1) Words and phrases used in this Code that are not included in the list of definitions in Article 1.4.1.2. shall have the meanings that are commonly assigned to them in the context in which they are used, taking into account the specialized use of terms by the various trades and professions to which the terminology applies.
2) Where objectives and functional statements are referred to in this Code, they shall be the objectives and functional statements described in Parts 2 and 3.
3) Where acceptable solutions are referred to in this Code, they shall be the provisions stated in Parts 3 to 9 of Division B.
4) Where alternative solutions are referred to in this Code, they shall be the alternative solutions mentioned in Clause 1.2.1.1.(1)(b).
1) The words and terms in italics in this Code have the following meanings:
Access or accessible means that a person with disabilities is, without assistance, able to approach, enter, pass to and from, and make use of an area and its facilities, or either of them.
Access to exit means that part of a means of egress within a floor area that provides access to an exit serving the floor area.
Adaptable dwelling unit means a dwelling unit designed and constructed to facilitate future modification to provide access for persons with disabilities.
[Rev. 6, B.C. Reg. 221/2009.]
Additional circuit vent means a vent pipe that is installed between a circuit vent and a relief vent to provide additional air circulation.
Adfreezing means the adhesion of soil to a foundation unit resulting from the freezing of soil water. (Also referred to as "frost grip".)
Air admittance valve means a one way valve designed to allow air to enter the drainage system when the pressure in the plumbing system is less than atmospheric pressure. (See Appendix Note A-7.2.10.16.(1) of Division B.)
Air barrier system means the assembly installed to provide a continuous barrier to the movement of air.
Air break means the unobstructed vertical distance between the lowest point of an indirectly connected soil-or-waste pipe and the flood level rim of the fixture into which it discharges. (See Appendix Note A-7.3.3.11.(2) in Division B.)
Air gap means the unobstructed vertical distance through air between the lowest point of a water supply outlet and the flood level rim of the fixture or device into which the outlet discharges. (See Appendix Note A-7.6.2.9.(2) in Division B.)
Air-supported structure means a structure consisting of a pliable membrane which achieves and maintains its shape and support by internal air pressure.
Alarm signal means an audible signal transmitted throughout a zone or zones or throughout a building to advise occupants that a fire emergency exists.
Alert signal means an audible signal to advise designated persons of a fire emergency.
Alloyed zinc means an alloy of zinc having the corrosion resistance and physical properties of an alloy containing 0.15% titanium, 0.74% copper and 99.11% zinc, and so tempered as to be capable of being formed into the shape required for a watertight joint.
Alteration means a change or extension to any matter or thing or to any occupancy regulated by this Code.
Appliance means a device to convert fuel into energy and includes all components, controls, wiring and piping required to be part of the device by the applicable standard referred to in this Code.
Artesian groundwater means a confined body of water under pressure in the ground.
Assembly occupancy means the occupancy or the use of a building, or part thereof, by a gathering of persons for civic, political, travel, religious, social, educational, recreational or like purposes, or for the consumption of food or drink.
Attic or roof space means the space between the roof and the ceiling of the top storey or between a dwarf wall and a sloping roof.
Authority having jurisdiction means the governmental body responsible for the enforcement of any part of this Code or the official or agency designated by that body to exercise such a function. Notwithstanding this definition, the Chief Inspector of Mines has the sole responsibility for administration and enforcement in respect to all buildings, structures and site services used at a mine, as defined in the Mines Act.
Auxiliary water supply means any water supply on or available to the premises other than the primary potable water supply. (See Appendix A.)
Backflow means a flowing back or reversal of the normal direction of the flow.
Backflow preventer means a device or a method that prevents backflow. (See Figure A-1.4.1.2.(1)-A in Appendix A.)
Back pressure means pressure higher than the supply pressure.
Back-siphonage means backflow caused by a negative pressure in the supply system. (See Figure A-1.4.1.2.(1)-B in Appendix A.)
Back-siphonage preventer (or vacuum breaker) means a device or a method that prevents back-siphonage. (See Figure A-1.4.1.2.(1)-C in Appendix A.)
Backwater valve means a check valve designed for use in a gravity drainage system.
Basement means a storey or storeys of a building located below the first storey.
Bathroom group means a group of plumbing fixtures installed in the same room, consisting of one domestic-type lavatory, one water closet and either one bathtub (with or without a shower) or one one-head shower.
Bearing surface means the contact surface between a foundation unit and the soil or rock upon which it bears.
Boiler means an appliance intended to supply hot water or steam for space heating, processing or power purposes.
Branch means a soil-or-waste pipe connected at its upstream end to the junction of 2 or more soil-or-waste pipes or to a soil-or-waste stack, and connected at its downstream end to another branch, a sump, a soil-or-waste stack or a building drain. (See Figure A-1.4.1.2.(1)-F in Appendix A.)
Branch vent means a vent pipe that is connected at its lower end to the junction of 2 or more vent pipes, and at its upper end, either to another branch vent or to a stack vent, vent stack or header, or terminates in open air. (See Figure A-1.4.1.2.(1)-D in Appendix A.)
