1) For the purposes of this Section, roofs with slopes of
60° or more to the horizontal that are adjacent to a
room or space intended for occupancy shall be considered as a wall.
1) Tents, air-supported structures, transformer vaults, walkways, elevators and escalators shall conform to Part 3.
2) Where rooms or spaces are intended for an assembly occupancy, such rooms or spaces shall conform to Part 3.
3) Basements containing more than 1 storey or exceeding 600 m2 in area shall conform to Part 3.
4) Where rooms or spaces are intended for the storage,
manufacture or use of hazardous or explosive material, such
rooms or spaces shall conform to Part 3. (See A-3.3.1.2.(1) in Appendix A.)
5) Except as provided in Article 3.3.5.8., facilities for the dispensing of fuel shall not be installed in
any building.
6) Openings through floors that are not protected by
shafts or closures shall be protected in conformance with Subsection 3.2.8. (See also Sentence 9.9.4.7.(1).)
7) Chutes and shafts shall conform to Subsection 3.6.3. except where they are entirely contained within
a dwelling unit.
8) Where sprinkler, standpipe and hose systems are
installed, they shall be installed in conformance with the
requirements in Subsection 3.2.5. that pertain to these systems.
(See Appendix A.)
9) Where fuel-fired appliances are installed on a roof, such appliances shall be installed in conformance with Article 3.6.1.4.
1) In kitchens containing commercial cooking equipment
used in processes producing grease-laden vapours, the equipment
shall be designed and installed in conformance with Article 6.2.2.6. (See Appendix A.)
1) Except as provided in Article 9.10.2.2., every building or part thereof shall be classified according to its major occupancy as belonging to one of the groups or
divisions described in Table 9.10.2.1.
| Table 9.10.2.1. Occupancy Classifications Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.2.1.(1) |
||
| Group | Division | Description of Major Occupancies(1) |
|---|---|---|
| C | — | Residential occupancies |
| D | — | Business and personal services occupancies |
| E | — | Mercantile occupancies |
| F | 2 | Medium-hazard industrial occupancies |
| F | 3 | Low-hazard industrial occupancies (Does not include storage garages serving individual dwelling units) |
| Notes to Table 9.10.2.1. | |
|
|
|
| (1) | See A-3.1.2.1.(1) in Appendix A. |
1) Children's custodial homes and convalescent homes for
ambulatory occupants living as a single housekeeping unit in a
dwelling unit with sleeping accommodation for not more than 10 persons are
permitted to be classified as residential occupancies (Group C).
2) A care facility accepted for residential use pursuant to provincial legislation is permitted to be classified as a residential occupancy provided
a)the occupants live in a dwelling unit used as a single housekeeping unit with sleeping accommodation for not more than 10 persons,
b)interconnected smoke alarms are installed in each sleeping room in addition to the requirements of Article 9.10.19.2.,
c)emergency lighting is provided in conformance with Article 9.9.11.3., and
d)the building is sprinklered throughout.
1) Except as permitted in Article 9.10.2.4., in any building containing more than one major occupancy in which one major occupancy is located entirely above another, the
requirements of Article 9.10.8.1. for each portion of the building containing a major occupancy shall be applied to that portion as if the entire building was of that major occupancy.
1) In a building containing more than one major occupancy, where the aggregate area of all major occupancies in a particular group or division does not exceed 10% of the floor area on the storey on which they are located, they need not be considered as major occupancies for the purposes of Articles 9.10.8.1. and 9.10.2.3. provided they are not classified as Group F, Division 2 occupancies.
1) Where a fire-resistance rating or a fire-protection rating is required in this Section for an element of a building, such rating shall be determined in conformance with the test methods
described in Part 3, A-9.10.3.1. in Appendix A, or Appendix D.
1) Where a flame-spread rating is required in this Section for an
element of a building, such rating shall be determined in accordance with the test
methods described in Part 3, or in accordance with Appendix D.
2) Unless the flame-spread rating is referred to herein as a “surface flame-spread rating,” it shall apply to any surface of the element
being considered that would be exposed by cutting through it as
well as to the exposed surface of the element.
1) Floor, roof and ceiling assemblies shall be rated for
exposure to fire on the underside.
2) Exterior walls shall be rated for exposure to fire
from inside the building, except that such walls need not comply with the temperature rise
limitations required by the standard tests referred to in
Article 9.10.3.1. if such walls have a limiting distance of not less than 1.2 m, and due allowance is made for the effects
of heat radiation in accordance with the requirements in Part 3.
3) Interior vertical fire separations required to have fire-resistance ratings shall be rated for exposure to fire on each side.
1) Where a ceiling construction has a suspended membrane
ceiling with lay-in panels or tiles which contribute to the
required fire-resistance rating, hold down clips or other means shall be
provided to prevent the lifting of such panels or tiles in the
event of a fire.
1) Except as required by Sentences (2) and 9.10.4.2.(1), the space above a mezzanine is permitted to be excluded from the calculation of building height, provided
a)the aggregate area of mezzanines that are not superimposed does not exceed 10% of the floor area of the building in which they are located, and
b)the area of mezzanine in a suite does not exceed 10% of the area of that suite on the storey on which it is located.
2) Except as provided in Sentence 9.10.4.2.(1), a mezzanine need not be considered as a storey in calculating the building height provided
a)not less than 60% of the horizontal plane separating the mezzanine from the room or floor space in which it is located is open, and
b)except from within enclosures described in Sentence (3), the space above the mezzanine is used as an open area without partitions or subdividing walls higher than 1 070 mm above the mezzanine floor.
(See A-3.2.1.1.(3) in Appendix A)
3) The space above a mezzanine conforming to Sentence (2) is permitted to include an enclosed space whose
area does not exceed 10% of the open area of the room in
which the mezzanine is located, provided the enclosed space does not obstruct
visual communication between the open space above the mezzanine and the room in which it is located.
4) For the purpose of determining occupant load, the areas of mezzanines that are not considered as storeys shall be added to the floor area of the storey on which they are located. (See Appendix A.)
5) Platforms and catwalks intended solely for
periodic inspection and maintenance need not be considered
as floor assemblies or mezzanines for the purpose of calculating building height, provided
a)they are not used for storage, and
b)they are constructed with noncombustible materials, unless the building is permitted to be of combustible construction.
1) Each level of mezzanine that is partly or wholly superimposed above the first level of mezzanine shall be considered as a storey in calculating the building height.
1) Where a basement is used primarily as a storage garage, the basement is permitted to be considered as a separate building for the purposes of this Section provided the floor above the basement and the exterior walls of the basement above the adjoining ground level are constructed as fire separations of masonry or concrete having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 h, except as permitted by Sentences 3.2.1.2.(2) and (3).
1) Roof-top enclosures provided for elevator machinery,
stairways and service rooms, used for no purpose other than for service to
the building, shall not be considered as a storey in calculating the building height.
1) Except as permitted in Sentences (2) and (4), a membrane forming part of an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating shall not be pierced by openings into the assembly unless the
assembly has been tested and rated for such openings.
2) A wall or ceiling membrane forming part of an assembly
required to have a fire-resistance rating is permitted to be pierced by openings for electrical and similar service outlet boxes
provided such outlet boxes are tightly fitted.
3) Where boxes referred to in Sentence (2) are located on both sides of walls required to provide a fire-resistance rating, they shall be offset where necessary to maintain the integrity
of the fire separation.
4) A membrane ceiling forming part of an assembly
assigned a fire-resistance rating on the basis of Table A-9.10.3.1.B or Appendix D, is permitted to be pierced by openings leading to
ducts within the ceiling space provided the ducts, the amount of
openings and their protection conform to the requirements of
Appendix D.
