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The British Columbia Building Code | Section 1.1. | General Pt 3

Division A: Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements Part 1 – Compliance
British Columbia Building Code 2018 Revision 2.01 Division A
Section 1.1. General
1.1.1. Application of this Code
1.1.1.1. Application of this Code
1) This Code applies to any one or more of the following:
a) the design and construction of a new building,
b) the occupancy of any building,
c) a change in occupancy of any building,
d) an alteration of any building,
e) an addition to any building,
f) the demolition of any building,
g) the reconstruction of any building that has been damaged by fire, earthquake or other cause,
h) the correction of an unsafe condition in or about any building,
i) all parts of any building that are affected by a change in occupancy,
j) the work necessary to ensure safety in parts of a building
i) that remain after a demolition,
ii) that are affected by but that are not directly involved in alterations, or
iii) that are affected by but not directly involved in additions,
k) except as permitted by the British Columbia Fire Code, the installation, replacement, or alteration of
materials or equipment regulated by this Code,
l) the work necessary to ensure safety in a relocated building during and after relocation,
m) safety during construction of a building, including protection of the public,
n) the design, installation, extension, alteration, renewal or repair of plumbing systems, and
o) the alteration, rehabilitation and change of occupancy of heritage buildings.
2) This Code does not apply to the following:
a) sewage, water, electrical, telephone, rail or similar public infrastructure systems located in a street or a public
transit right of way,
b) utility towers and poles, and television, radio and other communication aerials and towers, except for loads
resulting from their being located on or attached to buildings,
c) mechanical or other equipment and appliances not specifically regulated in these regulations,
d) flood control and hydro electric dams and structures,
e) accessory buildings less than 10 m
2
in building area that do not create a hazard,
f) with the permission of the authority having jurisdiction, temporary buildings including
i) construction site offices,
ii) seasonal storage buildings,
iii) special events facilities,
iv) emergency facilities, and
v) similar structures,
g) factory built housing and components complying with CSA-Z240 MH Series standard, but this exemption
does not extend to on site preparations (siting,
foundations, mountings), connection to services and
installation of appliances, and
h) areas that are specifically exempted from provincial building regulations by provincial or federal enactments.
3) This Code applies to both site-built and factory-constructed buildings. (See NoteA-1.1.1.1.(3
).)
4) Farm buildings shall conform to the requirements in the National Farm Building Code of Canada 1995.
Part 1 – Compliance Division A: Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements
Division A Revision 2.01 British Columbia Building Code 2018
5) For heritage buildings, the Alternate Compliance Methods for Heritage Buildings in Table 1.1.1.1.(5) may be
substituted for requirements contained elsewhere in this Code. (See Note A-1.1.1.1.(5).)
Table 1.1.1.1.(5)
Alternate Compliance Methods for Heritage Buildings
Forming part of Sentence 1.1.1.1.(5)
No. Code Requirement in Division B Alternate Compliance Method
1 Fire Separations
Sentence 3.1.3.1.(1), Table 3.1.3.1., Subsection 9.10.9.
2 h fire separation required between some major
occupancies.
Except for F1 occupancies, 1 h fire separation is acceptable, provided the
building is sprinklered.
2 Fire Separations
Sentence 3.1.3.1.(1), Table 3.1.3.1., Subsection 9.10.9.
1 h fire separation required between some major
occupancies.
30 min fire separation is acceptable if the building is sprinklered.
3 Noncombustible Construction
Subsection 3.1.5., Article 9.10.6.1.
All materials used in noncombustible construction must
be noncombustible unless otherwise permitted.
1. Roofs may be of combustible construction provided the building is
sprinklered.
2. Up to 10% gross floor area to a maximum of 10% of any one floor area
may be of combustible construction provided the building is sprinklered.
4 Fire-resistance Rating
Sentence 3.1.7.1.(1), Article 9.10.3.1.
Where a material, assembly of materials or structural
member is required to have a fire-resistance rating it
shall be tested in accordance with CAN/ULC-S101,
"Fire Endurance Tests of Building Construction
Materials."
