BLDC 1500

2018 BC BUILDING CODE-PART 9

SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BUILDINGS

Module 4
Section 9.5. Design of Areas and Spaces

Based on December 10, 2018 adopted code

BLDC 1500 Section 9.5. Design of Areas and Spaces
2018 BC BUILDING CODE-PART 9
SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BUILDINGS

The following is a list of the BC Building Code references covered in this Section:

9.5. Design of Areas and Spaces

9.5.1. General
9.5.1.1. Method of Measurement
9.5.1.2. Combination Rooms
9.5.2. Access for Persons with Disabilities
9.5.2.1. General (refers us to 3.8. Building Requirements for Persons with Disabilities)
3.8.1. General
3.8.2.1. Applications and Exemptions
9.5.2.2. Protection on Accessible Floor Areas. (Not applicable to this course)
9.5.2.3. Reserved
9.5.3. Ceiling Heights
9.5.3.1. Ceiling Heights of Rooms or Spaces
9.5.3.2. Mezzanines
9.5.3.3. Storage Garages
9.5.4. Hallways
9.5.4.1. Hallway Width
9.5.5. Doorway Sizes
9.5.5.1. Doorway Opening Sizes
9.5.5.1. Doorways to Public Water-Closet Rooms
9.5.5.1. Doorways to Rooms with a Bathtub, Shower or Water-Closet
BLDC 1500 Section 9.5. Design of Areas and Spaces
2018 BC BUILDING CODE-PART 9
SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BUILDINGS

Material Index
9.5. INTRODUCTION, OBJECTIVES AND DEFINITIONS 1
9.5.1. GENERAL 1
9.5.2. ACCESS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 2
9.5.3. CEILING HEIGHTS 2
9.5.4. HALLWAYS 3
9.5.5. DOORWAY SIZES 3
Introduction
Section 9.5, ‘Design of Areas and Spaces,’ as you will see, deals primarily with residential occupancies with few
statements that apply to other occupancies permitted in Part 9. It would appear from the content of requirements
in this Section that the height, as opposed to the physical attributes, of a room or space is of most concern. There
are other requirements such as width of hallways and door sizes for access to rooms and spaces included here.
Objectives
 Confirm how to measure dimensions in a room or space.
 Conform that the requirements for access for persons with disabilities are not applicable to buildings
within the scope of this course.
 Understand the terms ”clear” and “ceiling” heights
 Confirm the minimum ceiling heights and the area to which that height applies within dwellings.
 Confirm the minimum width of a hallway within a dwelling unit.
 Confirm the minimum size for doors in doorways to specific rooms or spaces within or serving a dwelling
unit.
Definitions
The occupancy or use of a building or part thereof by persons for whom sleeping
Residential occupancy accommodation is provided but who are not harboured or detained to receive
medical care or treatment or are not involuntarily detained.
A suite (of rooms) operated as a housekeeping unit, used or intended to be used
as a domicile by one or more persons and usually containing cooking, eating,
Dwelling unit living, sleeping and sanitary facilities.
It can be seen from the above definitions that a house is a “residential occupancy”
containing a “dwelling unit.”
An intermediate floor assembly between the floor and ceiling of any room or storey
Mezzanine
and includes an interior balcony.
A building or part thereof intended for the storage or parking of motor vehicles and
Storage garage
which contains no provision for the repair or servicing of such vehicles.
Means that a person with disabilities is, without assistance, able to approach, enter,
Access
pass to and from, and make use of an area and its facilities, or either of them.
Clear height Unhampered by restriction or limitation height of a room.
Ceiling height The overhead inside lining height of a room.

9.5.1. General
9.5.1.1. Method of Measurement
The various measurements discussed in this Section, such as lengths and widths of rooms, are all measured from
the finished surfaces such as floors, ceilings and walls. There are not many minimums mentioned in this Section
with regard to the actual minimum sizes of rooms or spaces within a dwelling unit. In fact, there is only one
instance where the width of a space is stated, see 9.5.4. “Hallways”.

