Appendix A — Division C

Explanatory Material

change beginA-1.3.3.5. Unsafe Conditions
Although words such as alteration, occupancy, building and unsafe conditions are defined in Article 1.4.1.2. of Division A, such words as removal and relocation contained here and in the definitions are adequately defined in dictionaries and need not be defined herein.
A-1.3.3.6. Work on Public Property
The appropriate government authority may be federal, provincial or city, depending on the nature of the public property.
A-1.3.3.7. Changes in Ground Elevation and Limiting Distance
If a new or existing building is built as close to a boundary line as the regulations permit, moving the property boundary could result in contravention of the By-law in regards to spatial separations. In those circumstances, this Subsection would not apply.
A-1.4.1.10. Project Directory
This Subsection requires the owner to inform the Chief Building Official of changes in responsibilities of certain employees. It is not intended to limit the owner's right to change the constructor, engineer, architect or inspection or testing agency, but rather to let the building official know of any such change so that construction will not be held up because of any misunderstanding as to who is responsible. See Letters of Assurance at the end of Part 2 of Division C.
A-1.4.1.15. Tests to Establish Compliance
Where a manufacturer, fabricator or erector is required to conform to specified requirements, such as those referenced by Articles 4.3.1.2. and 4.3.3.1. of Division B, Book I, it is intended that proof of such compliance be filed with the Chief Building Official. See Letters of Assurance at the end of Part 2 of Division C.
A-1.4.1.19. Uncovering Work
The requirement to uncover and replace work will normally apply only if Article 1.4.1.17. has not been complied with, that is, if work requiring inspection has been covered prematurely. Complete uncovering may not be necessary. Here, again, the judgment of the designated official is required to determine if partial uncovering, test holes or similar actions will be sufficient to indicate compliance, the purpose being to promote compliance not to penalize the constructor.
A-1.5.2.1. Power of Entry
Since these requirements apply to both new construction and existing buildings, the Chief Building Official (i.e., the designated official) has the power to enter any existing buildings as well as new construction, but only for the purpose of administering or enforcing these requirements.
In other words, if there is reason to believe that unauthorized alterations or a change of occupancy has occurred or an unsafe condition exists in respect of fire, structural safety or health, an inspection may be made. The designated official should be informed of any unsafe conditions found in the course of fire inspections.
A-1.5.2.6. Permit with Incomplete Application
A permit may be issued if additional information required is of secondary importance and the foundation or structure is not dependent on it. Information of this type might pertain to building services, such as heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, electrical or plumbing or to partitioning which may not be determined until leases have been arranged.
A-1.5.2.12. Permit for Staged Construction
If the Chief Building Official issues a permit for a foundation before submission of the plans of the complete building, there is no assurance that a permit will be issued for the superstructure when the plans are submitted later. Such issuance will depend upon, among other things, the adequacy of the foundation.
A-1.6.2.2. Application Requirements
In addition to the information required by this provision, further information is required by Subsection 2.3.4. of Division C, Structural and Foundation Drawings and Calculations, and Subsection 2.3.5. of Division C, Heating, Ventilating, Air-Conditioning and Energy Utilization Drawings and Specifications.
A-1.6.7.1. Permit Expiry
The owner must provide documentation to establish that the work has not been substantially discontinued for 6 months.
A-1.7.1.2. Occupancy Permit
An occupancy permit is required for a temporary occupancy.change end
A-2.2.1.2.(1) Structural Design
Part 4 of Division B is written on the assumption that structural design will be carried out by a professional who is qualified to perform such design. Sentence 2.2.1.2.(1) is not intended to imply that a professional may not also be required in the application of requirements in other Parts of the change beginBy-lawchange end.