A fire-resistance rating may also be used based on:
(a) HUD No. 8 Guideline on Fire Ratings of Archaic Materials and
Assemblies.,
(b) Fire Endurance of Protected Steel Columns and Beams, DBR Technical
Paper No. 194.,
(c) Fire Endurance of Unit Masonry Walls, DBR Technical Paper No. 207.,
(d) Fire Endurance of Light-Framed and Miscellaneous Assemblies, DBR
Technical Paper No. 222.
5 Rating of Supporting Construction
Article 3.1.7.5., Article 9.10.8.3.
Supporting assemblies to have fire-resistance rating at
least equivalent to that of the supported floor.
Heavy timber construction is permitted to have a fire-resistance rating less
than would be required by the Code provided the building:
(a) is sprinklered, and
(b) does not exceed 6 storeys in building height.
6
Continuity of Fire Separations
Sentence 3.1.8.3.(1), Sentence 3.1.8.3.(2),
Article 9.10.9.2.
Fire separations are required to be continuous above
the ceiling space.
Fire separations are not required to be continuous above a ceiling space
where
(a) the ceiling space is noncombustible construction,
(b) both fire compartments are sprinklered, or
(c) the ceiling has a minimum rating of 30 minutes.
7 Wired Glass
Sentence 3.1.8.5.(1), Sentence 3.1.8.14.(2), Article
9.10.13.1., Article 9.10.13.5.
6 mm wired glass in steel frame required in
fire separations.
For fixed transoms or sidelights, 6 mm wired glass fixed to a wood frame of
at least 50 mm thickness with steel stops is permitted in a required
fire separation.
8 Mezzanines
Sentence 3.2.1.1.(4
) and Sentence 3.2.1.1.(7),
Article 9.10.4.1.
Mezzanines enclosing more than 10% above the
horizontal plane are considered as storey in
building height.
Enclosed mezzanines may be up to 40% of the storey in which they occur
and not be considered a storey in building height if the building
is sprinklered.
9 Building Height
Article 3.2.2.20. to Article 3.2.2.90.
Noncombustible construction required for
some buildings.
Buildings may be of combustible construction up to 6 storeys provided:
(a) the building is sprinklered,
(b) the building contains Group C, D, E, F, Division 2 or F, Division 3
occupancies, and
(c) floor assemblies not required to exceed 1 h fire separation requirements
may be of heavy timber construction.
Division A: Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements Part 1 – Compliance
British Columbia Building Code 2018 Revision 2.01 Division A
10 Spatial Separation
Subsection 3.2.3., Subsection 9.10.14.
The area of unprotected opening shall not exceed the
limits in Tables 3.2.3.1.A to Table 3.2.3.1.E
The area of unprotected opening is not limited provided:
(a) the limiting distance is a minimum 1 m,
(b) the building has a supervised sprinkler system in conformance with
Sentence 3.2.4.9.(3), and
(c) the sprinkler system is connected to the fire department in conformance
with Sentence 3.2.4.7.(4).
11 Construction of Exposing Building Face
Article 3.2.3.7., Article 9.10.14.5.
The exposing building face is required to have a fire-
resistance rating and/or be of noncombustible
construction.
Exposing building face is not required to have a fire-resistance rating if the
building is sprinklered. Also, the exposing building face is not required to be
of noncombustible construction if it is protected by an exterior sprinkler
system conforming to NFPA 13, “Installation of Sprinkler Systems.”
12 Roof Covering Rating
Sentence 3.1.15.2.(1)
Class A, B or C roof covering in conformance with
CAN/ULC-S107, “Fire Tests of Roof Coverings”
required.
For existing roofs not covered by a Class A, B or C roofing a manually
operated deluge system in accordance with NFPA 13, “Installation of
Sprinkler Systems” is permitted.