Breeching means a flue pipe or chamber for receiving flue gases from one or more flue connections and for discharging these gases through a single flue connection.
Building means any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.
Building area means the greatest horizontal area of a building above grade within the outside surface of exterior walls or within the outside surface of exterior walls and the centre line of firewalls.
Building drain means the lowest horizontal piping, including any vertical offset, that conducts sewage, clear-water waste or storm water by gravity to a building sewer. (See Figure A-1.4.1.2.(1)-F in Appendix A.)
Building height (in storeys) means the number of storeys contained between the roof and the floor of the first storey.
Building of new construction means a new building constructed as a separate entity, or an addition to an existing building where the addition has no internal pedestrian connection with the existing building. (See Subsection 3.8.4.)
Building sewer means a pipe that is connected to a building drain 1 m outside a wall of a building and that leads to a public sewer or private sewage disposal system.
Building trap means a trap that is installed in a building drain or building sewer to prevent circulation of air between a drainage system and a public sewer. (See Appendix Note A-7.4.5.4.(1) in Division B.)
Business and personal services occupancy means the occupancy or use of a building or part thereof for the transaction of business or the rendering or receiving of professional or personal services.
Caisson (See Pile).
Care or detention occupancy means the occupancy or use of a building or part thereof by persons who require special care or treatment because of cognitive or physical limitations or by persons who are restrained from, or are incapable of, self preservation because of security measures not under their control.
Cavity wall means a construction of masonry units laid with a cavity between the wythes. The wythes are tied together with metal ties or bonding units, and are relied on to act together in resisting lateral loads.
Check valve means a valve that permits flow in one direction but prevents a return flow.
Chimney means a primarily vertical shaft enclosing at least one flue for conducting flue gases to the outdoors.
Chimney liner means a conduit containing a chimney flue used as a lining of a masonry or concrete chimney.
Circuit vent means a vent pipe that serves a number of fixtures and connects to the fixture drain of the most upstream fixture.
Class 1 fire sprinkler/standpipe system means an assembly of pipes and fittings that conveys water from the water service pipe to the sprinkler/standpipe system’s outlets, is directly connected to the public water supply main only, has no pumps or reservoirs, and in which the sprinkler drains discharge to the atmosphere, to dry wells or to other safe outlets.
Class 2 fire sprinkler/standpipe system means Class 1 fire sprinkler/standpipe system that includes a booster pump in its connection to the public water supply main.
Class 3 fire sprinkler/standpipe system means an assembly of pipes and fittings that conveys water from the water service pipe to the sprinkler/standpipe system���s outlets, is directly connected to the public water supply main as well as to one or more of the following storage facilities, which are filled from the public water supply main only: elevated water storage, fire pumps supplying water from above aboveground covered reservoirs, or pressure tanks. The water in this sprinkler/standpipe system must be maintained in potable condition. (See Appendix A.)
Class 4 fire sprinkler/standpipe system means an assembly of pipes and fittings that conveys water from the water service pipe to the sprinkler/standpipe system’s outlets and is directly connected to the public water supply main (similar to Class 1 and Class 2 fire sprinkler/standpipe systems) and to an auxiliary water supply dedicated to fire department use that is located within 520 m of a pumper connection.
Class 5 fire sprinkler/standpipe system means an assembly of pipes and fittings that conveys water from the water service pipe to the sprinkler/standpipe system’s outlets and is directly connected to the public water supply main and also interconnected with an auxiliary water supply.
Class 6 fire sprinkler/standpipe system means an assembly of pipes and fittings that conveys water from the water service pipe to the sprinkler/standpipe system’s outlets and acts as a combined industrial water supply and fire protection system supplied from the public water supply main only, with or without gravity storage or pump suction tanks.
Cleanout means an access provided in drainage and venting systems to provide for cleaning and inspection services.
Clear-water waste means waste water with impurity levels that will not be harmful to health and may include cooling water and condensate drainage from refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and cooled condensate from steam heating systems, but does not include storm water. (See Appendix A.)
Closure means a device or assembly for closing an opening through a fire separation or an exterior wall, such as a door, a shutter, wired glass or glass block, and includes all components such as hardware, closing devices, frames and anchors.
Combined building drain means a building drain that is intended to conduct sewage and storm water.
Combined building sewer means a building sewer that is intended to conduct sewage and storm water.
Combined sewer means a sewer that is intended to conduct sewage and storm water.
Combustible means that a material fails to meet the acceptance criteria of CAN4-S114, “Determination of Non-Combustibility in Building Materials.”
Combustible construction means that type of construction that does not meet the requirements for noncombustible construction.
Combustible liquid means a liquid having a flash point at or above 37.8°C and below 93.3°C.
Conditioned space means any space within a building the temperature of which is controlled to limit variation in response to the exterior ambient temperature by the provision, either directly or indirectly, of heating or cooling over substantial portions of the year.