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A-2.2.6.2.(1) Information Required on Drawings and Specifications
Examples of information that should be shown on architectural drawings and drawings for heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems are:
  1. the name, type and location of the building,
  2. the name of the owner,
  3. the name of the architect,
  4. the name of the engineer or designer,
  5. the north point,
  6. the dimensions and height of all rooms,
  7. the intended use of all rooms,
  8. the details or description of the wall, roof, ceiling and floor construction, including insulation,
  9. the details or description of the windows and outside doors, including the size, weatherstripping, storm sashes, sills and storm doors,
  10. the size and continuity of all pipes, ducts, shafts, flues and fire dampers,
  11. the location, size, capacity and type of all principal units of equipment,
  12. the size, shape and height of all chimneys and gas vents,
  13. the size and location of all combustion air and ventilation openings, and
  14. the location and fire-resistance rating of required fire separations.
A-2.2.7. Professional Design and Review
This Subsection provides for the use of what are generally called Letters of Assurance. The letters themselves, known as Schedules A, B, C-A and C-B and located at the end of Division C, are intended to put on paper the responsibilities of the owner and the various registered professionals in a construction project. The Letters of Assurance do not impose any additional responsibilities on the registered professionals nor are they intended to alter the roles and responsibilities of the authorities having jurisdiction.
The Schedules have been very carefully scrutinized by the Province of British Columbia, Union of BC Municipalities, Building Officials’ Association of British Columbia, Architectural Institute of British Columbia, Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia and their respective legal counsel. The precise wording in the letters is extremely critical and must not be modified. Any notations on these Schedules which are absolutely necessary to suit a particular project must be clearly and legibly marked in ink on the copies.
It is typical that the registered professional responsible for the design is also responsible for the field review. There are instances where this is not the case and having a different registered professional doing the field reviews is unavoidable. Schedule C-B requires that the registered professional who provides the field review provide assurance that the building as finally constructed is in substantial conformance with the change beginBy-lawchange end. In the event that another registered professional is to provide field review, the field reviewer takes on the responsibility to confirm that the construction substantially complies with the plans and supporting documents that were submitted for the building permit. The responsibility for change beginBy-lawchange end compliance of the design remains with the original registered professional who undertook the design. In this event, the Schedule C-B must be modified by the field reviewer by crossing out and initialling Clause (b)(i) and providing the effective transition date.
Note that Schedules A, B, C-A & C-B, as required by Subsection 2.2.7., must be signed, sealed and submitted to the change beginChief Building Officialchange end, as applicable for each specific project. Conditional or qualified Schedules are not typically acceptable. Any fire and life safety issue relative to the Schedule B disciplines is to be remedied before the Schedules C-A / C-B are released, not accommodated by conditions or qualifications placed on the Schedule or by any attached document. See the Guide to Letters of Assurance, available from the Building and Safety Standards Branch Web site, for more details.

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A-2.2.7.1.(1)(c)(i) Structural Components
The reference to “structural components of buildings that fall within the scope of Part 4” includes the situation where a building is classified under Part 9 due to its size and occupancy but also contains some structural components (such as beams supporting concentrated loads) which must be designed under Part 4. In this situation only Schedules B and C-B for the structural components are required. Schedule A and Schedules B, C-A and C-B relating to non-structural components are not required.
A-2.2.7.2.(1)(a) Coordinating Registered Professional
The coordinating registered professional is responsible to ascertain that all change beginBy-lawchange end related aspects which are relevant to the project are clearly identified by each of the registered professionals in the collection of Schedules B. If a registered professional of record has crossed out any item on their Schedule B, the coordinating registered professional must confirm this item is not applicable to the project or resolve the issue with the registered professional of record.

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A-2.2.7.2.(1)(b) Schedule B
The purpose of Schedule B is to clearly identify the appropriate registered professional of record who has the overall responsibility in each discipline for compliance with the various change beginBy-lawchange end related aspects of the project. Detailed design of certain building components may be undertaken by other registered professionals. The registered professional of record is responsible for monitoring the design work and field review of the other registered professionals within their discipline for components listed in Schedule B. In the event that the other registered professionals provide design and field review, the registered professional of record must be satisfied that such design and field reviews have been performed and is responsible for Schedule C-B.

