BCAB #1672 - Public Corridor Separations, Article 3.3.1.4.

July 27, 2010

BCAB #1672

Re: Public Corridor Separations, Article 3.3.1.4.

Project Description
The project in question is a building of residential occupancy that contains residential suites as well as other rooms of complimentary use located adjacent to the public corridor.

Reason for Appeal
Article 3.3.1.4. requires a public corridor to be separated from the remainder of a storey by a fire separation, with some exceptions. In some cases, this article also specifies the required fire resistance rating of the fire separation.

Appellant’s Position
The appellant considers that the requirement for a fire separation between the other rooms and the public corridor is waived by Clause 3.3.1.4.(4)(a) as they are not “suites” of residential occupancy as defined by the BC Building Code, the building is sprinklered and the required 45 m travel distance from any part of the floor area is met.

Building Official's Position
The building official contends that a fire resistance rating for a fire separation is required by Sentence 3.3.1.4.(3) which waives the requirement for a fire resistance rating for a fire separation between a public corridor and the remainder of the storey unless the corridor serves a residential occupancy.

Appeal Board Decision #1672
It is the determination of the Board that the building in question meets the requirements of Sentence 3.3.1.4.(4) which overrides the requirements of Sentence 3.3.1.4.(3) and no fire separation is needed between the public corridor and the other rooms which are not residential suites.

George Humphrey, Chair