Division B
Acceptable Solutions

Part 5 — Environmental Separation

Section 5.1. General

(See Appendix A and Part 10.)

5.1.1. Scope

5.1.1.1. Scope

1) This Part is concerned with

a) the control of condensation

i) in building components and assemblies, and

ii) on building materials, components and assemblies, and

b) the transfer of heat, air, moisture and sound through

i) building materials, components and assemblies, and

ii) interfaces between building materials, components and assemblies.

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1) This Part is concerned with

a) the control of condensation

i) in building components and assemblies, and

ii) on building materials, components and assemblies, and

b) the transfer of heat, air, moisture and sound through

i) building materials, components and assemblies, and

ii) interfaces between building materials, components and assemblies.

(See Appendix A.)

5.1.1.2. Maritime Climate

1) This Part includes special provisions to deal with the potentially damaging effects of Vancouver's maritime climate, including the possibility of rapid decay in structural members. (See Appendix A.)

5.1.2. Application

5.1.2.1. Exposure to Exterior Space or the Ground and Separation of Dissimilar Environments

1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), this applies, as described in Subsection 1.3.3. of Division A, to

a) building materials, components and assemblies exposed to exterior space or the ground, including those separating interior space from exterior space or separating interior space from the ground,

b) building materials, components and assemblies separating environmentally dissimilar interior spaces (see A-5.9. in Appendix A), and

c) site materials, components, assemblies and grading that may affect environmental loads on building materials, components and assemblies exposed to exterior space or the ground.

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1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), this This Part applies, as described in Subsection 1.3.3. of Division A, to

a) building materials, components and assemblies exposed to exterior space or the ground, including those separating interior space from exterior space or separating interior space from the ground,

b) building materials, components and assemblies separating environmentally dissimilar interior spaces (see A-5.9. in Appendix A), and

c) site materials, components, assemblies and grading that may affect environmental loads on building materials, components and assemblies exposed to exterior space or the ground.

(See Appendix A.)

2) Buildings or portions of buildings not required to provide environmental separation, not exposed to exterior environmental loads or intended only for summer seasonal use need not conform to this Part where it can be shown, to the satisfaction of the Chief Building Official that the health or safety of building users, the intended use of the building and the operation of building services will not be adversely affected. (See Appendix A.)

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5.1.2.

5.1.2.1. Exposure to Exterior Space or the Ground and Separation of Dissimilar Environments

1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), this applies, as described in Subsection 1.3.3. of Division A, to

a) building materials, components and assemblies exposed to exterior space or the ground, including those separating interior space from exterior space or separating interior space from the ground,

b) building materials, components and assemblies separating environmentally dissimilar interior spaces (see A-5.9. in Appendix A), and

c) site materials, components, assemblies and grading that may affect environmental loads on building materials, components and assemblies exposed to exterior space or the ground.

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1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), this This Part applies, as described in Subsection 1.3.3. of Division A, to

a) building materials, components and assemblies exposed to exterior space or the ground, including those separating interior space from exterior space or separating interior space from the ground,

b) building materials, components and assemblies separating environmentally dissimilar interior spaces (see A-5.9. in Appendix A), and

c) site materials, components, assemblies and grading that may affect environmental loads on building materials, components and assemblies exposed to exterior space or the ground.

(See Appendix A.)

2) Buildings or portions of buildings not required to provide environmental separation, not exposed to exterior environmental loads or intended only for summer seasonal use need not conform to this Part where it can be shown, to the satisfaction of the Chief Building Official that the health or safety of building users, the intended use of the building and the operation of building services will not be adversely affected. (See Appendix A.)

5.1.2.2. Building Envelope Professional Requirements

3) The Building Envelope Professional shall, prior to issuance of an occupancy permit, provide the Chief Building Official with a completed, signed and sealed completion letter in the form attached as Schedule D-2 at the end of this Part.

5.1.3. Definitions

5.1.3.1. Defined Words

1) Words that appear in italics are defined in Article 1.4.1.2. of Division A.

5.1.4. Resistance to Loads and Deterioration

5.1.4.1. Structural and Environmental Loads

1) Building materials, components and assemblies that separate dissimilar environments or are exposed to the exterior shall have sufficient capacity and integrity to resist or accommodate

a) all environmental loads, and effects of those loads, that may reasonably be expected having regard to

i) the intended use of the building, and

ii) the environment to which the materials, components and assemblies are subject, and

b) all structural loads, and effects of those loads, that may reasonably be expected.

