Technicon Bldg Code Review and Client Recommendations

8/2/2019 Technicon Bldg Code Review and Client Recommendations

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TECHNICONBUILDING CODE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Submitted by: Susan Reid

The objective of this review is to ensure compliance with the BC building code, while maintaining theintegrity of the current architecture. To achieve this goal, I have noted areas of concern that shouldbe addressed, and recommendations for solutions. These recommendations follow.

GENERAL NOTES:

A.1 No fire alarm will be required for the building.

A.2 Combustible wall or floor assemblies which need to be upgraded can be made code compliantby adding a mineral fibre insulation and a (at least) Type X gypsum board. Indicated firewalls mustbe non-combustible (concrete/masonry) construction.

A.3. The BC Building Code does not allow an unprotected lobby to be located in an interconnectedfloor space (between the first and second floors). The wall on the second floor, forming a vestibule,should have a fire protection rating of not less than 45 minutes. This can be provided by a wired glassassembly.

In addition:1. For the stairway to be a compliant fire exit, it must be protected by a fire-rated wall from

the first to second floor. They can be protected with a wired glass surround rated at not less than 45

minutes or2. A third protected exit can be provided from the second floor to ensure code compliance. See

the second floor plan for suggested exit.

A.4. The elevator is NOT required and may be omitted. However if it is provided, it must meet thefollowing minimum dimensions: 1134 kg and 2032mm x 1295mm interior, access door being 1067mmwide if located on the 2032 mm side, or 915mm wide if on the 1295mm side.


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FIRST FLOOR:

Recommendations for Walls and Floors

1.1 The exterior walls can be combustible (wood-frame) with a fire rating of not less than 45minutes or non-combustible (concrete/masonry) construction. Combustible wall or floor assemblieswhich need to be retro-fitted can be made code compliant by adding a mineral fibre insulation and a(at least) Type X gypsum board.

1.2 The north wall, as it is situated on the property line, is required to be a non-combustible 4hour firewall, i.e. concrete or masonry construction. In this case it is not recommended to installwindow openings of any kind, and glass block, wired or otherwise is not permitted. This wall shouldcontinue through the lobby construction on the north side. The wall must be continuous constructionfrom ground floor to six in. above the roof to form a parapet (see recommendations for second floor).Any exterior cladding must be non-combustible.

1.3 In the lobby, the stairway must be protected by a fire-rated wall from the first to second floor.

The building code requires that the wall on the second floor, forming a vestibule, have a fireprotection rating of not less than 45 minutes.

1.4 The interior walls separating the vehicle bay from the offices must be a fire separation rated atnot less than 2 hours. The wall separating the bulk storage area from the offices must be a fireseparation rated at not less than 45 minutes.

Recommendations for Exits

2.1 An exit door should be added by the overhead rolling door in the vehicle bay.

2.2 The exit leading from the leasable office to the bulk storage should be fire protected.An additional exit to the outside should be added from the bulk storage on the west face of the

building, preferably near the middle of the wall.

Recommendations for Washrooms

3.1 Provide a second wheelchairaccessible washroom in Tower Radio,and ensure that one of the washrooms inthe leasable office is wheelchairaccessible.

Other recommendations

4.1 The vehicle bay will need to add

ventilation. A relief air damper shouldbe installed on the roof, and an exhaustfan should be added in the vehicle bay.


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SECOND FLOOR:

Recommendations for Walls

1.1 The north wall, as it is on the property line, will need to have a fire rating of not less than twohours, requiring the wall to continue through the roof to form a six in. parapet. In this case, as the

lower wall is required to be rated for four hours, it is easier to make the entire construction acontinuous four hour wall, as noted in the recommendations for the first floor.

1.2 The remaining second floor walls and roof are not required to have fire ratings, or to be fireseparations.

1.3 The entire floor on the second storey should be a fire separation rated at not less than 45minutes. If retrofitting the existing structure, mineral fibre insulation can be added with a layer of Type X gypsum board.

1.4 The janitors room will need to have a one hour fire separation wall around it. See the generalnotes.

Recommendations for Exits

2.1 The exit doors should be located at either end of the public corridor. The corridor will act as afire separation upstairs, as well as providing the wheelchair refuge.

2.2 The exit stairs leading from the second floor to the first should have a fire protected surroundrated not less than 45 minutes.

