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The British Columbia Building Code | Section 3.6. | Service Facilities Pt 2

Division B: Acceptable Solutions Part 3 – Fire Protection, Occupant Safety and Accessibility
British Columbia Building Code 2018 Revision 2.01 Division B
Section 3.6. Service Facilities
3.6.1. General
3.6.1.1. Scope
1) The provisions of this Section apply to horizontal service spaces, vertical service spaces, attic or roof spaces, ducts,
crawl spaces, shaft spaces, service rooms, and mechanical penthouses, and facilities contained therein.
3.6.1.2. Electrical Wiring and Equipment
1) The installation of electrical wiring and electrical equipment shall conform to the requirements of the
Electrical Safety Regulation.
3.6.1.3. Lightning Protection Systems
1) A lightning protection system, when provided, shall conform to the requirements of CAN/CSA-B72-M,
“Installation Code for Lightning Protection Systems.”
3.6.1.4. Storage Use Prohibition
1) Service spaces shall not be designed to facilitate subsequent use as storage space.
3.6.1.5. Appliances Installed outside a Building
1) A fuel-fired appliance installed on the roof of a building or in another location outside the building shall be
installed not less than
a) 1.2m from a property line, measured horizontally, and
b) 3m from an adjacent wall of the same building if that wall contains any opening within 3 storeys above and
5m horizontally from the appliance, unless every opening within these limits is protected by
i) a closure having a fire-protection rating not less than 45min determined in accordance with
Article3.1.8.4., or
ii) a wired glass assembly permitted for use in a vertical fire separation and described in D-2.3.15. in
Appendix D.
3.6.2. Service Rooms
3.6.2.1. Fire Separations around Service Rooms
1) Except as permitted by Sentences(2),(8),(9) and(10), fuel-fired appliances shall be installed in service rooms
separated from the remainder of the building by fire separations having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1h.
2) Except as required by Sentence(3), a fuel-fired appliance that serves only one room or suite is not required to
be installed in a service room separated from the remainder of the building.
3) A solid-fuel-burning appliance shall not be located in a repair garage, a storage garage, or any other location
where it could be exposed to flammable vapours or gases, unless
a) it is enclosed in a service room that is separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a
fire-resistance rating not less than 1h,
b) it is supplied with combustion air directly from outside the building, and
c) the heat that it generates is supplied indirectly to the space served by means of ducts or piping.
4) A service room containing an incinerator shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire
separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h.
5) Equipment that uses a liquid having a flash point below 93.3°C shall be installed in a service room separated
from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1h.
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6) Electrical equipment that is required to be located in a service room according to the Electrical Safety
Regulation shall be installed in a service room separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having
a fire-resistance rating not less than 1h.
7) Except as permitted by Sentence(8), in a storey that is not sprinklered throughout, a service room that contains
service equipment other than that addressed by Sentences(1) to(6) shall be separated from the remainder of the
building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1h.
8) Where a service room contains a limited quantity of service equipment, and the service equipment neither
constitutes a fire hazard nor is essential to the operation of fire safety systems in the building, the requirements for a
fire separation shall not apply.
9) A fire separation is not required between a fireplace and the space it serves.
10) A fire separation is not required between a roof-top appliance and the building it serves.
3.6.2.2. Service Rooms under Exits
1) A service room containing service equipment subject to possible explosion, such as boilers operating in excess
of 100kPa (gauge) and some types of refrigerating machinery and transformers, shall not be located directly under a
required exit.
3.6.2.3. Service Equipment
1) A service room containing space heating, space cooling and service water heating appliances is permitted to
contain other service equipment such as electrical service equipment.
3.6.2.4. Incinerator Rooms
1) A service room containing an incinerator shall not contain other fuel-fired appliances.
3.6.2.5. Combustible Refuse Storage
1) Except as required by Sentence3.6.3.3.(9), a room for the storage of combustible refuse shall be
a) separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1h,
and
b) sprinklered.
