BCAB #1698 - Storage Lockers for Bicycle Gear in a Storage Garage, Sentence 3.3.5.6.(1)

August 18, 2011

BCAB #1698

Re: Storage Lockers for Bicycle Gear in a Storage Garage, Sentence 3.3.5.6.(1)

Project Description

The project in question consists of a bicycle storage enclosure in a storage garage building. The bicycle storage area is fenced off from the remainder of the garage and it is proposed to provide small individual lockers for cycling outerwear such as helmets and rain suits.

Reason for Appeal

Sentence 3.3.5.6.(1) states a storage garage shall be separated from other occupancies by a fire separation with a fire resistance rating of 1.5 h.

Appellant's Position

The appellant contends that the storage garage major occupancy can, by definition, include subsidiary occupancies which are an integral part of the principle occupancy. The bicycle storage is part of the storage garage principle occupancy and the lockers are directly subsidiary and integral to the bicycle storage.

Building Official's Position

The building official maintains that the recycled plastic from which the lockers are made is not in keeping with the fire limit for a low hazard industrial occupancy such as a storage garage. Furthermore, neither Sentence 3.3.5.6.(1) nor the definition of “occupancy” contain the term subsidiary occupancy.

 

Appeal Board Decision #1698

It is the determination of the Board that bicycle storage is a permitted use in a storage garage and the lockers are permitted as integral to the principle use of building. The building is a Group F Division 3 storage garage major occupancy and integral and subsidiary uses, such as the lockers in question, are included in the definition of major occupancy. The combustible lockers are a minor component of the combustible content of the building and are permitted as cabinets or millwork.

George Humphrey, Chair