13 Smoke Alarms
Sentence 3.2.4.20.(7), Sentence 9.10.19.4.(1)
Smoke alarms are required to be connected to an
electric circuit.
Smoke alarms may be battery operated in single family homes only.
14 Interconnected Floor Space
Subsection 3.2.8., Sentence 9.10.1.3.(6)
1. Open stairs in buildings of maximum 4 storeys in building height need not
comply with Subsection 3.2.8., provided
(a) the building contains a Group C or D occupancy,
(b) the building is sprinklered with fast-response sprinklers,
(c) corridors opening into the interconnected floor space are separated from
the interconnected floor space by a fire separation with the rating required
for the corridor, and
(d) smoke detectors are installed in the rooms opening into the
interconnected floor space and the smoke detectors are connected to the
fire alarm system.
2. Open stairs in buildings of maximum 3 storeys in building height, or first
2 storeys and basement, need not comply with Subsection 3.2.8. of
Division B, provided:
(a) the building contains a Group C or D occupancy,
(b) the building is sprinklered with fast response sprinklers,
(c) smoke detectors are installed in the rooms opening into the
interconnected floor space and the smoke detectors are connected to the
fire alarm system, and
(d) at least one means of egress is not through the interconnected
floor space.
15 Separation of Suites
Article 3.3.1.1., Article 9.10.9.13., Article 9.10.9.14.
Suites are required to be separated from adjoining
suites by a fire separation having a fire resistance rating
of 45 min or 1 hr.
Existing fire separations of 30 min, such as wood lath and plaster in good
condition, are acceptable in sprinklered buildings not exceeding 6 storeys in
building height.
16 Corridor fire separation
Article 3.3.1.4., Article 9.10.9.15.
Public corridors are required to be separated from the
remainder of the building by a fire separation having a
fire-resistance rating of at least 45 min.
Existing corridors with 30 min fire resistance ratings, such as wood lath and
plaster in good condition, are acceptable in residential occupancies
provided the building:
(a) does not exceed 6 storeys in building height, and
(b) is fully sprinklered with fast response sprinklers.
Table 1.1.1.1.(5) (continued)
Alternate Compliance Methods for Heritage Buildings
Forming part of Sentence 1.1.1.1.(5)
No. Code Requirement in Division B Alternate Compliance Method
Part 1 – Compliance Division A: Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements
Division A Revision 2.01 British Columbia Building Code 2018
17 Corridor Width
Article 3.3.1.9., Subsection 3.4.3., Article 9.9.3.3.
Public corridors and exit corridors are permitted to have
a minimum width of 1 100 mm.
Public corridors and exit corridors are permitted with a minimum width of
800 mm provided:
(a) the occupant load of the building is maximum 20 people, and
(b) the building does not exceed 3 storeys in building height.
18 Door Swing
Article 3.3.1.10., Article 3.4.6.12., Article 9.9.6.5.
Doors required to swing in the direction of exit travel.
2nd egress door from a room is not required to swing in the direction of exit
travel provided:
(a) the building is sprinklered and the system is supervised in conformance
with Sentence 3.2.4.9.(3), and
(b) the occupant load of the building is maximum 100 people.
19 Stairs, Ramps, Handrails and Guards
Article 3.3.1.14., Article 3.3.1.16., Article 3.3.1.18.,
Articles 3.4.6.5 to 3.4.6.79., Section 9.8.
Existing conditions that do not comply fully with the requirements are
permitted if they are acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
20 Transparent Doors and Panels
Article 3.3.1.19., Article 9.6.1.4.
S
afety glass required.
Existing glass or transparent panels that do not comply fully with the
requirements are permitted if sufficiently discernible or guards are provided
in hazardous situations.
21 Dead-end Corridors
Sentence 3.3.1.9.(7), Article 9.9.7.3.
Dead-end corridors are permitted to a maximum length
of 6 m.
1. Dead-end corridors are permitted to a maximum length of 10 m in
Group C occupancies provided:
(a) the building is sprinklered with fast response sprinklers, and
(b) smoke detectors are installed in the corridor system.
