Canadian building code question

What are the building code requirements for pedestrian bridges and covered walkways between buildings in Canada?

Pedestrian bridges and covered walkways between buildings must address fire separation at connection points, structural requirements, egress continuity, and spatial separation — with requirements depending on whether the connected buildings share a fire wall or are treated as separate buildings.

When two buildings are connected by a pedestrian bridge or covered walkway, the building code must address how fire can spread between them, whether the connection affects building area calculations, and how egress works through the link. The approach varies significantly based on whether the buildings are separated by a fire wall, whether the bridge is open or enclosed, and how the connection interacts with spatial separation requirements.

What to check first

  • Determine whether the bridge creates a single building or connects two separate buildings for code purposes.
  • Fire separation at the connection points must prevent fire spread between buildings.
  • Egress path continuity through the bridge must be maintained and may require specific construction.

Jurisdiction notes

National baseline

The NBC addresses building connections through fire wall, spatial separation, and building area provisions.

Provincial adoption

Some provinces have specific guidelines for above-grade connections that supplement the NBC baseline.

Project variables

Bridge enclosure, length, connection height, and whether buildings share occupancy all affect the applicable requirements.

Work through it in this order

  1. Determine whether the connection creates a single building or links separate buildings.
  2. Check fire separation requirements at each connection point.
  3. Verify structural and egress requirements for the bridge or walkway.
  4. Confirm spatial separation and building area implications.

Common questions

Does a pedestrian bridge make two buildings into one?

Not necessarily — if proper fire walls and separations are maintained at the connection, the buildings can remain separate for code purposes.

What fire rating is required for a pedestrian bridge?

The required rating depends on how the connection is treated — enclosed bridges typically require fire-rated construction matching the fire wall or fire separation at the connection point.

Can a pedestrian bridge serve as an exit?

It depends on the construction and protection of the bridge — it may serve as part of an exit path if it meets applicable exit construction requirements.