(SeeNoteA-3.6.2.5.(1).)
3.6.2.6. Door Swing for Service Rooms
1) A swing-type door from a service room containing a boiler or incinerator shall swing outward from the room,
except that the door shall swing inward if the door opens onto a corridor or any room used for an assembly occupancy.
(Seealso Sentence3.4.4.4.(7).)
3.6.2.7. Electrical Equipment Vaults
1) An electrical equipment vault required by the Electrical Safety Regulation shall conform to Sentences(2)
to(8).
2) An electrical equipment vault referred to in Sentence(1) shall be separated from the remainder of the building
by a fire separation of solid masonry or concrete construction having a fire-resistance rating not less than
a) 3h if the vault is not protected by an automatic fire extinguishing system, or
b) 2h if the vault is protected by an automatic fire extinguishing system.
3) If a building is sprinklered throughout, an electrical equipment vault referred to in Sentence(1) need not be
sprinklered provided
a) the vault is designed for no purpose other than to contain the electrical equipment, and
b) the vault contains a smoke detector which will actuate the building fire alarm system in the event of a fire in
the vault.
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4) Only pipes or ducts necessary for fire protection or the proper operation of the electrical installation shall
penetrate the fire separation referred to in Sentence(2).
5) Explosion-relief devices and vents or other protective measures conforming to Sentence3.3.1.20.(3) shall be
provided for an electrical equipment vault referred to in Sentence(1) that contains dielectric-liquid-filled electrical
equipment. (SeeNoteA-3.6.2.7.(5).)
6) An electrical equipment vault referred to in Sentence(1) shall be provided with a ventilation system designed
in conformance with Part6 to prevent the ambient temperature in the vault from exceeding 40°C.
7) The ventilation system required by Sentence(6) shall be separate from the system for the remainder of the
building and shall be designed so that it is automatically shut off in the event of a fire in the vault.
8) The floor of an electrical equipment vault referred to in Sentence(1) shall be liquid tight and surrounded by
liquid tight walls and sills of sufficient height to confine within the vault all of the liquid from the largest item of
electrical equipment, but to a height of not less than 100mm.
9) Electrical equipment vaults shall be secured against unauthorized entry.
3.6.2.8. Emergency Power Installations
1) Where a generator intended to supply emergency power for lighting, fire safety and life safety systems is
located in a building, except where such building is used solely for the purpose of housing the generator and its
ancillary equipment, it shall be located in a room that
a) is separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than
2h, and
b) contains only the generating set and equipment related to the emergency power supply system.
3.6.3. Vertical Service Spaces and Service Facilities
3.6.3.1. Fire Separations for Vertical Service Spaces
1) Except as provided in Articles3.6.3.3. and3.6.3.5. and Section3.5., a vertical service space shall be separated
from all other portions of each adjacent storey by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating conforming to
Table3.6.3.1. for the fire-resistance rating required by Subsection3.2.2. for
a) the floor assembly above the storey, or
b) the floor assembly below the storey, if there is no floor assembly above.
(SeeNoteA-3.6.3.1.(1).)
2) A vertical service space that does not extend through the roof of a building shall be enclosed at the top with
construction having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the vertical service space walls.
3) A vertical service space that does not extend to the bottom of a building shall be enclosed at the lowest level
with construction having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the vertical service space walls.
4) A vent from a vertical service space not extending to the roof shall be enclosed within the building with
construction having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the vertical service space walls.
Table 3.6.3.1.
Fire Separations for Vertical Service Spaces
Forming Part of Sentence 3.6.3.1.(1)
Fire-Resistance Rating of Fire Separation Required for Floor Assembly Minimum Fire-Resistance Rating of Vertical Service Space
less than 45 min –
45 min 45 min
1 h 45 min
1.5 h 1 h
2 h or more 1 h
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5) Only openings that are necessary for the use of the vertical service space shall be permitted through a vertical
service space enclosure.
