3.1. [2012 BCBC]

Changes to measurement of limiting distance and 10 minute response time

• Meant to clarify intent of previous Code • Always existed in Part 3 • Now included in Part 9 • Construction requirement only • Only requires information from fire departments

2006 BCBC

2012 BCBC

2012 BCBC

Changes to measurement of limiting distance and 10 minute response time

• Meant to clarify intent of previous Code • Always existed in Part 3 • Now included in Part 9 • Construction requirement only • Only requires information from fire departments

Changes to measurement of limiting distance and 10 minute response time

• Inform building based on actual conditions • Similar to climate tables • Provides a clarity • Delayed implementation • Exists in other jurisdictions • Regulates construction, does not halt construction

Changes to measurement of limiting distance and 10 minute response time

• Meant to clarify intent of previous Code • Always existed in Part 3 • Now included in Part 9 • Construction requirement only • Only requires information from fire departments

Where does this requirement come from?

NRC Testing Facility

NRC Fire Research

• St. Lawrence Burns • High-Intensity Residential Fires Working Group • Testing • Fire Modeling • Based on time required for fire to reach flashover

How do we determine “10 minute” response?

A-3.2.3.1.(8) Intervention Time and Limiting Distance The total time from the start of a fire until fire suppression by the fire department depends on the time taken for a series of actions. Sentence 3.2.3.1.(8) is only concerned with the time from receipt of notification of a fire by the fire department until the arrival of the first fire department vehicle at the building. It specifies a 10-min time limit which must be met in more than 90% of the calls to the building served by the fire department. This reliability level and provision for flexibility is essentially consistent with NFPA 1710, “Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments.”

Clause 4.1.2.1 of NFPA 1710 establishes “time objectives” for fire incidents as follows: 1 min (60 s) for turn-out of responders after receipt of notification of a fire, and 4 min (240 s) or less for arrival of the first arriving engine company at a fire suppression incident and/or 8 min (480 s) or less for the deployment of a full first alarm assignment at a fire suppression incident. The standard requires that the fire department establish a “performance objective” of not less than 90% for each response time objective. This reliability level is referred to in NFPA 1710 as a “performance objective.” Note: Appendix is for commentary only, and is not an enforceable part of the Building Code.

Still confused? Ask the Building and Safety Standards Branch:

“Response time” is measured from the fire department’s receipt of the emergency call until a properly manned fire truck arrives at the building. The response time should be “turn out” time plus travel time to the site of the proposed building.

The Building & Safety Standards Branch plays no role in determining fire department response times. Calculations/judgments can only be based on what the present circumstances are, or perhaps those that are known to occur in the near future.

The Code does not require the application of any NFPA standard for fire department performance objectives. NFPA 1710 is referenced in the Building Code’s appendix to provide context to the 90% reliability objective identified in the Code. We recommend actual times be used in calculation of response times and not performance objectives identified in NFPA standards. As mentioned above, response times will be unique from community to community dependent upon real life circumstances.

What happens if we do not have 10 minute response in our community?

11 Minute fire department response means:

• Greater limiting distance • Fewer windows on exposing building face • More likely to have sprinklers • Generally safer construction to mitigate the risk

Changes to measurement of limiting distance and 10 minute response time

• Meant to clarify intent of previous Code • Always existed in Part 3 • Now included in Part 9 • Construction requirement only • Only requires information from fire departments

Fire Safety in the 2012 BC Building Code

• Codes Development • Exit Signs • Limiting Distance & Fire Containment • 10 Minute Response • A2/B3 Occupancies • Lateral Loads

Fire Safety in the 2012 BC Building Code

• Codes Development • Exit Signs • Limiting Distance & Fire Containment • 10 Minute Response • A2/B3 Occupancies • Lateral Loads

Why? Where? When? What? How?

Why the new requirements?

1. clarify application of code

before: seismic was considered implicitly

Why the new requirements?

1. clarify application of code

2. reduce risks

http://www.earthquakesafety.com/_photo/earthquake-damaged-house.jpg

now explicit and detailed requirements

Where are the new requirements?

Subsection 9.23.13.

… and several in existing subsections in Section 9.23.

structural design requirements in Part 9

Part 9 Part 4

9.4.1.1.

good engineering practice

Canadian Wood Council “Engineering Guide for Wood

Frame Construction”

seismic

Part 4 good engineering practice

Part 9

9.23.13.

9.23.13.4. to 9.23.13.7. + other cross-referenced

provisions

gravity

traditional constructi

on Part 4

good engineering practice

optional

optional optional

optional optional optional

Extreme

High

Low -Moderate

Forces

Sa(0.2) = 0.7

Sa(0.2) = 1.2

q50 = 0.8

q50 = 1.2

* different limits for heavy construction

9.23.13.3.

9.23.13.2.

9.23.13.1.

*

*

*

9.23.13.4. to

9.23.13.7.

