The mass-timber updates to the BC Building Code are now in effect. The changes permit the use of mass timber in buildings, such as schools, shopping centres and housing, so they can be built faster and more sustainably.
“These changes will help reduce carbon pollution, support the forestry sector, create jobs, build more homes and lead to more vibrant communities,” said Ravi Kahlon, minister of housing. “We know mass timber looks great, and now we can use it in larger buildings and more types of buildings.”
The mass-timber updates to the BC Building Code will:
- enable taller encapsulated mass-timber construction (EMTC) buildings with as many as 18 storeys for residential and office buildings, an increase from the previous 12-storey limit;
- expand EMTC to new building types, such as schools, libraries, retail, light- and medium-industrial occupancies, and care facilities; and
- allow for more exposed mass timber in buildings, based on a building’s height and use, such as residential buildings with as many as eight storeys.
The BC Building Code changes for mass timber were developed by a national joint task group co-chaired by B.C. and Quebec. The code changes were reviewed by an expert technical advisory group that included representatives from multiple provinces, the fire services community, fire safety engineers, technical building code experts, regulators and industry.
Other provinces are expected to follow B.C.’s lead and adopt these changes into their building codes. The code changes will be submitted into the national code system for future consideration for the national building codes.
Mass timber’s capacity to accelerate construction timelines with minimal on-site disruption, coupled with its significant environmental advantages, make it a perfect fit for meeting the considerable demand for new housing quickly and sustainably.