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change beginA-2.2.7.2.(1)(c) Shoring Works in Street or Lane
Where shoring works are proposed to be left in the street and/or lane permanently, an application for the proposal should be made by the owner to the City Engineer. Where the City Engineer is satisfied as to the safety and advisability of the proposal, the City Engineer may approve the basis on which the shoring works may be allowed to remain.change end
A-2.2.7.2.(2) Schedule C-A
Schedule C-A provides confirmation that the coordinating registered professional has completed the obligation to coordinate the various registered professionals engaged in the project. It also confirms that the testing of the interrelated fire and life safety systems, such as fire alarms and sprinklers, has been completed and the systems function as intended.
A-2.2.7.3. Demonstration of the Coordinated Fire and Life Safety Systems
The design drawings and supporting documents must clearly indicate all essential details of the Coordinated Fire and Life Safety Systems prior to the construction of or the alteration to a building. Demonstration of the proper, integrated operation of the Fire and Life Safety Systems must be conducted prior to occupancy.
Note that Schedules A, B, C-A and C-B, as required by Subsection 2.2.7., must be signed and sealed and submitted to the change beginChief Building Officialchange end, as appropriate for each specific project.
change beginThe following is an example of the steps required to coordinate the installation and testing of fire and life safety systems in buildings.change end
1.0. General
Referencing Schedule B:
The Coordinating Registered Professional (CRP) and Registered Professionals of Record (RPRs) must demonstrate that the Fire and Life Safety Systems' design has been coordinated prior to the issuance of the Building Permit. That is, the CRP/RPRs must accumulate and submit the necessary documentation, such as:
to demonstrate that the interface of the Fire and Life Safety Systems has been designed and coordinated so that when built correctly they will function as an integrated system. Further, it is intended that when the construction of the Fire & Life Safety Systems is indicated by the Contractor to be complete, the RPRs/CRP witness the demonstration of the testing of the Fire and Life Safety Systems to confirm compliance that the as-built systems function as intended by the design.
The required list of items will depend on the simplicity or complexity of the Project. The following is a comprehensive list of items for Fire and Life Safety Systems for a complex project, which must be coordinated in order to demonstrate compliance:
Notes: It is the responsibility of the Coordinating Registered Professional (CRP) and Registered Professionals of Record (RPRs) to determine the best method of "How To" demonstrate to the change beginChief Building Officialschange end that the Fire and Life Safety Systems have been coordinated for each project. That is, the method(s) used (i.e., charts, drawings, matrices, tables, etc.) for demonstration purposes should be project-specific and relate only to that project.
It is not the intent of this Appendix material to dictate or produce "checklists" or other prescriptive methods for demonstrating compliance since this is best left to the professional discretion of the appropriate CRP/RPRs.
2.0. Design Phase — Building Permit Application Stage & Final Construction Phase — Occupancy Permit Application Stage
2.1. Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
2.1.1. Automatic Sprinkler Systems
2.1.2. Standpipe Systems
2.1.3. Fire Pump Systems
2.1.4. Fire Alarm Systems
2.1.6. Emergency Telephone System
2.1.7. Emergency Power
2.1.8. Emergency Lighting
2.1.9. Exit Signs
2.2. Additional Requirements for High Buildings
2.2.1. Interface Condition between Highrise and Lowrise Components (Measure 'N' Vestibules)
2.2.2. Smoke Control — Measure A
2.2.3. Smoke Venting
2.2.4. Fire-Fighters' Elevators
2.2.5. Protection of Emergency Electrical Conductors
2.2.6. Emergency Voice Communications
3.0. Roles and Responsibilities for the Demonstration of the Coordinated Fire and Life Safety Systems
3.1. Roles and Responsibilities for the Design, Commissioning and Functional Testing of Fire and Life Safety Systems
3.1.1. Design Phase
RPRs will clearly indicate on their drawings and supporting documents the details of the fire and life safety systems for each applicable item of Section 2 for their particular discipline. RPRs will also coordinate the design of the components in their system with the designs of other RPRs on the project. RPRs are to indicate what functional testing, system verification, etc., must be performed by the Contractor or subtrades and establish the documentation to be provided.
The CRP will develop the project-specific test protocol and procedures in consultation with the RPRs. The CRP will act as the facilitator for the coordination of the design of the fire and life safety systems among the various RPRs.
3.1.2. Construction Phase
The Contractor will coordinate the activities of the subtrade contractors for the installation of the fire and life safety systems in accordance with the contract documents.
RPRs will provide field reviews to ascertain that the construction of the fire and life safety systems substantially complies with their design.
RPRs will review shop drawings of the fire and life safety systems to determine that they accurately reflect their design intent. They will also coordinate their reviews with those of the other RPRs on the project.