Constructor means a person who contracts with an owner or his authorized agent to undertake a project, and includes an owner who contracts with more than one person for the work on a project or undertakes the work on a project or any part thereof.
Contained use area means a supervised area containing one or more rooms in which occupant movement is restricted to a single room by security measures not under the control of the occupant.
Continuous vent means a vent pipe that is an extension of a vertical section of a branch or fixture drain. (See Figure A-1.4.1.2.(1)-E in Appendix A.)
Coordinating registered professional means a registered professional retained pursuant to Clause 2.2.7.2.(1)(a) of Division C to coordinate all design work and field reviews of the registered professionals required for the project.
Critical level means the level of submergence at which the back-siphonage preventer ceases to prevent back-siphonage.
Dead end means a pipe that terminates with a closed fitting.
Dead load means the weight of all permanent structural and non-structural components of a building.
Deep foundation means a foundation unit that provides support for a building by transferring loads either by end-bearing to a soil or rock at considerable depth below the building, or by adhesion or friction, or both, in the soil or rock in which it is placed. Piles are the most common type of deep foundation.
Designer means the person responsible for the design.
Developed length means the length along the centre line of the pipe and fittings. (See Appendix Note A-7.5.6.3.(1) in Division B.)
Direct-vented (as applied to a fuel-fired space- or water-heating appliance) means an appliance and its venting system in which all the combustion air is supplied directly from the outdoors and products of combustion are vented directly to the outdoors via independent, totally enclosed passageways connected directly to the appliance.
Directly connected means physically connected in such a way that water or gas cannot escape from the connection.
Drainage system means an assembly of pipes, fittings, fixtures, traps and appurtenances that is used to convey sewage, clear-water waste or storm water to a public sewer or a private sewage disposal system, but does not include subsoil drainage pipes. (See Figure A-1.4.1.2.(1)-F in Appendix A.)
Dual vent means a vent pipe that serves 2 fixtures and connects at the junction of the trap arms. (See Figure A-1.4.1.2.(1)-G in Appendix A.)
Dwelling unit means a suite operated as a housekeeping unit, used or intended to be used as a domicile by one or more persons and usually containing cooking, eating, living, sleeping and sanitary facilities.
Emergency floor drain means a fixture for the purpose of overflow protection that does not receive regular discharge from other fixtures, other than from a trap primer. (See Appendix A.)
Excavation means the space created by the removal of soil, rock or fill for the purposes of construction.
Exhaust duct means a duct through which air is conveyed from a room or space to the outdoors.
Exit means that part of a means of egress, including doorways, that leads from the floor area it serves, to a separate building, an open public thoroughfare, or an exterior open space protected from fire exposure from the building and having access to an open public thoroughfare. (See Appendix A.)
Exit level means the level of an exit stairway at which an exterior exit door or exit passageway leads to the exterior.
Exit storey (as applying to Subsection 3.2.6. of Division B) means a storey having an exterior exit door.
Exposing building face means that part of the exterior wall of a building which faces one direction and is located between ground level and the ceiling of its top storey or, where a building is divided into fire compartments, the exterior wall of a fire compartment which faces one direction.
Facility means something that is built, installed, or provided to serve a particular purpose.
Factory-built chimney means a chimney consisting entirely of factory-made parts, each designed to be assembled with the other without requiring fabrication on site.
Farm building means a building or part thereof which does not contain a residential occupancy and which is associated with and located on land devoted to the practice of farming, and used essentially for the housing of equipment or livestock, or the production, storage or processing of agricultural and horticultural produce or feeds. (See Appendix A.)
Field review means a review of the work
a)at a project site of a development to which a building permit relates, and
b)where applicable, at fabrication locations where building components are fabricated for use at the project site
that a registered professional in his or her professional discretion considers necessary to ascertain whether the work substantially complies in all material respects with the plans and supporting documents prepared by the registered professional for which the building permit is issued.
Fill means soil, rock, rubble, industrial waste such as slag, organic material or a combination of these that is transported and placed on the natural surface of a soil or rock or organic terrain. It may or may not be compacted.
Fire compartment means an enclosed space in a building that is separated from all other parts of the building by enclosing construction providing a fire separation having a required fire-resistance rating.
Fire damper means a closure which consists of a damper installed in an air distribution system or in a wall or floor assembly, which is normally held open but is designed to close automatically in the event of a fire in order to maintain the integrity of the fire separation.
Fire detector means a device which detects a fire condition and automatically initiates an electrical signal to actuate an alert signal or alarm signal and includes heat detectors and smoke detectors.
Fire load (as applying to an occupancy) means the combustible contents of a room or floor area expressed in terms of the average weight of combustible materials per unit area, from which the potential heat liberation may be calculated based on the calorific value of the materials, and includes the furnishings, finished floor, wall and ceiling finishes, trim and temporary and movable partitions.
Fire-protection rating means the time in minutes or hours that a closure will withstand the passage of flame when exposed to fire under specified conditions of test and performance criteria, or as otherwise prescribed in this Code.