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BLDC 1500 Section 9.5. Design of Areas and Spaces
2018 BC BUILDING CODE-PART 9
SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BUILDINGS

9.5.1.2. Combination Rooms

The Appendix note is worth reading and should help in understanding why the Code needs to deal with combination
rooms. Please note though that there is mention that natural lighting plays a role here. There are no requirements
in this Code to provide any form of natural lighting so it is a bit strange that it is mentioned.
9.5.2. Access for Persons with Disabilities
Although Sentence 9.5.2.1.(1) in the Code requires that every building be designed in conformance with Section
3.8, “Building Requirements for Persons with Disabilities,” except as provided in Article 3.8.2.1. which exempts
dwelling units from these regulations. See 3.8.2.1.(2)(c).
9.5.3. Ceiling Heights
Article 9.5.3.1.”Ceiling Heights of Rooms or Spaces” must be understood to apply to residential occupancies only.
All rooms or spaces except unfinished basements are required to have a ceiling height of no less than 2.1m, except
as permitted in Table 9.5.3.1. Review Table 9.5.3.1.
To illustrate the use of the Table; Can a 8.0m 2 master bedroom have a sloping ceiling of which part is above 2.1m
and part is below 2.1m? From the Table it can be seen that at least 100% of the actual floor area or 4.9m² must
have a ceiling height of at least 2.1m. This means is that only 4.9m 2 of the 8.0m2 master bedroom area is required
to have the 2.1m ceiling height. The remaining 3.1m 2 of the bedroom area can have a ceiling less than 2.1m.
Ceiling heights must also be contiguous between the areas or spaces (rooms) identified in the Code to avoid ceiling
height variances between those spaces. In other words when traveling through the house the 2.1m room height
must be maintained through the entire path of travel from any point in the room with the required 2.1m ceiling
height to its door and to the exit door for the building.
Living Rooms or Spaces: Lesser of Area of the Space OR 10.0m2
The area for a living room or space over which the minimum height of 2.1m is to be provided is 10.0m 2. When the
living room is combined with another room, such as a dining room, an additional area of 5.2m 2 for the dining room
having a ceiling height of 2.1m would have to be provided.
Dining Rooms or Spaces: Lesser or 100% of Actual Floor Area OR 5.2m2
The area for a dining room over which the minimum ceiling height of 2.1m is to be provided is 5.2m 2. When the
dining room or space is combined with another room, such as a living room or kitchen, then the required areas and
ceiling heights for both rooms must be added.
Kitchens
In the case of kitchens, the floor area is 3.2m 2 over which a ceiling height of 2.1m is to be provided. Since the
kitchen area is measured at the floor level, the kitchen cabinets need not be included in this calculation.
Bedrooms or Bedroom Spaces
At least one bedroom in a house must have a ceiling height of 2.1m over a floor area of 4.9m 2. Built-in cabinets are
not to be considered in this area calculation since the area must be measured at the floor level. Other bedrooms or
sleeping spaces may have reduced floor areas of 3.5m 2 where the ceiling height must measure 2.1m.
As with living rooms, dining rooms and kitchens, bedrooms may be combined with other room uses provided the
room height and minimum floor areas for these other rooms are also taken in consideration.
Bathrooms or Water Closet Rooms
The room height requirement for a bathroom or water closet is 2.1m over a floor area of at least 2.2m2. The floor
area measurement would again be exclusive of the bathtub or cabinetry.
Passageways, Hallways or Main Entrance Vestibule
In these spaces in the dwelling 100% of the ceiling must be at 2.1m. There is no area within these that a ceiling
height reduction permitted.
9.5.3.2. Mezzanines
Read the definition for the term mezzanine. The requirement for 2.1m ceiling height applies to the entire floor area
of a mezzanine that does not serve a residential occupancy, therefore, does not apply to buildings in the scope of
this course. A mezzanine, or loft as it is often referred to in a dwelling unit, is permitted a ceiling height less than
2.1m and fits in “Habitable rooms or spaces not specifically mentioned” in the Table.

