Canadian building code question

What are the BC Building Code requirements for wildfire interface construction?

The BC Building Code (BCBC) Part 10 establishes requirements for construction in wildfire interface areas, including ignition-resistant exterior cladding, roof materials, and soffit construction; ember-resistant vents; glazing performance requirements; and deck and porch construction. These requirements apply in areas designated as wildfire interface zones by local governments under BC's Community Charter or by provincial designation. The BCBC Part 10 requirements were substantially strengthened in 2018 and 2024 editions. CodeCan can retrieve the current BCBC Part 10 provisions and their thresholds for your BC project.

Wildfire interface construction is a uniquely British Columbia focus area in Canadian building codes. The BCBC Part 10 provisions were developed in response to catastrophic wildfire losses in BC communities and represent some of the most specific and prescriptive ignition-resistant construction requirements in Canadian building regulation. For projects in designated wildfire interface areas, Part 10 adds a layer of requirements on top of standard BCBC construction provisions that affect materials selection, envelope detailing, and site design.

What to check first

  • BCBC Part 10 applies to buildings in designated wildfire interface areas and imposes ignition-resistant construction requirements for roofing, cladding, soffits, vents, and openings.
  • Ember-resistant vent requirements are among the most commonly overlooked Part 10 requirements — standard construction vents do not comply and must be replaced with tested ember-resistant products.
  • Local governments in BC can designate wildfire interface areas and may impose additional requirements beyond the BCBC Part 10 baseline through development permit conditions or DPA (Development Permit Area) guidelines.

Jurisdiction notes

National baseline

The NBC does not have equivalent wildfire interface construction provisions — this is a BC-specific addition to the national building code framework. The NBC 2025 is expected to introduce some wildfire-resilience provisions nationally, but BC's Part 10 remains the most detailed Canadian framework currently in force.

British Columbia adoption check

The BCBC Part 10 (Wildfire Interface) applies to new construction and additions in areas designated as wildfire interface zones. The 2024 BCBC updated Part 10 requirements based on post-wildfire research. Local governments may have Development Permit Areas with additional wildfire resilience requirements. The BC FireSmart program provides guidance that supplements the code requirements.

Project-specific variables

Whether the site is in a designated wildfire interface area, the type of construction (new building, addition, or renovation), the building's occupancy, proximity to forested slopes or grasslands, and local government DPA conditions all determine which BCBC Part 10 requirements apply and at what stringency.

Work through it in this order

  1. Confirm whether the project site is within a designated wildfire interface area under the local government's OCP, DPA, or provincial designation.
  2. Review BCBC Part 10 requirements for the applicable building type: roofing materials, exterior cladding, soffit construction, vents, and glazing.
  3. Check whether the local government has DPA conditions that impose additional wildfire resilience requirements beyond the BCBC Part 10 baseline.
  4. Use CodeCan to retrieve the current BCBC Part 10 provisions applicable to your building type and interface designation level.

Common questions

Does BCBC Part 10 apply to renovations or only new construction?

BCBC Part 10 primarily applies to new construction in designated wildfire interface areas. Some renovation and addition scenarios may also trigger Part 10 requirements if the work involves exterior cladding, roofing, or vent replacement. The threshold for when renovations trigger Part 10 compliance depends on the scope of work and the specific BCBC Part 10 provisions.

What roofing materials are permitted under BCBC Part 10 in wildfire interface areas?

BCBC Part 10 requires Class A or Class B fire-rated roofing materials in wildfire interface areas. Wood shingles and shakes that are untreated do not comply. Asphalt shingles with the appropriate fire rating, metal roofing, concrete and clay tiles, and fire-treated wood shingles meeting the specified standards are among the compliant options. CodeCan can retrieve the specific BCBC Part 10 roofing provisions.

Why doesn't this page list all BCBC Part 10 wildfire interface requirements?

Part 10 requirements depend on the interface designation level, building type, scope of work (new vs. renovation), and any additional DPA conditions imposed by the local government. CodeCan takes your project details and returns the cited BCBC Part 10 provisions that apply.