9.19.2.1. Access

 9.19.2.1. Access

This Article requires an #access opening to permit periodic inspection where an #attic or roof space is high enough to permit a person to enter. A #hatch cover or doorway is also needed to resist #heat loss and #moisture leakage into the space.

Access is also useful to permit upgrading of #insulation and rewiring, and for firefighting access. Access hatches located in the insulated ceiling are potential weak points in the ceiling air barrier. The NBC does not require that access to roof spaces be directly from the interior of the building. They can be located in #gable ends or garage #ceilings, where they will not lessen the integrity of the air barrier system.

Every attic must be accessible by a #stair or #hatchway if the distance from the top of the ceiling joists to the underside of the rafters is 600 mm (24 in.) or more over an area of at least 3 m2 (32.25 ft.2), with the length or width of the space at least 1 m (3 ft. 3 in.). The minimum dimensions for attic hatches are shown in Figure 9.19.-7.

Quoted from Illustrated Users' Guide - NBC2015

#roofspace #accesshatch

9.19.1.3. Clearances

 9.19.1.3. Clearances

This Article requires that sufficient clearance be provided to ensure adequate #ventilation flow. Unless air can flow freely between the #insulation and the roof deck to reach a vent to the exterior, venting will not be effective. As this space is reduced, the resistance to #airflow increases.

Where thick insulation is used in #attics, particularly attics with low roof slopes, the insulation could completely close off the air space at the lower part of the roof so that the air from the #soffit vents cannot reach the attic space. The insulation thickness must be reduced at these locations either by cutting the insulation on the slope to provide clearance between the insulation and the roof deck, or by depressing the insulation by means of specially designed void forms installed between the roof framing against the deck (Figure 9.19.-5).

Insulation must be installed in a manner that ensures that a 63 mm (2 1/2 in.) air space is provided between the insulation and roof #sheathing. Where #baffles (Figure 9.19.-5) are used to contain the insulation at the #junction of a sloped roof and an exterior wall, the clearance can be reduced to 50 mm (2 in.), as long as the overall ventilation area meets the requirements of NBC Article 9.19.1.2. Alternatively, the roof framing members can be increased in depth to create additional insulation space. 

Quoted from Illustrated Users' Guide - NBC2015

9.19.1.2. Vent Requirements - Flat Roofs

 9.19.1.2. Vent Requirements - Flat Roofs

#Purlins at least 38 × 38 mm (2 × 2 in. nominal) are required to vent flat roofs where the #joist spaces are not individually vented to permit the venting of all spaces (Figure 9.19.-4).

Quoted from Illustrated Users' Guide - NBC2015

#flatroof

9.19.1.2. Vent Requirements

 9.19.1.2. Vent Requirements 

This Article requires sufficient #vent area to transfer to the exterior any #moisture that may collect in roof spaces before it can create problems. Vents not only reduce the amount of winter moisture accumulation, but also allow the roof or #attic space to dry out more quickly in the spring when the temperature rises to a level that might initiate wood decay. In low-sloped roofs, the roof #sheathing is closer to the source of moisture leakage from the space below, and #condensation and frost build-up can occur before the moisture escapes through the roof vents. Therefore, greater vent area is required for such roofs, both to reduce moisture build-up and to hasten subsequent spring drying. 

The distribution of vents on opposite sides of a roof is intended to encourage #cross-ventilation, while top and bottom distribution is intended to take advantage of convection currents to move heated air to the highest part of the roof to escape. If there is no common #attic space (e.g., flat roofs, cathedral ceilings) and there is no interconnection between joist spaces, the only way the roof can be effectively vented is by venting each #joist space. If the vents allow the entry of snow or rainwater, this will add to the moisture load and the risk of problems previously noted.

Quoted from Illustrated Users' Guide --NBC2015

#roofspace #roofvent #crossventilation

9.19.1.1. Required Venting

 9.19.1.1. Required Venting 

This Article requires that roof #venting provide a means for allowing #moisture that may have found its way into an #attic or roof space to escape to the exterior. Excess moisture resulting from winter #condensation can raise the moisture level in such spaces to the point where wood can begin to decay. Water leakage into the conditioned space below may also occur when the winter #frost and #ice build-up melts.

Quoted from Illustrated Users' Guide -- NBC2015

9.15.4.10. Interior Masonry Walls

 9.15.4.10. Interior Masonry Walls

This Article points to the requirements in NBC Section 9.20. for interior masonry walls acting as foundation# walls so that they are constructed to have adequate strength to support anticipated loads. 

The minimum #width for an interior loadbearing masonry# wall depends on the spacing of its lateral support. Such walls must be laterally supported by floor or roof construction, or by intersecting masonry walls or #buttresses. The maximum spacing of such supports can be no greater than 20 times the wall thickness, as illustrated in Figure 9.15.-18 (NBC Article 9.20.10.1.).

#masonrywall #loadbearing #lateralsupport

Quoted from Illustrated Users' Guide-NBC2015

How are plans reviewed? -- #23

 How are plans reviewed? -- #23

Important definition: Secondary Suite

Secondary suite means a self-contained dwelling unit located in a building or portion of a building of only residential occupancy that contains only one other dwelling unit and common spaces, and where both dwelling units constitute a single real estate entity.

#secondarysuite #dwellingunits

Guidelines for Effectively Engaging a Building Code Consultant

 Guidelines for Effectively Engaging a Building Code Consultant

When contemplating the engagement of Building Code Consultants, it is crucial to examine their LinkedIn profiles to verify that they possess the necessary qualifications and experience, unless we are prepared to provide them training through our projects.

Consider the following scenarios:

If we were to hire a #physician to safeguard our health, but this "physician" has never attended medical school or treated a patient in a #clinical setting, the consequences could be dire.

If we were to engage a #structural engineer to design a #skyscraper, yet this "structural engineer" lacks knowledge of structural mechanics and has no prior experience in an architectural firm, the building could potentially collapse.

If we were to select a building code consultant to aid in our building permit application, but this "consultant" has never enforced Building Code within a municipality, our application process may become increasingly complicated.

Many challenges we encounter today may stem from our initial hiring decisions. #hiring #design #training #experience #buildingcodeconsultant #linkedin.

Test to architects and plans examiners

 Test to architects and plans examiners

Evaluate the architectural design for the carport attached to the existing garage depicted in this image. What issues can be identified with this addition?

#carport #gagage #addition #architect #plansexaminer

How are plans reviewed? -- #22

 How are plans reviewed? -- #22

Converting a single-family house into a daycare facility is a complex undertaking that cannot be accomplished solely by an architectural designer. It requires the involvement of an architect, a structural engineer, a mechanical engineer, and an electrical engineer. Crucially, the expertise of a building code consultant, well-versed in the relevant codes, is invaluable for ensuring compliance and achieving cost savings. In a recent project, I successfully saved the building owner approximately $50,000 by retaining the existing structure and providing appropriate fire separations.

#singlefamilyhouse #daycare #buildingcodeconsultant #fireseparation