Lateral Bracing

[Plumb-bob]

Lateral bracing requirements for wind and seismic are not in effect for Pt9 buildings in the BC Building Code as of March 10, 2025.

This is a substantial change to structural requirements and is commonly considered to be the most complicated area within the code. A separate drawing page will likely be required with permit applications to show the lateral bracing details.

Word has it that this will become part of the NBC and will be moving across Canada.

If interested, have a look at 9.23.13 in the BCBC.

 

[Inspector Gadget]

I deal with seismic in my area: folks in BC were immensely helpful in guiding me into that section of NBC when the seismicity of our area was upgraded.

I don't know if I would agree it is complicated. That said, I can't say I see the necessity for our area. For BC? Heck, one of the reasons I left Victoria was the lingering concern over a Pacific Megathrust shaker.

 

[Plumb-bob]

Its for wind and seismic. In my town, and the majority of Canada, it will be the wind values that the lateral bracing designs are based on.

 

[Plumb-bob]

The lateral bracing requirements in the NBC are about 4 pages, in the new BCBC it is about 30 pages, which reflects the added complexity.