BCAB #1478 - Automatic Entrance Door, Clause 3.7.3.5.(4)(c),1992 BCBC

March 17, 1999

BCAB #1478

Re: Automatic Entrance Door, Clause 3.7.3.5.(4)(c),1992 BCBC

Project Description

The project in question is a sprinklered Group F Division 2 water bottling plant with associated offices. The building area is 3577 square metres and the office portion is 567 square metres.

Reason for Appeal

Clause 3.7.3.5.(4)(c) requires automatic doors to be provided at the accessible entrance to buildings of Group A, D or E major occupancy more than 500 square metres in building area.

Appellant's Position

The appellant contends that the office use is ancillary or subsidiary to the Group F Division 2 major occupancy. This approach is consistent with the definition of major occupancy. Automatic doors are not required at the accessible entrance to Group F Division 2 major occupancies.

Building Official's Position

The building official maintains that the building was designed with two major occupancies (D and F2) as evidenced by the code analysis submitted by the coordinating registered professional with the permit application. To conform with the multiple occupancy requirements of the code the building was designed to conform with the construction requirements of a Group F Division 2 building. The building area considerably exceeds the 500 square metre trigger for an automatic door but even the ground floor of the office portion exceeds 500 square metres. The building permit was issued on the basis of two major occupancies and as such Clause 3.7.3.5.(4)(c) applies.

Appeal Board Decision #1478

It is the determination of the Board that for the purposes of applying Clause 3.7.3.5.(4)(c) to this building it should be classified as a Group F Division 2 major occupancy with ancillary. Group D offices. Therefore, an automatic door is not required at the accessible entrance.

George R. Humphrey, Chair