BFD concerned about building code changes
Shaun Redmond, a deputy fire chief for the Burnaby Fire Department, says a change to provincial building codes to allow the construction of wood frame buildings up to six storeys will create problems for firefighters, including how they have to train to gain access to such buildings.
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Updated: July 04, 2009 9:10 AM
Allowing wood-frame buildings to reach up to six storeys could mean trouble, says Burnaby Fire Department, referring to recent B.C. Building Code changes.
Deputy Fire Chief Shaun Redmond said Burnaby has similar concerns to Coquitlam Fire Department, which raised the issue this week.
The changes came into effect April 6 and were brought in by the provincial government to “encourage innovative building practices and expand domestic markets for B.C. wood products,” according to the housing ministry’s website.
Going from the former maximum of four storeys to six would increase the amount of fuel available for a fire and firefighters would take longer to get to the top floor to evacuate or rescue occupants, Redmond said.
In concrete highrises, fires are generally confined to a suite or the starting point for the blaze, he said. Fires in wood-frame structures, on the other hand, have a higher potential to spread at a much more rapid rate.
“The biggest issue here is what the building material is. Wood-frame as opposed to concrete, it will burn. Concrete, as a rule, doesn’t burn.”
In March, a Burnaby city staff report said there are a number of concerns city hall wants addressed before it allows rezonings for the development of five- and six-storey wood-frame buildings.
Concerns Burnaby wants addressed in the code include: fire risks to occupants, impacts on firefighting, increased risks of building envelope failure, shrinkage of wood products used in construction and the lack of research on designing the taller buildings to withstand earthquakes.
wchow@burnabynewsleader.com
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