2. Dead-end corridors are permitted to a maximum of 15 m in length in
Group D, E, F, Division 2 and F, Division 3 occupancies provided:
(a) the building is sprinklered with fast response sprinklers, and
(b) smoke detectors are installed in the corridor system.
22 Exits
Article 3.4.2.1., Article 9.9.8.2.
Floor areas shall be served by not fewer than 2 exits
except as permitted by Sentence 3.4.2.1.(2).
Floor areas may be served by a single exit within the limits of Sentence
3.4.2.1.(2) provided:
(a) the building does not exceed 3 storeys in building height,
(b) the building is sprinklered with fast response sprinklers, and
(c) all floor areas are protected by a system of smoke detectors connected
to a fire alarm system.
23 Reduction of Exit Width
Sentence 3.4.3.3.(2), Article 9.9.6.1.
Swinging doors in their swing shall not reduce the
effective width of exit stairs and landings to less than
750 mm.
Existing swinging doors in their swing are permitted to reduce the effective
width of exit stairs and landings to a minimum of 550 mm provided:
(a) they serve Group C or D occupancies,
(b) the building does not exceed 4 storeys in building height, and
(c) the building is sprinklered.
24 Fire Separation of Exits
Article 3.4.4.1., Subsection 9.9.4.
Exits are required to be separated from the remainder of
the floor area by a fire separation having a
fire-resistance rating of not less than required by
Subsection 3.2.2. , but not less than 45 min.
1. Buildings of 3 storeys or less may have exits that are separated by a fire
separation that does not have a fire-resistance rating provided:
(a) the building is sprinklered with fast response sprinklers, and
(b) the sprinkler system is supervised in accordance with Sentence
3.2.4.9.(3).
2. Buildings not exceeding 6 storeys in building height may have exits that
are separated by a fire separation having a fire resistance rating of not less
than 45 min provided the building is sprinklered.
25 Exits Through Lobbies
Article 3.4.4.2., Article 9.9.8.5.
Rooms adjacent to the lobby are required to be
separated by a fire separation.
Rooms adjacent to the lobby are not required to be separated by a fire
separation provided:
(a) the floor area is sprinklered with fast response sprinklers, and
(b) smoke detectors are installed in the adjacent rooms.
26 Rooms Opening into Exit
Sentence 3.4.4.4.(7), Article 9.9.5.9.
Service rooms and ancillary rooms are not permitted to
open directly into an exit.
Service rooms and ancillary rooms may open directly into an exit provided:
(a) the room is sprinklered with fast response sprinklers, and
(b) weatherstripping is installed on the door to prevent the passage of
smoke.
Table 1.1.1.1.(5) (continued)
Alternate Compliance Methods for Heritage Buildings
Forming part of Sentence 1.1.1.1.(5)
No. Code Requirement in Division B Alternate Compliance Method
Division A: Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements Part 1 – Compliance
British Columbia Building Code 2018 Revision 2.01 Division A
6) For the design and construction of alterations to exiting buildings to add a secondary suite, not including the
design and construction of new additions or new buildings, the Alternate Compliance Methods for Alterations to
Existing Buildings to Add a Secondary Suite in Table 1.1.1.1.(6) may be substituted for requirements contained
elsewhere in this Code. (See Note A-1.1.1.1.(6).)
27 Illumination of Exit Signs
Sentence 3.4.5.1.(3) and 3.4.5.1.(4), Sentence
9.9.11.3.(3
) and 9.9.11.3.(4)
Exit signs are required to be illuminated continuously
while the building is occupied.
Where exit signage may compromise historic appearances, or authenticity
of displays, exit signs may be installed to light only on an emergency
condition, such as by the fire alarm system or due to power failure.
28 Clearance from Exit Doors
Sentence 3.4.6.11.(1), Article 9.9.6.6.
Stair risers shall not be closer than 300 mm from an
exit door.
