BCAB #1592 - Roof/Deck Determination, Sentence 9.26.2.1.(1)

November 7, 2003

BCAB #1592

Re: Roof/Deck Determination, Sentence  9.26.2.1.(1)

Project Description

The subject building is a two storey house. A 1.8 meter deep covered patio extends the full width of the house. This patio is covered by an extension of the building’s roof (4 in 12 slope, duroid roofing), except for a 4 meter section which is covered by a balcony serving the floor above. A sliding glass door off the second floor provides access to the balcony. The finish of the balcony floor is glass reinforced plastic (fiberglass).

Reason for Appeal

Sentence 9.26.1.1.(1) indicates roofs shall be protected with roofing, including flashing, installed to shed rain effectively and prevent water due to ice damming from entering the roof. Further, Sentence 9.26.2.1.(1) states standards to which roofing materials shall conform to. Fiberglass roofing is not included in the list of referenced materials.

Appellant’s Position

The appellant contends the balcony should not be considered a roof as it does not shelter anything below other than an open porch. The fiberglass floor covering of the balcony should be considered as a deck finish, not as roofing.

Building Official's Position

The Building Official considers the balcony area to be part of the roof structure covering the building. It is a portion of flat roof complete with a walking surface for supplementary use as a deck.

Appeal Board Decision #1592

The Board considers that the floor of the subject deck is not considered a roof. Therefore roofing material as described in Article 9.26.2.1. is not required.

George Humphrey, Chair