1) Where a building or part of a building is required to be of noncombustible construction, combustible elements shall be limited in conformance with the requirements in Subsection 3.1.5.
1) Heavy timber construction shall be considered to have a 45 min fire-resistance rating when it is constructed in accordance with the requirements for
heavy timber construction in Article 3.1.4.6.
1) Except as permitted in Article 3.2.2.3., structural steel members used in construction required to have a
fire-resistance rating shall be protected to provide the required fire-resistance rating.
1) Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection, the
fire-resistance ratings of floors and roofs shall conform to Table 9.10.8.1. (See Subsection 9.10.2. for mixed occupancies and Subsection 9.10.21. for construction camps.)
| Table
9.10.8.1. Fire-Resistance Ratings for Structural Members and Assemblies Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.8.1.(1) |
||||
| Major Occupancy | Maximum Building Height, storeys | Minimum Fire-Resistance Rating by Building Element,min | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floors
Except Floors over Crawl Spaces |
Mezzanine Floors | Roofs | ||
| Residential (Group C) | 3 | 45 | 45 | — |
| All other occupancies | 2 | 45 | — | — |
| 3 | 45 | 45 | 45 | |
1) The requirements in Table 9.10.8.1. for roof assemblies to have a fire-resistance rating are permitted to be waived in sprinklered buildings where
a)the sprinkler system is electrically supervised in conformance with Sentence 3.2.4.9.(2), and
b)the operation of the sprinkler system will cause a signal to be transmitted to the fire department in conformance with Sentence 3.2.4.7.(4).
1) Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection, all
loadbearing walls, columns and arches in the storey immediately below a floor or roof assembly shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than that required for the supported floor or roof
assembly.
1) Where an assembly is required to be of noncombustible construction and to have a fire-resistance rating, it shall be supported by noncombustible construction.
1) Construction supporting a service room need not conform to Article 9.10.8.3.
1) Mezzanines required to be counted as storeys in Articles 9.10.4.1. and 9.10.4.2. shall be constructed in conformance with the requirements for
“Floors Except Floors over Crawl Spaces” in Table 9.10.8.1.
1) Where a portion of a roof supports an occupancy, that portion shall be constructed as a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating conforming to the rating for “Floors Except
Floors over Crawl Spaces” in Table 9.10.8.1.
1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), the floor assembly of every exterior passageway used as part of
a means of egress shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min or be of noncombustible construction.
2) No fire-resistance rating is required for floors of exterior passageways
serving buildings of Group D, E or F major occupancy that are not more than 2 storeys in building height.
3) No fire-resistance rating is required for floors of exterior passageways
serving a single dwelling unit where no suite is located above or below the dwelling unit.
1) Where a crawl space exceeds 1.8 m in height or is used
for any occupancy or as a plenum in combustible construction or for the passage of flue pipes, it shall be considered as a basement in applying the requirements in Article 9.10.8.1.
1) Table 9.10.8.1.does not apply to a dwelling unit which has no other dwelling unit above or below it, or to a dwelling unit which is not above or below another major occupancy.
1) The fire-resistance ratings of floors, roofs, loadbearing walls, columns and arches need not conform to this Subsection if such
assemblies conform in all respects to the appropriate
requirements in Section 3.2.
1) This Subsection applies to fire separations required between rooms and spaces in buildings except between rooms and spaces within a dwelling unit.
1) Except as permitted in Article 9.10.9.3., a wall or floor assembly required to be a
fire separation shall be constructed as a continuous barrier
against the spread of fire.
2 ) The continuity of a fire separation shall be maintained where it abuts another
fire separation, a floor, a ceiling, a roof, or an exterior
wall assembly. (See A-3.1.8.3.(4) in Appendix A.)
1) Except as permitted in Article 9.10.9.5., 9.10.9.6. and 9.10.9.7. openings in required fire separations shall be protected with closures conforming to Subsection 9.10.13.
1) Except as permitted in Sentences (2) to (4), all floor assemblies shall be constructed as fire separations.
2) Floor assemblies contained within dwelling units need not be constructed as fire separations.
3) Floor assemblies for which no fire-resistance rating is required by Subsection 9.10.8. and floors of mezzanines not required to be counted as storeys in Articles 9.10.4.1. and 9.10.4.2. need not be constructed as fire separations.
4) Where a crawl space is not required by Article 9.10.8.9. to be constructed as a basement, the floor above it need not be constructed as a fire separation.
1) Interconnected floor spaces shall conform to Subsection 3.2.8.
1) Piping, tubing, ducts, chimneys, wiring, conduit, electrical outlet boxes and other similar service equipment that penetrate a required
fire separation shall be tightly fitted or fire stopped to
maintain the integrity of the separation. (See Appendix A.)
2) Except as provided in Sentences (3) to (9) and Article 9.10.9.7., pipes, ducts, electrical boxes, totally
enclosed raceways or other similar service equipment that partly
or wholly penetrate an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating shall be noncombustible unless the assembly has been tested incorporating such
equipment. (See A-3.1.9.2.(1) in Appendix A.)
3) Electrical wires or similar wiring enclosed in noncombustible totally enclosed raceways are permitted to partly or wholly penetrate an
assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating without being incorporated in the assembly at the time of testing as required in Sentence (2).
4) Electrical wires or cables, single or grouped, with
combustible insulation or jacketting that is not totally enclosed in
raceways of noncombustible material, are permitted to partly or wholly
penetrate an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating without being incorporated in the assembly at the time of
testing as required in Sentence (2), provided the overall diameter of the wiring is not more than 25
mm.
5) Combustible totally enclosed raceways which are embedded in a concrete floor slab
are permitted in an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating without being incorporated in the assembly at the time of
testing as required in Sentence (2), where the concrete provides not less than 50 mm of cover between
the raceway and the bottom of the slab.
6) Combustible outlet boxes are permitted in an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating without being incorporated in the assembly at the time of
testing as required in Sentence (2), provided the opening through the membrane into the box does not
exceed 160 cm2.
7) Combustible water distribution piping that has an outside diameter not more than
30 mm is permitted to partly or wholly penetrate a vertical fire separation that is required to have a fire-resistance rating without being incorporated in
the assembly at the time of testing as required in Sentence (2) provided the piping is sealed in conformance with Article 3.1.9.1.
8) Combustible sprinkler piping is permitted to penetrate a fire separation provided the fire compartments on each side of the fire separation are sprinklered.
9) Combustible piping for central vacuum systems is permitted to penetrate a fire separation provided the installation conforms to the requirements that
apply to combustible drain, waste and vent piping specified in Sentences 9.10.9.7.(2) to (6).
1) Except as permitted in Sentences (2) to (6), combustible piping shall not be used in any part of a drain, waste and vent piping system
where any part of that system partly or wholly penetrates a fire separation required to have a fire-resistance rating or penetrates a membrane that contributes to the required fire-resistance rating of an assembly.
2) Combustible drain, waste and vent piping not located in a vertical shaft is permitted to
penetrate a fire separation required to have a fire-resistance rating or a membrane that forms part of an assembly required to have a
fire-resistance rating provided the piping is sealed at the penetration by
a firestop system that has an F rating not less than the fire-resistance rating required for the fire separation.
3) The rating referred to in Sentence (2) shall be based on ULC-S115,
“Fire Tests of Firestop Systems,” with a pressure
differential of 50 Pa between the exposed and unexposed sides,
with the higher pressure on the exposed side.
4) Combustible drain piping is permitted to penetrate a horizontal fire separation or a membrane that contributes to the required fire-resistance rating of a horizontal fire separation, provided it leads directly from a noncombustible watercloset through a concrete floor slab.
5) Combustible drain, waste and vent piping is permitted on one side of a vertical fire separation provided it is not located in a vertical shaft.