Fire-resistance rating means the time in minutes or hours that a material or assembly of materials will withstand the passage of flame and the transmission of heat when exposed to fire under specified conditions of test and performance criteria, or as determined by extension or interpretation of information derived there from as prescribed in this Code. (See Appendix Note D-1.2.1.(2) of Division B.)
Fire-retardant treated wood means wood or a wood product that has had its surface-burning characteristics, such as flame spread, rate of fuel contribution and density of smoke developed, reduced by impregnation with fire-retardant chemicals.
Fire separation means a construction assembly that acts as a barrier against the spread of fire. (See Appendix A.)
Fire service pipe means a pipe that conveys water from a public water main or private water source to the inside of a building for the purpose of supplying the fire sprinkler or standpipe system.
Fire stop flap means a device intended for use in horizontal assemblies required to have a fire-resistance rating and incorporating protective ceiling membranes, which operates to close off a duct opening through the membrane in the event of a fire.
Firewall means a type of fire separation of noncombustible construction which subdivides a building or separates adjoining buildings to resist the spread of fire and which has a fire-resistance rating as prescribed in this Code and has structural stability to remain intact under fire conditions for the required fire-rated time.
First storey means the uppermost storey having its floor level not more than 2 m above grade.
Fixture means a receptacle, appliance, apparatus or other device that discharges sewage or clear-water waste, and includes a floor drain.
Fixture drain means the pipe that connects a trap serving a fixture to another part of a drainage system.
Fixture outlet pipe means a pipe that connects the waste opening of a fixture to the trap serving the fixture. (See Figure A-1.4.1.2.(1)-H in Appendix A.)
Fixture unit (as applying to drainage systems) means the unit of measure based on the rate of discharge, time of operation and frequency of use of a fixture that expresses the hydraulic load that is imposed by that fixture on the drainage system.
Fixture unit (as applying to water distribution systems) means the unit of measure based on the rate of supply, time of operation and frequency of use of a fixture or outlet that expresses the hydraulic load that is imposed by that fixture or outlet on the supply system.
Flame-spread rating means an index or classification indicating the extent of spread-of-flame on the surface of a material or an assembly of materials as determined in a standard fire test as prescribed in this Code.
Flammable liquid means a liquid having a flash point below 37.8°C and having a vapour pressure not more than 275.8 kPa (absolute) at 37.8°C as determined by ASTM D 323, “Vapor Pressure of Petroleum Products (Reid Method).”
Flash point means the minimum temperature at which a liquid within a container gives off vapour in sufficient concentration to form an ignitable mixture with air near the surface of the liquid.
Flood level rim means the top edge at which water can overflow from a fixture or device. (See Figure A-1.4.1.2.(1)-B in Appendix A.)
Floor area means the space on any storey of a building between exterior walls and required firewalls, including the space occupied by interior walls and partitions, but not including exits, vertical service spaces, and their enclosing assemblies.
Flow control roof drain means a roof drain that restricts the flow of storm water into the storm drainage system.
Flue means an enclosed passageway for conveying flue gases.
Flue collar means the portion of a fuel-fired appliance designed for the attachment of the flue pipe or breeching.
Flue pipe means the pipe connecting the flue collar of an appliance to a chimney.
Forced-air furnace means a furnace equipped with a fan that provides the primary means for the circulation of air.
Foundation means a system or arrangement of foundation units through which the loads from a building are transferred to supporting soil or rock.
Foundation unit means one of the structural members of the foundation of a building such as a footing, raft or pile.
Fresh air inlet means a vent pipe that is installed in conjunction with a building trap and terminates outdoors. (See Appendix Note A-7.4.5.4.(1) in Division B.)
Frost action means the phenomenon that occurs when water in soil is subjected to freezing which, because of the water/ice phase change or ice lens growth, results in a total volume increase or the build-up of expansive forces under confined conditions or both, and the subsequent thawing that leads to loss of soil strength and increased compressibility.
Furnace means a space-heating appliance using warm air as the heating medium and usually having provision for the attachment of ducts.
Gas vent means that portion of a venting system designed to convey vent gases to the outdoors from the vent connector of a gas-fired appliance or directly from the appliance when a vent connector is not used.
Grade (as applying to the determination of building height) means the lowest of the average levels of finished ground adjoining each exterior wall of a building, except that localized depressions such as for vehicle or pedestrian entrances need not be considered in the determination of average levels of finished ground. (See First storey.)
Groundwater means a free standing body of water in the ground.
Groundwater level (groundwater table) means the top surface of a free standing body of water in the ground.
Guard means a protective barrier around openings in floors or at the open sides of stairs, landings, balconies, mezzanines, galleries, raised walkways or other locations to prevent accidental falls from one level to another. Such barrier may or may not have openings through it.
Heat detector means a fire detector designed to operate at a predetermined temperature or rate of temperature rise.
