BCAB #1300 - Building Height and Roof Decks, Articles 3.2.1.1. & 3.2.2.36., 1992 B.C. Building Code

March 31, 1993

BCAB #1300

Re: Building Height and Roof Decks, Articles 3.2.1.1. & 3.2.2.36., 1992 B.C. Building Code

Project Description

The building in question is a four storey wood frame apartment building with a trussed hip roof. Some of the fourth floor suites have uncovered roof decks cut into the corners of the hip roof which are accessible via a stair within the suite.

Reason for Appeal

Article 3.2.2.36. of the 1992 B.C. Building Code permits the height of such a building to be four storeys provided it is not more than nine metres between grade and the "uppermost floor level."

Appellant's Position

The appellant does not consider the roof decks to be a "floor" as intended by the code and does not feel they have any bearing on building height.

Building Official's Position

The building official maintains that because there is no storey height exemption in Sentence 3.2.1.1.(1) for stairways serving roof decks the enclosed stairways must be considered as the fifth storey. A five storey building is not permitted to be of combustible construction.

Appeal Board Decision #1300

It is the determination of the Board that the private uncovered roof deck in this appeal is not a floor level for the purpose of the 9 m height restriction required by Clause 3.2.2.36.(1)(b). The Board does not consider the stair leading to this roof deck to be a fifth storey because it is open to the fourth floor suite and is not in a separate roof top enclosure.

George R. Humphrey, Chair