6) In buildings containing 2 dwelling units only, combustible drain, waste and vent piping is permitted on one side of a horizontal fire separation.
1) Combustible construction that abuts on or is supported by a noncombustible fire separation shall be constructed so that its collapse under fire conditions
will not cause collapse of the fire separation.
1) Where pockets for the support of beams or joists are
formed in a masonry or concrete fire separation, the remaining total thickness of solid
masonry and/or grout and/or concrete shall be
not less than the required equivalent thickness shown for Type S
monolithic concrete in Table D-2.1.1.in Appendix D for the required fire-resistance rating.
1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), a horizontal service space or other concealed space located above a required
vertical fire separation shall be divided at the fire separation by an equivalent fire separation within the space.
2) Where a horizontal service space or other concealed space is located
above a required vertical fire separation other than a vertical shaft, such space need not be divided as
required in Sentence (1) provided the construction between such space and the space below is constructed as a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the vertical
fire separation, except that where the vertical fire separation is not required to have a fire-resistance rating greater than 45 min, the fire-resistance rating of the ceiling may be reduced to 30 min.
1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), residential occupancies shall be separated from all other major occupancies by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 h.
2) Except as provided in Sentence (3), a major occupancy classified as a residential occupancy shall be separated from other major occupancies classified as mercantile or medium-hazard industrial occupancies by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 h.
3) Where not more than 2 dwelling units are located in a building containing a mercantile occupancy, such mercantile occupancy shall be separated from the dwelling units by a fire separation having not less than 1 h fire-resistance rating.
1) Not more than one suite of residential occupancy shall be contained within a building classified as a Group F, Division 2 major occupancy.
1) Except as required in Article 9.10.9.14. and as permitted by Sentence (2), each suite in other than business and personal services occupancies shall be separated from adjoining
suites by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min.
2) In sprinklered buildings, suites of business and personal services occupancy and mercantile occupancy that are served by public corridors conforming with Clause 3.3.1.4.(4)(b) are not required to be separated from
each other by fire separations.
1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3) and Article 9.10.21.2., suites in residential occupancies shall be separated from
adjacent rooms and suites by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min.
2) Sleeping rooms in boarding and lodging houses where
sleeping accommodation is provided for not more than 8 boarders
or lodgers need not be separated from the remainder of the floor area as required in Sentence (1) where the sleeping rooms form part of the
proprietor's residence and do not contain cooking facilities.
3) Dwelling units that contain 2 or more storeys including basements shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 h. (See A-3.3.4.4.(1) in Appendix A.)
1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), public corridors shall be separated from the remainder of the
building by a fire separation having not less than a 45 min fire-resistance rating.
2) In other than residential occupancies, no fire-resistance rating is required for fire separations between a public corridor and the remainder of the building if
a)the floor area is sprinklered,
b)the sprinkler system is electrically supervised in conformance with Sentence 3.2.4.9.(2), and
c)the operation of the sprinkler system will cause a signal to be transmitted to the fire department in conformance with Sentence 3.2.4.7.(4).
3) In other than residential occupancies, no fire separation is required between a public corridor and the remainder of the building if
a)the floor area is sprinklered,
b)the sprinkler system is electrically supervised in conformance with Sentence 3.2.4.9.(2),
c)the operation of the sprinkler system will cause a signal to be transmitted to the fire department in conformance with Sentence 3.2.4.7.(4), and
d)the corridor exceeds 5 m in width.
1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), a storage garage shall be separated from other occupancies by a fire separation having not less than a 1.5 h fire-resistance rating.
2) Except as permitted in Sentence (3), storage garages containing 5 motor vehicles or fewer shall be
separated from other occupancies by a fire separation of not less than 1 h.
3) Where a storage garage serves only the dwelling unit to which it is attached or in which it is built, it shall be considered
as part of that dwelling unit and the fire separation required in Sentence (2) need not be provided between the garage and the dwelling unit.
4) Except as provided in Sentence (5), where a storage garage is attached to or built into a building of residential occupancy,
a)an air barrier system conforming to Subsection 9.25.3. shall be installed between the garage and the remainder of the building to provide an effective barrier to gas and exhaust fumes, and
b)every door between the garage and the remainder of the building shall conform to Article 9.10.13.15.
(See Appendix A.)
5) Where membrane materials are used to provide the
required airtightness in the air barrier system, all joints shall be sealed and structurally supported.
1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), a repair garage shall be separated from other occupancies by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 h.
2) Ancillary spaces directly serving a repair garage, including waiting rooms, reception rooms, tool and parts storage areas and
supervisory office space, need not be separated from the repair garage but shall be separated from other occupancies as required in Sentence (1).
3) The fire separation referred to in Sentence (1) shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 h, where
a)the building is not more than one storey in building height,
b)the building is operated as a single suite, and
c)the only occupancy other than the repair garage is a mercantile occupancy.
4) Except as provided in Sentence (5), where a building containing a repair garage also contains a dwelling unit, an air barrier system conforming to Subsection 9.25.3. shall be installed between the dwelling unit and the suite containing the garage to provide an effective barrier to gas and exhaust
fumes. (See A-9.10.9.16.(4) in Appendix A.)
5) Where membrane materials are used to provide the
required airtightness in the air barrier system, all joints shall be sealed and structurally supported.
1) Where a vertical service space contains an exhaust duct that serves more than one fire compartment, the duct shall have a fan located at or
near the exhaust outlet to ensure that the duct is under
negative pressure.
2) Individual fire compartments referred to in Sentence (1) shall not have fans that exhaust directly into the duct in the
vertical service space.
1) A central vacuum system shall serve not more than one
suite.
1) Multiple tenant self storage warehouses shall comply with Article 3.3.5.9.
1) This Subsection applies to service rooms in all buildings except rooms located within a dwelling unit.
1) The fire-resistance rating requirements in this Subsection do not apply to the floor assembly immediately below
a service room.
1) Except as provided in Sentence (2) and Articles 9.10.10.5. and 9.10.10.6., service rooms shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 h when the floor area containing the service room is not sprinklered.
2) Where a room contains a limited quantity of service
equipment and the service equipment does not constitute a fire
hazard, the requirements in Sentence (1) shall not apply.
1) Except as provided in Sentence (2) and Article 9.10.10.5., fuel-fired appliances other than fireplaces shall be located in a service room separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having not less than a 1 h fire-resistance rating.
2) Except as required in the appliance installation standards referenced in Sentences 6.2.1.4.(1), 9.33.5.2.(1) and 9.33.5.3.(1), fuel-fired space-heating appliances, space-cooling appliances and service water heaters need not be separated from the remainder of the building as required in Sentence (1), where the equipment serves
a)not more than one room or suite, or
b)a building with a building area of not more than 400 m2 and a building height of not more than 2 storeys.
1) Service rooms containing incinerators shall be separated from the remainder of
the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 h.
2) The design, construction, installation and alteration of each indoor incinerator shall conform to NFPA 82, “Incinerators and Waste and Linen Handling
Systems
and Equipment.”
3) Every incinerator shall be connected to a chimney flue conforming to the requirements in Section 9.21. and serving no other appliance.
4) An incinerator shall not be located in a room with
other fuel-fired appliances.
1) Rooms for the temporary storage of combustible refuse in all occupancies or for public storage in residential occupancies shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having not less than a 1 h fire-resistance rating, except that a 45 min fire separation is permitted where the fire-resistance rating of the floor assembly is not required to exceed 45 min, or where
such rooms are sprinklered.
1) Except as provided in Article 9.10.11.2., a party wall on a property line shall be constructed as a firewall.
1) In a building of residential occupancy in which there is no dwelling unit above another dwelling unit, a party wall on a property line between dwelling units need not be constructed as a firewall provided it is constructed as a fire separation having not less than a 1 h fire-resistance rating.