Except as permitted in Sentences 3.4.6.11.(3) or 9.9.6.6.(2), existing exit
doors shall not extend beyond the first riser.
29 Fire Escapes
Subsection 3.4.7., Sentence 9.9.2.1.(2)
Fire escapes are required to conform to
Subsection 3.4.7.
Existing fire escapes that do not completely conform to Subsection 3.4.7.
are acceptable provided:
(a) the fire escapes are acceptable and
(b) the building is sprinklered.
30 Fire Escape Construction
Article 3.4.7.2., Sentence 9.9.2.1.(2)
Existing combustible fire escapes are permitted if the building is permitted
to be of combustible construction by Part 3, Part 9 or by this Table
.
31 Protection of Fire Escapes
Article 3.4.7.4., Sentence 9.9.2.1.(2)
Openings in the exterior wall adjacent to the fire escape
are required to be protected by closures.
Existing openings in the exterior wall adjacent to the fire escape are not
required to be protected by closures provided:
(a) the building is sprinklered, and
(b) a sprinkler head is located within 1.5 m of the opening required to be
protected by Article 3.4.7.4.
32 Vertical Service Space
Article 3.6.3.1.
Vertical service spaces are required to be separated
from the adjacent floor area by a rated fire separation.
Existing vertical service spaces that do not completely conform to the rated
fire separation requirements are acceptable provided the vertical service
spaces are sprinklered.
33 Height of Rooms
Subsection 3.7.1., Section 9.5.
The height of rooms is required to comply to minimum
dimension requirements.
Existing rooms are not required to comply to the minimum dimension
requirements of Subsection 3.7.1. or Subsection 9.5.3.
34 Washroom Requirements
Subsection 3.7.2., Section 9.31.
Buildings are required to be provided with a minimum
number of washroom fixtures.
Existing facilities are not required to completely comply to the requirements
of Subsection 3.7.2. or Section 9.31. provided it is acceptable to the
authority having jurisdiction.
35 Access for Persons with Disabilities
Section 3.8. of Division B
Article 3.8.4.5. shall apply to existing buildings.
36 Seismic Anchorage of Exterior Decoration
Subsection 4.1.8.
Existing exterior decorations are not required to fully comply to the
anchorage requirements of Subsection 4.1.8. provided:
(a) adequate means of protection is provided, or
(b) there is no exposure to the public.
37 Mechanical and Plumbing
Systems
Part 6 and Part 7
Existing mechanical and plumbing systems in buildings are not required to
fully comply to the requirements of Parts 6 or Part 7 provided:
(a) it is not an unsafe condition and
(b) it is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
Table 1.1.1.1.(5) (continued)
Alternate Compliance Methods for Heritage Buildings
Forming part of Sentence 1.1.1.1.(5)
No. Code Requirement in Division B Alternate Compliance Method
Part 1 – Compliance Division A: Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements
Division A Revision 2.01 British Columbia Building Code 2018
Table 1.1.1.1.(6)
Alternate Compliance Methods for Alterations to Existing Buildings to Add a Secondary Suite
Forming part of Sentence 1.1.1.1.(6)
No. Code Requirement in Division B Alternate Compliance Method (References to Division B)
1 Ceiling Heights of Rooms or Spaces
Sentence 9.5.3.1.(1) and Table 9.5.3.1.
Ceiling height shall be not less than 2.1 m over the
minimum area required in Table 9.5.3.1.
Except as required by Sentence 9.9.3.4.(3), the minimum ceiling heights in
a secondary suite over the required area as indicated in Table 9.5.3.1. shall
be not less than 1.95 m. It shall be possible to travel from the required area
of one room to the required areas of all other rooms within the secondary
suite without reduction of the ceiling height to less than 1.95 m.
Except as required by Sentence 9.9.3.4.(3), the minimum clear height
under beams and ducting, including where located over stairs, in a
secondary suite shall be not less than 1.85 m.
2 Doorway Opening Sizes
Sentence 9.5.5.1.(1) and Table 9.5.5.1.
