BC Building Code Update: Enabling Single Exit Stair Buildings

The BC government announced a building code revision to enable permissions for the design and construction of new residential multi-family single exit stair buildings.

Revision 3 to the BC Building Code came into force on August 27, 2024.

The BC Building Code changes:

• Enable single exit stair buildings, up to 6 storeys in height,
• Limit the occupancy load to 24 people, per floor,
• Limit the travel distance to the exit,
• Provide automatic sprinkler systems throughout buildings, including balconies,
• Manage smoke movement and include other fire protections, and
• Require high-level local fire department and high-level building operations and management to ensure ongoing fire system inspections.

CHBA BC has supported building code changes to enable midrise single-stair buildings (that maintain fire and life safety conditions) to provide more options for families and increase housing supply.

“We’re optimistic the code revision will help to increase the housing supply in BC by making the development of small multi-unit residential buildings more feasible,” said CHBA CEO Neil Moody. “It has the potential to lower construction costs, allow for greater design flexibility and increase the floor area efficiency of such buildings.”

The code changes are in force now. You can read the full announcement here.

Additionally, new Technical Bulletins for BC Building Code 2024 have been published and you can expect to find more added as they are finalized.

The code revision will help to increase the supply of housing by making the development of smaller properties more feasible, increasing the floor area efficiency and design flexibility of small multi-unit residential buildings.