2) The wall described in Sentence (1) shall provide continuous protection from the top of the footings
to the underside of the roof deck.
3) Any space between the top of the wall described in
Sentence (1) and the roof deck shall be tightly filled with
mineral wool or noncombustible material.
1) Where firewalls are used, the requirements in Part 3 shall apply.
1) Except as provided in Sentence (2) and in Articles 9.10.1.2. and 9.10.9.5., the portions of a floor area or mezzanine that do not terminate at an exterior wall, a firewall or a vertical shaft, shall terminate at a vertical fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the floor
assembly that terminates at the separation.
2) A mezzanine need not terminate at a vertical fire separation where the mezzanine is not required to be considered as a storey in Articles 9.10.4.1. and 9.10.4.2.
1) Where a wall in a building is exposed to a fire hazard from an adjoining roof of a separate unsprinklered fire compartment in the same building, the roof shall contain no skylights within a horizontal distance of 5 m
of the windows in the exposed wall.
1) Except as provided in Article 9.9.4.5., where exterior walls of a building meet at an external angle of 135° or less, the horizontal distance
from an opening in one wall to an opening in the other wall
shall be not less than 1.2 m, where the openings are in
different fire compartments.
2) The exterior wall of each fire compartment referred to in Sentence (1) within the 1.2 m distance shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the interior
vertical fire separation between the compartment and the remainder
of the building.
1) This Article applies to the portion of any soffit
enclosing a projection that is
a)less than 2.5 m vertically above a window or door, and
b)less than 1.2 m from either side of the window or door.
(See Appendix A.)2) Except as provided in Sentences (4) and (5), the construction described in Sentence (1) shall have no unprotected openings and shall be protected in accordance with
Sentence (3), where the soffit encloses
a)a common attic or roof space that spans more than 2 suites of residential occupancy and projects beyond the exterior wall of the building,
b) a floor space where an upper storey projects beyond the exterior wall of a lower storey and a fire separation is required at the floor between the two, or
c) a floor space where an upper storey projects beyond the exterior wall of a lower storey, and the projection is continuous across a vertical fire separation separating two suites.
3) Protection required by Sentence (2) shall be provided by
a) noncombustible material having a minimum thickness of 0.38 mm and a melting point not below 650°C,
b)not less than 12.7 mm thick gypsum soffit board or gypsum wallboard installed according to CSA A82.31-M, “Gypsum Board Application,”
c)not less than 11 mm thick plywood,
d)not less than 12.5 mm thick OSB or waferboard, or
e)not less than 11 mm thick lumber.
(See Appendix A.)4) In the case of a soffit described in Sentence (1) that is at the edge of an attic or roof space and completely separated from the remainder of that
attic or roof space by fire stopping, the requirements in Sentence (2) do not apply.
5) Where all suites spanned by a common attic or roof space or situated above or below the
projecting floor are sprinklered, the requirements of Sentence (2) do not apply, provided that all rooms, including closets and bathrooms, having openings in the
wall beneath the soffit are sprinklered, notwithstanding any exceptions in the sprinkler standards referenced in Article 3.2.5.13.
1) Except as provided in Article 9.10.13.2., openings in required fire separations shall be protected with a closure conforming to Table 9.10.13.1. and shall be installed in conformance with
Chapters 2 to 14 of NFPA 80,
“Fire Doors and Fire Windows,” unless otherwise
specified herein. (See also Article 9.10.3.1.)
| Table 9.10.13.1. Fire-Protection Ratings for Closures Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.13.1.(1) |
|
| Required Fire-Resistance Rating of Fire Separation | Minimum Fire-Protection Rating of Closure |
|---|---|
| 30 or 45 min | 20 min(1) |
| 1 h | 45 min(1) |
| 1.5 h | 1 h |
| 2 h | 1.5 h |
| 3 h | 2 h |
| 4 h | 3 h |
| Notes to Table 9.10.13.1. | |
|
|
|
| (1) | See Article 9.10.13.2. |
1) A 45 mm thick solid core wood door is permitted to be
used where a minimum fire-protection rating of 20 min is permitted or
between a public corridor and a suite provided that the door conforms to CAN4-S113, “Wood Core Doors Meeting the Performance Required by CAN4-S104-77 for Twenty
Minute Fire Rated Closure Assemblies.” (See
Appendix A.)
2) Doors described in Sentence (1) shall have not more than a 6 mm clearance beneath and not more
than 3 mm at the sides and top.
1) Doors required to provide a 20 min fire-protection rating or permitted to be 45 mm solid core wood shall be mounted in a
wood frame of not less than 38 mm thickness where the frame has
not been tested and rated.
1) Doors forming part of an exit or a public means of egress shall conform to Subsection 9.9.6. in addition to this Subsection.
1) Wired glass conforming to Article 9.7.3.1. which has not been tested in accordance with
Article 9.10.3.1. is permitted as a closure in a vertical fire separation required to have a fire-resistance rating of not more than 1 h provided such glass is not less than 6 mm thick and is mounted in
conformance with Sentence (2).
2) Wired glass described in Sentence (1) shall be mounted in fixed steel frames having a metal thickness
of not less than 1.35 mm and a glazing stop of not less than 20
mm on each side of the glass.
3) Individual panes of glass described in Sentence (1) shall not exceed 0.8 m2 in area or 1.4 m in height or
width, and the area of glass not structurally supported by
mullions shall not exceed 7.5 m2.
1) Steel door frames forming part of a closure in a fire separation, including anchorage requirements, shall conform to CAN4-S105-M, “Fire Door
Frames Meeting the Performance Required by
CAN4-S104.”
1) Glass block that has not been tested in accordance
with Article 9.10.3.1. is permitted as a closure in a fire separation required to have a fire-resistance rating of not more than 1 h. (See Article 9.20.9.6.)
1) The size of an opening in an interior fire separation,
even where protected with a closure, shall not exceed 11 m2, with no dimension greater than 3.7 m, when the fire compartments on both sides of the fire separation are not sprinklered.
2) The size of an opening in an interior fire separation, even where protected with a closure, shall not exceed 22 m2, with no dimension greater than 6 m, when the fire compartments on both sides of the fire separation are sprinklered.
1) Every swing type door in a fire separation shall be equipped with a latch.
1) Except as described in Sentence (2), every door in a fire separation shall have a self-closing device.
2) Self-closing doors are not required between public corridors and suites in business and personal services occupancies, except in dead-end
corridors.
1) Where hold-open devices are used on doors in required
fire separations, they shall be installed in accordance with
Article 3.1.8.12.
1) Swing-type doors shall open into service rooms containing fuel-fired equipment where such doors lead to public corridors or rooms used for assembly but shall swing
outward from such rooms in all other cases.
1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2) to (5) and Sentence 9.10.5.1.(4), a duct that penetrates an assembly
required to be a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating shall be equipped with a fire damper in conformance with Articles 3.1.8.4. and 3.1.8.9.
2) A fire damper is not required where a noncombustible branch duct pierces a required fire separation provided the duct
a)has a melting point not below 760°C,
b)has a cross-sectional area less than 130 cm2, and
c)supplies only air-conditioning units or combined air-conditioning and heating units discharging air at not more than 1.2 m above the floor.
3) A fire damper is not required where a noncombustible branch duct pierces a required fire separation around an exhaust duct riser in which the airflow is upward provided
a)the melting point of the branch duct is not below 760°C,
b)the branch duct is carried up inside the riser not less than 500 mm, and
c)the exhaust duct is under negative pressure as described in Article 9.10.9.18.
4) Noncombustible ducts that penetrate a fire separation separating a vertical service space from the remainder of the building need not be equipped with a fire damper at the fire separation provided
a)the ducts have a melting point above 760°C, and
b)each individual duct exhausts directly to the outside at the top of the vertical service space.