Heavy timber construction means that type of combustible construction in which a degree of fire safety is attained by placing limitations on the sizes of wood structural members and on thickness and composition of wood floors and roofs and by the avoidance of concealed spaces under floors and roofs.
Heritage building is a building which is legally protected or officially recognized as a heritage property by the Provincial or a local government. (See Appendix A.)
High-hazard industrial occupancy (Group F, Division 1) means an industrial occupancy containing sufficient quantities of highly combustible and flammable or explosive materials which, because of their inherent characteristics, constitute a special fire hazard.
Horizontal exit means an exit from one building to another by means of a doorway, vestibule, walkway, bridge or balcony.
Horizontal service space means a space such as an attic, duct, ceiling, roof or crawl space oriented essentially in a horizontal plane, concealed and generally inaccessible, through which building service facilities such as pipes, ducts and wiring may pass.
Impeded egress zone means a supervised area in which occupants have free movement but require the release, by security personnel, of security doors at the boundary before they are able to leave the area, but does not include a contained use area.
Indirect service water heater means a service water heater that derives its heat from a heating medium such as warm air, steam or hot water.
Indirectly connected means not directly connected. (See Figure A-7.3.3.11.(2) in Division B.)
Individual vent means a vent pipe that serves one fixture.
Industrial occupancy means the occupancy or use of a building or part thereof for the assembling, fabricating, manufacturing, processing, repairing or storing of goods and materials.
Interceptor means a receptacle that is installed to prevent oil, grease, sand or other materials from passing into a drainage system.
Interconnected floor space means superimposed floor areas or parts of floor areas in which floor assemblies that are required to be fire separations are penetrated by openings that are not provided with closures.
Leader means a pipe that is installed to carry storm water from a roof to a storm building drain or storm building sewer or other place of disposal.
Limiting distance means the distance from an exposing building face to a property line, the centre line of a street, lane or public thoroughfare, or to an imaginary line between 2 buildings or fire compartments on the same property, measured at right angles to the exposing building face.
Live load means a variable load due to the intended use and occupancy that is to be assumed in the design of the structural members of a building. It includes loads due to cranes and the pressure of liquids in containers.
Loadbearing (as applying to a building element) means subjected to or designed to carry loads in addition to its own dead load, excepting a wall element subjected only to wind or earthquake loads in addition to its own dead load.
Low-hazard industrial occupancy (Group F, Division 3) means an industrial occupancy in which the combustible content is not more than 50 kg/m2 or 1 200 MJ/m2 of floor area.
Major occupancy means the principal occupancy for which a building or part thereof is used or intended to be used, and shall be deemed to include the subsidiary occupancies which are an integral part of the principal occupancy. The major occupancy classifications used in this Code are as follows:
| A1 | – | Assembly occupancies intended for the production and viewing of the performing arts. |
| A2 | – | Assembly occupancies not elsewhere classified in Group A |
| A3 | – | Assembly occupancies of the arena type |
| A4 | – | Assembly occupancies in which the occupants are gathered in the open air |
| B1 | – | Care and detention occupancies in which persons are under restraint or are incapable of self-preservation because of security measures not under their control |
| B2 | – | Care and detention occupancies in which persons having cognitive or physical limitations require special care or treatment |
| C | – | Residential occupancies |
| D | – | Business and personal service occupancies |
| E | – | Mercantile occupancies |
| F1 | – | High-hazard industrial occupancies |
| F2 | – | Medium-hazard industrial occupancies |
| F3 | – | Low-hazard industrial occupancies |
Masonry or concrete chimney means a chimney of brick, stone, concrete or masonry units constructed on site.
Means of egress means a continuous path of travel provided for the escape of persons from any point in a building or contained open space to a separate building, an open public thoroughfare, or an exterior open space protected from fire exposure from the building and having access to an open public thoroughfare. Means of egress includes exits and access to exits.
Medium-hazard industrial occupancy (Group F, Division 2) means an industrial occupancy in which the combustible content is more than 50 kg/m2 or 1 200 MJ/m2 of floor area and not classified as high-hazard industrial occupancy.
Mercantile occupancy means the occupancy or use of a building or part thereof for the displaying or selling of retail goods, wares or merchandise.
Mezzanine means an intermediate floor assembly between the floor and ceiling of any room or storey and includes an interior balcony.
Nominally horizontal means at an angle of less than 45° with the horizontal. (See Figure A-1.4.1.2.(1)-J in Appendix A.)
Nominally vertical means at an angle of not more than 45° with the vertical. (See Figure A-1.4.1.2.(1)-J in Appendix A.)
Noncombustible means that a material meets the acceptance criteria of CAN4-S114, “Determination of Non-Combustibility in Building Materials.”
Noncombustible construction means that type of construction in which a degree of fire safety is attained by the use of noncombustible materials for structural members and other building assemblies.
Occupancy means the use or intended use of a building or part thereof for the shelter or support of persons, animals or property.
Occupant load means the number of persons for which a building or part thereof is designed.
Offset means the piping that connects the ends of 2 pipes that are parallel. (See Figure A-1.4.1.2.(1)-K in Appendix A.)
