Special Bulletin
On Friday, August 8, Alberta Municipal Affairs (AMA) announced the opening of its online public consultation on the Alberta Fire and Building Codes changes in response to high-intensity residential fires. It is important CHBA - Alberta members participate in the consultation and do so with an appropriate level of knowledge. AMA is asking the public to complete two surveys, one regarding changes to the Alberta Building Code and the other on changes to the Alberta Fire Code. Please review the background, changes and next steps outline below.
Background
· In May 2008, Minister Danyluk approved 18 of the 22 recommended changes to the Building Code that were made by the Alberta Government's High Intensity Residential Fire (HIRF) working group.
· AMA was tasked with the responsibility of determining the technical wording for these changes and on July 24, made a presentation to the provincial governments Building Technical Council (BTC) regarding the proposed wording. CHBA - Alberta staff and volunteer representatives participated in these discussions at BTC and after much discussion, the technical wording was accepted with a few changes.
Changes
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Changes to the Alberta Building Code 2006 |
Changes to the Alberta Fire Code 2006 |
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Spatial separation between buildings of combustible construction was found to be a key contributing factor to HIRF incidents in Alberta; therefore, the Government of Alberta has decided to immediately adopt changes developed by the National Research Council for inclusion in the 2010 model National Building Code to ensure that improved spatial separation provisions are in place as soon as possible. Other new provisions will be established in the code to increase the fire resistance of exterior walls and limit the potential for fire spread via eave soffits. Several additional factors such as fire spread on balconies, sprinklers, and attached garages will result in other changes relating to these issues.
The changes can be broken down as follows:
· Limiting distance and intervention time;
· Concentration of unprotected and glazed openings;
· Combustible projections near property lines;
· Construction of exposing building faces--cladding and sheathing;
· Protection of soffits;
· Sprinkling of balconies and concealed spaces;
· Fire safety in attached garages;
· Protection of unsprinklered balconies;
· Miscellaneous amendments to accommodate other changes. |
Many of the HIRF can be related to fire safety issues on construction and demolition sites, which called into question the efficacy of the construction site fire safety provisions in the Fire Code. Consequently, the government plans to adopt changes developed by the National Research Council for inclusion in the 2010 Model National Fire Code to ensure that improved construction site safety provisions are in place as soon as possible.
They can be broken down as follows:
· Protection of existing buildings adjacent to construction, alteration or demolition work;
· Improved fire safety plan requirements;
· Improved access for emergency personnel to and within buildings under construction or demolition;
· New requirements for hot application roofing materials, such as bitumen and torch applied membranes;
· Miscellaneous amendments to accommodate other changes. |
A detailed chart correlating the survey questions to the specific code article wording being changed has been created and can be downloaded here to assist in comprehending the survey questions.
Should you have any questions as you work through the survey, please contact Alberta Municipal Affairs, Safety Services Branch toll-free at 1-866-421-6929.
Next Steps
· CHBA - Alberta is preparing its response via a province-wide consultation with members.
· The Alberta Housing Industry Technical Committee will hold a special meeting.
· Local CHBA's have been asked to assemble local technical committees to review the changes and provide feedback to CHBA-Alberta.
· Once the industry consultation is complete, an industry opinion will be circulated to members to offer them the knowledge needed to form their own options and complete the 20-minute online survey.
· CHBA - Alberta would prefer if members do not complete the survey prior to receiving association feedback. The survey will ask respondents to rate how effective they feel these changes will be, as well as provide an opportunity to make comments.
· The survey must be completed by August 29, 2008.
· CHBA - Alberta will also be preparing an industry feedback document and provide it to AMA
Surveys
The following survey questions for the Alberta Building Code 2006 and Alberta Fire Code 2006 are exactly as written on AMA website and are being provided so industry members and the various local Home Builder Association's can review the new wording and provide feedback directly at the Alberta Municipal Affairs website mentioned above.
Survey Questions for HIRF Changes for Alberta Building Code 2006
1. Limiting distances and intervention time
These changes are being made to fulfill the government's commitment to accept, in part, recommendation 3.1.1 of the High-Intensity Residential Fires Working Group Final Report. This recommendation says the code change proposals, developed by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) Task Group on Spatial Separations, for inclusion in the next edition of the model National Building Code be adopted for use in Alberta as soon as possible.
