The British Columbia Building Code | Section 2.2. | Objectives
Division A: Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements Part 2 – Objectives
British Columbia Building Code 2018 Division A
Section 2.2. Objectives
2.2.1. Objectives
2.2.1.1. Objectives
1) The objectives of this Code are as follows (see Note A-2.2.1.1.(1)):
OS Safety
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design, construction or
demolition of the building, a person in or adjacent to the building will be exposed to an unacceptable
risk of injury.
OS1 Fire Safety
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design or construction
of the building, a person in or adjacent to the building will be exposed to an unacceptable risk of
injury due to fire. The risks of injury due to fire addressed in this Code are those caused by –
OS1.1 – fire or explosion occurring
OS1.2 – fire or explosion impacting areas beyond its point of origin
OS1.3 – collapse of physical elements due to a fire or explosion
OS1.4 – fire safety systems failing to function as expected
OS1.5 – persons being delayed in or impeded from moving to a safe place during a fire
emergency
OS2 Structural Safety
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design or construction
of the building, a person in or adjacent to the building will be exposed to an unacceptable risk of
injury due to structural failure. The risks of injury due to structural failure addressed in this Code
are those caused by –
OS2.1 – loads bearing on the building elements that exceed their loadbearing capacity
OS2.2 – loads bearing on the building that exceed the loadbearing properties of the
supporting medium
OS2.3 – damage to or deterioration of building elements
OS2.4 – vibration or deflection of building elements
OS2.5 – instability of the building or part thereof
OS2.6 – collapse of the excavation
OS3 Safety in Use
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design or construction
of the building, a person in or adjacent to the building will be exposed to an unacceptable risk of
injury due to hazards. The risks of injury due to hazards addressed in this Code are those
caused by –
OS3.1 – tripping, slipping, falling, contact, drowning or collision
OS3.2 – contact with hot surfaces or substances
OS3.3 – contact with energized equipment
OS3.4 – exposure to hazardous substances
OS3.5 – exposure to high levels of sound from fire alarm systems
OS3.6 – persons becoming trapped in confined spaces
OS3.7 – persons being delayed in or impeded from moving to a safe place during an
emergency (see NoteA-2.2.1.1.(1))
OS4 Resistance to Unwanted Entry
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design or construction
of the building, a person in the building will be exposed to an unacceptable risk of injury due to
the building’s low level of resistance to unwanted entry (see Sentence2.1.1.2.(2) for application
limitation). The risks of injury due to unwanted entry addressed in this Code are those
caused by –
Part 2 – Objectives Division A: Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements
Division A British Columbia Building Code 2018
OS4.1 – intruders being able to force their way through locked doors or windows
OS4.2 – occupants being unable to identify potential intruders as such
OS5 Safety at Construction and Demolition Sites
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the construction or
demolition of the building, the public adjacent to a construction or demolition site will be
exposed to an unacceptable risk of injury due to hazards. The risks of injury due to construction
and demolition hazards addressed in this Code are those caused by –
OS5.1 – objects projected onto public ways
OS5.2 – vehicular accidents on public ways
OS5.3 – damage to or obstruction of public ways
OS5.4 – water accumulated in excavations
OS5.5 – entry into the site
OS5.6 – exposure to hazardous substances and activities
OS5.7 – loads bearing on a covered way that exceed its loadbearing capacity
OS5.8 – collapse of the excavation
OS5.9 – persons being delayed in or impeded from moving to a safe place during an
emergency (see Note A-2.2.1.1.(1))
OH Health
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design or construction of the
building, a person will be exposed to an unacceptable risk of illness.
OH1 Indoor Conditions
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design or construction
of the building, a person in the building will be exposed to an unacceptable risk of illness due to
indoor conditions. The risks of illness due to indoor conditions addressed in this Code are those
caused by –
OH1.1 – inadequate indoor air quality
OH1.2 – inadequate thermal comfort
OH1.3 – contact with moisture
OH2 Sanitation
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design or construction
of the building, a person in the building will be exposed to an unacceptable risk of illness due to
unsanitary conditions. The risks of illness due to unsanitary conditions addressed in this Code
are those caused by –
OH2.1 – exposure to human or domestic waste
OH2.2 – consumption of contaminated water
OH2.3 – inadequate facilities for personal hygiene
OH2.4 – contact with contaminated surfaces
OH2.5 – contact with vermin and insects
OH3 Noise Protection
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design or construction
of the building, a person in the building will be exposed to an unacceptable risk of illness due to
high levels of sound originating in adjacent spaces in the building (see Sentence 2.1.1.2.(3) for
application limitation). The risks of illness due to high levels of sound addressed in this Code are
those caused by –
OH3.1 – exposure to airborne sound transmitted through assemblies separating dwelling
units from adjacent spaces in the building
OH4 Vibration and Deflection Limitation
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design or construction
of the building, a person in the building will be exposed to an unacceptable risk of illness due to
high levels of vibration or deflection of building elements.
