WHEREAS the British Columbia Building Code was recently amended to permit the construction of six storey wood frame residential buildings from the previous maximum of four storeys; AND WHEREAS the addition of two storeys of wood frame construction will require new design elements and construction techniques that address issues such as water ingress, seismic events and fire fighting capabilities and the British Columbia Building Code does not require any type of additional certification for professionals, trades or contractors involved in the design and construction of six storey wood frame buildings: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM urge the provincial government to establish additional qualifications for professionals, trades and building contractors involved in the construction of six storey wood frame residential buildings.
Ministry of Public Safety Solicitor General Minister of State for Building Code Renewal The Province believes additional qualifications for professionals, trades and building contractors are not required for the construction of 6-storey wood-frame residential buildings. Amendments to the BC Building Code were drafted based on a detailed technical analysis and assessment of the role of each of the players involved in designing and construction. Analysis has concluded that design professionals play the key role in both design and review of these buildings. The Province worked closely with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC APEGBC on addressing specific design considerations for design professionals around fire protection, shrinkage and seismic structural safety. These design considerations are addressed in special practice guidelines published by APEGBC.