1a) The current wording does not provide any guidance as to how to measure the ten minute response time of fire departments. Changes to Article 3.2.3.1 will clarify this requirement.
1b) Articles 9.10.14.3. and 9.10.15.3. will be changed to bring more consistency between Part 3 and Part 9 of the ABC regarding limiting distances where firefighting facilities are inadequate.
2. Concentration of unprotected and glazed openings
2a) The existing limits on unprotected openings assume an even distribution of smaller openings rather than a concentration of larger openings. Concentration of the allowable unprotected opening area into larger unprotected openings or a concentration of smaller unprotected openings in small areas of the exposing building face increases the exposure of the adjacent building, especially at smaller limiting distances. Article 3.2.3.1 and its appendix note as well as Article 9.10.14.4. will be changed to help to mitigate the risk of fire spread to adjacent buildings from unprotected openings.
2b) The existing limits on glazed openings assume an even distribution of smaller openings rather than a concentration of larger openings. Concentration of the allowable glazed area into larger glazed openings can increase the potential for fire exposure to adjacent buildings. This is particularly problematic when buildings are close to the property line. Changes to Article 9.10.15.2 and 9.10.15.4. will clarify requirements to mitigate this risk.
3. Combustible projections near property lines
These changes are being made to fulfill the government's commitment to accept, in part, recommendation 3.1.1 of the High-Intensity Residential Fires Working Group Final Report. This recommendation says the code change proposals, developed by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) Task Group on Spatial Separations, for inclusion in the next edition of the model National Building Code be adopted for use in Alberta as soon as possible. Sentences 9.10.14.5.(5). and 9.10.15.5.(5). will be reworded to clarify the distances between combustible projections and property lines, public ways or other buildings.
4. Construction of exposing building faces--cladding and sheathing
These changes are being made to fulfill the government's commitment to accept, in part, recommendation 3.1.1 of the High-Intensity Residential Fires Working Group Final Report. This recommendation says the code change proposals, developed by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) Task Group on Spatial Separations, for inclusion in the next edition of the model National Building Code be adopted for use in Alberta as soon as possible.
4a) Articles 3.2.3.7 and 9.10.14.5 dealing with the construction of exposing building faces will be improved to help reduce the incidence of vertical fire spread to the roof space via the exterior walls. Article 3.2.3.7. has also been reworked into a table format for consistency with Part 9 of the code.
4b) Changes will be made to Article 9.10.15.5. to reduce the likelihood of fire spread between houses from exterior wall to exterior wall. This recognizes changes in construction materials and practices as well as in materials in building contents, Table 9.10.15.5 is deleted as there are no conditions where its criteria would apply.
5. Protection of soffits
These changes are being made to fulfill the government's commitment to accept, in part, recommendation 3.1.1 of the High-Intensity Residential Fires Working Group Final Report. This recommendation says the code change proposals, developed by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) Task Group on Spatial Separations, for inclusion in the next edition of the model National Building Code be adopted for use in Alberta as soon as possible.
5a) The current Code requirements do not address the protection of soffits to control building to building fire spread in closely-spaced buildings containing one or two dwelling units. Changes to Articles 3.2.3.6. and 9.10.14.5. will address this problem.
5b) The current Code requirements do not address the protection of soffits to control building to building fire spread in closely-spaced buildings containing one or two dwelling units. Changes to Article 9.10.15.5 will reduce the probability of fire spread from the roof space prior to the arrival of the fire department.
6. Sprinkling of balconies and concealed spaces
These changes are being made to fulfill the government's commitment to accept recommendation 3.4.1 of the High-Intensity Residential Fires Working Group Final Report. 3.4.1 recommends that Alberta-specific changes be made to include additional sprinkler requirements for multi-family residential buildings where a sprinkler system is installed.
Alberta-specific changes will be made to Article 3.2.5.13. to clarify that certain exemptions in NFPA 13R, such as sprinkling of attics, balconies and other concealed spaces, are not applicable in sprinklered residential occupancies in Alberta.