3.6.3.2. Foamed Plastic Protection
1) Foamed plastic insulation in a vertical service space shall be protected in conformance with Article3.1.5.14.
3.6.3.3. Linen and Refuse Chutes
1) A linen chute or refuse chute shall
a) be impervious to moisture,
b) have a smooth internal surface,
c) be corrosion-resistant,
d) be constructed of noncombustible material, and
e) be located in a shaft in which there are no services other than noncombustible drain, waste and vent piping or
noncombustible water piping.
2) A shaft containing a linen chute or refuse chute shall have a fire-resistance rating conforming to
Sentence3.6.3.1.(1), but not less than
a) 1h if the chute outlet for the discharge room is protected by an automatic, self-latching closure held open by
a fusible link, or
b) 2h if no closure is provided at the chute outlet into the discharge room.
3) An interior linen chute or refuse chute shall extend not less than 1m above the roof and shall be vented above
the roof with a vent which
a) has an unobstructed area not less than the cross-sectional area of the chute, and
b) is equipped with a cover that will open automatically, or that can be opened manually, in the event of a fire in
the chute.
4) Intake openings for a linen chute or a refuse chute shall
a) have an area not more than 60% of the cross-sectional area of the chute, and
b) be fitted with closures designed to close automatically and latch after use.
5) Intake openings for a linen chute or a refuse chute shall be located in rooms or compartments that
a) have no dimension less than 750mm,
b) are separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than
45min,
c) are designed for no other purpose, and
d) do not open directly into an exit.
6) Sprinklers shall be installed at the top of each linen chute or refuse chute, at alternate floor levels and in the
room or bin into which the chute discharges.
7) The room into which a linen chute discharges shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire
separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1h.
8) A refuse chute shall be equipped at the top with spray equipment for washing-down purposes.
9) A refuse chute shall discharge only into a room or bin separated from the remainder of the building by a fire
separation with a fire-resistance rating
not less than 2h.
10) The room or bin into which a refuse chute discharges shall be of sufficient size to contain the refuse between
normal intervals of emptying, be impervious to moisture and be equipped with a water connection and floor drain for
washing-down purposes.
11) A room into which a refuse chute discharges shall contain no service equipment that is not related to refuse
handling and disposal.
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3.6.3.4. Exhaust Duct Negative Pressure
1) If a vertical service space contains an exhaust duct that serves more than one fire compartment,
a) the duct shall have a fan located at or near the exhaust outlet to ensure that the duct is under negative
pressure, and
b) the individual fire compartments shall not have individual fans that exhaust directly into the duct in the
vertical service space.
3.6.3.5. Grease Duct Enclosures
(SeeNoteA-3.6.3.5.)
1) Except as provided in Sentence(2), fire separations enclosing grease ducts for commercial cooking operations
shall conform to NFPA96, “Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations.”
2) The fire-resistance rating of field-applied and factory-built grease duct enclosure assemblies shall be
determined in conformance with CAN/ULC-S144, “Fire Resistance Test – Grease Duct Assemblies.”
3.6.4. Horizontal Service Spaces and Service Facilities
3.6.4.1. Scope
1) This Subsection applies to horizontal service spaces and service facilities, including ceiling spaces, duct spaces,
crawl spaces and attic or roof spaces.
3.6.4.2. Fire Separations for Horizontal Service Spaces
1) Except as provided in Article3.6.3.5., a horizontal service space that penetrates a required vertical fire
separation shall be separated from the remainder of the building it serves in conformance with Sentence(2).
2) If a horizontal service space or other concealed space is located above a required vertical fire separation other
than a vertical shaft, this space need not be divided at the fire separation as required by Article3.1.8.3. provided the
construction between this space and the space below is a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating equivalent to that
required for the vertical fire separation, except that the fire-resistance rating is permitted to be not less than 30min if
the vertical fire separation is not required to have a fire-resistance rating more than 45min. (SeeNoteA-3.6.4.2.(2).)
