I’m a full time geologist who builds houses for re-sale. Over the last ten years I’ve built six houses, some of which I sell new and some of which I live in for a year or so and then sell. I’ve heard that there is going to be a new BC building code soon and I’d really appreciate it if you could give me a “heads-up” on some of the bigger changes coming our way in the new year.

Part One

The new Code came into effect on December 15, 2006, which means that any building permits applied for on or after this date will be subject to the new Code requirements. As expected, there are lots of changes due, in part, to the long period (9 years) between this Code and its predecessor, the 1998 Code. So, due to time and space constraints, I’ll mention some of the major changes in a series of articles over the next few weeks. Let’s start with one of the most significant changes.

All decks, balconies and exterior walkways except “weep-through” self draining surfaces, are now defined as roofs. This means that if the deck you build does not allow the free drainage of water through the deck, it will have to meet all the requirements for a roof. This will include structural design of floor joists and beams to the local area snow loads (which have also been revised and increased in our area), certified roofing materials for the finished decking, positive deck slopes away from all adjacent walls, and solid pony wall guardrails and flashings at all transitions of deck-to-wall joints. Does his new definition of decks as roofs include a vinyl surfaced deck 6 inches above the adjacent ground? We’ll have to see how the local building inspector or maybe the BC Building Code Appeal Board defines this assembly.

Now that decking materials must be an approved roofing material, it may end the practice of installing a concrete topping over an EDPM or “torch-on” roofing membrane because the roofing manufacturers will not warrant their products if they are not accessible for repair. So, you may have to “bed” removable concrete pavers in sand or install these pavers on an “approved” chair system. Free standing guardrails will no longer be allowed to be surface mounted through the decking because it is now a “roofing membrane”. So, look for big changes to mounting brackets on pre-manufactured metal guardrail systems. My guess is that new guardrail systems will mount through the rim joists.

Here’s another interesting change. Free standing decks and platforms no more than two feet above grade and less than 592 square feet, not supporting a roof, are permitted to be constructed without footings or foundations provided they incorporate some provisions like wedges for periodic re-leveling of the structure. Stay tuned for more changes next week.

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This article was written by Steven Cannon, a Registered Building Official and partner in Lynch Building Inspection Services Ltd. of Nelson, British Columbia. It originally appeared in The Nelson Express.

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