Offset relief vent means a relief vent that provides additional air circulation upstream and downstream of an offset in a soil-or-waste stack. (See Appendix Note A-7.5.4.4.(1) of Division B.)
Open air storey means a storey in which at least 25% of the total area of its perimeter walls is open to the outdoors in a manner that will provide cross ventilation to the entire storey.
Owner means any person, firm or corporation controlling the property under consideration during that period of application of Sentence 1.1.1.1.(1) of this Code.
Partition means an interior wall 1 storey or part-storey in height that is not loadbearing.
Party wall means a wall jointly owned and jointly used by 2 parties under easement agreement or by right in law, and erected at or upon a line separating 2 parcels of land each of which is, or is capable of being, a separate real-estate entity.
Persons with disabilities means a person who has a loss, or a reduction, of functional ability and activity and includes a person in a wheelchair and a person with a sensory disability.
Perched groundwater means a free standing body of water in the ground extending to a limited depth.
Pile means a slender deep foundation unit, made of materials such as wood, steel or concrete or combination thereof, that is either premanufactured and placed by driving, jacking, jetting or screwing, or cast-in-place in a hole formed by driving, excavating or boring. (Cast-in-place bored piles are often referred to as caissons in Canada)
Plenum means a chamber forming part of an air duct system.
Plumbing contractor means a person, corporation or firm that undertakes to construct, extend, alter, renew or repair any part of a plumbing system.
Plumbing system means a drainage system, a venting system and a water system or parts thereof.
Post-disaster building means a building that is essential to the provision of services in the event of a disaster, and includes
Potable means safe for human consumption.
Private sewage disposal system means a privately owned plant for the treatment and disposal of sewage (such as a septic tank with an absorption field).
Private use (as applying to the classification of plumbing fixtures) means fixtures in residences and apartments, in private bathrooms of hotels, and in similar installations in other buildings for one family or an individual.
Private water supply system means an assembly of pipes, fittings, valves, equipment and appurtenances that supplies water from a private source to a water distribution system.
Protected floor space means that part of a floor area protected from the effects of fire and used as part of a means of egress from an interconnected floor space.
Public corridor means a corridor that provides access to exit from more than one suite. (See Appendix A.)
Public use (as applying to the classification of plumbing fixtures) means fixtures in general washrooms of schools, gymnasiums, hotels, bars, public comfort stations and other installations where fixtures are installed so that their use is unrestricted.
Public way means a sidewalk, street, highway, square or other open space to which the public has access, as of right or by invitation, expressed or implied.
Range means a cooking appliance equipped with a cooking surface and one or more ovens.
a)a person who is registered or licensed to practise as an architect under the Architects Act, or
b)a person who is registered or licensed to practise as a professional engineer under the Engineers and Geoscientists Act.
Registered professional of record means a registered professional retained to undertake design work and field review in accordance with Subsection 2.2.7 of Division C.
[Rev. 10, B.C. Reg. 232/2010.]
Relief vent means a vent pipe that is used in conjunction with a circuit vent to provide additional air circulation between a drainage system and a venting system.
Repair garage means a building or part thereof where facilities are provided for the repair or servicing of motor vehicles.
Residential full flow-through fire sprinkler/standpipe system means an assembly of pipes and fittings installed in a one- or two-family dwelling that conveys water from the water service pipe to the sprinkler/standpipe system’s outlets and is fully integrated into the potable water system to ensure regular flow of water through all parts of both systems.
Residential partial flow-through fire sprinkler/standpipe system means an assembly of pipes and fittings installed in a one- or two-family dwelling that conveys water from the water service pipe to the sprinkler/standpipe system’s outlets and in which flow, during inactive periods of the sprinkler/standpipe system, occurs only through the main header to the water closet located at the farthest point of the two systems.
Residential occupancy means the occupancy or use of a building or part thereof by persons for whom sleeping accommodation is provided but who are not harboured or detained to receive medical care or treatment or are not involuntarily detained.
Return duct means a duct for conveying air from a space being heated, ventilated or air-conditioned back to the heating, ventilating or air-conditioning appliance.
Riser means a water distribution pipe that extends through at least one full storey.
Rock means that portion of the earth's crust which is consolidated, coherent and relatively hard and is a naturally formed, solidly bonded, mass of mineral matter which cannot readily be broken by hand.
Roof drain means a fitting or device that is installed in the roof to permit storm water to discharge into a leader.
Roof gutter means an exterior channel installed at the base of a sloped roof to convey storm water.
Sanitary building drain means a building drain that conducts sewage to a building sewer from the most upstream soil-or-waste stack, branch or fixture drain serving a water closet.
Sanitary building sewer means a building sewer that conducts sewage.
Sanitary drainage system means a drainage system that conducts sewage.
Sanitary sewer means a sewer that conducts sewage.
