Location of Firewall

Can we put firewalls on any location we like to build one huge building?
There are 3 firewalls on the floor plan below. What are the implications of these firewalls in our design?
#design #building #firewalls

Firewall vs Fire Separation

On the following two floor plans, one has a 1h fire separation and the other has a 2h firewall at the same location.
What shall we consider differently in designing? Please give your list of differences by comments.
#firewalls #fireseparation

Tell the Difference

2015 National Building Code

9.10.4.4. Roof-Top Enclosures

1) Roof-top enclosures provided for elevator machinery, stairways or service rooms, used for no purpose other than for service to the building, shall not be considered as a storey in calculating the building height.

2018 BC Building Code

9.10.4.4. Roof-Top Enclosures

1) A roof-top enclosure shall not be considered as a storey in calculating the building height if the roof-top enclosure is provided for

a) elevator machinery,

b) a service room,

c) a stairway used for no purpose other than for access or egress,

d) an elevator lobby used for no purpose other than for access or egress, or

e) a combination thereof

The difference is:

If you are designing a 3 storey townhouse with a roof top patio and stairway, it will be 3 storey in BC, but 4 storey in other provinces, such as Alberta and Saskatchewan.

I Am a Building Code Consultant

Don't be shy if you don't know something.

Everybody is an expert in his own area.

I am not a plumber. I call a plumber to fix my clogged sink.
I am not a carpenter. I pay for a carpenter to frame my deck.

I am a building code consultant. I know Alberta Building Code, BC Building Code, Ontario Building Code, National Building Code and International Building Code. If you are designing or improving a building, I will be your helper.
#building #codeconsultant #buildingcode

Insight of Alternative Solutions

 

There are two ways to comply with the building Code: Comply with the applicable acceptable solutions in Division B or using alternative solutions that will achieve at least the minimum level of performance required by Division B

Some people think that they can use alternative solutions whenever they want if they don't like the requirements in Division B. The facts are:

1. Alternative solutions are not easy solutions.
It is Division B, not alternative solutions, that sets the minimum standard of the Code. Alternative solutions shall be not "well enough", but "as well as" the acceptable solutions. To achieve the minimum level of performance required by Division B, deviation of one way in Division B shall be compensated by another way in alternative solutions.

2. Alternative solutions are not cheap solutions
To compensate the deviation of Division B, the technology and construction method will usually cost more than the traditional way. Besides this, It is extremally expensive to have a detailed fire analysis and modelling when preparing alternative solution itself.

3. 99% of alternative solutions are not required
It is not hard to comply with the requirements of Division B. Unless you are encouraged to try a totally new construction material or technology which is not covered by Division B, alternative solutions are not required. Something must be wrong if you think you need an alternative solution.

4. Professional’s opinions are not acceptable alternative solutions.
Every professional is an expert only at his own professional area. An architect is an expert of building space and appearance; a structural engineer is an expert of structural design. One of their responsibilities is to comply with the code, not to make the code. Their opinions are not alternative solutions recognized by the Code, unless evidences are provided to prove their solutions are equal or better than that required by Division B.
#architect #design #technology #structural #engineer #alternativesolutions

3.1.5.6 Combustible Components in Exterior Walls

 What does this article mean to you?

3.1.5.6 Combustible Components in Exterior Walls

1) Combustible components, other than those permitted by Article 3.1.5.5., are permitted to be used in an exterior wall assembly of a building required to be of noncombustible construction, provided

a) the building is

i) not more than 3 storeys in building height, or

ii) sprinklered throughout, and

b) the wall assembly

i) meets the requirements of Clause 3.1.5.5.(1)(b), or

ii) is protected by masonry or concrete cladding not less than 25 mm thick

What is the most important part in building design?

Survey

What is the most important part in building design?

a) Structural Safety

b) Life and fire Safety

c) Energy efficiency

d) serviceability

Please have your answer by comments.

#design #building #energy #safety #structural

What will make a good building code consultant?

 Several architectural students asked me:

What will make a good building code consultant?

The following career path will answer this question:

1. Be a good designer, to fully understand what you do.

2. Be a good teacher, to be able to share what you know.

3. Be a good building official, to enforce the code properly

4. Be a good building code consultant, to help people in need with a passion.

This is my personnel experience. I believe I am a good building code consultant.

#building #experience #designer #students #teacher #help #people #codeconsultant

When Do You Ask Bing?

Ask Bing, when you have code questions.
Ask Bing, when you need code clarification.
Ask Bing, when building permit application is on hold.
Ask Bing, when you need an alternative solution
Ask Bing, when your staff are stressful on code
Ask Bing, when you want to save cost.
... ...
There are many advantages to ask Bing. Just like architect specializes in building space and architectural features, code consultant is good at code compliance.

The secret of cost saving for single family houses

After reviewing more than 4000 projects in the City of Calgary, I found all the projects having space to save construction cost for complying with the building code, even if they are single family houses. Here I'd like to give you two hints for saving. It happens to all the houses, 100%, the amount of money wasted by builders are more than millions every year.

Spend money on foundations for doing nothing.

Spend money on garages for making it worse.

Sorry I can't say anything more than this. It is a secret and worth millions. If you know it, please share your thoughts.

#construction #projects #building #money #buildingcodes #residential #commercialconstruction #savingcost #cityofcalgary