Recommendations for Washrooms

3.1 Ensure that both washroomsare wheelchair accessible.

Other recommendations

4.1 The building code requiresthat the upstairs suites have access toa public corridor which acts as a fireseparation and provides access toexits. See the diagram for asuggested alteration to the floor planand relocation of the back exitstairway.


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Building Code Review

Project: Technicon Building Date: Mar. 30, 2012

Prepared by: Susan Reid

Building Area: 823 m2

Facing Streets: 1- at front, 4m lane at back

Number of Storeys: 2

Classified under: Part 3

Sprinklers: Not required see occupancy classification

Fire Alarm System: Not required 3.2.4.14

Accessible main washrooms: Not required 3.8.2.3.2b

Janitor Room fire rating: 1 Hour 3.3.1.2.1

Occupancy Occupant Load-Total: 90

Floor Occupancy Area ClassificationNo.

OccupantsNo.

Washrooms

W M

Exits

3.3.1.5Main

Suite 1

Suite 2

Suite 3

Leasable Office

Vehicle Bay

Tower Radio

-----------------------------

Bulk storage

312 m2

40 m2

327 m2

-----------------

506 m2

Group D

3.2.2.55

Group F2

3.2.2.69

Group D

3.2.2.55

-----------------

Group F2

3.2.2.69

20

2

16

----------------

12

1

1

1

1

2

T.3.3.1.5a

1

T.3.3.1.5a

2

T.3.3.1.5a

---------------

2

T.3.3.1.5a

Second

Suite 1

Suite 2

Suite 3

Technicon

Leasable Office

Leasable Office

407 m2Group D

3.2.2.55

Group D

3.2.2.55

Group D

3.2.2.55

42 1 1

2

T.3.3.1.5a

2

T.3.3.1.5a

2

T.3.3.1.5a

Notes: 1. Ensure that all washrooms are handicap accessible. See: 3.8.2.3.2. A public corridor rated at not less than 45 minutes, servicing all suites, and having exits at each end, needs tobe made available on the second floor. See: 3.3.1.3(8)(9)


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Assembly

TypeCombustible

RatingSuggested AssemblyNo.

Floor Allowed

b45 min fire separations between 1st and 2nd floor

(existing combustible construction) F.6.a/TA-9.10.3.1.B

Walls Allowed

The load bearing walls must be rated at not less than

45 min or be non-combustible.

The north wall (on property line) must be 4 hour

concrete/masonry firewall on first floor and not less

than 2 hour firewall on second floor. It must have

non-combustible cladding.

A 1.5 hour fire separation wall must be provided

around the first floor vehicle bay, as well as fire

protected exits to outside.

A fire separation rated not less than 45 min must

be provided separating the bulk storage from the

suites on the first and second floors.

W.1.b/TA-9.10.3.1.B

B.2.e/TA-9.10.3.1.A

w/ 15.9mm Type X

GWB

B.2.a/TA-9.10.3.1.A

W.1.b/TA-9.10.3.1.B

W.1.b/TA-9.10.3.1.B

Roof Allowed A fire rated roof is not required. R.1/TA-9.10.3.1.B

Lobby

If the lobby is to be used as an exit, it must be fire

protected. The wall separating the lobby from the

offices on the first and second floors must be a rated

fire separation of not less than 45 min. The lobby

stairs must be fire protected.

W.1.b/TA-9.10.3.1.B

Allowable Unprotected Openings: 100% on East, South, and West

sides of the building.

North wall is on the property line and must be a 4 hour firewall on

first floor and two hour firewall on second.Limited protected openings are allowed on this side.

Limiting calculations from Tables 3.1.1.1 and 3.2.2.2.

Main floor:

West Wall - 42 m to mid lane, face = (6.4 x 25)m = 156 m2

(ratio 4:1) = 100% unprotected openings

South Wall - 32 m to property line, face = (3.4 x 31)m =104 m2


East Wall- 30 m to mid road, face = (3.4 x 25)m = 83 m2


North Wall- on property line, face = (3.4 x 31)m =104 m2

(ratio 10:1) = 4-8% protected openings

Second floor:

West Wall - 55 m to mid lane, face = (3.4 x 25)m = 45 m2


South Wall - 32 m to property line, face = (3.4 x 19)m =64 m2 (ratio10:1) = 100% unprotected openings

East Wall- 30 m to mid road, face = (3.4 x 25)m = 83 m2 (ratio

7:1) = 100% unprotected openings

North Wall- on property line, face = (3.4 x 19)m =64 m2

(ratio 6:1) = 8% protected openings

Technicon Bldg Code Review and Client Recommendations

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