3.6.4.3. Plenum Requirements
1) A concealed space used as a plenum within a floor assembly or within a roof assembly need not conform to
Sentence3.1.5.18.(1) and Article3.6.5.1., provided
a) all materials within the concealed space have a flame-spread rating not more than25 and a smoke developed
classification not more than50, except for
i) tubing for pneumatic controls,
ii) optical fibre cables and electrical wires and cables with combustible insulation, jackets or sheathes that are
used for the transmission of voice, sound or data and conform to Sentences3.1.4.3.(2) and3.1.5.21.(2),
iii) totally enclosed non-metallic raceways with an FT6 rating, when tested in accordance with
Clause3.1.5.23.(1)(a), in buildings required to be of noncombustible construction or in
buildings or parts
of buildings permitted to be of encapsulated mass timber construction, and
iv) totally enclosed non-metallic raceways with an FT4 rating, when tested in accordance with
Clause3.1.5.23.(1)(a), in buildings permitted to be of combustible construction, and
b) the supports for the ceiling membrane are of noncombustible material having a melting point not below
760°C.
2) If a concealed space referred to in Sentence(1) is used as a return-air plenum and incorporates a ceiling
membrane that forms part of the required fire-resistance rating of the assembly, every opening through the membrane
shall be protected by a fire stop flap that
a) stops the flow of air into the concealed space in the event of a fire,
b) is supported in a manner that will maintain the integrity of the ceiling membrane for the duration of time
required to provide the required fire-resistance rating,
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c) conforms to CAN/ULC-S112.2, “Fire Test of Ceiling Firestop Flap Assemblies,” and
d) activates at a temperature approximately 30°C above the normal maximum temperature that occurs in the
return-air plenum, whether the air duct system is operating or shut down.
3.6.4.4. Attic or Roof Space Access
1) An attic or roof space more than 600mm high shall be provided with access from the floor immediately below
by a hatchway not less than 550mm by 900mm or by a stairway.
3.6.4.5. Horizontal Service Space Access
1) A horizontal service space, consisting of ceiling and duct spaces, which is more than 1 200mm high and
600mm wide shall have inspection doors not less than 300mm in both horizontal and vertical dimensions placed so
that the entire interior of the duct or space can be viewed.
3.6.4.6. Crawl Space Access
1) A crawl space shall have at least one access opening not less than 550mm by 900mm.
3.6.5. Air Duct and Plenum Systems
3.6.5.1. Duct Materials
1) Except as permitted by Sentences(2) to(5) and Article3.6.4.3., all ducts, duct connectors, associated fittings
and plenums used in air duct systems shall be constructed of steel, aluminum alloy, copper, clay, asbestos-cement or
other noncombustible material.
2) Except as permitted by Sentence(3), ducts, associated fittings and plenums are permitted to contain
combustible material provided they
a) conform to the appropriate requirements for Class 1 duct materials in CAN/ULC-S110, “Test for
Air Ducts,”
b) conform to Article3.1.5.18. in a building required to be of noncombustible construction or in a
building or part
of a building permitted to be of encapsulated mass timber construction,
c) conform to Subsection3.1.9.,
d) are used only in horizontal runs in a building required to be of noncombustible construction or in a
building or
part of a building permitted to be of encapsulated mass timber construction,
e) are not used in vertical runs serving more than 2 storeys in a building permitted to be of combustible
construction, and
f) are not used in air duct systems in which the air temperature could be more than 120°C.
3) Combustible ducts which are part of a duct system conveying only ventilation air and are contained entirely
within a dwelling unit need not comply with the requirements of Sentences(1) and(2).
4) Duct sealants shall have a flame-spread rating not more than25 and a smoke developed classification not more
than50.
5) Duct connectors that contain combustible materials and that are used between ducts and air outlet units shall
a) conform to the appropriate requirements for Class1 air duct materials in CAN/ULC-S110, “Test for
Air Ducts,”
b) be not more than4m long,
c) be used only in horizontal runs, and
d) not penetrate a required fire separation.
