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H I G H L I G H T S O F T H E A L B E R TA
BUILDING CODE 2014
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ALBERTA BUILDING CODE 2014
INTRODUCTION
Order of presentations
Geoff Brownlie, Senior Building Inspector (Safety Codes Application)
Introduction and code background (Harmonization)
Stephanie Martin, SCO Building (Safety Codes Application)
Six Storey Combustible Buildings
Joe Healy, SCO Building (Safety Codes Application)
Radon Gas/Smoke Alarms/Exit signs
John Wilson, SCO - Building (Safety Codes Application)
Strata Space, NFPA 1142 and Hazardous Materials
Nabil Habashy, SCO Building (Safety Codes Application)
B occupancies Detention, Care and Treatment
Kevan Jess, Flood Recover Manager(Safety Codes Application)
B occupancies Detention, Care and Treatment Update on upcoming Guidelines (No Slides)
Linnie Tse, Barrier Free Administrator
New Barrier-free design requirements
HISTORY OF BUILDING CODE IN ALBERTA
PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE
Evolution of the code development system
Past - First edition of the NBC in 1941 , revised in 1953 and has subsequently
published new versions about every five years. The current NBC 2010 is the 13th
edition.
- First edition of the ABC in 1974 revised in 1977 and has subsequently published
new versions about every five years. The current ABC 2014 is the 9th edition.
- First edition of the National Fire Code Fire Code in 1963
- The Associate Committees on the National Building and Fire Code, were replace
in 1991 replaced by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes
(CCBFC)
HISTORY OF BUILDING CODE IN ALBERTA
The Present Changes to the Safety Codes Act
The legislation brings about a n umber of key changes including::
**Timely adoption of codes and standards,
Administration of the Safety Codes Act,
Administrative penalties, and
Municipal bylaw making authority
**The Alberta Permit regulation amended March 31, 2015 and brought the
2014 ABC into force for May 1st 2015.
2014 ALBERTA BUILDING CODE
NATIONAL CODE CHANGE PROCESS
HISTORY OF BUILDING CODE IN ALBERTA
The Present Transition Periods are our friends
GETTING UP TO SPEED ON THE NEW
CHANGES
HISTORY OF BUILDING CODE IN ALBERTA
The FutureTarget -------------------
Example:
DARK LINE INDICATORS IN THE ABC 2014
A heavy vertical line in the margin indicates an addition or amendment to
The National Building Code 2010 at the time it was adopted in Alberta as
the Alberta Building Code 2014.
Actually it is
Example:
SIX STOREY COMBUSTIBLE BUILDINGS
The 2014 Alberta Building Code has introduced new building
classifications which permit the use of combustible construction in
buildings up to 6 storeys, for both a Group C and a Group D occupancy.
Exceptions:
Roofs greater than 25m from the first storey
floor to the highest point roof assembly
shall be constructed of non-combustible
construction or fire retardant treated wood.
Exception:
Article 3.1.7.5. Where the roof assembly is required to be of non-combustible
construction under 3.2.2.50 (2)(c) or 3.2.2.58.(2)(c), the roof is not required to be
supported by non-combustible construction.
PROHIBITED OCCUPANCIES
Article 3.1.3.2. Prohibition of Occupancy Combinations
3) A building conforming to Article 3.2.2.50. shall not
contain
A Group A, Division 1 or 3, Group B, or Group F, Division
2 or 3 major occupancy, or
A Group A, Division 2 or Group E major occupancy above
the second storey.
Table 3.2.3.7.
Minimum Construction Requirements for Exposing Building Faces
Notes to Table 3.2.3.7.:
(1) The cladding on Group C buildings conforming to Article 3.2.2.50. and on Group D
buildings conforming to Article 3.2.2.58. shall be noncombustible.
STREET ACCESS
Article 3.2.2.10. Streets
(3) A building conforming to Article 3.2.2.50. or 3.2.2.58. is considered to face 1
street where not less than 25% of the building perimeter is located within 15 m of a
street.