7. Fire safety in attached garages
These changes are being made to fulfill the government's commitment to accept recommendation 3.5.1 of the High-Intensity Residential Fires Working Group Final Report. 3.5.1 recommends that Alberta-specific changes be made to the building code to require garages to have gypsum wallboard, or similar performing membrane, on walls and ceilings, as well as heat detectors.
7a) Alberta-specific changes will be made to the Alberta Building Code to include heat detectors in attached garages.
Please note: New code provisions have been developed; however, because there is currently no standard available for the testing of these devices in sub zero temperatures, this change may require further research before it can be included in the code.
7b) The intent of article 9.35.4.1 will be clarified and expanded to ensure that the interior of attached garages are finished in a manner that will delay the spread of a fire occurring in an attached garage.
8. Protection of unsprinklered balconies
These changes are being made to fulfill the government's commitment to accept recommendation 3.6.1 of the High-Intensity Residential Fires Working Group Final Report. 3.6.1 recommends that Alberta-specific changes be made to include additional requirements for balconies/patios to be sprinklered in multi-family residential buildings where a sprinkler system is installed. Where the building does not have a sprinkler system, balconies and patios will need to incorporate a non-combustible exterior finish.
A new Article (9.10.12.5) will be added to the ABC to provide additional protection for unsprinklered balconies. This is to help mitigate the spread of fire originating from activities such as smoking or barbequing on balconies.
9. Miscellaneous and editorial changes
There are several miscellaneous and editorial changes being made to the Code in order to strengthen or clarify Code requirements relating to high intensity residential fires. Please see miscellaneous section of the Alberta Building Code 2006 Chart for more information.
Survey Questions for HIRF Changes for Alberta Fire Code 2006
1. Protection of existing buildings adjacent to construction or demolition sites
These changes are being made to fulfill the government's acceptance of recommendation 2.1.1 of the High-Intensity Residential Fires Working Group Final Report. The government plans to adopt HIRF-related proposed changes to the model National Fire Code developed by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) task group on Fire Safety at Construction and Demolition Sites.
1a) The general application provisions and appendix note related to construction and demolition sites will be amended to include the safety of adjacent buildings.
1b) A new article and appendix note will be added to expand the requirements to add property protection to adjacent buildings in case of major fire losses on construction sites which could have an impact on adjacent buildings.
2. Improved fire safety plan requirements
These changes are being made to fulfill the government's acceptance of recommendation 2.1.1 of the High-Intensity Residential Fires Working Group Final Report. The government plans to adopt HIRF-related proposed changes to the model National Fire Code developed by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) task group on Fire Safety at Construction and Demolition Sites.
The Fire Safety Plan requirements in the code will be enhanced to describe the expansion of requirements for fire safety plans for buildings or parts of buildings and facilities undergoing construction, alteration or demolition, including any incomplete or abandoned buildings.
3. Improved access for emergency personnel to and within buildings under construction
These changes are being made to fulfill the government's acceptance of recommendation 2.1.1 of the High-Intensity Residential Fires Working Group Final Report. The government plans to adopt HIRF-related proposed changes to the model National Fire Code developed by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) task group on Fire Safety at Construction and Demolition Sites.
3a) The requirements on access for firefighting will be clarified and improved. The Appendix note was evaluated and deemed to be a requirement, so it will be moved into the body of the code.
3b) The requirements on portable fire extinguishers will be clarified to be more specific about the location of extinguishers.
3c) The requirements on standpipe systems will be changed to clarify and expand the standpipe requirements for unoccupied buildings.
4. New requirements for hot application roofing materials
These changes are being made to fulfill the government's acceptance of recommendation 2.1.1 of the High-Intensity Residential Fires Working Group Final Report. The government plans to adopt HIRF-related proposed changes to the model National Fire Code developed by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) task group on Fire Safety at Construction and Demolition Sites.
4a) The requirements for cutting and welding operations will be re-named Hot Surface Applications and Hot Works and will be clarified to flesh out the details surrounding hot surface applications.
4b) The requirements for clearance to combustible materials will be re-named Ignition Sources and changed to reflect that sources of ignition are not limited to internal combustion engines.
5. Miscellaneous and editorial changes
There are several miscellaneous and editorial changes being made to the Code in order to strengthen or clarify Code requirements relating to high intensity residential fires. Please see miscellaneous section of the Alberta Fire Code 2006 Chart for more information.
