Reports

Read about public engagement and technical reports related to various code changes.

​​Single egress stairs

In January 2024 a consultant specializing in building design, engineering, and fire and life safety prepared an options report for permitting single exit stair designs in B.C. buildings.

An expert advisory committee reviewed the draft report, considered safety issues, and provided feedback to help develop the final report.

• Single Egress Stair Building Designs: Policy and Technical Options Report (PDF, 1.2MB) - 2024

Earthquake and wind

In June 2026, seismic and structural experts led by University of British Columbia, completed research to develop a simplified procedure for determining the seismic design spectrum for tall buildings with deep foundations constructed directly on the bedrock of high impedance contrast sites that are typical in downtown Victoria, BC. Limited research was also done to examine a site that is typical of portions of downtown Vancouver, BC. 

Soil conditions affect how buildings respond to earthquakes. Designers may use Vs30 data (a measure of soil stiffness) to help classify a site and determine design requirements. 

•    Research Towards a Simplified Procedure to Determine Seismic Design Spectrum for Tall Buildings with Deep Embedment in B.C. (Vs30 - site classification) (coming soon!)
•    EGBC Practice Guidelines (coming soon!)

Historical reports

Modern building regulatory system

The provincial government consulted for many years about how to improve the building regulatory system. This work led to the introduction of the Building Act in 2015. Read the proposals for improving the system and what stakeholders had to say:

• Modern Building Regulatory System (PDF, 396KB) - 2014
• Qualification of Local Government Building Officials (PDF, 491KB) - 2014
• A Modern Building Regulatory System: Results of Stakeholder Consultations (PDF, 200KB) - 2012

Mid-rise Wood-Frame Residential Construction

BC Building Code requirements changed in 2009 to increase the maximum height for wood-frame residential construction from 4 to 6 storeys. Read some of the analysis that was done prior to making this change:

• Scoping Review: Multi-level Wood Frame Structures (PDF, 329KB) - 2008
• A historical perspective on building heights and area (PDF, 206KB) - Senez Reed Cadler, 2008
• Building Code provisions for residential buildings (PDF, 1 MB) - GHL Consultants stage 1 report, 2008
• Recommended Building Code changes (PDF, 186KB) - GHL Consultants stage 2 report, 2008
• Review of proposed Building Code change (PDF, 3.4 MB) - Senez Reed Calder, 2008
• Technical and process risk in 5 and 6 storey wood-frame buildings for residential use (PDF, 162KB) - GHL Consultants stage 3 report, 2009

Engagement reports

Building accessibility

These reports summarize public engagements about opportunities to increase accessibility in new buildings to help inform the development of proposed code changes.

• BC Building Code Accessibility Engagement Summary Report (PDF, 1.5MB) - 2021
• BC Building Code Accessibility Engagement Executive Summary (PDF, 966 KB) - 2021

Indigenous engagement 

This report summarizes the conversations that occurred in 5 sessions marking the beginning of the relationship-building process between the Building and Safety Standards Branch and Indigenous Peoples.

• Indigenous Engagement on Building Codes Summary Report (PDF, 17MB) - 2022