EMERGENCY POWER
Emergency Power
3.2.7.4. Emergency Power for Lighting
1) An emergency power supply shall be
a) provided to maintain the emergency lighting required by this
Subsection from a power source such as batteries or generators
that will continue to supply power in the event that the regular
power supply to the building is interrupted, and
b) so designed and installed that upon failure of the regular
power it will assume the electrical load automatically for a
period of
iii) 1 h for a building constructed in accordance with Article
3.2.2.50. or 3.2.2.58., and
CONCEALED SPACES
3.1.11.5. Fire Blocks in Horizontal Concealed Spaces
3) Except as provided in Sentence (4), in buildings conforming to Article 3.2.2.50. or 3.2.2.58., horizontal
concealed spaces within a floor assembly or roof assembly of combustible construction shall be
separated by construction conforming to Article 3.1.11.7. into compartments that are not more than
a) 600 m2 in area, with no dimension more than 60 m, if the exposed construction materials within the
space have a flame-spread rating not more than 25, and
b) 300 m2 in area, with no dimension more than 20 m, if the exposed construction materials within the
space have a flame-spread rating more than 25. (See Appendix A.)
4) Fire blocks conforming to Sentence (3) are not required where the horizontal concealed space within
the floor or roof assembly is entirely filled with noncombustible insulation such that any air gap between
the top of the insulation and the floor or roof deck does not exceed 50 mm.
5.6.3.2. Smoking Restrictions (designated areas with clearances to storage and the
building)
5.6.3.3. Site Security (locked fencing and barricades)
5.6.3.4. Site Identification (interior and exterior, and addressing)
5.6.3.5. Construction Access (one stairway with handrail, and proper widths and guards)
5.6.3.6. Disposal of Combustible Refuse (non-combustible and clearances to exits)
5.6.3.7. Water Supply (adequate water once combustible materials are delivered)
5.6.3.8. Hydrant Access (marked, accessible and unobstructed)
Smoke Alarms
9.10.19. Smoke Alarms 3.2.4.21.
*Smoke Alarm shall be installed in each bedroom.
*Location between sleeping rooms and reminder of the
storey. e.g.Hallway
*No 5 meters maximum
*Referencing CAN/ULC-S553-02 and CAN/ULC-S531-02
*In addition to permanent connection with power supply,
battery Backup is required for 7 days normal operation
followed By 4 minutes of alarm.
*Hush button is required.
Smoke Alarms (3.2.4.21.) (9.10.19)
*Smoke Alarm Signal: 3-pulse phase followed by an off phase
*If single stroke bells are used: the bell struck three
times at a rate of one stroke per second followed by an
interval of 2 s of silence.
Part 9 Buildings
Subsection 9.13.4 Soil Gas Control
9.13.4.2(2)(3) --Soil Gas Ingress--
9.13.4.3(2)(c)iii & 9.13.4.3(3)(b)iii Subfloor Depressurization system--
9.32.3.8(8) -- protection against depressurization--
Radon
Radon
9.13.4.3. Providing for the Rough-in for a Subfloor
Depressurization System
Boundaries
Planning, permitting and design process shall be completed before the actual
construction starts.
Planning shall be coordinated among public and private entities that could be
impacted by the installation of a dry hydrant.
NFPA 1142 DRY HYDRANT DESIGN AND LOCATION
AHJ to approve all aspects of dry hydrant design and construction
Schedule 40 piping and component fittings
Design minimum flow of 1000gpm (3800 l/min) at draft
Must be available year round
Design of system must not impede drafting capabilities.
Designed to prevent deterioration
Minimum bends or elbows
Compatible with Fire Department Hard Suction Hose Size
Conforms to NFPA 1963 Standard for Fire Hose Connections
Piping system support and stabilization - approved engineering design practices
Stabilization or equivalent protection shall be employed at elbows/stress points
TYPICAL DRY HYDRANT INSTALLATION
6 Storeys 3.2.2.50)
Care Occupancy
1.3.3.2. Application of Parts 3, 4, 5 and 6
1) Parts 3, 4, 5, and 6 of Division B apply to all buildings
described in Article 1.1.1.1. and b) used for major
occupancies classified as
ii) Group B, care, treatment or detention occupancies,
3
Care Occupancy
2.4.2. Professional Involvement
2.4.2.1. General
3) Except as required in Sentence (9), registered architectural
professional and registered engineering professional seals and
stamps are not required on plans or specifications for a building
a) 3 storeys or less in building height, for an assembly, care,
treatment or detention occupancy that,
i) if 1 storey in building height, has a building area of 300 m2 or less,
ii) if 2 storeys in building height, has a building area of 150 m2 or less,
or
iii) if 3 storeys in building height, has a building area of 100 m2 or less,
Care Occupancy
3.3.3.2. Separations between Care, Treatment or
Detention Occupancies and Repair Garages
1) The fire separation required by Sentence 3.3.5.5.(1) between a
care, treatment or detention occupancy and a repair garage
shall have no openings.