3.6.5.2. Vibration Isolation Connectors
1) Except as permitted by Sentence(2), vibration isolation connectors in air duct systems shall be
noncombustible.
2) Combustible fabric vibration isolation connectors are permitted provided they
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a) are not more than250mm long,
b) comply with the flame-resistance requirements of CAN/ULC-S109, “Flame Tests of Flame-Resistant Fabrics
and Films,” and
c) are not used in a location where they are exposed to heated air or radiation from heat sources that could cause
the exposed surface temperature to be more than 120°C.
3.6.5.3. Tape
1) Tape used to seal joints in air ducts, plenums and other parts of air duct systems shall meet the
flame-resistance requirements for fabric in CAN/ULC-S109, “Flame Tests of Flame-Resistant Fabrics and Films.”
3.6.5.4. Coverings, Linings, Adhesives and Insulation
1) Coverings, linings and associated adhesives and insulation for air ducts, plenums and other parts of air duct
systems that would have an exposed surface temperature more than 120°C when exposed to heated air or radiation
from heat sources shall be of noncombustible material.
2) Except as permitted by Sentence(3), combustible coverings and linings, including associated adhesives and
insulation, shall have
a) a flame-spread rating not more than25 on any exposed surface or any surface that would be exposed by
cutting through the material in any direction, and
b) a smoke developed classification not more than50.
3) The outer covering of ducts, plenums and other parts of air duct systems used within an assembly of
combustible construction is permitted to have
a) an exposed surface flame-spread rating not more than75, and
b) a smoke developed classification not more than50.
4) Combustible coverings and linings referred to in Sentences(2) and(3) shall not flame, glow, smoulder or
smoke when tested in accordance with the method of test in ASTM C 411, “Hot-Surface Performance of
High-Temperature Thermal Insulation,” at the maximum temperature to which the coverings and linings are to be
exposed in service.
5) Except as permitted by Sentence(6), foamed plastic insulation shall not be used as part of an air duct system
or for insulating an air duct.
6) Foamed plastic insulation is permitted to be installed in a ceiling space that is used as a return air plenum
provided the foamed plastic insulation is protected from exposure to the plenum in accordance with Article3.1.5.14.
7) Combustible coverings and linings of ducts, including associated adhesives and insulation, shall be interrupted
where the duct penetrates a fire separation and at the immediate area of operation of heat sources in a duct system,
including electric resistance heaters or fuel-burning heaters or furnaces.
3.6.5.5. Insulation and Coverings
1) Insulation and coverings on pipes in which the temperature of the fluid exceeds 120°C shall
a) be made of noncombustible material, or
b) not flame, glow, smoulder or smoke when tested in accordance with ASTMC411, “Hot-Surface
Performance of High-Temperature Thermal Insulation,” at the maximum temperature to which the
insulation or covering is to be exposed in service.
2) Except as permitted by Sentence(5), where
combustible insulation is used on piping in a horizontal service
space or a vertical service space, the insulation and coverings on that piping shall have a flame-spread rating, on any
exposed surface and on any surface that would be exposed by cutting through the material in any direction,
a) not more than25 in a building required to be of noncombustible construction or in a
building or part of a
building permitted to be of encapsulated mass timber construction, or
b) not more than75 in a building permitted to be of combustible construction.
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3) Except as permitted by Sentence(5), insulation and coverings on piping located in rooms and spaces other
than the service spaces described in Sentence(2) shall have a flame-spread rating not more thanthat required for the
interior finish of the ceiling of the room or space.
4) Except as permitted by Sentence(5), combustible insulation and covering used on piping in a building within
the scope of Subsection3.2.6. shall have a smoke developed classification not more than100.
5) No flame-spread rating or smoke developed classification limits are required for combustible insulation and
coverings used on piping located within a
a) concealed space in a wall,
b) floor slab, or
c) noncombustible enclosure.
