2006 BC Building Code Now Available
The 2006 BC Building Code and BC Fire Code are now available to the public. The BC Building Code includes Part 7 - BC Plumbing Services
As noted by the BC Building Policy Branch, the new 2006 Code requirements will apply to all buildings constructed on or after December 15, 2006, except those buildings for which a permit application has been accepted prior to December 15, 2006.
The new BC Building Code and Fire Code are based on the 2005 National Building Code of Canada and the 2005 National Fire Code of Canada, and establish minimum standards for health, safety, accessibility, fire and structural protection of buildings in BC, and protection of buildings from water and sewer damage. The 2006 edition of the codes use a new objective-based format. The objectives describe the overall goals that the Codes’ provisions are intended to achieve, and all requirements in the Codes are linked to one or more main objectives.
Volunteers from the engineering, architectural, fire, plumbing and building officials’ associations have been working with the BC Building Policy Branch to develop comprehensive code education for building industry professions in BC. Code Change Seminar material is being developed for delivery by code practitioners and consulting specialists who have undertaken a line-by-line review and comparative analysis of the existing BC Codes, the proposed 2006 BC Codes and the 2005 National Codes.
An introduction to the structure and changes in the 2006 BC building, plumbing and fire codes and the City of Vancouver Building Bylaw will be highlighted at the annual Education Workshop of the Building Officials’ Association of BC (BOABC) to be held November 23 - 25, 2006 in Richmond, BC. The Plumbing Officials’ Association will also be having a discussion on the highlights of the new BC Plumbing Code at their annual Education Conference in Richmond on October 21.
Code Change Seminars are being planned for delivery within jurisdictions across British Columbia in early 2007, when it is expected that code users will have had the opportunity to better familiarize themselves with the new code structure and content. These seminars will be offered in two-day sessions for a registration fee expected to be in the range of $200 for two days. All registrants will receive a detailed guide covering the changes in the 2006 BC Codes. This guide will include a table outlining all changes, as well as diagrams and explanations for the substantive changes.
The details, locations, schedules and times for the provincial delivery of the two-day Code Change Seminars, set for early 2007, are being planned and will be announced at the November BOABC Education Conference.
To register for BOABC’s annual Education Workshops to be held November 23 to 25 or for additional information on the Code Change Seminars, please contact the Steering Committee Chairman George.Humphrey@burnaby.ca or the BOABC Executive Director Richard Bushey at richbushey@shaw.ca.
For information on ordering the 2006 BC Building Code and Fire Code, visit the Government Publication Services Building Codes website at www.bccodes.ca or contact them toll free at 1-800-663-6105.