The British Columbia Fire Code is based on the National Fire Code of Canada with some variations specific to BC. The first British Columbia Fire Code Regulation (BC Reg 465/80) adopted the National Fire Code of Canada 1977, with amendments.
Prior to adopting the National Fire Code, the province made various regulations under the Fire Services Act or the former Fire Marshal Act.
History of the BC Fire Code
- 1963 National Fire Code (1st edition)
- not adopted
- 1975 National Fire Code (2nd edition)
- not adopted
- 1977 National Fire Code (3rd edition)
- adopted by the British Columbia Fire Code Regulation (BC Reg 465/80) with amendments and exceptions as set out in the Regulation
- in force November 1, 1980
- adopted by the British Columbia Fire Code Regulation (BC Reg 465/80) with amendments and exceptions as set out in the Regulation
- 1980 National Fire Code (4th edition)
- not adopted
- 1985 National Fire Code (5th edition)
- adopted by the British Columbia Fire Code Regulation (BC Reg 15/87, repealing BC Reg 465/80) with additions and exceptions as set out in the Regulation
- effective January 23, 1987
- further amendments made by BC Regs 102/87, 131/89 and 196/90
- adopted by the British Columbia Fire Code Regulation (BC Reg 15/87, repealing BC Reg 465/80) with additions and exceptions as set out in the Regulation
- 1990 National Fire Code, as it existed on January 1, 1992
- adopted with changes and additions as the British Columbia Fire Code, 1992 by BC Reg 403/92, as amended by BC Reg 433/92
- in force December 1, 1992
- adopted with changes and additions as the British Columbia Fire Code, 1992 by BC Reg 403/92, as amended by BC Reg 433/92
- 1995 National Fire Code, as it existed on January 1, 1998
- adopted with changes as the British Columbia Fire Code by BC Reg 285/98 (repealing BC Reg 403/92)
- in force December 1, 1998
- adopted with changes as the British Columbia Fire Code by BC Reg 318/2003 (repealing BC Reg 285/98)
- in force September 1, 2003
- further amendments made by BC Reg 249/2004
- adopted with changes as the British Columbia Fire Code by BC Reg 285/98 (repealing BC Reg 403/92)
- 2005 National Fire Code
- adopted with amendments as the British Columbia Fire Code by BC Reg 175/2006 (repealing BC Reg 318/2003)
- in force December 15, 2006
- adopted with amendments as the British Columbia Fire Code by BC Reg 175/2006 (repealing BC Reg 318/2003)
- 2010 National Fire Code
- adopted with changes as the British Columbia Fire Code by BC Reg 263/2012 (repealing BC Reg 175/2006)
- in force December 20, 2012
- adopted with changes as the British Columbia Fire Code by BC Reg 263/2012 (repealing BC Reg 175/2006)
Where to find it
The Courthouse Libraries have print copies of the BC Fire Code, but it can also be found freely online at BC Publications.
References
- BC Fire Code – Courthouse Libraries
- BC Fire Code 2018 - BC Publications
- BC Gazette, Part II – Courthouse Libraries
- National Fire Code – Vancouver Public Library (VPL) and UBC Library