BCAB #1616 - Landings for Exterior Stairs, Sentence 3.4.6.3.(5), Sentence 9.8.4.2.(4)

January 18, 2006

BCAB #1616

Re: Landings for Exterior Stairs, Sentence 3.4.6.3.(5), Sentence 9.8.4.2.(4)

Project Description

The project is a number of houses that front onto a private roadway. The houses are from 117m2 to 235m2 and are two storeys in building height. The front entrance of each house incorporates an exterior stairway with a landing at the top of the stairway with up to 4 risers. At the bottom of some of the stairways is a landing with a depth dimension less than the width of the stairway and less than 1100mm. The landing terminates at a mountable curb for the private roadway.

Reason for Appeal

Sentence 3.4.6.3.(5) states a landing shall be provided at the top and bottom of every flight of stairs. The landing is required to be as deep as the width of the stair but need not exceed 1100 mm. Sentence 9.8.4.2.(4) states a landing shall be provided at the top of all exterior stairs.

Under this local government’s regulatory process, (i.e. Certified Professional Program) building designs must be reviewed under Part 3.

Appellant’s Position

The appellant contends that Part 9 regulates stairs that serve one dwelling unit.

Building Official's Position

The Building Official considers that Part 3 is applicable as the project’s building permit was issued under Article 3.2.2.47 of the Building Code using a Certified Professional Program.

Appeal Board Decision #1616

The jurisdiction of the Board does not include ruling on local government regulatory bylaws, including agreements under a Certified Professional Program. The Board must consider this Appeal under Part 9. It is the determination of the Board that Sentence 9.8.4.2.(4) is applicable to the subject building, therefore a landing is not required at the bottom of the stairs.

George Humphrey, Chair