Division B
Acceptable Solutions

Part 2 — Building and Occupant Fire Safety

Section 2.4. Fire Hazards

2.4.1. Combustible Materials

2.4.1.1. Accumulation of Combustible Materials

1) Combustible waste materials in and around buildings shall not be permitted to accumulate in quantities or locations that will constitute an undue fire hazard. (See Appendix A.)

2) Combustible materials, other than those for which the location, room or space is designed, shall not be permitted to accumulate in any part of an elevator shaft, ventilation shaft, means of egress, service room or service space. (See Appendix A.)

3) Horizontal concealed spaces, such as crawl spaces and ceiling spaces, shall not be used for the storage of combustible materials.

4) Combustible materials shall not be stored on a roof or adjacent to any building so as to create a fire hazard to the building or its occupants.

5) Abandoned optical fibre cables and electrical wires and cables with combustible insulation, jackets, or sheathes, and nonmetallic raceways shall be removed from a plenum unless

a) they are permanently enclosed by the structure or finish of the building,

b) their removal would disturb the structure or finish of the building,

c) their removal could affect the performance of cables in use, or

d) the plenum space is sprinklered.

6) Outdoor storage receptacles, such as dumpsters, used for combustible materials shall be located so that they do not create an undue fire hazard to surrounding buildings. (See Appendix A.)

2.4.1.2. Storage Rooms for Combustible Waste Materials

1) Where rooms are provided for the storage of combustible waste materials, such rooms shall conform to the British Columbia Building Code.

NC2010  2010-01-01 R1

1) Where rooms are provided for the storage of combustible waste materials, such rooms shall conform to the British Columbia Building CodeNBC.

2.4.1.3. Waste Receptacles

1) Materials subject to spontaneous ignition, such as oily rags, shall be deposited in a receptacle conforming to Sentence (4) or be removed from the premises. (See Appendix A.)

2) All ashes shall be stored in receptacles conforming to Sentence (4) and combustible materials shall not be stored with ashes in the same container.

3) Except as permitted in Sentence (4), noncombustible receptacles as required in Sentences (1) and (2) shall not be placed closer than 1 m to combustible materials.

4) A receptacle required by Sentences (1) and (2) shall

a) be constructed of noncombustible materials,

b) have a close-fitting, self-closing metal cover, and

c) if the flooring material upon which it is placed is combustible, have a flanged bottom or legs not less than 50 mm high.

2.4.1.4. Lint Traps for Laundry Equipment

1) Lint traps in laundry equipment shall be cleaned after each use of the equipment.

2.4.2. Smoking

2.4.2.1. Smoking Areas

1) Smoking shall not be permitted in areas where conditions are such as to make smoking a fire or explosion hazard.

2) An area where smoking is not permitted in Sentence (1) shall be identified by signs conforming to Article 2.4.2.2.

3) Where smoking is permitted, an adequate number of ash trays shall be provided.

2.4.2.2. Signs

1) Signs prohibiting smoking shall have black lettering not less than 50 mm high with a 12 mm stroke on a yellow background, except that symbols of not less than 150 mm by 150 mm are permitted to be used in lieu of lettering.

2.4.3. Open Flames

2.4.3.1. Open Flames in Processions

1) Open flames whose quantity and method of use create a fire hazard shall not be permitted in processions

a) in assembly occupancies, or

b) in dining areas in Group B, Divisions 2 and 3 care and treatment occupancies.

2.4.3.2. Flaming Meals and Drinks

1) In Group B, Divisions 2 and 3 care and treatment occupancies, flaming meals or drinks shall not be served.

2) In assembly occupancies, flaming meals or drinks shall be ignited only at the location of serving.

3) In assembly occupancies, the refuelling of equipment used to flame meals or drinks, or to warm food, shall be carried out

a) outside the serving area, and

b) away from ignition sources.

4) A portable extinguisher having a minimum rating of 5-B:C shall be located on the serving cart or table where flaming meals and drinks referred to in Sentences (2) and (3) are served.

2.4.3.3. Devices Having Open Flames

1) Devices having open flames shall be securely supported in noncombustible holders and shall be located or protected so as to prevent accidental contact of the flame with combustible materials.

2.4.4. Use of Dangerous Goods

2.4.4.1. Flammable and Combustible Liquids

1) Flammable liquids and combustible liquids shall be classified, stored and handled in conformance with Part 4.

2) Class I liquids shall not be used for cleaning purposes except where such cleaning is an essential part of a process.

3) Spills of flammable liquids or combustible liquids within buildings shall be removed in conformance with Subsection 4.1.6.

2.4.4.2. Flammable Gases

1) Class 2.1 flammable gases shall not be used to inflate balloons.

2.4.5. Open Air Fires

2.4.5.1. Open Air Fires

1) Except for fires used for cooking in fireplaces, grills or barbecues, open air fires shall not be set unless appropriate measures are taken to limit their spread. (See Appendix A.)

2.4.6. Vacant Buildings

2.4.6.1. Security

1) Vacant buildings shall be secured against unauthorized entry. (See Appendix A.)

2.4.7. Electrical Installations

2.4.7.1. Use and Maintenance

1) Electrical installations shall be used and maintained so as not to constitute an undue fire hazard.