The British Columbia Building Code | Section 9.7. | Windows, Doors and Skylights Pt 1
Division B: Acceptable Solutions Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings
British Columbia Building Code 2018 Division B
Section 9.7. Windows, Doors and Skylights
(See Note A-9.7. and Note A-9.7.4.)
9.7.1. General
9.7.1.1. Application
1) This Section applies to
a) windows, doors and skylights separating conditioned space from unconditioned space or the exterior, and
b) entrance doors to
dwelling units.
2) For the purpose of this Section, the term “skylight” refers to unit skylights, roof windows and tubular
daylighting devices.
3) For the purpose of this Section, the term “doors” includes glazing in doors and sidelights for doors but does
not include vehicular access doors.
9.7.2. Required Windows, Doors and Skylights
9.7.2.1. Entrance Doors
1) A door shall be provided at each entrance to a dwelling unit.
2) Main entrance doors to dwelling units shall be provided with
a) a door viewer or transparent glazing in the door, or
b) a sidelight.
9.7.2.2. Reserved
9.7.3. Performance of Windows, Doors and Skylights
9.7.3.1. General
1) Skylights and their components shall be designed, constructed and installed so that they resist snow loads.
2) Reserved.
3) Reserved.
4) Reserved.
5) Reserved.
9.7.3.2. Heat Transfer Performance
1) Windows, doors and skylights and their components described in Sentence9.7.1.1.(1) shall be designed,
constructed and installed to
a) minimize surface condensation on the warm side of the component (seeNoteA-9.7.3.2.(1)(a)), and
b) ensure comfortable conditions for occupants.
2) Compliance with the heat transfer performance requirements described in Sentence(1) shall be
demonstrated by
a) complying with the requirements in Article9.7.3.3., or
b) design and construction conforming to Part5.
9.7.3.3. Thermal Characteristics of Windows, Doors and Skylights
1) Except as permitted in Sentence (2), metal frames and sash of windows, doors and skylights shall incorporate
a thermal break.
2) Windows and doors described in Sentence(1) do not require a thermal break where they
Effective December 10, 2018 to December 11, 2019
Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings Division B: Acceptable Solutions
Division B
a) reserved,
b) are installed as storm windows and doors, or
c) are required to have a fire-protection rating.
3) Reserved.
4) Windows, doors and skylights with or without storm doors or sash that are installed in portions of buildings
where the intended use of the interior space will result in high moisture generation shall be designed in conformance
with Section5.3. (SeeNoteA-9.25.5.2.)
9.7.4. Design and Construction
9.7.4.1. General
1) Except as provided by Sentence (2), windows, doors, skylights and their components shall be designed and
constructed in accordance with
a) Article 9.7.4.2., or
b) Part 5.
2) Windows, doors, skylights and their components that are required to have a fire-protection rating need not
conform to this Subsection.
9.7.4.2. Standards
1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2) and Article 9.7.4.3., windows, doors and skylights and their components
shall conform to
a) AAMA/WDMA/CSA101/I.S.2/A440, “NAFS – North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for
Windows, Doors, and Skylights” (Harmonized Standard), and
b) CSAA440S1, “Canadian Supplement to AAMA/WDMA/CSA101/I.S.2/A440, NAFS – North American
Fenestration Standard/Specification for Windows, Doors, and Skylights”.
(SeeNoteA-9.7.4.2.(1).)
2) A door designated as a “Limited Water” door in accordance with the standard referenced in Clause (1)(a)
shall not be used unless the door
a) separates a dwelling unit from an unconditioned storage garage or a carport,
b) conforms to Clauses 3.3.1.13.(1)(a), (b) and (c) and Sentences 3.3.1.13.(5) and (10), or
c) is not required by Sentence 9.27.3.8.(3) to have flashing installed.
9.7.4.3. Performance Requirements
1) For the purposes of compliance with the standard referenced in Clause 9.7.4.2.(1)(b), windows, doors and
their components in a building of no more than 10 m in height, measured from grade, may conform to the design
pressure, performance grade and water resistance values in Table C-5 of Appendix C instead of the values calculated
in the CSA A440S1, “Canadian Supplement to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, NAFS – North American
Fenestration Standard/Specification for Windows, Doors, and Skylights,”
2) For buildings described in Sentence 1.3.3.3.(1) of Division A, where design pressure, performance grade and
water resistance values are calculated in accordance with the standard referenced in Clause 9.7.4.2.(1)(b), the driving
rain wind pressure (DRWP) values in Table A.1 of CSA A440S1, “Canadian Supplement to AAMA/WDMA/CSA
101/I.S.2/A440, NAFS – North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for Windows, Doors, and Skylights,”
shall be used.
(See Note A-9.7.4.3.(2).)
3) Reserved.
4) Reserved.
Effective December 10, 2018 to December 11, 2019
Division B: Acceptable Solutions Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings
British Columbia Building Code 2018 Division B
9.7.5. Resistance to Forced Entry
9.7.5.1. Resistance to Forced Entry for Sliding Doors
1) This Article applies to sliding doors serving dwelling units, other than exterior doors to garages and to other
ancillary spaces.
2) Sliding doors shall not permit the removal of the sliding panel when in the locked position.
3) Exterior doors shall
a) have a pin type locking mechanism, with a minimum 9 mm throw into the frame, or an equivalent locking
mechanism, operable from the interior without the use of keys, special devices or specialized knowledge of the
locking mechanism, or
b) conform to at least Grade 10 in ASTM F842, “Standard Test Methods for Measuring the Forced Entry
Resistance of Sliding Door Assemblies, Excluding Glazing Impact.”
