BCAB #1608 - Building Area, Article 1.1.3.2.

April 19, 2005

BCAB #1608

Re: Building Area, Article 1.1.3.2.

Project Description

Two prefabricated buildings, each 3.65 m X18.3 m are placed adjacent a 520 m2 industrial shop. One of the prefabricated buildings is located with its long wall parallel and 1.27 m away from the larger shop building. The second prefabricated building is located parallel to the first pre -fab building with a separation of about 150 mm between the units. The appellant is proposing to connect all three of the buildings by constructing wood frame steel siding clad walls across the separations in the same plane as the exterior walls. If necessary to be considered as one building, the appellant would also construct a roof over the spaces between the structures. The proposed single building would be classified under Article 3.2.2.71.

Reason for Appeal

Within Article 1.1.3.2., the term building area is defined as “the greatest horizontal area of a building above grade within the outside surface of exterior walls or within the outside of exterior walls and the centre line of firewalls.”

Appellant’s Position

The appellant considers connecting the three structures with walls, and a roof if required, would comply with the definition of building area and should be considered one building.

Building Official's Position

The Building Official contends the appellant’s proposal to connect the structures is an equivalency to requirements of the Code and therefore outside of the Appeal Board’s jurisdiction. Further, the Building Official does not consider the appellant’s proposal to be an acceptable equivalent and that spatial separation requirements between the three buildings is applicable.

Appeal Board Decision #1608

It is the determination of the Board this appeal falls within the mandate of the Building Code Appeal Board. Further, in the specific circumstances stated in this appeal, the connection of the three structures by bridging roofs and walls will create one single building. The building must comply with other applicable Code requirements for a single building.

George Humphrey, Chair