Secondary suite means an additional dwelling unit
a)having a total floor space of not more than 90 m2 in area,
b)having a floor space less than 40% of the habitable floor space of the building,
c)located within a building of residential occupancy containing only one other dwelling unit, and
d)located in and part of a building which is a single real estate entity.
(See Appendix A-9.36.1.1.)Sensory disability includes visual and hearing impairments.
Service room means a room provided in a building to contain equipment associated with building services. (See Appendix A.)
Service space means space provided in a building to facilitate or conceal the installation of building service facilities such as chutes, ducts, pipes, shafts or wires.
Service water heater means a device for heating water for plumbing services.
Sewage means any liquid waste other than clear-water waste or storm water.
Shallow foundation means a foundation unit which derives its support from soil or rock located close to the lowest part of the building which it supports.
Size means the nominal diameter by which a pipe, fitting, trap or other similar item is commercially designated.
Smoke alarm means a combined smoke detector and audible alarm device designed to sound an alarm within the room or suite in which it is located upon the detection of smoke within that room or suite.
Smoke detector means a fire detector designed to operate when the concentration of airborne combustion products exceeds a pre-determined level.
Soil means that portion of the earth's crust which is fragmentary, or such that some individual particles of a dried sample may be readily separated by agitation in water; it includes boulders, cobbles, gravel, sand, silt, clay and organic matter.
Soil-or-waste pipe or waste pipe means a pipe in a sanitary drainage system.
Soil-or-waste stack means a vertical soil-or-waste pipe that passes through one or more storeys, and includes any offset that is part of the stack.
Space heater means a space-heating appliance for heating the room or space within which it is located, without the use of ducts.
Space-heating appliance means an appliance intended for the supplying of heat to a room or space directly, such as a space heater, fireplace or unit heater, or to rooms or spaces of a building through a heating system such as a central furnace or boiler.
Sprinklered (as applying to a building or part thereof) means that the building or part thereof is equipped with a system of automatic sprinklers.
Stack vent means a vent pipe that connects the top of a soil-or-waste stack to a vent header or outside air. (See Figure A-1.4.1.2.(1)-F in Appendix A.)
Stage means a space designed primarily for theatrical performances with provision for quick change scenery and overhead lighting, including environmental control for a wide range of lighting and sound effects and which is traditionally, but not necessarily, separated from the audience by a proscenium wall and curtain opening.
Storage garage means a building or part thereof intended for the storage or parking of motor vehicles and which contains no provision for the repair or servicing of such vehicles. (See Appendix A.)
Storage-type service water heater means a service water heater with an integral hot water storage tank.
Storey means that portion of a building which is situated between the top of any floor and the top of the floor next above it, and if there is no floor above it, that portion between the top of such floor and the ceiling above it.
Storey (as applying to plumbing) means the interval between 2 successive floor levels, including mezzanine floors that contain plumbing fixtures, or between a floor level and roof.
Storm building drain means a building drain that conveys storm water and is connected at its upstream end to a leader, sump or catch basin, and at its downstream end to a building sewer or a designated storm water disposal location.
Storm building sewer means a building sewer that conveys storm water.
Storm drainage system means a drainage system that conveys storm water.
Storm sewer means a sewer that conveys storm water.
Storm water means water that is discharged from a surface as a result of rainfall or snowfall.
Stove means an appliance intended for cooking and space heating.
Street means any highway, road, boulevard, square or other improved thoroughfare 9 m or more in width, which has been dedicated or deeded for public use, and is accessible to fire department vehicles and equipment.
Subsoil drainage pipe means a pipe that is installed underground to intercept and convey subsurface water.
Subsurface investigation means the appraisal of the general subsurface conditions at a building site by analysis of information gained by such methods as geological surveys, in situ testing, sampling, visual inspection, laboratory testing of samples of the subsurface materials and groundwater observations and measurements.
Suite means a single room or series of rooms of complementary use, operated under a single tenancy, and includes dwelling units, individual guest rooms in motels, hotels, boarding houses, rooming houses and dormitories as well as individual stores and individual or complementary rooms for business and personal services occupancies. (See Appendix A.)
Supply duct means a duct for conveying air from a heating, ventilating or air-conditioning appliance to a space to be heated, ventilated or air-conditioned.
Theatre means a place of public assembly intended for the production and viewing of the performing arts or the screening and viewing of motion pictures, and consisting of an auditorium with permanently fixed seats intended solely for a viewing audience.
Trap means a fitting or device that is designed to hold a liquid seal that will prevent the passage of gas but will not materially affect the flow of a liquid.
Trap arm means that portion of a fixture drain between the trap weir and the vent pipe fitting. (See Appendix Note A-7.5.6.3.(1) in Division B.)
Trap dip means the lowest part of the upper interior surface of a trap.
Trap seal depth means the vertical distance between the trap dip and the trap weir. (See Appendix Note A-7.2.3.1.(1) and (3) in Division B.)
Trap standard means the trap for a fixture that is integral with the support for the fixture.
Trap weir means the highest part of the lower interior surface of a trap. (See Appendix Note A-7.2.3.1.(1) and (3) in Division B.)
