The British Columbia Building Code | Section 5.7. | Surface and Ground Water
Division B: Acceptable Solutions Part 5 – Environmental Separation
British Columbia Building Code 2018 Division B
Section 5.7. Surface and Ground Water
(See NoteA-5.7.)
5.7.1. Site Factors
5.7.1.1. Application
1) This Subsection applies to the location of buildings, the grading of building sites, the directing of water away
from building assemblies, and the provision of means for drainage.
5.7.1.2. Required Protection
1) The building shall be located, the building site shall be graded, or water shall be directed away from building
assemblies so as to prevent or accommodate the accumulation of surface water against the building or adjacent
buildings.
2) Drainage shall be provided to direct water away from assemblies separating interior space from the ground,
except
a) where the assembly is designed in accordance with Subsection 5.7.2. to withstand continuous hydrostatic
pressure, or
b) where it can be shown that the lack of drainage will not adversely affect
i) the health or safety of building users,
ii) the intended use of the building, or
iii) the operation of building services.
(See Note A-5.7.1.2.(2).)
5.7.2. Protection against Hydrostatic Pressure
5.7.2.1. Application
1) This Subsection applies to waterproofing materials, components, assemblies and systems applied to building
assemblies that separate dissimilar environments and are subjected to hydrostatic pressure.
5.7.2.2. Design of Building Elements Under Hydrostatic Loads
1) Waterproofing materials, components, assemblies and systems described in Article 5.7.2.1. shall be designed
in accordance with Subsection 5.1.4.
2) Hydrostatic design loads shall be determined in accordance with Subsection 5.2.2.
5.7.2.3. Required Protection
1) Waterproofing materials, components, assemblies and systems described in Article 5.7.2.1. shall comply with
Article 5.7.3.2.
5.7.3. Protection against Ground Water
5.7.3.1. Application
1) This Subsection applies to the protection of building assemblies that separate interior space from the ground.
5.7.3.2. Required Protection
1) Except as provided in Sentence (2) and Article 5.7.3.4., building assemblies described in Article 5.7.3.1. shall
be protected by waterproofing in accordance with Article5.7.3.3. so as to prevent the ingress of water into the
building or the accumulation of water against the building.
2) Waterproofing is not required where it can be shown that
a) a building is designed to accommodate the ingress or accumulation of water, or
Part 5 – Environmental Separation Division B: Acceptable Solutions
Division B British Columbia Building Code 2018
b) the ingress or accumulation of water will not negatively affect
i) the health or safety of building users,
ii) the intended use of the building, or
iii) the operation of building services.
5.7.3.3. Waterproofing
1) Waterproofing materials, components, assemblies, or systems installed to provide the required protection
shall form a continuous and impervious barrier to the ingress of water and be capable of accommodating
a) imperfections, construction joints, control joints and expansion joints (see Note A-5.7.3.3.(1)(a)),
b) junctions between different building assemblies, and
c) elements penetrating building assemblies.
5.7.3.4. Where Dampproofing is Permitted
1) Vertical building assemblies that separate interior space from the ground are permitted to be dampproofed
where
a) such assemblies are not subjected to hydrostatic pressure,
b) the substrate is cast-in-place concrete, and
c) a drainage layer is installed between the building assembly and the soil.
(See Note A-5.7.3.4.(1).)
2) Joints, junctions and penetrations shall be designed and constructed to maintain the continuity of the
dampproofing.
Part 5 – Environmental Separation Division B: Acceptable Solutions
Division B British Columbia Building Code 2018
b) the ingress or accumulation of water will not negatively affect
i) the health or safety of building users,
ii) the intended use of the building, or
iii) the operation of building services.
5.7.3.3. Waterproofing
1) Waterproofing materials, components, assemblies, or systems installed to provide the required protection
shall form a continuous and impervious barrier to the ingress of water and be capable of accommodating
a) imperfections, construction joints, control joints and expansion joints (see Note A-5.7.3.3.(1)(a)),
b) junctions between different building assemblies, and
c) elements penetrating building assemblies.
5.7.3.4. Where Dampproofing is Permitted
1) Vertical building assemblies that separate interior space from the ground are permitted to be dampproofed
where
a) such assemblies are not subjected to hydrostatic pressure,
b) the substrate is cast-in-place concrete, and
c) a drainage layer is installed between the building assembly and the soil.
(See Note A-5.7.3.4.(1).)
2) Joints, junctions and penetrations shall be designed and constructed to maintain the continuity of the
dampproofing.