BC Code 2018
The Province has adopted the 2018 edition of the British Columbia Building Code, including the BC Fire Code (BC Codes 2018). The BC Fire Code 2018 is effective December 10, 2018.
The Office of the Fire Commissioner offers guidelines, bulletins about Fire Safety for Construction and Demolitions Sites, and position papers about fire safety on their website.
For more information about the BC Fire Code 2018, please online resources include:
- Summary of changes
- 2018 Edition of the BC Fire Code Bulletin
- Fire Safety for Construction and Demolition Sites Bulletin
Or visit:
- For code interpretation questions, please email codequestion@gov.bc.ca
- For general questions about code adoption, please email safety@gov.bc.ca
BC Code news March 2019
BC Building Code adjusted upwards to allow 12-storey wood buildings in BC
BC is leading the way in Canada by adapting to upcoming building code changes that will allow the construction of taller wood buildings. The height limit for wood buildings in British Columbia is increasing to 12 storeys, up from the current six storeys in an initiative that is expected to spur development using timber. BC is adjusting its building code to allow the construction of taller wood buildings as a safe, economic and environmental alternative to concrete apartments and office buildings. BC’s building code changes come one year ahead of expected changes in the national building code, which are also expected to increase height limits for wood buildings to 12 storeys. This comes after years of industry and government-supported research and pilot projects, including the 18-storey Brock Commons Tallwood House, which was completed in 2017 and was the world’s tallest hybrid timber building at the time of construction.
