BCAB #1611 - Required Fire Alarm in Hostel Facility Sentence 9.10.17.2.(1) (2), Article 1.1.3.2. Dwelling Unit

October 20, 2005

BCAB #1611

Re: Required Fire Alarm in Hostel Facility Sentence 9.10.17.2.(1) (2), Article 1.1.3.2. Dwelling Unit

Project Description

The subject building is a hostel which has been converted from a two storey church. On the lower level, the facility includes a common games/TV room, common washroom/shower rooms, common lounge and kitchen area, and two separate dormitory rooms, with 12 and 4 beds respectively. The upper level has a common lounge area, storage and administrative office for the hostel The facility has sleeping accommodations of greater than 10 persons. The hostel incorporates two independent grade level exits serving the lower level, and two independent exits serving the upper level. The design occupant load of the upper level is 108 persons.

Reason for Appeal

Sentence 9.10.17.2.(1) requires a fire alarm in a residential occupancy where there are sleeping accommodations for more than 10 persons. Sentence 9.10.17.2..(2) exempts this requirement if each suite has direct access to an exterior exit facility leading to ground level.

Appellant’s Position

The appellant considers the hostel to be a single dwelling unit and that the exemption for a fire alarm is applicable.

Building Official's Position

The Building Official considers a fire alarm system is required as there are sleeping accommodations for more than 10 persons.

Appeal Board Decision #1611

The Board’s decision is based on the premise that the subject building falls within Part 9 of the Code, the building is classified as Group C, Residential, and the upper level floor area is a subsidiary use to the residential occupancy.

It is the determination of the Board that a fire alarm system is not required in accordance with Sentence 9.10.17.2.(2).

George Humphrey, Chair