9.15.4.6. Extension above Ground Level

 9.15.4.6. Extension above Ground Level

This Article sets the minimum extension of #foundation walls above ground level. The extension of a foundation above ground level is intended to avoid the entry of rainwater run-off and snow-melt over the top edge of the wall, and to protect water-sensitive materials supported on the foundation from prolonged wetting.

Foundation walls must extend a minimum of 150 mm (6 in.) above the ground. If a #cladding is used that is adversely affected by #moisture, such as wood or wood-based siding, clearance between the finished #ground level and the bottom of the cladding must be a minimum of 200 mm (8 in.) (NBC Article 9.27.2.4.). This also applies to #stucco over #wood-frame construction (NBC Article 9.28.1.4.). These conditions are illustrated in Figure 9.15.-15.

Quoted from Illustrated Users' Guide - NBC2015

Quiz - serious code issues

 Quiz

There are serious code issues in the following picture. How many can you tell based on the description below?

It was one of the Winner of the Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada Millwork Product Design and Quality Award.

The Chapel was placed at the intersection of corridors on the second floor, hanging from the roof structure above, with no columns below to impede visibility. it is the heart and focal point of the high school, being the first element visitors see upon entering the building.

#canada #building #code #school #quiz

9.9.10.1. Egress Windows or Doors for Bedrooms

 9.9.10.1. Egress Windows or Doors for Bedrooms

This Article presents the emergency escape requirements from bedrooms should a fire prevent escape by normal egress routes. Although bedroom windows are not considered to be ordinary escape routes, many occupants have been saved by using them in an emergency.

Unless a dwelling unit is sprinklered, or a bedroom has a doorway to the exterior, every bedroom or combination bedroom must be provided with at least one outside window or exterior door that can be opened from the inside without the use of tools to provide an emergency means of escape or rescue from bedrooms. These windows must have an unobstructed open portion having a minimum area of 0.35 m2 (3.8 ft.2) with no dimension less than 380 mm (15 in.) (Figure 9.9.-13). For sliding windows, the minimum dimension applies to the openable portion of the window.

Quoted from Illustrated Users' Guide - NBC2015

#egresswindow #bedroom #meansofegress #dwelling #windows

9.9.9.3 Shared Egress Facilities

 9.9.9.3 Shared Egress Facilities

If a dwelling opens directly onto an exit stairway shared by other units (Figure 9.9.-11), a second means of egress is required from the unit.

Quoted from Illustrated Users' Guide - NBC2015

9.9.4.6. Openings Near Exit Doors

 9.9.4.6. Openings Near Exit Doors

This Article specifies where unprotected openings have to be protected when located near exit doors to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out through a window and exposing an exit door to heat, making it unsafe as an exit. 

Exterior exit doors can be exposed to fire from unprotected windows in other parts of the building, which may interfere with the evacuation of the occupants in the event of a fire. Unless the exposing windows are kept at a substantial distance away and at a reasonable angle of exposure, they should be protected with wired glass or glass block (Figure 9.9.-5).

Quoted from Illustrated Users' Guide - NBC2015

#openings #windows #building #exit

Why is it important to have a third party plans review?

There are two simple reasons by human nature:

1. the designer never knows that he/she made a mistake.

2. the designer never wants the others to know that he/she made a mistake.

This is why plans done by one designer should be reviewed by another in a well organized design firm and an important project design done by one design firm should have a peer review by another design firm.

Are we happy to invest a project without third party plans review?

#project #designer #thirdpartyplansreview

A secret of plans review at AHJ

 A secret of plans review at AHJ

It is always a great thing for designers and building owners to have their plans approved by the AHJ, but one thing the plans reviewer would never tell us is what is not required on the plans.

Recently, there was a 4 unit rowhouse. The contractor asked me if it is sufficient for him to provide sprinklers in the basement only. After reviewing the approved plans, I found the designer specified that the whole building will be sprinklered. I am speechless. No one plans reviewer at the AHJ would tell us that more than $60k for the sprinkler system is not required for this building.

#building #designers #plansreviewer #sprinklers

9.9.4.5. Openings in Exterior Walls of Exits

This Article specifies where any opening has to be protected to reduce the risk of fire breaking out through a window in one fire compartment and exposing the window openings in an exit stairway to sufficient heat to break ordinary glass, rendering the exit unsafe.

Windows in the exterior wall of an enclosed exit can be exposed to fire from windows in an exterior wall of another part of the building. Windows in the same plane as the exit windows are not considered to be an exposure hazard. Windows at an angle of less than 135° located within 3 m (9 ft. 10 in.) horizontally and less than 2 m (6 ft. 7 in.) vertically to each other are considered a hazard (NBC Article 9.10.12.3.). For this reason, either openings in exterior walls of an exit or openings in adjacent exterior walls of the building must be protected with wired glass or glass block (Figure 9.9.-4).

Quoted from Illustrated Users' Guide - NBC2015

#building #openings #windows

9.9.4.4. Openings Near Unenclosed Exit Stairs and Ramps

 9.9.4.4. Openings Near Unenclosed Exit Stairs and Ramps

This Article specifies where unprotected openings in exterior walls have to be protected to reduce the risk of fire breaking out through a window and interfering with evacuation from an exterior exit stairway or ramp as a result of excessive heat radiation.

Exterior unenclosed stairs or ramps are also vulnerable to exposure to fire from openings such as windows. Openings located close enough to be an exposure hazard must be protected with wired glass or glass block (Figure 9.9.-3) if the exterior stairs or ramps are the only means of escape.

Quoted from Illustrated Users' Guide - NBC2015

#openings #stairs #ramps #windows

9.9.4.3. Wired Glass or Glass Block

 9.9.4.3. Wired Glass or Glass Block 

This Article provides the requirements for the properties and size of wired glass and glass block that are used to reduce the risk of heat radiation from a fire on a floor area that can make an exit stairway unsafe for evacuation if the exit is not shielded by a fire-resisting vestibule.

Glass block or wired glass can withstand the effects of fire long enough to permit its use as a closure. Large glass areas, however, can expose the exit user to radiation from fire in the adjacent floor area. For this reason, the area of glass in the doors of an exit (and any adjacent sidelight) must be limited, unless the exit door is protected by an enclosed corridor or vestibule separated from the floor area by fire separations having not less than a 45 min fire-resistance rating (Figure 9.9.-2).

Quoted from Illustrated Users' Guide - NBC2015