Lisa Miller-Way

The applicant sought to construct a second-floor office space within an existing industrial condominium unit without installing a platform lift for barrier-free access.

The applicant argued that the space qualified for exemptions under the Building Code based on building area and raised floor provisions.

The Building Code Commission found that the building area exceeded the 600 square metre threshold for the exemption and that the second floor constituted a separate storey rather than a raised floor area.

The Commission ruled that the proposal to omit barrier-free access did not provide sufficiency of compliance with the Building Code.

The applicant sought resolution of a dispute with the Chief Building Official regarding the location of a fire department connection for a new automatic sprinkler system in an existing 11-storey residential building.

The applicant proposed relocating the connection to a point 47 metres from the nearest fire hydrant, which exceeded the 45-metre maximum required by Sentence 3.2.5.16.(2) of the Building Code.

The Building Code Commission ruled that the proposal provided sufficiency of compliance, noting that the relocation was voluntary, site restrictions prevented meeting the 45-metre requirement, and moving the connection from its existing 67-metre distance to 47 metres significantly improved the building's level of fire protection.

The applicant sought resolution of a dispute with the Chief Building Official regarding the requirement to install a vapour barrier in a seasonal, unheated building.

The applicant proposed installing Rockwool insulation without a vapour barrier to prevent moisture accumulation and mould.

The Building Code Commission ruled that the proposed wall assembly without a vapour barrier provides sufficiency of compliance with the Building Code, provided the insulation is installed according to Code requirements and a Borax solution is applied to the assemblies.