Information Bulletins

The District of Sooke’s Information Bulletins provide guidance on building requirements, codes, and best practices to support safe and compliant construction.

These bulletins are intended to help property owners, builders, and designers understand key regulations and processes before applying for permits or starting work. Reviewing this information early can help avoid delays, reduce costs, and ensure your project meets applicable requirements.

For specific project inquiries, please contact Building Safety.

If your project involves new construction, additions, or changes near existing electrical infrastructure, it’s important to plan for required utility clearances early in the design process.

BC Hydro has developed guidance to help property owners, builders, and designers understand clearance requirements and avoid costly redesigns later in the application process.

Early coordination with BC Hydro can help prevent delays and ensure your project meets safety and regulatory requirements.

The BC Building Code (BCBC) mandates fire blocking to prevent fire spread through concealed spaces, typically requiring it at floor levels, ceiling levels, and within walls to restrict vertical and horizontal gaps to a maximum of 3m and 20m respectively. It applies to wood-frame construction and concealed spaces like soffits or bulkheads.
Key Requirements for Fire Blocking in BC:
  • Location: Installed at each floor level, ceiling level (where the ceiling acts as part of a fire rating), and within wall assemblies.
  • Spacing: Fire blocks must restrict vertical movement to a maximum of 3 m and horizontal movement to a maximum of 20 m.
  • Materials: Acceptable materials include 0.38 mm (gauge) sheet steel, 12.7 mm ( in.) gypsum board, 12.5 mm plywood/OSB, or 38 mm ( in.) lumber.
  • Foamed Plastics: Must be protected by fire blocking from adjacent concealed spaces.
Common Scenarios Requiring Fire Blocks:
  • At ceiling levels where the ceiling membrane is part of a fire-rated assembly.
  • In furring spaces (strapping) that create a concealed air space.
  • At the top and bottom of stud walls (including bulkhead or soffit spaces).
  • Intersections between wall/floor and wall/ceiling junctions.
Fire blocking is not required if the concealed wall space is minimized to a single space of less than 25mm in thickness, or if the construction is entirely noncombustible

Radon is a naturally occurring, colourless, odourless radioactive gas found in soil across Canada. It can enter buildings through foundations, basements, and crawl spaces. Long-term exposure to elevated radon levels is a leading cause of lung cancer.

Radon levels vary from site to site and cannot be reliably predicted before construction. In many cases, elevated levels are only identified after a building is completed and occupied. Addressing radon after construction can be difficult and costly.

Building Code Requirements

The BC Building Code includes requirements to help protect buildings from radon and other soil gases. As of March 2024, these apply across British Columbia.

For most new low-rise residential construction (Part 9 buildings), this includes:

  • Installing an air/soil gas barrier between the building and the ground
  • Providing a rough-in for a future radon mitigation system (subfloor depressurization)
  • Including a radon vent pipe and gas-permeable layer beneath the slab

These measures make it easier to add an active system later if testing shows elevated radon levels.

Radon Mitigation

The most effective method to reduce radon is a subfloor depressurization system, which vents soil gases safely outside the building. Systems can be:

  • Passive (no fan), or
  • Active (with a fan for improved performance)

What Homeowners and Builders Should Do

  • Consider radon protection early in design and construction
  • Ensure required rough-ins are installed during building
  • Test radon levels after occupancy
  • Install an active mitigation system if elevated levels are found

Learn More

For detailed guidance, see:

Helpful Links

 

Have questions or need help understanding how the BC Building Code applies to your project?

Early discussion with the District of Sooke Building Safety is encouraged.
building@sooke.ca | 250-642-1634

Contact Us

District of Sooke
2205 Otter Point Road
Sooke, BC V9Z 1J2 


Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am – 4:30pm
Phone: 250-642-1634

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