BCAB #1366 - Roof Construction for Group A Division 4 Building, Article 3.2.2.28.

Last updated on March 24, 2016

October 19, 1994

BCAB #1366

Re: Roof Construction for Group A Division 4 Building, Article 3.2.2.28.

Project Description

The project in question is a golf driving range structure with a limiting distance exceeding 6 m and an occupant load of less than 1500. The roof structure is of combustible wood frame construction.

Reason for Appeal

Sentence 3.2.2.28.(2) requires the building to be of noncombustible construction except that Clause (a) permits the roof to be of heavy timber and Clause (b) permits the building to be of combustible construction if it has a limiting distance greater than 6 m and an occupant load of less than 1500.

Appellant's Position

The appellant contends that Clause 3.2.2.28.(2)(b) is independent of Clause 3.2.2.28.(2)(a) and permits the entire building to be of combustible construction because it has a limiting distance greater than 6 m and an occupant load less than 1500. The designer has chosen noncombustible materials for most of the building and has used combustible wood framing only for the roof assembly.

Building Official's Position

The building official maintains that although Clause (b) allows the building to be of combustible construction it is tied to Clause (a) by the word and which means the building must also have the heavy timber roof required by Clause (a).

Appeal Board Decision #1366

It is the determination of the Board that Clauses 3.2.2.28.(2)(a) and (b) are independent of one another. Sentence 3.2.2.28.(2) requires the building to be noncombustible except Clause (a) permits a heavy timber roof assembly. Clause (b) allows the entire building to be combustible if the limiting distance exceeds 6 m and the occupant load is less than 1500. A heavy timber roof assembly is not required if the building is permitted to be combustible.

George R. Humphrey, Chair