The CRP will coordinate the shop drawing reviews and field reviews by the RPs with the objective that the entire fire and life safety system will correctly operate as an integrated system.
3.1.3. Occupancy Phase
The Contractor will coordinate the subtrade contractors for the commissioning and functional testing of the fire and life safety systems. The Contractor will also collect all of the required Occupancy Permit submission documents from the various subtrade contractors and forward them to the CRP.
The CRP will take the lead role in coordinating the activities of the RPRs required for the commissioning and functional testing of the fire and life safety systems. The CRP will distribute the test protocol and test procedures, as developed in the Design Stage, to the various parties involved in the process.
RPRs will ascertain that the appropriate commissioning and functional testing of the fire and life safety systems of the components in their disciplines have been satisfactorily completed by the sub trade contractors. They will also determine that the appropriate Occupancy Permit submission documents have been submitted and filled in correctly.
The CRP will be responsible for collecting all of the required Occupancy Permit submission documents, reviewing them for completeness and accuracy, and forwarding them to the AHJ in a complete package at least 24 hours prior to the Coordinated Final AHJ Review.
3.2. Sample Summary of Roles and Responsibilities for Demonstration of the Coordinated Fire and Life Safety Systems
The following is a sample summary (only) of the roles and responsibilities for a typical highrise building with underground parking. The precise roles and responsibilities for each project will vary depending on the complexity. The CRP will ascertain that the appropriate roles and responsibilities for each project are fulfilled by the RPRs.
3.2.1. Coordinating Registered Professional
Design Phase
Construction Phase
Occupancy Phase
3.2.2. Architectural Design Phase
Construction Phase
Occupancy Phase
3.2.3. Mechanical/Plumbing Design Phase
Construction Phase
Occupancy Phase
3.2.4. Fire Suppression
The design of sprinkler systems can be accomplished by at least two possible scenarios:
Scenario 1
Scenario 2 change begin(where acceptable to the Chief Building Official)change end
For purposes of this example, Scenario 2 Roles and Responsibilities are outlined below:
Design Phase by Engineer of Record
Construction Phase by Sprinkler Design Engineer
Construction Phase by Engineer of Record
Occupancy Phase by the Engineer of Record
Occupancy Phase by the Sprinkler Design Engineer
3.2.5. Electrical
Design Phase
Construction Phase
Occupancy Phase
4.0. Sample Occupancy Demonstration/Witnessing Flowchart
DEVELOP TESTING PROTOCOL/PROCEDURE (Design Stage)
CRP/RPRs develop Testing Demonstration/Witness Protocol
— Issue to Authorities Having Jurisdiction & Contractor
⇓
DOCUMENTATION SUBMISSION
Contractor/Subtrades submit/deliver all appropriate documentation to CRP/RPRs, including:
  1. — The original Contractor's Materials and Test Certificate for the sprinkler system
  2. — Fire Pump Flow Test Certificate(s)
  3. — Back Flow Prevention Certificate(s)
  4. — Emergency generator commissioning and verification reports
  5. — The original Certificate of Verification for the fire alarm system
  6. — Appendix "A" to the fire alarm verification report
  7. — ULC Certificate for Protective Signaling Service
  8. — Other documentation, as appropriate
⇓
CONTRACTOR DEMONSTRATION — CONSTRUCTION COMPLETE
Contractor & Subtrades
(Mechanical, Electrical, Elevator, Sprinkler, Fire Alarm, etc.) as appropriate
⇓
COORDINATED FINAL CONSULTANT REVIEW DEMONSTRATION/WITNESSING CRP/RPRs
(Architect, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Sprinkler Engineer, Equivalency Consultant, etc.) as appropriate
⇓
OCCUPANCY SUBMISSION DOCUMENTS
CRP to collect all submission documents, including Schedule Cs from RPRs, and submit to AHJ in a complete package
⇓
COORDINATED FINAL AHJ REVIEW DEMONSTRATION/WITNESSING
Contractor, Subtrades, CRP/RPRs demonstrate to AHJ
(Building, Fire, Mechanical, Electrical and Sprinkler)
⇓
OP ISSUED

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change beginA-2.2.8.1.(1) change beginDeletedchange end

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A-2.2.8.3.(2)(c)(i) change beginDeletedchange endchange end

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A-2.3.1. Documentation of Alternative Solutions
Beyond the purposes of demonstrating compliance and acquiring a building permit, there are other important reasons for requiring that the proponent of an alternative solution submit project documentation (i.e. a compliance report) to the authority having jurisdiction and for the authority having jurisdiction to retain that documentation for a substantial period following the construction of a building:
This subject is discussed in further detail in "Recommended Documentation Requirements for Projects Using Alternative Solutions in the Context of Objective-Based Codes," which was prepared for the CCBFC Task Group on Implementation of Objective-Based Codes and is available at change beginwww.nationalcodes.nrc.gc.cachange end.
[A] - Reference occurs in Division A.
[C] - Reference occurs in Division C.
All other references occur in Division B.

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This Appendix is included for explanatory purposes only and does not form part of the requirements change beginexcept as defined in Division A Sentence 1.1.3.1.(1).change end The numbers that introduce each Appendix Note correspond to the applicable requirements in this Division.