2) Compliance with Clause (1)(a) shall be demonstrated by design complying with Subsection 5.2.1. and construction conforming to that design.

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2) Compliance with Clause (1)(a) shall be demonstrated by design complying with Subsection 5.2.1. and constructionconstruction conforming to that design.

3) Compliance with Clause (1)(b) shall be demonstrated by design complying with Subsection 5.2.2., and construction conforming to that design, with regard to

a) materials, components and assemblies, and associated loads, that are identified in Part 4,

b) air pressure loads imposed on air barrier systems,

c) wind up-lift imposed on roofing, and

d) hydrostatic pressure imposed on the means of protection from moisture in the ground.

4) For materials, components, assemblies and loads to which Sentence (3) does not apply, compliance with Clause (1)(b) shall be demonstrated

a) by design complying with Subsection 5.2.2. for individual applicable loads and construction conforming to that design, or

b) in the case of common materials, components and assemblies, and their installation, by proven past performance over a period of several years for individual applicable loads.

(See Appendix A.)

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4) For materials, components, assemblies and loads to which Sentence (3) does not apply, compliance with Clause (1)(b) shall be demonstrated

a) by design complying with Subsection 5.2.2. for individual applicable loads and constructionconstruction conforming to that design, or

b) in the case of common materials, components and assemblies, and their installation, by proven past performance over a period of several years for individual applicable loads.

(See Appendix A.)

5) Materials, components and assemblies separating dissimilar environments and assemblies exposed to the exterior, including their connections, that are subject to structural loads as defined in Article 5.2.2.1., shall

a) transfer such loads to the building structure without adverse effects on the performance of other materials, components or assemblies,

b) not deflect to a degree that adversely affects the performance of other materials, components or assemblies (see Appendix A), and

c) be designed, and constructed according to that design, to accommodate (see Appendix A)

i) the maximum relative structural movement that may reasonably be expected, and

ii) construction tolerances that may be reasonably expected.

(See Article 4.1.3.5., Sentence 4.1.3.3.(2) and Subsection 4.1.8. for information on different types of structural movements.) (See A-5.1.4.1. in Appendix A.)

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5) Materials, components and assemblies separating dissimilar environments and assemblies exposed to the exterior, including their connections, that are subject to structural loads as defined in Article 5.2.2.1., shall

a) transfer such loads to the building structure without adverse effects on the performance of other materials, components or assemblies,

b) not deflect to a degree that adversely affects the performance of other materials, components or assemblies (see Appendix A), and

c) be designed, and constructed according to that design, to accommodate (see Appendix A)

i) the maximum relative structural movement that may reasonably be expected, and

ii) constructionconstruction tolerances that may be reasonably expected.

(See Article 4.1.3.5., Sentence 4.1.3.3.(2) and Subsection 4.1.8. for information on different types of structural movements.) (See A-5.1.4.1. in Appendix A.)

5.1.4.2. Resistance to Deterioration

1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), materials used in building components and assemblies that separate dissimilar environments, or in assemblies exposed to the exterior, shall be

a) compatible with adjoining materials, and

b) resistant to any mechanisms of deterioration that may reasonably be expected, given

i) the nature and function of the materials, and

ii) the exposure and climatic conditions in which they will be installed.

2) Material compatibility and deterioration resistance are not required where it can be shown that incompatibility or uncontrolled deterioration will not adversely affect any of

a) the health or safety of building users,

b) the intended use of the building, or

c) the operation of building services.

3) Design and construction of building components and assemblies described in Article 5.1.2.1. shall be in accordance with good practice as described in CSA S478, “Guideline on Durability in Buildings”.

5.1.5. Other Requirements

5.1.5.1. Requirements in Other Parts of the By-law

1) Energy utilization, structural and fire safety requirements of other Parts of this By-law shall apply.

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1) Energy utilization, structural Structural and fire safety requirements ofin other Parts of this By-law the British Columbia Building Code shall apply.

1) Energy utilization, structural Structural and fire safety requirements ofin other Parts of this By-law the NBC shall apply.