Combustible Elements
3.1.5.13. Combustible Elements in Partitions (in non-combustible
construction)
Solid Lumber and wood framing partition are not permitted in Care
occupancy in a building of non-combustible construction.
Smoke Detectors
3.2.4.12. Smoke Detectors
2) Smoke detectors need not be installed in sleeping rooms and in
corridors serving the sleeping rooms within a suite of care
occupancy where smoke alarms are installed in accordance with
Article 3.2.4.21.
Care Occupancy
3.3.3.5(15) Fire Separation
3.3.3.5. Compartments and Fire Separations
15) Walls between individual suites of care occupancy and the remainder of
the floor area in buildings of care occupancy shall be constructed as fire
separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than that specified for
residential occupancies in Sentences 3.3.4.2.(1) and (2).
3.3.4.2. Fire Separations
1) suites of residential occupancy .by a fire separation having a fire-
resistance rating not less than 1 h.
2) . Is permitted to be less than 1 h but not less than 45 min provided .
Subsection 3.2.2. is permitted to be less than 1 h for
a) the floor assembly above the floor area, or
b) the floor assembly below the floor area, if there is no floor assembly
above.
Care Occupancy
3.3.3.3 Corridors
3) Corridors shall be not less than
a) 2 400 mm wide in buildings of treatment occupancy where the corridors may
be used to move patients or residents in beds,
b) 1 650 mm wide
i) in buildings of care or treatment occupancy where the corridors
will not be used to move patients or residents in beds, and
ii) in buildings of care occupancy with more than 10 residents and where
the corridors serve the residents, or
c) 1 100 mm wide in buildings of care occupancy with not more than 10 residents.
Summary:
Treatment where patients moved:2400 mm
Treatments where patients dont move :1650 mm
Care more than 10 residents :1650 mm
Care equals or less than 10 residents: 1100 mm
Care Occupancy
3.3.3.3 Corridors
1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), a corridor used by the public
or serving patients or residents sleeping rooms shall have no
dead-end portion.
2) Corridors are permitted to have dead-portions, where
a) the area served by the dead-end portion has a second and
separate means of egress, or
b) the corridor serves a suite of care occupancy and the dead-end
portion does not exceed 3 m.
Note:
IN NBC 2010 Dead-end corridors are
still limited to 6 meters , Alberta is still
Asking for a maximum of 3 meters.
Care Occupancy
3.4.3.2 Stairs Width
Summary:
More than 10 residents
Not more than 2 storeys above lowest exit level: 1100 mm
Serves more than 2 storeys above lowest exit level: 1650 mm
B3 Occupancy
Clear width of 850 mm
Width based on the concept of one person
providing assistance to another during
evacuation.
Care Occupancy
3.2.5.12 Sprinklers
NFPA 13 Most Group B-3 Occupancies
1. More than 10 occupants
2. Greater than 3 storeys
Care Occupancy
3.2.5.12 Sprinklers
NFPA 13R
1. Not more than 10 occupants
2. Not more than 3 storeys
or
NFPA 13D
1. Contains not more than 2 suites
2. Not more than 5 residents throughout, and
3. 30 minutes water supply demand can be met.
Care Occupancy
Table 3.8.2.2.
Designated Parking Spaces
Forming Part of Sentence 3.8.2.2.(2)
3.8.4.1. Application
4)Windowsills shall be located not more than 865 mm above the floor
level and be equipped with opening devices located not more than 60
mm above the windowsill and of a design that does not require tight
grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist as the only means of
operation.
3.8.4.2. GENERAL ACCESSIBILITY CONTD
5) Controls for the operation of building services or safety devices,
including electrical switches, electrical panels, thermostats and
intercom switches, shall be mounted between 400 mm and 1 200 mm
above the finished floor.
7) Every doorway into rooms within the dwelling unit shall have a clear
width not less than 850 mm when the door is in the open position.
10) Door and window frames and base boards shall be contrasting in
colour to doors, walls and floors.
3.8.4.3. BATHROOMS
1) An adaptable dwelling unit shall be provided with a bathroom
containing either a barrier-free shower or bathtub, in accordance with
the following:
a) where there is an even number of adaptable dwelling units required,
50% of the dwelling units shall have a bathroom containing a barrier-
free shower, and the remaining 50% shall have a bathroom
containing a barrier-free bathtub, and
Phone: 1-866-421-6929
Email: safety.services@gov.ab.ca