Division A: Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements Part 2 – Objectives
British Columbia Building Code 2018 Division A
OH5 Hazardous Substances Containment
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design or construction
of the building, the public will be exposed to an unacceptable risk of illness due to the release of
hazardous substances from the building (see Sentence 2.1.1.2.(4) for application limitation).
OA Accessibility
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design or construction of the
building, persons with disabilities
will be unacceptably impeded from accessing or using the building or its
facilities (see Sentence 2.1.1.2.(5) for application limitations).
OA1 Accessible Path of Travel
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design or construction
of the building, persons with disabilities
will be unacceptably impeded from accessing the building
or circulating within it (see Sentence 2.1.1.2.(5) for application limitations).
OA2 Accessible Facilities
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design or construction
of the building, persons with disabilities
will be unacceptably impeded from using the building’s
facilities (see Sentence 2.1.1.2.(5) for application limitations).
OP Fire and Structural Protection of Buildings
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design, construction or
demolition of the building, the building or adjacent buildings will be exposed to an unacceptable risk of
damage due to fire or structural insufficiency, or the building or part thereof will be exposed to an
unacceptable risk of loss of use also due to structural insufficiency.
OP1 Fire Protection of the Building
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of its design or construction,
the building will be exposed to an unacceptable risk of damage due to fire. The risks of damage
due to fire addressed in this Code are those caused by –
OP1.1 – fire or explosion occurring
OP1.2 – fire or explosion impacting areas beyond its point of origin
OP1.3 – collapse of physical elements due to a fire or explosion
OP1.4 – fire safety systems failing to function as expected
OP2 Structural Sufficiency of the Building
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of its design or construction,
the building or part thereof will be exposed to an unacceptable risk of damage or loss of use due
to structural failure or lack of structural serviceability. The risks of damage and of loss of use due
to structural failure or lack of structural serviceability addressed in this Code are those
caused by –
OP2.1 – loads bearing on the building elements that exceed their loadbearing capacity
OP2.2 – loads bearing on the building that exceed the loadbearing properties of the
supporting medium
OP2.3 – damage to or deterioration of building elements
OP2.4 – vibration or deflection of building elements
OP2.5 – instability of the building or part thereof
OP2.6 – instability or movement of the supporting medium
OP3 Protection of Adjacent Buildings from Fire
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design or construction
of the building, adjacent buildings will be exposed to an unacceptable risk of damage due to fire.
The risks of damage to adjacent buildings due to fire addressed in this Code are those caused by –
OP3.1 – fire or explosion impacting areas beyond the building of origin
OP4 Protection of Adjacent Buildings from Structural Damage
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design, construction or
demolition of the building, adjacent buildings will be exposed to an unacceptable risk of
structural damage. The risks of structural damage to adjacent buildings addressed in this Code are
those caused by –
OP4.1 – settlement of the medium supporting adjacent buildings
Part 2 – Objectives Division A: Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements
Division A British Columbia Building Code 2018
OP4.2 – collapse of the building or portion thereof onto adjacent buildings
OP4.3 – impact of the building on adjacent buildings
OP4.4 – collapse of the excavation
OE Environment
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design, construction or
renovation of the building or of the
plumbing system, the environment will be affected in an unacceptable
manner.
OE1 Energy Efficiency and Water Use
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design, construction or
renovation of the building, the use of energy will be inefficient or the use of water
will be
excessive. The risks of inefficient energy use or excessive water use
addressed in this Code are
those caused by –
OE1.1 – inefficient energy performance of buildings or building components
Part 2 – Objectives Division A: Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements
Division A British Columbia Building Code 2018
OP4.2 – collapse of the building or portion thereof onto adjacent buildings
OP4.3 – impact of the building on adjacent buildings
OP4.4 – collapse of the excavation
OE Environment
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design, construction or
renovation of the building or of the
plumbing system, the environment will be affected in an unacceptable
manner.
OE1 Energy Efficiency and Water Use
An objective of this Code is to limit the probability that, as a result of the design, construction or
renovation of the building, the use of energy will be inefficient or the use of water
will be
excessive. The risks of inefficient energy use or excessive water use
addressed in this Code are
those caused by –
OE1.1 – inefficient energy performance of buildings or building components