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BLDC 1500 Section 9.5. Design of Areas and Spaces
2018 BC BUILDING CODE-PART 9
SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BUILDINGS

9.5.3.3. Storage Garages

By definition, a garage attached to or detached from a dwelling unit is a storage garage. A clear height of 2.0m is
required for storage garages. Caution! This is a reference to “clear” height and not “ceiling” height. Nothing,
including light fixtures or garage door openers, are permitted lower than 2.0m.
9.5.4. Hallways
9.5.4.1. Hallway Width
Unobstructed hallway widths cannot be less than 860mm, however, in order to allow a reduced width for a mobile
home with limited building width, a 710mm hallway width is permitted provided:
 there are only bedrooms and bathrooms at the end of the hallway furthest from the living area and
 a second exit is provided:
 In the hallway near the end furthest from living area, or
 In each bedroom served by the hallway.
This second clause is somewhat onerous; the defined term “exit” is used here. All the requirements for exits are
required to be applied to the door, landing, stair or ramp and the path away from the building.
9.5.5. Doorway Sizes
This Subsection needs to be read carefully in regard to the terms “doorway” and “door”. Article 9.5.4.1. is headed
“Doorway Opening Sizes” and then goes on to say that the doorway opening size must be able to accommodate at
least the door size given in Table 9.5.5.1. Review Table 9.5.5.1. now. Strangely, it would appear that only folding
and swing type doors can be used as sliding or pocket doors are not mentioned.
The exceptions, 9.9.6.2. and 9.9.6.3., stated in Sentence 9.5.5.1.(1), when checked to see if they apply to a
building within the scope of this course will show that doorways serving a dwelling unit need not comply to those
exceptions.
Article 9.5.5.3. “Doorways to Rooms with a Bathtub, Shower or Water Closet” applies where the hallway serving
these rooms is not less than 860mm wide. This edition of the Article has been revised to make it clearer to identify
that it is not only bathrooms that apply but also to a room containing a water closet.
Note that at the entrance to rooms located off hallways that are permitted to be 710mm wide,
see Table 9.5.5.1., a minimum door width of 610mm is permitted.

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BLDC 1500 Section 9.5. Design of Areas and Spaces
2018 BC BUILDING CODE-PART 9
SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BUILDINGS

Self-Test for Sections 9.5.

1. How are room areas measured?
Answer: _____________________________________________________________________________

Code Reference: __________________________________

2. What is the minimum ceiling height and area for that height for a “Den” on the main floor of a house?
Answer: _____________________________________________________________________________

Code Reference: __________________________________

3. A dining area is proposed to be considered as a combination room with a kitchen. What is the minimum
opening size required between the two spaces and are they required to be provided with direct passage?
Answer: _____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

Code Reference: __________________________________

4. What is meant by a “mezzanine”?

Answer: _____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

Code Reference: __________________________________

5. How does a storage garage differ from a repair garage?

Answer: _____________________________________________________________________________

Code Reference: __________________________________

6. Give the minimum dimensions for the following doors:

Answer: A. Laundry room __________________
B. Sundeck __________________
C. Main entrance door __________________
D. Walk-in closet __________________
E. Furnace room __________________
Code Reference: ___________________________________
BLDC 1500 Section 9.5. Design of Areas and Spaces
2018 BC BUILDING CODE-PART 9
SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BUILDINGS

Answers to Self-Test for Section 9.5.

1. How are room areas measured?
Answer: Area of the room or space shall be measured at the floor level between wall surfaces.

Code Reference: 9.5.1.1.(1)

2. What is the minimum ceiling height and area for that height for a “Den” on the main floor of a house?
Answer: Minimum ceiling height is 2.1m and it shall be provided for a minimum of 2.2m2.

Code Reference: 9.5.3.1.(1) via Table 9.5.3.1.

3. A dining area is proposed to be considered as a combination room with a kitchen. What is the minimum
opening size required between the two spaces and are they required to be provided with direct passage?
Answer: Minimum of 3.0m2 or 40% or more of the area of the wall between them and no direct passage is
not required.

Code Reference: 9.5.1.2.(1) and (2)

4. What is meant by a “mezzanine”?

Answer: Mezzanine means an intermediate floor assembly between the floor and the ceiling of any room or
storey and includes an interior balcony.

Code Reference: Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1)

5. How does a storage garage differ from a repair garage?

Answer: A storage garage does not have facilities for the repair or servicing of motor vehicles.

Code Reference: Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1)

6. Give the minimum dimensions for a door to the following:

Answer: A. Laundry room 810mm  1980mm
B. Sundeck 760mm  1980mm
C. Main entrance door 810mm  1980mm
D. Walk-in closet 610mm  1980mm
E. Furnace room 810mm  1980mm
Code Reference: 9.5.5.1.(1) to Table 9.5.5.1.