Doorway openings shall be designed to accommodate
swing-type and folding doors not less than 1 980 mm
high.
Except for exit doors and for doors serving public corridors and exit
corridors that serve a house with a secondary suite, doorway openings
within a secondary suite shall be designed to accommodate swing-type and
folding doors not less than 1 890 mm high.
3 Height over Stairs
Sentence 9.8.2.2.(3)
The clear height over stairs shall be not less than 1 950
mm.
Except for stairs in a public corridor or exit corridor that serve a house with
a secondary suite, the clear height over stairs that are located under
existing beams and existing ducting in a house with a secondary suite shall
be not less than 1 850 mm.
4 Openings Near Unenclosed Exterior Exit Stairs and
Ramps
Sentence 9.9.4.4.(1)
Unprotected openings in exterior walls that are within 3
m horizontally and less than 10 m below or less than 5 m
above an unenclosed exterior exit stair or ramp of a
house with a secondary suite shall be protected where
the unenclosed exterior exit stair or ramp provides the
only means of egress from a suite and is exposed to fire
from unprotected openings in the exterior walls of
another dwelling unit, ancillary space or common space.
Protection of the unprotected openings as described in Sentence
9.9.4.4.(1) is not required when all smoke alarms within a house with a
secondary suite are of photo-electric type and interconnected as described
in Clause 9.10.19.5.(2)(a).
5 Openings Near Exit Doors
Sentence 9.9.4.6.(1)
Where an exterior exit door in one fire compartment is
within 3 m horizontally of an unprotected opening in
another fire compartment and the exterior walls of these
fire compartments intersect at an exterior angle of less
than 135°, the opening shall be protected.
Protection of the unprotected openings as described in Sentence
9.9.4.6.(1) is not required when all smoke alarms within a house with a
secondary suite are of photo-electric type and interconnected as described
in Clause 9.10.19.5.(2)(a).
6 Fire-Resistance and Fire-Protection Ratings
Sentence 9.10.3.1.(3)
In a house with a secondary suite, where a minimum
fire-resistance rating of 30 min is permitted, it is
permitted to use wood-frame construction where stud
and joist spaces are filled with absorptive material,
resilient metal channel spaced 400 or 600 mm o.c. is on
one side and not less than 12.7 mm thick gypsum board
is installed on ceilings and on both sides of walls.
Adding resilient metal channel spaced 400 or 600 mm o.c. and an
additional layer of not less than 12.7 mm gypsum board to one side of an
existing finished wall assembly that has not less than 12.7 mm gypsum
board on each side or an existing finished floor-ceiling assembly that has
not less than 12.7 mm gypsum on the ceiling side is permitted to be used
where a 30 min fire-resistance rating is required.
Division A: Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements Part 1 – Compliance
British Columbia Building Code 2018 Revision 4.01 Division A
7) Code provisions indicated with a double underline relate to encapsulated mass timber construction and apply
only within the University Endowment Lands and within the jurisdiction of the following local authorities:
a) board of governors of the University of British Columbia,
b) City of North Vancouver,
c) Township of Langley,
d) City of Colwood,
e) City of Surrey,
f) City of Abbotsford,
g) City of Campbell River,
h) City of Langford,
i) City of Richmond,
j) City of Kelowna,
k) District of Mission,
l) City of Victoria,
m)
o)
p)
q)
r)
s)
t)
1.1.1.2. Application to Existing Buildings
1) Where a building is altered, rehabilitated, renovated or repaired, or there is a change in occupancy, the level of
life safety and bu
ilding performance shall not be decreased below a level that already exists. (See Note A-1.1.1.2.(1).)
7 Fire-Resistance Ratings for Walls, Columns and
Arches
Sentence 9.10.8.3.(1)
Loadbearing walls, columns and arches in the storey
immediately below a floor or roof assembly shall have a
fire-resistance rating of not less than that required for
the supported floor or roof assembly.