5) A duct serving commercial cooking equipment and
piercing a required fire separation need not be equipped with a fire damper at the fire separation. (See also Article 6.2.2.6.)
1) Fire stop flaps in ceiling membranes required in Sentence 9.10.5.1.(4) shall be constructed in conformance with
Appendix D, Fire-Performance Ratings.
1) A door between an attached or built-in garage and a
dwelling unit shall be tight fitting and weather-stripped to provide an
effective barrier against the passage of gas and exhaust fumes
and shall be fitted with a self-closing device.
2) A doorway between an attached or built-in garage and a
dwelling unit shall not be located in a room intended for sleeping.
1) Where a door is installed so that it may damage the
integrity of a fire separation if its swing is unrestricted, door stops
shall be installed to prevent such damage.
1) This Subsection applies to buildings other than those to which Subsection 9.10.15. applies.
1) The area of an exposing building face shall be
a)taken as the exterior wall area facing in one direction on any side of a building, and
b)calculated as
i)the total area measured from the finished ground level to the uppermost ceiling, or
ii)the area for each fire compartment, where a building is divided into fire compartments by fire separations with fire-resistance ratings not less than 45 min.
2) For the purpose of using Table 9.10.14.4. to determine the maximum aggregate
area of unprotected openings in an irregularly shaped or skewed exterior wall, the location of the exposing building face shall be taken as a vertical plane located so that there are no
unprotected openings between the vertical plane and the line to which
the limiting distance is measured. (See A-3.2.3.1.(4) in Appendix A.)
3) For the purpose of using Table 9.10.14.5. to determine the required type of
construction, cladding and fire-resistance rating for an irregularly shaped or skewed exterior wall,
a) the location of the exposing building face shall be taken as a vertical plane located so that no portion of the actual exposing building face is between the vertical plane and the line to which the limiting distance is measured, and
b)the value for the maximum area of unprotected openings (see second column of Table 9.10.14.5.) shall be determined using the limiting distance measured from the location described in Clause (a). (See A-3.2.3.1.(4) in Appendix A.)
1) Except for the purpose of applying Sentences 9.10.14.4.(2), (5) and (6), and Sentence 9.10.14.5.(6), a limiting distance equal to half the actual limiting distance shall be used as input to the requirements of
this Subsection, where
a)there is no fire department or the fire department is not organized, trained and equipped to meet the needs of the community, and
b)the building is not sprinklered.
1) Except as provided in Sentences (3) to (7), the maximum aggregate area of unprotected openings in an exposing building face shall
a)conform to Table 9.10.14.4.,
b)conform to Subsection 3.2.3., or
c)be equal to or less than
i)the limiting distance squared, for residential occupancies, business and personal services occupancies and low-hazard industrial occupancies, and
ii)half the limiting distance squared, for mercantile occupancies and medium-hazard industrial occupancies.
2) Openings in a wall having a limiting distance of less than 1.2 m shall be protected by closures, of other than wired glass or glass block, whose fire-protection rating is in conformance with the fire-resistance rating required for the wall. (See Table 9.10.13.1.)
3) The maximum aggregate area of unprotected openings shall be not more than twice the area
determined according to Sentence (1), where the unprotected openings are glazed with
a)wired glass in steel frames, as described in Article 9.10.13.5., or
b)glass blocks, as described in Article 9.10.13.7.
4) Where the building is sprinklered, the maximum aggregate area of unprotected openings shall be not more than twice the area
determined according to Sentence (1), provided all rooms, including closets
and bathrooms, that are adjacent to the exposing building face and that have unprotected openings are sprinklered, notwithstanding any exemptions in the sprinkler standards referenced in Article 3.2.5.13.
5) The maximum aggregate area of unprotected openings in an exposing building face of a storage garage need not comply with Sentence (1), where
a)all storeys are constructed as open-air storeys, and
b)the storage garage has a limiting distance of not less than 3 m.
6) The maximum aggregate area of unprotected openings in an exposing building face of a storey that faces a street and is at the same level as the street need not comply with Sentence (1), where the limiting distance is not less than 9 m.
7) Except as provided in Sentence (8), for garages or accessory buildings that serve a single dwelling unit only and are detached from any building, the maximum aggregate area of glazed openings shall comply with the requirements for unprotected openings.
8) The limits on the area of glazed openings stated in
Sentence (7) need not apply to the exposing building face of a detached garage or accessory building facing a dwelling unit, where
a)the detached garage or accessory building serves only one dwelling unit,
b)the detached garage or accessory building is located on the same property as that dwelling unit, and
c)the dwelling unit served by the detached garage or accessory building is the only major occupancy on the property.
| Table 9.10.14.4. Maximum Aggregate Area of Unprotected Openings in Exterior Walls Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.14.4.(1) |
|||||||||||||
| Occupancy Classification of Building | Maximum Total Area of Exposing Building Face, m2 | Maximum Aggregate Area of Unprotected Openings, % of Exposing Building Face Area | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limiting Distance, m | |||||||||||||
| Less than 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 10.0 | 12.0 | 16.0 | 20.0 | 25.0 | ||
| Residential, business and personal services, and low-hazard industrial | 30 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 39 | 88 | 100 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 40 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 32 | 69 | 100 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 50 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 28 | 57 | 100 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 100 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 18 | 34 | 56 | 84 | 100 | — | — | — | |
| Over 100 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 19 | 28 | 40 | 55 | 92 | 100 | — | |
| Mercantile and medium-hazard industrial | 30 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 20 | 44 | 80 | 100 | — | — | — | — |
| 40 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 16 | 34 | 61 | 97 | 100 | — | — | — | |
| 50 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 29 | 50 | 79 | 100 | — | — | — | |
| 100 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 17 | 28 | 42 | 60 | 100 | — | — | |
| Over 100 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 20 | 27 | 46 | 70 | 100 | |
1) Except as permitted in Sentences (3) to (7), each exposing building face and any exterior wall located above an exposing building face that encloses an attic or roof space shall be constructed in conformance with
Table 9.10.14.5. and Subsection 9.10.8.
2) Cladding on exposing building faces and on exterior walls located above exposing building faces need not conform to the type of cladding
required by Table 9.10.14.5., where
a)the exposing building face is constructed with no unprotected openings,
b)the limiting distance is not less than 0.6 m, and
c)the cladding
i)conforms to Subsection 9.27.13.,
ii) is installed without furring members over at least 12.7 mm gypsum sheathing or over masonry,
iii) has a flame-spread rating not greater than 25 when tested in accordance with Sentence 3.1.12.1.(2), and
iv) does not exceed 2 mm in thickness exclusive of fasteners, joints and local reinforcements.
3) Except as provided in Sentence (4), where a garage or accessory building serves one dwelling unit only and is detached from any building, the exposing building face
a)need not conform to the minimum required fire-resistance rating stated in Table 9.10.14.5., where the limiting distance is 0.6 m or more,
b)shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min, where the limiting distance is less than 0.6 m, and
c)need not conform to the type of cladding required by Table 9.10.14.5., regardless of the limiting distance.
4) The requirements regarding fire-resistance rating, type of construction and type of cladding need
not apply to the exposing building face of a detached garage or accessory building facing a dwelling unit, where
a)the detached garage or accessory building serves only one dwelling unit,
b)the detached garage or accessory building is located on the same property as that dwelling unit, and
c)the dwelling unit served by the detached garage or accessory building is the only major occupancy on the property.
5) Except for buildings containing 1 or 2 dwelling units only, combustible projections on the exterior of a wall that are more than 1 m
above ground level, such as balconies, platforms, canopies, eave
projections and stairs, and that could expose an adjacent building to fire spread, shall not be permitted within
a)1.2 m of a property line or the centre line of a public way, or
b)2.4 m of a combustible projection on another building on the same property.
