BCAB #1338 - Fire Rating of Dock as Floor Assembly of Building

Last updated on March 24, 2016

March 16, 1994

BCAB #1338

Re: Fire Rating of Dock as Floor Assembly of Building

Project Description

The project in question is a two storey fish processing plant constructed on a dock over a tidal inlet. The dock is composed of concrete pilings and a wood floor assembly. At high tide the area under the dock is flooded. There is no occupancy below the dock but some pipes for the fish processing plant penetrate the dock floor and run under the building.

Reason for Appeal

Table 9.10.8.A. requires floor assemblies, except over crawl spaces, to have a fire resistance rating of at least 45 minutes.

Appellant's Position

The appellant contends that the area below the dock/building floor is similar to a crawl space. The floor over this "crawl space" should not require a fire resistance rating because Table 9.10.8.A. exempts floors over crawl spaces from the need for a fire resistance rating.

Building Official's Position

The building official is not convinced that the area under the dock should be considered as a crawl space and has required the 45 minute fire resistance rating.

Appeal Board Decision #1338

It is the determination of the Board that the open space below this building most closely resembles the characteristics of a crawl space. Therefore, the Board does not consider the floor above this space to need a fire resistance rating unless the space were in some way used for storage purposes.

George R. Humphrey, Chair