BCAB #1312 - Separation of Attic into Separate Compartments, Articles 3.2.3.16 & 3.1.11.7

July 14, 1993

BCAB #1312

Re: Separation of Attic into Separate Compartments, Articles 3.2.3.16 & 3.1.11.7

Project Description

The project in question is a multi-family residential building of combustible construction conforming to Article 3.2.2.34. of the 1992 B.C. Building Code. The building is not sprinklered.

Reason for Appeal

Article 3.2.3.16. requires overhanging soffits to be clad with materials having a minimum degree of fire resistance to retard fire spread into the attic space where the attic is common to more than two suites of residential occupancy.

Appellant's Position

The appellant contends that the construction used to separate the attic space into compartments common to not more than two suites can be fire stop materials conforming to Article 3.1.11.7. In this particular project the fire stops are trusses clad with gypsum board on one side with all edges supported.

Building Official's Position

The building official maintains that a fire separation with a fire resistance rating is required to separate the attic into separate spaces. He has seen gypsum board fire stopping "blown off" the trusses in a fire and considers this type of construction inadequate to create separate spaces in an attic.

Appeal Board Decision #1312

It is the determination of the Board that fire stop materials are acceptable for separating an attic or roof space into compartments common to not more than two suites in order to be exempt from the soffit protection requirements of Article 3.2.3.16.

George R. Humphrey, Chair