Wind

Earthquake

Victoria , Langford, Sidney, Tofino, Ucluelet Cloverdale, Langley, Ladner, White Rock Ladysmith, Duncan, Crofton, Bamfield Sooke, Youbou, Surrey, Richmond

New Westminster, Nanaimo, Port Renfrew Abbotsford, Jordan River, Haney Vancouver, Burnaby, Mission City West Vancouver, North Vancouver Sechelt, Tahsis, Parksville Qualicum Beach, Gold River

Port Alberni, Chilliwack, Alberni, Squamish

Kelowna

Agassiz, Whistler, Powell River

Sa(0.2)

Kent

q50

Courtney, Sandspit Sandspit

1.2

0.7 0.8

Sa(0.2) values can be found in Div. B Appendix C.

Wind Earthquake

What are the new requirements?

• concept

• basic requirements

• exceptions

Concept

figure from HPO Illustrated Guide for Seismic Design of Houses

New Key Components:

braced wall band

braced wall panel

Braced Wall Band an imaginary continuous straight band extending vertically and horizontally through the building or part of the building, within which braced wall panels are constructed

Braced Wall Panel a portion of a wood-frame wall where bracing, sheathing, cladding or interior finish is designed and installed to provide the required resistance to lateral loads due to wind or earthquake

figure from HPO Illustrated Guide for S i i D i f H

figure from HPO Illustrated Guide for S i i D i f H

fundamental requirement: adequate amount of properly constructed walls how to locate and size walls

how to build and fasten walls

main goal: strong stable overall frame

Basic Requirements

Braced Wall Bands shall be full storey height

be ≤ 1.2m wide

lap at both ends with another BWB

be aligned with BWBs on storeys above & below

be spaced, at maximum, 10.6 m 7.6m where 1.0 ≤ Sa(0.2) ≤ 1.2 [Vi i ]

9.23.13.4.

Max 1.2 m Max 1.2 m

Max 1.2 m

Max 10.6 m (7.6 m) Max 10.6 m (7.6 m)

figure from HPO Illustrated Guide for Seismic Design of Houses

Braced Wall Panels shall be located within BWBs

extend from top of supporting footing, slab or subfloor to underside of floor ceiling or roof framing above

conform to limits on max spacing max distance from end of BWB min length min total length

9.23.13.5.

> 750 > 600 <

2 4

00

< 6

400

< 10 600 (or 7 600)

25% 25%

25%

Minimum Total Length of Braced Wall Panels in a braced wall band

1 storey 2 storeys 3 storeys

for light construction

40%

25%

25%

75%

Compliance

cladding panel-type (plywood, hardboard, OSB)

9.27 Table 9.23.3.4.

sheathing

plywood, OSB,

waferboard, or diagonal lumber

sheathing

9.23.16. Table 9.23.13.6.

fasteners 9.23.3.5

interior finish

panel-type (gypsum board)

9.29. Table 9.23.13.6.

Materials in Braced Wall Panels

9.23.13.6.

OR

OR

Exceptions

9.23.13.5.(3)

porches &

sun rooms • ≤ 3.5m projection • 1:2 plan dimensions • no floor above • integral with main roof or fastened to wall

BWPs not required

9.23.13.5.(4) and (5)

attached garages

BWPs not required in front wall

• ≤ 7.6m between front and back • ≥ 50% of back wall is BWPs • ≥ 25% of side walls is BWPs • ≤ 1 floor above

setbacks

9.23.13.7.(1), (2), (3)

setbacks additional requirements for adjacent interior braced wall band

additional fastening in perpendicular walls

sheathed floor and roof at setback

figure from HPO Illustrated Guide for S i i i f

heavy construction

traditional constructi

on Part 4

good engineering practice

optional

optional optional

optional optional optional

Extreme

High

Low -Moderate

Forces

Sa(0.2) = 0.7

Sa(0.2) = 1.1

9.23.13.3.

9.23.13.2.

9.23.13.1.

9.23.13.4. to 9.23.13.7.

heavy construction

Victoria , Langford, Sidney, Tofino, Ucluelet Cloverdale, Langley, Ladner, White Rock Ladysmith, Duncan, Crofton, Bamfield Sooke, Youbou, Surrey, Richmond

New Westminster, Nanaimo, Port Renfrew Abbotsford, Jordan River, Haney Vancouver, Burnaby, Mission City West Vancouver, North Vancouver Sechelt, Tahsis, Parksville Qualicum Beach, Gold River

Port Alberni, Chilliwack, Alberni, Squamish

Kelowna

Agassiz, Whistler, Powell River

Sa(0.2)

Kent

q50

Courtney, Sandspit Sandspit

1.1

0.7 0.8

heavy construction

Wind Earthquake

25% 25%

25%

Minimum Total Length of Braced Wall Panels in a braced wall band

1 storey 2 storeys 3 storeys

Light Construction

Heavy Construction

40%

25%

25%

25%

75%

40%

25%

75%

impact on design