BCAB #1633 - Corridor Width for Care Facility, Sentence 3.3.3.3.(2) Division B

June 13, 2007

BCAB #1633

Re: Corridor Width for Care Facility, Sentence 3.3.3.3.(2) Division B

Project Description
A project involves 5 two story buildings classified as Group B Division 2. These buildings will be used to accommodate and provide care for seniors.

Reason for Appeal
Sentence 3.3.3.3.(2) states that: A corridor in which it may be necessary to move a patient in a bed shall be not less than 2 400 mm wide.

Appellant’s Position
The operator of the proposed facility indicates the occupants of the building are senior citizens who have lost the ability to live alone. The occupants are ambulatory and are not bedridden, although they may require mobility assistance such as using wheelchairs or walkers. The operator contends that as they do not have residents that are confined to a bed, it is not necessary to move the occupant in a bed in an emergency.

Building Official's Position
The Building Official contends that there may be patients in the facility in which it may be necessary to move in a bed.

Appeal Board Decision #1633
The health profile of the occupants of the occupants (in care) requires that it may be necessary to move the occupants in beds. Therefore it is the determination of the Board that in accordance with Sentence 3.3.3.3.(2), the corridors in question must be not less than 2400 mm wide.

George Humphrey, Chair