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Custom Wood Doors, NAFS and Part 5 of the BCBC
What you need to know about compliance options to meet the British Columbia Building Code.
Few topics create more confusion on custom door projects than NAFS compliance. We regularly receive calls from builders and homeowners who have been told that their custom wood door "can't be done" because it doesn't meet a standard NAFS test configuration.
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In reality, custom wood doors are installed successfully on residential and commercial projects across British Columbia every day. The key is understanding the available compliance paths and involving your door manufacturer early in the design process.
Understanding the Two Compliance Paths
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Part 9 – NAFS Compliance
For many residential projects, exterior doors and windows are required to comply with the North American Fenestration Standard (NAFS). This path is ideal for products that have been tested as complete assemblies.
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B.C. Door is capable of manufacturing prehung units that are NAFS approved for doors up to 3'6" wide x 8'0" tall. Sidelites and Transoms can be added to further increase the net-size of a prehung unit.
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Part 5 – Professional Design with a Letter of Assurance
The BC Building Code also permits a second path: Part 5 compliance through professional design and a Letter of Assurance (LOA) provided by the Registered Professional of Record.
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This approach is commonly used for:​
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Oversized doors and sidelites
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Specialty hardware packages
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Accessibility thresholds
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Custom sill and drainage systems
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Architecturally unique door assemblies
Both compliance paths are acceptable under the Code. The important point is that the project team must determine which path will be followed.
The compliance path should be chosen
before permit submission and approval.
Early coordination prevents delays and unnecessary costs.
Choose Early: It Matters
One of the most common misconceptions is that a project can simply switch between Part 9 and Part 5 later in the process.
In practice, the selected compliance path should be identified before permit submission and approval, as it directly affects the drawings, specifications, and supporting documentation submitted to the municipality.
If a project changes from one compliance path to another after the permit has been issued, revised documentation may need to be submitted and accepted by the authority having jurisdiction. This can result in additional review time, project delays, and unnecessary costs.
Early coordination between the architect, builder, and door manufacturer can avoid these issues entirely.
Compliance path
selected here
Design
Permit Submission
Permit Approval
Build
Iinstall
How Part 5 Makes Custom Doors Possible
Part 5 allows a Registered Professional to evaluate and take responsibility for a custom door assembly that may not precisely match a standard NAFS test specimen.
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In many cases, the assembly can still be designed using proven, high-performance components, such as:
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NAFS-tested glazing systems
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NAFS-tested weatherstripping
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NAFS-tested sill and threshold components for air and water management
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Even if certain aspects of the assembly — such as its size, hardware package, or threshold configuration — fall outside the exact parameters of a NAFS test specimen, the architect can review the design and provide a Letter of Assurance confirming that the assembly satisfies the project's performance requirements.
Why Commercial Buildings Commonly Use Part 5
Most custom commercial entrance systems governed by Part 3 of the BC Building Code are designed under the Part 5 pathway.
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This is because commercial projects frequently require:
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Panic hardware
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Electrified hardware
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Barrier-free thresholds
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Specialty sill systems
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Oversized openings
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Custom hardware integrations
These requirements often make it impractical — or impossible — for the completed assembly to conform to a standard NAFS test specimen for air and water performance.
As a result, professional design and Letters of Assurance have become standard practice for many commercial projects and high-end custom residences.
How Architects Commonly Specify Around NAFS
Architects throughout the province regularly use specification language similar to the following:
"Exterior custom wood door assemblies not conforming to standard NAFS test configurations shall be designed in accordance with BC Building Code Part 5 and reviewed by the Registered Professional of Record. Provide a Letter of Assurance confirming that the assembly meets the project's required performance criteria."
This language recognizes that the project is intentionally pursuing the Part 5 compliance path while still maintaining the required level of performance and professional accountability.
How B.C. Door Can Help
Custom wood doors and code compliance are not mutually exclusive. The earlier we become involved in a project, the easier it is to identify the appropriate compliance strategy and avoid permit complications.
B.C. Door Company can provide:
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Guidance on selecting the appropriate compliance path
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Preliminary reviews of custom door assemblies
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Template language for architects and municipalities
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Tailored Division 08 specification packages for custom solid wood doors
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Our specification packages are written specifically for BC commercial and high-end residential projects and are intended to avoid unnecessary NAFS conflicts while satisfying the expectations of architects, consultants, and authorities having jurisdiction.
The Bottom Line
Custom wood doors have been successfully incorporated into British Columbia's finest homes and commercial projects for decades. The secret is not avoiding the Code — it's understanding which compliance path is appropriate and planning for it early.
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When builders, architects, and manufacturers work together from the beginning, beautiful custom doors and code compliance can go hand in hand.
Related Resources
DISCLAIMER: This publication is intended for EDUCATIONAL purposes only. The information contained herein is subject to change with no notice, and while a great deal of care has been taken to provide accurate and current information, B.C. Door Co. Ltd., their affiliates, and staff make no claims, representations, or warranties as to accuracy, completeness, usefulness or adequacy of any of the information contained herein. Under no circumstances shall, B.C. Door Co. Ltd., their affiliates, or staff be liable for any losses or damages whatsoever, whether in contract, tort or otherwise, from the use of, or reliance on, the information contained herein. This publication is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and does not constitute, legal or other professional advice. Professional advice and the BCBC (https://www.bccodes.ca/index.html) should be consulted regarding every specific circumstance before acting on the information presented in these materials.