Unit heater means a suspended space heater with an integral air circulating fan.
Unprotected opening (as applying to exposing building face) means a doorway, window or opening other than one equipped with a closure having the required fire-protection rating, or any part of a wall forming part of the exposing building face that has a fire-resistance rating less than required for the exposing building face.
Unsafe condition means any condition that could cause undue hazard to life, limb or health of any person authorized or expected to be on or about the premises.
Vacuum breaker (See back-siphonage preventer).
Vapour barrier means the elements installed to control the diffusion of water vapour.
Vent connector (as applying to heating or cooling systems) means the part of a venting system that conducts the flue gases or vent gases from the flue collar of a gas appliance to the chimney or gas vent, and may include a draft control device.
Vent header means a vent pipe that connects any combination of stack vents or vent stacks to outside air. (See Figure A-1.4.1.2.(1) in Appendix A.)
Vent pipe means a pipe that is part of a venting system.
Vent stack means a vent pipe that is connected at its upper end to a vent header or that terminates in outside air and is connected at its lower end to the soil-or-waste stack at or below the lowest soil-or-waste pipe connection. (See Figure A-1.4.1.2.(1)-G in Appendix A.)
Venting system means an assembly of pipes and fittings that connects a drainage system with outside air for circulation of air and the protection of trap seals in the drainage system. (See Figure A-1.4.1.2.(1)-G in Appendix A.)
Vertical service space means a shaft oriented essentially vertically that is provided in a building to facilitate the installation of building services including mechanical, electrical and plumbing installations and facilities such as elevators, refuse chutes and linen chutes.
Walkway means a covered or roofed pedestrian thoroughfare used to connect 2 or more buildings.
Waste pipe (See soil-or-waste pipe).
Water distribution system means an assembly of pipes, fittings, valves and appurtenances that conveys water from the water service pipe or private water supply system to water supply outlets, fixtures, appliances and devices.
Water service pipe means a pipe that conveys water from a public water main or private water source to the inside of the building.
Water system means a private water supply system, a water service pipe, a water distribution system or parts thereof.
Wet vent means a soil-or-waste pipe that also serves as a vent pipe and extends from the most downstream wet-vented fixture connection to the most upstream fixture connection. (See Appendix Note A-7.5.8.1.(2) of Division B.)
Yoke vent means a vent pipe that is connected at its lower end to a soil-or-waste stack and at its upper end to a vent stack or to a branch vent connected to a vent stack. (See Appendix Note A-7.5.4.3. of Division B.)
1) The symbols and other abbreviations in this Code shall have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and Article 1.3.2.1. of Division B.
| 1 in 2 | ........ | slope of 1 vertical to 2 horizontal |
| 1 in 50 | ........ | slope of 1 vertical to 50 horizontal |
| ABS | ........ | Acylonitrile-butadiene-styrene |
| AL | ........ | aluminum |
| BCFC | ........ | British Columbia Fire Code |
| cm | ........ | centimetre(s) |
| cm2 | ........ | square centimetre(s) |
| CPVC | ........ | chlorinated polyvinyl chloride |
| CRP | ........ | coordinating registered professional |
| ° | ........ | degree(s) |
| °C | ........ | degree(s) Celsius |
| dB(A) | ........ | A-weighted sound level |
| diam | ........ | diameter |
| DWV | ........ | drain, waste and vent |
| g | ........ | gram(s) |
| ga | ........ | gauge |
| h | ........ | hour(s) |
| Hz | ........ | hertz |
| in. | ........ | inch(es) |
| Inc. | ........ | Incorporated |
| J | ........ | joule(s) |
| kg | ........ | kilogram(s) |
| kg/m2 | ........ | kilogram(s) per square metre |
| kN | ........ | kilonewton(s) |
| kPa | ........ | kilopascal(s) |
| kW | ........ | kilowatt(s) |
| L | ........ | litre(s) |
| L/s | ........ | litre(s) per second |
| lx | ........ | lux |
| m | ........ | metre(s) |
| m2 | ........ | square metre(s) |
| M | ........ | Metric nomenclature for reinforcing bars |
| max. | ........ | maximum |
| min. | ........ | minimum |
| min | ........ | minute(s) |
| MJ | ........ | megajoule(s) |
| mm | ........ | millimetre(s) |
| MPa | ........ | megapascal(s) |
| N | ........ | newton |
| n/a | ........ | not applicable |
| ng | ........ | nanogram(s) |
| No. | ........ | number(s) |
| nom. | ........ | nominal |
| o.c. | ........ | on centre |
| OSB | ........ | oriented strandboard |
| PE | ........ | polyethylene |
| PEX | ........ | crosslinked polyethylene |
| PP-R | ........ | polypropylene |
| PVC | ........ | polyvinyl chloride |
| S | ........ | second(s) |
| temp. | ........ | temperature |
| T&G | ........ | tongue and groove |
| W | ........ | watt(s) |
| Wt | ........ | weight |
| % | ........ | percent |