Questions on building codes for Engineers

[I-Hate-Hulse]

I was hoping to pose a question to the many engineers that are CP residents here. I'm not an engineer myself, so advance apologies if this comes across as a stupid question.

I'm on a project at work that's going to require me to give some thought as to the service lives as to the various elements of a commercial building (ie the service life of the roof, HVAC, the slab, walls etc). I recognize that "service life" is going to be dependent on a whole bunch of factors, such as materials used, location and usage patterns.

Here's my questions to you structural / civil engineers. Is there some sort of element to Canadian building code that specifies what minimum service life should be of a building's various elements? (ie some part of the NRC building code that says designed to minimum code requirements, the roof of a commercial building should last between 15-25 years?). Ideally what I'd like to be able to do is say that a commercial building's envelope was designed to code - therfore it should last 20 years, assuming its of average construction.

I've found CSA 478-95 Guideline on Durability in Buildings - but I don't have access to it (any chance someone does?) and apparently it's not widely adopted. Is there anything else?

Thanks!

[RougeUnderoos]

Sub-sections 19 through 21.4-A in the HDBO cover this exact topic, and anyone doing project work should be well familiar with it. Maybe you'll have to dig out your Coding and Coverage textbook and do a little homework.

Re: the specific questions about the roof -- service life should be no less than 15 years, if both traverse and centrifugal forces are minimized (as they should be) and the varnish is certified by an Inspection team.

Slabs should all be 3 inches thick and double glazed, and you obviously want them to last for the lifecycle of the structure.

What's the serial number on the HVAC? That will go a long way in telling you the expected duration of both it's lead cylinder and it'll tell you exactly what your cost-per-occupant is going to be, assuming a full load (which in this market isn't a guarantee).

[Gozer]

edit: less helpful than above

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Thanks Rouge - however, I'm a humble finance lackey and am hoping you can clue me into HDBO? And the HVAC serial number angle? It sounds like service life is an inherent part of the model #?

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Anyone have access to the CSA codes that might be able to look that up for me? It would appear we no longer employ any P.Engs....

[RougeUnderoos]

Search "Canadian Building Codes" on the Calgary Public Library site.

http://calgarypubliclibrary.com/

I don't know if that's what you are looking for, but it might be.