6) Heavy timber and steel columns need not conform to the
requirements of Sentence (1), provided the limiting distance is not less than 3 m.
7) Non-loadbearing wall components need not have a minimum fire-resistance rating, where the building
a)is 1 storey in building height,
b)is of noncombustible construction,
c)is classified as a low-hazard industrial occupancy and used only for low fire load occupancies, such as power-generating plants or plants for the manufacture or storage of noncombustible materials, and
d)has a limiting distance of 3 m or more.
| Table 9.10.14.5. Minimum Construction Requirements for Exposing Building Faces Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.14.5.(1) |
||||
| Occupancy Classification of Building | Maximum Area of Unprotected Openings Permitted, % of Exposing Building Face Area | Minimum Required Fire-Resistance Rating | Type of Construction Required | Type of Cladding Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential, business and personal services, and low-hazard industrial | 0 - 10 | 1 h | Noncombustible | Noncombustible |
| 11 - 25 | 1 h | Combustible or noncombustible | Noncombustible | |
| 26 - < 100 | 45 min | Combustible or noncombustible | Combustible or noncombustible | |
| Mercantile, and medium-hazard industrial | 0 - 10 | 2 h | Noncombustible | Noncombustible |
| 11 - 25 | 2 h | Combustible or noncombustible | Noncombustible | |
| 26 - < 100 | 1 h | Combustible or noncombustible | Combustible or noncombustible | |
1) This Subsection applies to buildings that contain only dwelling units and have no dwelling unit above another dwelling unit. (See Appendix A.)
1) The area of an exposing building face shall be
a)taken as the exterior wall area facing in one direction on any side of a building, and
b)calculated as
i)the total area measured from the finished ground level to the uppermost ceiling,
ii)the area for each fire compartment, where a building is divided into fire compartments by fire separations with fire-resistance ratings not less than 45 min, or
iii)where Table 9.10.15.4. is used to determine the maximum aggregate area of glazed openings, the area of any number of individual vertical portions of the wall measured from the finished ground level to the uppermost ceiling. (See A-9.10.15.4.(2) in Appendix A.)
2) For the purpose of using Table 9.10.15.4. to determine the maximum permitted
area of glazed openings in an irregularly shaped or
skewed exterior wall, the location of the exposing building face shall be taken as a vertical plane located so that there are no
glazed openings between the vertical plane
and the line to which the limiting distance is measured. (See A-3.2.3.1.(4) in Appendix A.)
3) For the purpose of using Table 9.10.15.5. to determine the required type of
construction, cladding and fire-resistance rating for an irregularly shaped or skewed exterior wall,
a) the location of the exposing building face shall be taken as a vertical plane located so that no portion of the actual exposing building face is between the vertical plane and the line to which the limiting distance is measured, and
b)the value for the maximum aggregate area of glazed openings (see first column of Table 9.10.15.5.) shall be determined using the limiting distance measured from the location described in Clause (a). (See A-3.2.3.1.(4) in Appendix A.)
1) Except for the purpose of applying Sentence 9.10.15.5.(6), a limiting distance equal to half the actual limiting distance shall be used as input to the requirements of this Subsection, where
a)there is no fire department or the fire department is not organized, trained and equipped to meet the needs of the community, and
b)the building is not sprinklered.
1) Except as provided in Sentence (3), the maximum aggregate area of glazed openings in an exposing building face shall
a)conform to Table 9.10.15.4.,
b)conform to Subsection 3.2.3., or
c)be equal to or less than the limiting distance squared.
2) Where the limits on the area of glazed openings are
determined for individual portions of the exterior wall, as
described in Subclause 9.10.15.2.(1)(b)(iii), the maximum
aggregate area of glazed openings for any portion shall conform
to the values in the row of Table 9.10.15.4. corresponding to the maximum total area
of exposing building face (see column 1 of the Table) that is equal to
the sum of all portions of the exposing building face. (See Appendix A.)
3) The limits on the area of glazed openings shall not
apply to the exposing building face of a dwelling unit facing a detached garage or accessory building, where
a)the detached garage or accessory building serves only one dwelling unit,
b)the detached garage or accessory building is located on the same property as that dwelling unit, and
c)the dwelling unit served by the detached garage or accessory building is the only major occupancy on the property.
| Table 9.10.15.4. Maximum Area of Glazed Openings in Exterior Walls of Buildings Containing only Dwelling Units Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.15.4.(1) |
||||||||||||
| Maximum Total Area of Exposing Building Face, m2 |
Maximum Aggregate Area of Glazed Openings, % of Exposing Building Face Area | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limiting Distance, m | ||||||||||||
| Less than 1.2 |
1.2 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 10.0 | 12.0 | 16.0 | 20.0 | 25.0 | |
| 30 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 39 | 88 | 100 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 40 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 32 | 69 | 100 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 50 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 28 | 57 | 100 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 100 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 18 | 34 | 56 | 84 | 100 | — | — | — |
| Over 100 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 19 | 28 | 40 | 55 | 92 | 100 | — |
1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) to (4) and (6), each exposing building face and any exterior wall located above an exposing building face that encloses an attic or roof space shall be constructed in conformance with
Table 9.10.15.5. and Subsection 9.10.8.
a) for the exposing building face as a whole, or
b) for any number of separate portions of the exposing building face (see Subclause 9.10.15.2.(1)(b)(iii), Sentence 9.10.15.4.(2), and A-9.10.15.4.(2) in Appendix A).
2) Sentence (1) does not apply where
a)the limiting distance is 1.2 m or more,
b)the limiting distance is less than 1.2 m but not less than 0.6 m, provided that the exposing building face has a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min, or
c)the limiting distance is less than 0.6 m, provided that the exposing building face has a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min and is clad with noncombustible material.
3) Where the limiting distance is less than 0.6 m, cladding on the exposing building face and on exterior walls located above the exposing building face that enclose an attic or roof space need not be noncombustible, provided the cladding
a)conforms to Subsection 9.27.13.,
b) is installed without furring members over at least 12.7 mm gypsum sheathing or over masonry,
c)has a flame-spread rating not greater than 25 when tested in accordance with Sentence 3.1.12.1.(2), and
d)does not exceed 2 mm in thickness exclusive of fasteners, joints and local reinforcements.
4) The requirements regarding fire-resistance rating, type of construction and type of cladding shall not apply to the
exposing building face of a dwelling unit facing a detached garage or accessory building, where
a)the detached garage or accessory building serves only one dwelling unit,
b)the detached garage or accessory building is located on the same property as that dwelling unit, and
c)the dwelling unit served by the detached garage or accessory building is the only major occupancy on the property.
5) Except for buildings containing 1 or 2 dwelling units only, combustible projections on the exterior of a wall that are more than 1 m
above ground level, such as balconies, platforms, canopies, eave
projections and stairs, and that could expose an adjacent building to fire spread, shall not be permitted within
a)1.2 m of a property line or the centre line of a public way, or
b)2.4 m of a combustible projection on another building on the same property.
6) Heavy timber and steel columns need not conform to the
requirements of Sentence (1), provided the limiting distance is not less than 3 m.
| Table 9.10.15.5. Minimum Construction Requirements for Exposing Building Faces of Buildings Containing only Dwelling Units Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.15.5.(1) |
|||
| Maximum Area of Glazed Openings Permitted, % of Exposing Building Face Area | Minimum Required Fire-Resistance Rating |
Type of Construction Required | Type of Cladding Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 10 | 1 h | Noncombustible | Noncombustible |
| 11 - 25 | 1 h | Combustible or noncombustible | Noncombustible |
| 26 - < 100 | 45 min | Combustible or noncombustible | Combustible or noncombustible |
1) Vertical concealed spaces in interior walls and
exterior walls shall be separated by fire stops
a)one from the other, and
b)from horizontal concealed spaces.
