B.C. fire chiefs say building code change a danger to new condo residents

Provincial government says reducing number of fire escapes will allow for more units in some multi-storey developments

Published Sep 08, 2024  •  2 minute read

The Fire Chiefs Association of B.C. is lobbying housing minister Ravi Kahlon to back away from a change to the B.C. Building Code that reduces the number of indoor fire escape stairwells needed in low-rise condos from two to one. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG

B.C. fire chiefs are fighting a new provincial rule that halves the number of fire escapes required in some multi-unit residential buildings.

On Thursday, Greater Vancouver Fire Chiefs Association president Larry Thomas will speak to the Metro Vancouver Regional District Mayors Committee to outline the association’s case against the new law, which reduces the number of indoor fire escape stairwells needed in low-rise condos from two to one.

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The Fire Chiefs Association of B.C. is also lobbying housing minister Ravi Kahlon to back away from the change to the B.C. Building Code.

Kahlon said the change, which applies to developments six storeys and under, is intended to make it easier to build new housing projects on smaller lots, and include larger units within those buildings.

“With people struggling to find housing that meets their needs, we have to find ways to innovate and build differently,” he said.

According to a joint statement from the fire chiefs associations, the Aug. 29 change to the building code “allows residential multi-unit dwellings to reduce their minimum egress stairways down to a single stairway for up to six stories.

“This change was made unilaterally and made the B.C. Building Code incongruent with the intent of a harmonized code with the National Building Code,” the statement read. “This change also does not take into account numerous concerns raised by public safety and fire service professional organizations.”

The groups say that nine per cent of fires in buildings six or fewer storeys high start in stairwells, and that 40 per cent of fire safety systems in apartment buildings are not compliant with fire codes, making fire escapes critical.

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They are asking the provincial government to review the new rule, saying any changes to stairway rules be made through national building codes.

“Our associations are requesting that these changes be reversed or paused, and we strongly recommend that this be deferred to the National Building Code revision process with the involvement of the National Research Council,” the statement read.

The change to B.C.’s code is part of a series of laws introduced by the provincial government to increase B.C.’s housing supply, particularly multi-unit developments for families. Other measures include forcing municipalities to change zoning regulations and a crackdown on short-term rentals.

Kahlon said with the code change, all new developments built with one stairwell will require sprinklers, smoke-management systems and wider stairwells.

“By adjusting B.C.’s building code to allow single egress stair buildings, we cannot only boost housing supply, but also create more options for people and families who need larger layouts and more bedrooms. This will allow people to live, grow and prosper in the communities they call home.”

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