3.6.5.6. Clearance of Ducts and Plenums
1) The clearance of furnace plenums from combustible material shall conform to the requirements of the
appropriate standards referenced in Sentence6.2.1.5.(1).
2) If the plenum clearance required in accordance with Sentence(1) is not more than75mm, the clearance
between a supply duct and combustible material shall be not less than
a) the required plenum clearance within a horizontal distance of 450mm from the plenum, and
b) 12mm at a horizontal distance of 450mm or more from the plenum, except that this clearance is permitted
to be reduced to zero beyond a bend or offset in the duct sufficiently large to shield the remainder of the
supply duct from direct radiation from the furnace heat exchanger.
(SeeNoteA-3.6.5.6.(2).)
3) If the plenum clearance required in accordance with Sentence(1) is more than 75mm but not more
than150mm, the clearance between a supply duct and combustible material shall be not less than
a) the required plenum clearance within a horizontal distance of 1 800mm from the plenum, and
b) 12mm at a horizontal distance of 1 800mm or more from the plenum, except that this distance is permitted
to be reduced to zero beyond a bend or offset in the duct sufficiently large to shield the remainder of the
supply duct from direct radiation from the furnace heat exchanger.
(SeeNoteA-3.6.5.6.(3).)
4) If the plenum clearance required in accordance with Sentence(1) is more than 150mm, the clearance
between a supply duct and combustible material shall be not less than
a) the required
plenum clearance within a horizontal distance of 1 000mm from the plenum,
b) 150mm within a horizontal distance between 1 000mm and 1 800mm from the plenum, and
c) 25mm at a horizontal distance of 1 800mm or more from the plenum, except that this distance is permitted
to be reduced to 8mm beyond a bend or offset in the duct sufficiently large to shield the remainder of the
supply duct from direct radiation from the furnace heat exchanger.
(SeeNoteA-3.6.5.6.(4).)
5) If a register is installed in a floor directly over a pipeless furnace, a double-walled register box with not less
than 100mm between walls, or a register box with the warm-air passage completely surrounded by the cold-air
passage, shall be permitted instead of the clearances listed in Sentences(2),(3) and(4).
3.6.5.7. Supply, Return, Intake and Exhaust-Air Openings
1) Combustible grilles, diffusers and other devices for supply, return, and exhaust-air openings in rooms shall
conform to the flame-spread rating and smoke developed classification requirements for the interior finish of the
surface on which they are installed.
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3.6.5.8. Return-Air System
1) Except as required by Sentences(2) and(3), return ducts shall be constructed of material having a flame-spread
rating not more than150.
2) If any part of a return duct will be exposed to radiation from the furnace heat exchanger or other radiating part
within the furnace, that part of a return duct directly above or within 600mm of the outside furnace casing shall be
noncombustible.
3) Return ducts serving solid-fuel-burning furnaces shall be constructed of noncombustible material.
4) Combustible return ducts shall be lined with noncombustible material
a) below floor registers,
b) at the bottom of vertical ducts, and
c) under furnaces having a bottom return.
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3.6.5.8. Return-Air System
1) Except as required by Sentences(2) and(3), return ducts shall be constructed of material having a flame-spread
rating not more than150.
2) If any part of a return duct will be exposed to radiation from the furnace heat exchanger or other radiating part
within the furnace, that part of a return duct directly above or within 600mm of the outside furnace casing shall be
noncombustible.
3) Return ducts serving solid-fuel-burning furnaces shall be constructed of noncombustible material.
4) Combustible return ducts shall be lined with noncombustible material
a) below floor registers,
b) at the bottom of vertical ducts, and
c) under furnaces having a bottom return.

In Plain Language

This part of Section 3.6 continues the Code's requirements for service facilities in a building, covering elements such as service spaces, elevator and equipment rooms, and access provisions needed to safely install, maintain, and access a building's mechanical and electrical systems.

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.