B.C. Reg. 249/2004, deposited June 9, 2004, pursuant to the FIRE SERVICES ACT [Section 47 (2)]. Ministerial Regulation M224/2004, dated June 8, 2004.

I, Murray Coell, Minister of Community, Women's and Aboriginal Services, order that the British Columbia Fire Code, B.C. Reg. 318/2003, is amended as set out in the attached schedule.

— M. COELL, Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services.

Schedule

THE BRITISH COLUMBIA FIRE CODE

1. Replace Article 2.7.1.3. with

2.7.1.3. Occupant Load

1) The maximum permissible occupant load for any room shall be calculated on the basis of the lesser of

a) 0.4 m² of net floor space per occupant, or

b) the occupant load for which means of egress are provided.

(See Appendix A.)

2) The number of persons permitted to enter a room shall not exceed the maximum occupant load calculated in conformance with Sentence (1).

2. Replace Appendix Note A-2.7.1.3. (3) with Appendix Note A-2.7.1.3. (1) as follows

A-2.7.1.3.(1) The British Columbia Fire Code uses two criteria to determine the maximum permissible occupant load in existing buildings: the exit capacity, and the total clear space per person. Assuming that exit capacity is sufficient, the value of 0.4m²/person ensures that a crowd of people will be able to move steadily toward the exits.

Table 3.1.16.1. in the British Columbia Building Code should not be used to determine maximum permissible occupant load for rooms or spaces in existing buildings. Table 3.1.16.1. is intended to allow a building designer to calculate a minimum occupant load for the purpose of designing certain building features, such as means of egress and fire alarm systems. The designer may choose to design for more or fewer persons, in which case the actual design occupant load must be posted in a conspicuous location. In an existing building, the process must be calculated in reverse, from the measured exit capacity, or other building features, to a maximum permissible occupant load. The result of the calculation may not be, and is not intended to be, consistent with values obtained using Table 3.1.16.1.

Net floor space referred to in Clause (a) is the floor space in a room excluding areas occupied by structural features and fixtures, such as tables, furnishings or equipment. In certain assembly occupancies, where the number and type of furnishings may change according to the nature of the function taking place, it may be appropriate to calculate maximum occupant loads for each of the different functions anticipated.

It should also be noted that Article 2.1.3.1. of this Code requires fire alarm systems to be installed in conformance with the British Columbia Building Code. This means that if the occupant load determined by Sentence 2.7.1.3. (1) exceeds that for which a fire alarm system is required by the British Columbia Building Code, a fire alarm system must be provided in the building.

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