Division B
Acceptable Solutions

Part 2 — Building and Occupant Fire Safety

Section 2.6. Service Equipment

2.6.1. Heating, Ventilating and Air-conditioning

2.6.1.1. Installation

1) Fireplaces, solid fuel burning equipment, chimneys, flue pipes, heating, ventilating and air-conditioning appliances and equipment shall be constructed and installed in conformance with the British Columbia Building Code.

2.6.1.2. Coal and Wood Bins

1) Coal and wood bins shall be located not less than 1.2 m from the appliance served.

2.6.1.3. Hoods, Ducts and Filters

1) Hoods, ducts and filters subject to accumulations of combustible deposits shall be inspected at intervals not greater than 7 days, and shall be cleaned if the accumulation of such deposits creates a fire hazard.

2.6.1.4. Chimneys, Flues and Flue Pipes

1) Every chimney, flue and flue pipe shall be inspected to identify any dangerous condition

a)at intervals not greater than 12 months,

b)at the time of addition of any appliance, and

c)after any chimney fire.

2) Chimneys, flues and flue pipes shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them free from dangerous accumulations of combustible deposits. (See Appendix A.)

3) A chimney, flue, or flue pipe shall be replaced or repaired to eliminate

a)any structural deficiency or decay (see Appendix A), and

b)all abandoned or unused openings that are not effectively sealed in a manner that would prevent the passage of fire or smoke.

2.6.1.5. Clearances

1) Required clearances between chimneys, flue pipes or appliance and combustible construction shall be maintained in conformance with the British Columbia Building Code.

2) Combustible materials shall not be located within the required clearance space surrounding chimneys, flue pipes or appliances, or adjacent to ash pit or cleanout doors.

2.6.1.6. Operation and Maintenance Procedures

1) Heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems, including appliances, chimneys and flue pipes, shall be operated and maintained so as not to create a hazardous condition.

2) Except for self-contained systems within dwelling units, disconnect switches for mechanical air-conditioning and ventilating systems shall be operated at intervals not greater than 12 months to establish that the system can be shut down in an emergency.

2.6.1.7. Ventilation Shafts

1) Ventilation shafts shall be used only for ventilating purposes.

2.6.1.8. Repairs and Renovations

1) Work on ducts involving the use of heat-producing devices for cutting, welding or soldering shall not be undertaken before

a)the system has been shut down,

b)the duct has been cleaned of any accumulations of combustible deposits, and

c)any combustible lining and covering material that could be ignited by such work has been removed.

2) Precautions shall be taken, where necessary, to ensure that there is no damage to fuel supply piping or equipment that would result in fuel leakage or a fire hazard during renovations or excavation.

2.6.1.9. Commercial Cooking Equipment

1) Commercial cooking equipment exhaust and fire protection systems shall be designed and installed in conformance with the British Columbia Building Code.

2) Except as required in Sentences (3) to (5), the use, inspection and maintenance of commercial cooking equipment exhaust and fire protection systems shall be in conformance with NFPA 96, “Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations.”

3) Hoods, grease removal devices, fans, ducts, and other appurtenances shall be cleaned at frequent intervals to prevent surfaces from becoming heavily contaminated with grease or other residues. (See Appendix A.)

4) Flammable cleaning materials or solvents shall not be used for the cleaning of exhaust systems.

5) Instructions for manually operating the fire protection systems shall be posted conspicuously in the kitchen as part of the fire safety plan.

6) Commercial cooking equipment that is certified shall be installed and maintained in conformance with its certification.

7) Uncertified commercial cooking equipment shall be installed and maintained so as not to create a fire hazard.

2.6.2. Incinerators

2.6.2.1. Indoor Incinerators

1) The installation and alteration of indoor incinerators shall conform to the British Columbia Building Code.

2.6.2.2. Outdoor Incinerators

1) The design, construction, installation, alteration and maintenance of outdoor incinerators shall conform to NFPA 82, “Incinerators and Waste and Linen Handling Systems and Equipment,” except that the flue venting an incinerator shall not serve as the chute conveying waste material to the incinerator.

2.6.2.3. Spark Arresters

1) Spark arresters installed in conformance with Articles 2.6.2.1. and 2.6.2.2. shall be inspected and cleaned at intervals not greater than 12 months or more frequently where accumulations of debris will adversely affect operations.

2) Burnt-out spark arresters shall be repaired or replaced.

2.6.3. Electrical Services

2.6.3.1. Use

1) Storage may be permitted in electrical service rooms in conformance with the British Columbia Safety Standards Act and pursuant regulations.

2) Electrical equipment vaults shall not be used for storage purposes.

2.6.3.2. Security

1) Electrical equipment vaults and electrical service rooms shall be kept locked so that unauthorized persons will not have access to them.