Reference Information

Climatic Data and Snow Load

Definitions

  • Dead load is the weight of all permanent structural and non-structural components of a building
  • Live load is the weight of snow, rain, wind and/or earthquakes and those weights due to occupancy

Climate Zones Map

RDFFG BC Building Code Climate Zones map. There is a map of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George indicating the different climate zones for the region.

 

Design temperatures

January 1%-32 C
January 2.5%-29 C
July 2.5% Drybulb29 C
July 2.5% Wetbulb18 C
degree days below 18 Csee climate zone map above
15 min rain15 mm
one day rain, 1/5054 mm
annual rain475 mm
moisture index0.64
annual total precipitation650 mm
driving rain wind pressure (Pa) 1/580

Snow Load 1/50

rain load (Sr) (kPa)0.2
ground snow load (Ss) (kPa)4.3

Hourly wind pressure

probability 1/10 (kPa)0.29
probability 1/50 (kPa)0.37

Seismic data

Sa (0.2)0.27
Sa (0.5)0.16
Sa (1.0)0.076
Sa (2.0)0.042
PGA0.14

Radon 

  • soil gas rough in required

Required NAFS fenestration performance of windows and doors in Part 9 buildings

DP960
PG20
water resistance150

Frost protection

  • the bottom of footings must be 4 ft (1.22 m) below finish grade

 

Other information

BC Building Code 

Regional District of Fraser-Fort George Building Bylaw No. 3239, 2021 [PDF/846KB] 

From Building Bylaw No. 3239, 2021 Appendix C

Exceptions

  1. The climatic data values in the table above do not apply to any building or structure constructed in an area that the building official considers to be beyond the parameters listed above. 
  2. For any of the exceptions listed above, the climatic design values shall be computed using the closest weather observations collected by the Atmospheric Environment Service, Environment Canada, to the site of the building or structure, which computation is intended to follow the methodology described in Division B, Appendix C – Climatic and Seismic Information for Building Design in British Columbia of the building code.  
  3. For construction at the base of Powder King Ski resort and at Azouzetta Lake, the entire structure shall be designed, sealed and Letters of Assurance shall be provided by a Registered Professional, using a minimum ground snow load of 17.7 kPa or as calculated in section 2 above.