Canadian building code question

What are the building code requirements for covered walkways and colonnades in Canada?

Covered walkways and colonnades in Canada must comply with NBC requirements for structural load resistance, fire separation from adjacent buildings, accessibility, and — where they connect buildings — fire safety travel paths. The specific requirements depend on whether the covered walkway is attached to a building, spans between buildings, is open on the sides, or is fully enclosed. Accessibility requirements for covered walkways ensure that accessible routes through a site are maintained. CodeCan can identify the NBC provisions applicable to your covered walkway or colonnade design.

Covered walkways and colonnades serve important pedestrian comfort and accessibility functions in Canadian urban environments. But their code treatment depends heavily on their configuration: an open colonnade along a building facade is treated differently from an enclosed bridge connecting two buildings, which in turn is different from a temporary covered walkway over a construction site. The NBC addresses these elements under structural, fire safety, and accessibility provisions across multiple Parts.

What to check first

  • Structural requirements for covered walkways must account for roof snow loads, wind uplift, and — where they span between buildings — differential movement of the two structures.
  • Where a covered walkway connects two buildings or provides a path of travel between exits, fire separation and fire-resistance rating requirements may apply.
  • Accessibility requirements ensure that covered walkways used as accessible routes meet path of travel width, grade, surface, and edge protection standards.

Jurisdiction notes

National baseline

The NBC addresses covered walkways through its structural provisions (Part 4), fire protection requirements (Part 3), and accessibility requirements. NBC Part 3 has specific provisions for interconnected floor spaces and walkways between buildings that affect fire protection strategy. Appendix A provides guidance on applying these provisions.

Ontario adoption check

The Ontario Building Code governs covered walkways and includes provisions for pedestrian tunnels and bridges between buildings (OBC 3.2.2). Ontario's PATH system and similar urban walkway networks have driven Ontario-specific interpretations of these provisions. Always verify against the current OBC for Ontario projects.

Project-specific variables

Whether the covered walkway is open or enclosed on the sides, whether it connects two buildings (triggering interconnected floor space provisions), the occupancy of adjacent buildings, the walkway's length and width, and whether it is part of a required accessible route all affect the applicable code requirements.

Work through it in this order

  1. Classify the covered walkway configuration: open colonnade along a building, enclosed bridge between buildings, or standalone pedestrian shelter.
  2. Determine whether the walkway connects two buildings, which triggers NBC provisions for interconnected floor spaces and may affect fire protection strategy for both buildings.
  3. Check accessibility requirements to confirm that the walkway meets path of travel standards if it serves as part of the accessible route.
  4. Use CodeCan to query the specific NBC structural, fire, and accessibility provisions for your covered walkway type and the occupancies of adjacent buildings.

Common questions

Does a covered walkway between two buildings require a fire separation?

It depends on whether the walkway is treated as connecting the two buildings (creating an interconnected floor space) or as a separate building element. The NBC Part 3 provisions for interconnected floor spaces determine whether and what type of fire separation is required at the connection points. CodeCan can clarify which provisions apply to your walkway configuration.

What structural loads must covered walkways be designed for?

Covered walkways must be designed for roof snow loads (including drift from adjacent buildings), wind uplift and lateral loads, and live loads for any occupiable or maintenance-accessible roof surfaces. Where the walkway spans between two buildings, differential movement must also be considered.

Why doesn't this page give a single set of covered walkway requirements?

Requirements depend on walkway configuration (open vs. enclosed), whether buildings are connected, occupancy, climate zone, and provincial code edition. CodeCan takes your project details and returns the cited NBC provisions that apply to your specific walkway design.