9.7.5.2. Resistance to Forced Entry for Swinging Doors
1) Except for exterior doors to garages and to other ancillary spaces, this Article applies to
a) swinging entrance doors to dwelling units,
b) swinging doors between dwelling units and attached garages or other ancillary spaces, and
c) swinging doors that provide access directly or indirectly from a storage garage to a dwelling unit.
(SeeNoteA-9.7.5.2.(1).)
2) Doors, frames and hardware that conform to AAMA 1304, “Voluntary Specification for Forced Entry
Resistance of Side-Hinged Door Systems,” are not required to conform to Sentences(3) to(7).
(SeeNoteA-9.7.5.2.(2).)
3) Where doors as described in Sentence(1) are constructed of wood, they shall
a) be solid core or stile-and-rail type,
b) be not less than 45mm thick, and
c) if of the stile-and-rail type, have a panel thickness of not less than 19 mm, with a total panel area not more
than half of the door area.
4) Doors described in Sentence(1) shall be provided with
a) a deadbolt lock with a cylinder having no fewer than 5pins, and
b) a bolt throw not less than 25mm long, protected with a solid or hardened free-turning ring or beveled
cylinder housing.
(SeeArticle9.9.6.7.)
5) An inactive leaf in double doors used in locations specified in Sentence(1) shall be provided with heavy-duty
bolts top and bottom having an engagement of not less than 15mm.
6) Hinges for doors described in Sentence(1) shall be fastened
a) to wood doors with wood screws not less than 25mm long and to wood frames with wood screws so that at
least 2screws per hinge penetrate not less than 30mm into solid wood, or
b) to metal doors and metal frames with machine screws not smaller than No.10 and not less than 10mm long.
(SeeNoteA-9.7.5.2.(6).)
7) Strikeplates for deadbolts described in Sentence(4) shall be fastened
a) to wood frames with wood screws that penetrate not less than 30mm into solid wood, or
b) to metal frames with machine screws not smaller than No.8 and not less than 10mm long.
(SeeNoteA-9.7.5.2.(6))
8) Except for storm or screen doors, doors described in Sentence(1) that swing outward shall be provided with
hinges or pins so that the doors cannot be removed when they are in the closed position. (SeeNoteA-9.7.5.2.(8).)
9) Solid blocking shall be provided on both sides at the lock height between the jambs for doors described in
Sentence(1) and the structural framing so that the jambs will resist spreading by force.
Effective December 10, 2018 to December 11, 2019
Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings Division B: Acceptable Solutions
Division B
9.7.5.3. Resistance to Forced Entry for Windows
1) In dwelling units, windows, any part of which is located within 2m of adjacent ground level, shall conform to
the requirements for resistance to forced entry as described in Clause5.3.5 of AAMA/WDMA/CSA101/I.S.2/A440,
“NAFS – North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for Windows, Doors, and Skylights.”
(SeeNoteA-9.7.5.3.(1).)
9.7.6. Installation
9.7.6.1. Installation of Windows, Doors and Skylights
1) Except as provided by Sentence (2), the installation of manufactured and pre-assembled windows, doors and
skylights and the field assembly of manufactured window and door combination units shall conform to the
instructions, if any, provided by the manufacturer.
2) In case of conflict between the provisions of this Code and instructions referred to in Sentence (1), the
provisions of this Code shall govern.
3) Windows, doors and skylights shall be sealed to air barriers.
9.7.6.2. Sealants, Trim and Flashing
1) The sealing compound used to seal the glass component of an insulating glazing unit to the sash component
shall be compatible with the sealing compound used to edge seal the glass component.
2) Flashing used to protect openings shall conform to Articles9.27.3.7. and9.27.3.8.
3) Sealants shall be applied between window frames or trim and the exterior cladding or masonry in
conformance with Subsection9.27.4.
4) All unfinished portions of the frame and other components of aluminum windows, doors or skylights in
contact with the edges of masonry, concrete, stucco or plaster shall be protected with an alkali-resistant coating.
Effective December 10, 2018 to December 11, 2019
Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings Division B: Acceptable Solutions
Division B
9.7.5.3. Resistance to Forced Entry for Windows
1) In dwelling units, windows, any part of which is located within 2m of adjacent ground level, shall conform to
the requirements for resistance to forced entry as described in Clause5.3.5 of AAMA/WDMA/CSA101/I.S.2/A440,
“NAFS – North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for Windows, Doors, and Skylights.”
(SeeNoteA-9.7.5.3.(1).)
9.7.6. Installation
9.7.6.1. Installation of Windows, Doors and Skylights
1) Except as provided by Sentence (2), the installation of manufactured and pre-assembled windows, doors and
skylights and the field assembly of manufactured window and door combination units shall conform to the
instructions, if any, provided by the manufacturer.
2) In case of conflict between the provisions of this Code and instructions referred to in Sentence (1), the
provisions of this Code shall govern.
3) Windows, doors and skylights shall be sealed to air barriers.
9.7.6.2. Sealants, Trim and Flashing
1) The sealing compound used to seal the glass component of an insulating glazing unit to the sash component
shall be compatible with the sealing compound used to edge seal the glass component.
2) Flashing used to protect openings shall conform to Articles9.27.3.7. and9.27.3.8.
3) Sealants shall be applied between window frames or trim and the exterior cladding or masonry in
conformance with Subsection9.27.4.
4) All unfinished portions of the frame and other components of aluminum windows, doors or skylights in
contact with the edges of masonry, concrete, stucco or plaster shall be protected with an alkali-resistant coating.
Effective December 10, 2018 to December 11, 2019