Division A
Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements

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)the 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 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 Regulation, 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.

[Rev. 8, B.C. Reg. 45/2010.]

2) This Code does not apply to:

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, television and radio or other communication aerials and towers, except for loads resulting from those 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 m² in building area that do not create a hazard,

f)temporary buildings such as construction site offices, seasonal storage buildings, special events facilities, emergency facilities, and such similar structures as authorized by the authority having jurisdiction,

g)factory built housing and components certified by a Standards Council of Canada accredited agency, prior to placement on the site, as complying with Canadian Standards Association Standard A277, “Procedure for Certification of Factory Built Houses,” or CAN/CSA-Z240 MH Series, “Mobile Homes,” but this exemption does not extend to on site preparations (foundations, basements, mountings), interconnection of modules, connection to services and installation of appliances, and

h)those areas that are specifically exempted from provincial building regulations or by federal statutes or regulations.

3) This Code applies both to site-assembled and factory-built buildings. (See Appendix A.)

4) Farm buildings shall conform to the requirements in the National Farm Building Code of Canada 1995.

5) The Alternate Compliance Methods for Heritage Buildings in Table A-1.1.1.1. in Appendix A may be substituted for requirements contained elsewhere in this Code.

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 building performance shall not be decreased below a level that already exists. (See Appendix A.)

1.1.1.3. Responsibility of Owner

1) Neither the granting of a building permit nor the approval of the relevant drawings and specifications nor inspections made by the authority having jurisdiction shall in any way relieve the owner of such building from full responsibility for carrying out the work or having the work carried out in full accordance with the requirements of the British Columbia Building Code.