2) Horizontal concealed spaces in attics, roof spaces,
ceilings, floors, and crawl spaces shall be separated by fire
stops
a)one from the other, and
b)from vertical concealed spaces.
3) Fire stops shall be provided at all interconnections
between concealed vertical and horizontal spaces in interior
coved ceilings, drop ceilings and soffits where the exposed
construction materials within the concealed spaces have a
surface flame-spread rating greater than 25.
4) Fire stops shall be provided at the top and bottom of
each run of stairs where they pass through a floor containing
concealed space in which the exposed construction materials
within the space have a surface flame-spread rating greater than 25.
5) In unsprinklered buildings of combustible construction, every concealed space created by a ceiling, roof space or unoccupied attic space shall
be separated by fire stops into compartments
a)not more than 60 m in greatest dimension, and
b)where such space contains exposed construction materials having a surface flame-spread rating greater than 25, not more than 300 m2 in area.
6) No dimension of the concealed space described in
Clause (5)(b) shall exceed 20 m.
7) Concealed spaces in mansard or gambrel style roofs,
exterior cornices, balconies and canopies of combustible construction in which the exposed construction materials
within the space have a surface flame-spread rating exceeding 25 shall have vertical fire stops at intervals of not
more than 20 m and at points where such concealed spaces extend
across the ends of required vertical fire separations.
1) Except as permitted in Sentence (2), fire stops shall be provided to block off concealed spaces
within wall assemblies, including spaces created by furring,
a)at each floor level,
b)at each ceiling level where the ceiling contributes to part of the required fire-resistance rating, and
c)at other locations within the wall, so that the distance between fire stops does not exceed 20 m horizontally and 3 m vertically.
2) Fire stops described in Sentence (1) are not required provided
a)the width of the concealed wall space does not exceed 25 mm,
b)the exposed construction materials within the space are noncombustible,
c)the exposed construction materials within the space, including insulation, but not including wiring, piping or similar services, have a flame-spread rating of not more than 25, or
d)the concealed wall space is filled with insulation.
1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2), fire stops shall be constructed of
not less than
a)0.38 mm sheet steel,
b)6 mm asbestos board,
c)12.7 mm gypsum wallboard,
d)12.5 mm plywood, OSB or waferboard, with joints having continuous supports,
e)2 layers of 19 mm lumber with joints staggered,
f)38 mm lumber, or
g)materials conforming to Sentence 3.1.11.7.(1).
2) In a building permitted to be of combustible construction, semi-rigid fibre insulation board
produced from glass, rock or slag is permitted to be used to
block the vertical space in a double-frame wall assembly
formed at the intersection of the floor assembly and the
walls, provided the width of the vertical space does not
exceed 25 mm and the insulation board
a)has a density not less than 45 kg/m3,
b)is securely fastened to one set of studs,
c)extends from below the bottom of the top plates in the lower storey to above the top of the bottom plate in the upper storey, and
d)completely fills the portion of the vertical space between the headers and between the wall plates.
(See A-3.1.11.7.(7) in Appendix A.)1) Where fire stops are pierced by pipes, ducts or other
elements, the effectiveness of the fire stops shall be
maintained around such elements.
1) Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection, the
exposed surface of every interior wall and ceiling, including
skylights and glazing, shall have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 150.
2) Except as permitted in Sentence (3), doors need not conform to Sentence (1) provided they have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 200.
3) Doors within dwelling units, other than garage doors, need not conform to Sentences (1) and (2).
1) At least 90% of the exposed surface of every ceiling
in an exit or unsprinklered ceiling in a public corridor shall have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 25. (See Article 9.10.17.6.)
1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), at least 90% of the exposed surfaces of every wall in an exit shall have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 25. (See Article 9.10.17.6.)
2) At least 75% of the wall surface of a lobby used as an
exit in Article 9.9.8.5. shall have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 25. (See Article 9.10.17.6.)
1) Where an exterior exit passageway provides the only means of egress from the rooms or suites it serves, the wall and ceiling finishes of that passageway,
including the soffit beneath and the guard on the passageway, shall have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 25, except that up to 10% of the total wall area and 10% of the total ceiling
area is permitted to have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 150.
1) At least 90% of the total wall surface in any
unsprinklered public corridor shall have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 75, or at least 90% of the upper half of such
walls shall have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 25. (See Article 9.10.17.6.)
1) Skylights, glazing, combustible doors, and combustible light diffusers and lenses shall not be considered in the calculation
of wall and ceiling areas in this Subsection.
1) Where a public corridor or a corridor used by the public contains an occupancy, the interior finish materials used on the walls or ceiling of
such occupancy, shall have a surface flame-spread rating in conformance with that required for public corridors.
1) Light diffusers and lenses having flame-spread ratings that exceed those permitted for the ceiling finish, shall
conform to the requirements of Sentence 3.1.13.4.(1).
1) Individual combustible skylights in corridors required to be separated from the remainder of the building by fire separations shall not exceed 1 m2 in area and shall be spaced not
less than 1.2 m apart.
1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), foamed plastics which form part of a wall or ceiling assembly in
combustible construction shall be protected from adjacent space in
the building, other than adjacent concealed spaces within attic or roof spaces, crawl spaces, and wall assemblies, by
a)one of the interior finishes described in Subsections 9.29.4. to 9.29.9.,
b)sheet metal mechanically fastened to the supporting assembly independent of the insulation and having a thickness of not less than 0.38 mm and a melting point not below 650°C, provided the building does not contain a Group C major occupancy, or
c)any thermal barrier that meets the requirements of Clause 3.1.5.12.(2)(e).
2) Thermosetting foamed plastic insulation having a flame-spread rating of not more than 200 is permitted to be used in factory-assembled
doors in storage garages serving single dwelling units provided that
a)the insulation is covered on the interior with a metallic foil,
b)the assembly has a flame-spread rating of not more than 200, and
c)the assembly incorporates no air spaces.
1) The interior finish of walls and ceilings in bathrooms
within suites of residential occupancy shall have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 200.
1) Where a covering or a lining is used with a duct, such
lining or covering shall have a flame-spread rating conforming to Article 3.6.5.4. or 9.33.6.4.
1) Where access is provided through a firewall, the requirements in this Subsection shall apply to the floor areas on both sides of the firewall as if they were in the same building.
1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), a fire alarm system shall be installed
a)in every building that contains more than 3 storeys, including storeys below the first storey,
b)where the total occupant load exceeds 300, or
c)when the occupant load for any major occupancy in Table 9.10.18.2. is exceeded.
| Table 9.10.18.2. Maximum Occupant Load for Buildings without Fire Alarm Systems Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.18.2.(1) |
|
| Major Occupancy Classification | Occupant Load Above which a Fire Alarm System is Required |
|---|---|
| Residential | 10 (sleeping accommodation) |
| Business and personal services, Mercantile | 150 above or below the first storey |
| Low-or medium-hazard industrial | 75 above or below the first storey |
2) A fire alarm system is not required in a residential occupancy where an exit or public corridor serves not more than 4 suites or where each suite has direct access to an exterior exit facility leading to ground level.
1) Where a fire alarm system is required, every public corridor in buildings of residential occupancy and every exit stair shaft shall be provided with smoke detectors.
2) Except as provided in Sentence (3), buildings required to have a fire alarm system shall be equipped with heat detectors or smoke detectors in storage rooms, service rooms, elevator shafts, chutes, janitors' closets and any other rooms
where hazardous substances are intended to be used or stored.
3) Heat detectors and smoke detectors described in Sentence (2) are not required in dwelling units or in sprinklered buildings in which the sprinkler system is electrically supervised and equipped with a
water flow alarm.