Except for heavy timber elements and those of masonry or concrete
construction, light frame walls, columns, arches and beams as well as
loadbearing steel elements that support floors between dwelling units in a
house with a secondary suite including their common spaces shall be
protected by not less than 12.7 mm thick gypsum board.
8 Sound Transmission
Sentence 9.11.1.1.(2)
Each dwelling unit shall be separated from every other
space in a house with a secondary suite in which noise
may be transmitted by construction having joist and stud
spaces filled with sound-absorbing material, resilient
channel on one side of the separation, and 12.7 mm
thick gypsum board on ceilings and on both sides of
walls, or by either construction providing an STC rating
of not less than 43, or by using a separating assembly
and adjoining construction providing an ASTC rating of
not less than 40.
The assemblies and adjoining constructions that separate the dwelling units
in a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces need not
comply with Clause 9.11.1.1.(2)(a) where resilient metal channel spaced
400 or 600 mm o.c. and an additional layer of not less than 12.7 mm
gypsum board is added to one side of an existing finished assembly.
Table 1.1.1.1.(6) (continued)
Alternate Compliance Methods for Alterations to Existing Buildings to Add a Secondary Suite
Forming part of Sentence 1.1.1.1.(6)
No. Code Requirement in Division B Alternate Compliance Method (References to Division B)
District of Saanich.
City of Port Moody
City of Coquitlam
District of West Vancouver
District of North Vancouver
City of Delta, and
City of Prince George.
Part 1 – Compliance Division A: Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements
Division A Revision 2.01 British Columbia Building Code 2018
1.1.2. Internal References to this Code
1.1.2.1. Book I (General) of the Code
1) This is the first of the two Books, Book I (General) and Book II (Plumbing Systems), that together form the
British Columbia Building Code.
1.1.2.2. Internal References to the Code
1) Unless a Book is specified, references to “the British Columbia Building Code,” “the Code,” “this Code” and
the like shall be read as references to the Book in which they appear.
1.1.3. Appendices, Notes and Annotations
1.1.3.1. Appendices, Notes and References to Appendices and Notes have No Legal Effect
1) The Appendices and Notes
of this Code have no legal effect, except for the Appendices and Appendix Notes
that are directly referenced in a Part of this Code, being the following:
a) the following Notes:
i) A-Table
9.23.3.5.-B, and
ii) A-9.23.13., including Table A-9.23.13.,
b) Appendix C of Division B, and
c) Appendix D of Division B.
2) References to the Appendices and Notes of this Code have no legal effect.
Part 1 – Compliance Division A: Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements
Division A Revision 2.01 British Columbia Building Code 2018
1.1.2. Internal References to this Code
1.1.2.1. Book I (General) of the Code
1) This is the first of the two Books, Book I (General) and Book II (Plumbing Systems), that together form the
British Columbia Building Code.
1.1.2.2. Internal References to the Code
1) Unless a Book is specified, references to “the British Columbia Building Code,” “the Code,” “this Code” and
the like shall be read as references to the Book in which they appear.
1.1.3. Appendices, Notes and Annotations
1.1.3.1. Appendices, Notes and References to Appendices and Notes have No Legal Effect
1) The Appendices and Notes
of this Code have no legal effect, except for the Appendices and Appendix Notes
that are directly referenced in a Part of this Code, being the following:
a) the following Notes:
i) A-Table
9.23.3.5.-B, and
ii) A-9.23.13., including Table A-9.23.13.,
b) Appendix C of Division B, and
c) Appendix D of Division B.
2) References to the Appendices and Notes of this Code have no legal effect.

In Plain Language

This part of Section 1.1 continues the Code's general provisions, covering foundational administrative matters such as how the Code's divisions (A, B, and C) relate to each other and general interpretive rules that apply before getting into any technical requirements elsewhere in the Code.

This is a plain-language overview of the British Columbia Building Code 2018 text on this page, for general understanding only and not a substitute for the Code. Always confirm current requirements against the official BC Codes text or a qualified professional before construction.