1) Except for a recirculating air system serving not more
than one dwelling unit, where a fire alarm system is required to be
installed, every recirculating air-handling system shall be
designed to prevent the circulation of smoke upon a signal from
a duct-type smoke detector where such system supplies more than one suite on the same floor or serves more than 1 storey.
1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), where a vertical fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 h separates a portion of a building from the remainder of the building and there are no openings through the fire separation other than those for piping, tubing, wiring and conduit, the
requirements for fire alarm and detection systems may be applied
to each portion so separated as if it were a separate building.
2) The permission in Sentence (1) to consider separated portions of a building as separate buildings does not apply to service rooms and storage rooms.
1) Except as required by this Subsection, where fire
alarm, fire detection and smoke detection devices and systems
are installed, these devices and systems and their installation
shall conform to Subsection 3.2.4. (See Appendix A.)
1) Central vacuum cleaning systems in buildings required to be equipped with a fire alarm system shall be designed to shut down
upon activation of the fire alarm system.
1) A fire alarm system is not required in a storage garage conforming to Article 3.2.2.83. provided there are no other occupancies in the building.
1) Smoke alarms conforming to CAN/ULC-S531, “Smoke
Alarms,” shall be installed in each dwelling unit and in each sleeping room not within a dwelling unit.
1) Within dwelling units, sufficient smoke alarms shall be installed so that
a)there is at least one smoke alarm on each floor level, including basements, that is 900 mm or more above or below an adjacent floor level,
b)each bedroom is protected by a smoke alarm either inside the bedroom or, if outside, within 5 m, measured following corridors and doorways, of the bedroom door, and
c)the distance, measured following corridors and doorways, from any point on a floor level to a smoke alarm on the same level does not exceed 15 m.
(See Appendix A.)2) Smoke alarms required in Article 9.10.19.1. and Sentence (1) shall be installed on or near the ceiling.
1) Smoke alarms shall be installed by permanent connections to an electrical circuit and
shall have no disconnect switch between the overcurrent device
and the smoke alarm.
2) Where the building is not supplied with electrical power, smoke alarms are permitted to be battery operated.
1) Where more than one smoke alarm is required in a dwelling unit, the smoke alarms shall be wired so that the activation of one alarm will cause all alarms
within the dwelling unit to sound.
1) Where instructions are necessary to describe the
maintenance and care required for smoke alarms to ensure continuing satisfactory performance, they shall be posted in a
location where they will be readily available to the occupants
for reference.
1) Except as provided in Sentence (3), a window or access panel providing an opening not less than
1 100 mm high and 550 mm wide and having a sill height of not
more than 900 mm above the floor shall be provided on the second
and third storeys of every building in at least one wall facing on a street if such storeys are not sprinklered.
2) Access panels required in Sentence (1) shall be readily openable from both inside and outside or be
glazed with plain glass.
3) Access panels required in Sentence (1) need not be provided in buildings containing only dwelling units where there is no dwelling unit above another dwelling unit.
1) Except in basements serving not more than one dwelling unit, each unsprinklered basement exceeding 25 m in length or width shall be provided with direct
access to the outdoors to at least one street.
2) Access required in Sentence (1) may be provided by a door, window or other means that provides
an opening not less than 1 100 mm high and 550 mm wide, the sill
height of which shall not be more than 900 mm above the floor.
3) Access required in Sentence (1) may also be provided by an interior stair accessible from the
outdoors.
1) Access for fire department equipment shall be provided
to each building by means of a street, private roadway or yard. (See A-3.2.5.6.(1) and A-9.10.20.3.(1) in Appendix A.)
2) Where access to a building as required in Sentence (1) is provided by means of a roadway or yard, the design and
location of such roadway or yard shall take into account
connection with public thoroughfares, weight of firefighting
equipment, width of roadway, radius of curves, overhead
clearance, location of fire hydrants, location of fire
department connections and vehicular parking.
1) Portable extinguishers shall be installed in all buildings, except within dwelling units, in conformance with the British Columbia Fire Code.
1) Equipment forming part of a fire protection system
that may be adversely affected by freezing temperatures and that
is located in an unheated area shall be protected from freezing.
1) Except as provided in Articles 9.10.21.2. to 9.10.21.9., construction camps shall conform to Subsections 9.10.1. to 9.10.20.
1) Except for sleeping rooms within dwelling units, sleeping rooms in construction camps shall be separated from
each other and from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having not less than a 30 min fire-resistance rating.
1) Except in a dwelling unit, a floor assembly in a construction camp building separating the first storey and the second storey shall be constructed as a fire separation having not less than a 30 min fire-resistance rating.
1) Walkways of combustible construction connecting buildings shall be separated from each connected building by a fire separation having not less than a 45 min fire-resistance rating.
1) Construction camp buildings shall be separated from each other by a distance of not less than 10 m except as otherwise permitted in
Subsections 9.10.14. and 9.10.15.
1) Except in dwelling units and except as provided in Sentence (2), the surface flame-spread rating of wall and ceiling surfaces in corridors and
walkways, exclusive of doors, shall not exceed 25 over not less than 90% of the exposed
surface area and not more than 150 over the remaining surface
area.
2) Except within dwelling units, corridors that provide access to exit from sleeping rooms and that have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min shall have a flame-spread rating conforming to the appropriate requirements in Subsection 9.10.17.
1) Except in dwelling units, corridors providing access to exit from sleeping rooms in construction camp buildings with sleeping accommodation for more than 10 persons shall be provided with a
smoke detector connected to the building alarm system.
1) Each construction camp building shall be provided with portable fire extinguishers in conformance with the
appropriate provincial or territorial regulations or municipal
bylaws or, in the absence of such regulations or bylaws, in
conformance with the BCBC.
1) Every construction camp building providing sleeping accommodation for more than 30 persons shall be
provided with a hose station that is protected from freezing and
is equipped with a hose of sufficient length so that every
portion of the building is within reach of a hose stream.
2) Hose stations required in Sentence (1) shall be located near an exit.
3) Hoses referred to in Sentence (1) shall be not less than 19 mm inside diam and shall be connected
to a central water supply or to a storage tank having a capacity
of not less than 4 500 L with a pumping system capable of
supplying a flow of not less than 5 L/s at a gauge pressure of
300 kPa.
1) Except as required in Sentence (2), natural gas and propane ranges shall be installed in accordance with the British Columbia Gas Safety Regulation pursuant to the British Columbia Safety Standards Act.
(See Article 9.34.1.1.)
2) Clearances for and protection around gas,
propane and electric ranges shall be not less than those provided in Articles 9.10.22.2. and 9.10.22.3.
1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), framing, finishes and cabinetry installed directly above the
location of the range shall be not less than 750 mm above the level of range burners or elements.
2) The vertical clearance described in Sentence (1) for framing, finishes and cabinets located directly above the
location of the range may be reduced to 600 mm above the level of the elements or
burners, provided the framing, finishes and cabinets
a)are noncombustible, or
b)are protected by
i)asbestos millboard not less than 6 mm thick, covered with sheet metal not less than 0.33 mm thick, or
ii)a metal hood with a 125 mm projection beyond the framing, finishes and cabinets.
1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), combustible wall framing, finishes or cabinets within 450 mm of the area where
the range is to be located shall be protected above the level of the heating
elements or burners by material providing fire resistance at
least equivalent to that provided by a 9.5 mm thickness of
gypsum board.
2) Counter-top splash boards or back plates that extend
above the level of heating elements or burners need not be
protected as described in Sentence (1).
3) Except for cabinetry described in Article 9.10.22.2., cabinetry located not less than 450 mm
above the level of the heating elements or burners need not be
protected as described in Sentence (1).