1) The provisions of this Section are alternative requirements to assist in the rehabilitation and the change of major occupancy of existing buildings and shall not be used for any alterations or additions which may increase the non-conformance of existing buildings.
1) Where an existing building or portion of an existing building is required by Subsection 10.1.1. to comply with this By-law, the provisions contained in this Section may be selected as alternative measures under the conditions specified in Sentences (2) to (8) provided the existing building was originally constructed pursuant to a building permit issued prior to January 1, 1980.
2) Where the building height and building area limitations of Subsection 3.2.2. require an existing building to be of noncombustible construction, the applicable Article of Subsection 10.2.2. may be used as an alternative in its entirety.
3) Where the spatial separation and exposure protection requirements of Subsection 3.2.3. require the exterior walls of an existing building to be of noncombustible construction, Subsection 10.2.3. may be used.
4) Where an existing building requires structural assessment or upgrading, Subsection 10.2.4. may be used.
5) Where the fire containment measures of an existing building are deficient, Subsection 10.2.5. may be used.
6) Where the exits in an existing building are deficient, Subsection 10.2.6. may be used.
7) Where an existing building is sprinklered throughout, the applicable relaxations of Subsection 10.2.7. may be used.
8) Where an existing building is designated as a heritage building, alternate compliance methods as detailed in Subsection 10.4.1. can be substituted for the requirements contained elsewhere in this By-law.
1) Where required by Subsection 3.2.2., all additions and new work shall be of noncombustible construction, except that minor in fill of existing floor or wall assemblies may be of combustible construction where permitted by the Chief Building Official provided
a)the minor infill for the floor assembly does not exceed 5 percent of the floor area of the room in which it is located, and
b)the minor infill for the wall assembly does not exceed 5 percent of the wall plane of the wall on which it is located.
1) A Group A, Division 1 occupancy having an occupant load of not more than 600 may be permitted within the first and second storey of an existing building provided the building conforms to Sentence (2).
2) The building referred to in Sentence (1) shall
a)be upgraded to comply with Sentence 3.2.2.21.(2), except that all floor assemblies shall be fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h,
b)be provided with a fire alarm and detection system conforming to Subsection 3.2.4., notwithstanding any exemptions permitted by Article 3.2.4.1.,
c)be provided with lighting and emergency power systems conforming to Subsection 3.2.7.,
d)be upgraded to provide all exit locations with a maximum travel distance of 22.5 m for sprinklered buildings and 15 m for unsprinklered buildings,
e)except as permitted in Subsection 10.2.3., be upgraded to provide exterior wall and opening protection conforming to Subsection 3.2.3.,
f)except as permitted in Subsection 10.2.4., be upgraded to comply with the structural requirements of Part 4,
g)except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.5. and 10.2.7., be upgraded to comply with the fire containment requirements within a floor area conforming to this By-law, and
h)except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.6. and 10.2.7. and as required by Clause (d), be upgraded to provide exit systems conforming to Section 3.4.
1) A Group A, Division 1 occupancy having an auditorium occupant load of not more than 300, may be permitted within the first and second storey of an existing building, provided the building conforms to Sentence (2).
2) The building referred to in Sentence (1) shall
a)be upgraded to comply with Sentence 3.2.2.22.(2), except that all floor assemblies shall be fire separations with a fire resistance rating not less than 1 h,
b)be provided with a fire alarm and detection system conforming to Subsection 3.2.4., notwithstanding any exemptions permitted by Article 3.2.4.1.,
c)be provided with lighting and emergency power systems conforming to Subsection 3.2.7.,
d)be upgraded to provide all exit locations with a maximum travel distance of 22.5 m for sprinklered buildings and 15 m for unsprinklered buildings,
e)except as permitted in Subsection 10.2.3., be upgraded to provide exterior wall and opening protection conforming to Subsection 3.2.3.,
f)except as permitted in Subsection 10.2.4., be upgraded to comply with the structural requirements of Part 4,
g)except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.5. and 10.2.7., be upgraded to comply with the fire containment requirements within a floor area conforming to this By-law, and
h)except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.6. and 10.2.7. and as required by Clause (d), be upgraded to provide exit systems conforming to Section 3.4.
1) A Group A, Division 2 occupancy may be permitted within the first 3 storeys of an existing building which is more than three storeys in building height, provided the building conforms to Sentence (2), and provided
a)the entire building is sprinklered where the occupancy is located on the third storey or where the building area exceeds 400 m2, or
b)where the occupancy is located on the first or second storey, the building is sprinklered up to and including the storey containing the Group A2 occupancy.
2) The building referred to in Sentence (1) shall conform to Sentence 10.2.2.4.(2).
1) A Group A, Division 2 occupancy may be permitted in an existing building not more than three storeys in building height, provided the building conforms to Sentence (2), and provided the entire building is sprinklered where
a)the building area exceeds 400 m2, or
b)the occupancy is located on the third storey.
2) The building referred to in Sentence (1) shall
a)be upgraded to conform to Sentence 3.2.2.25.(2),
b)be provided with a fire alarm and detection system conforming to Subsection 3.2.4., notwithstanding any exemptions permitted by Article 3.2.4.1.,
c)be provided with lighting and emergency power systems conforming to Subsection 3.2.7.,
d)except as permitted in Subsection 10.2.3., be upgraded to provide exterior wall and opening protection conforming to Subsection 3.2.3.,
e)except as permitted in Subsection 10.2.4., be upgraded to comply with the structural requirements of Part 4,
f)except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.5. and 10.2.7., be upgraded to comply with the fire containment requirements within a floor area conforming to this By-law, and
g)except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.6. and 10.2.7., be upgraded to provide exit systems conforming to Section 3.4.
1) A Group B, Division 2 occupancy containing only occupants that are capable of walking up or downstairs unaided may be permitted within the first 3 storeys of an existing building, provided it conforms to Sentence (2), and provided the entire building is sprinklered.
2) The building referred to in Sentence (1) shall
a)be upgraded to conform to Sentence 3.2.2.40.(2),
b)be provided with a fire alarm and detection system conforming to Subsection 3.2.4. where the building contains more than 2 storeys including storeys below grade or where the building area exceeds 250 m2 regardless of the occupant load,
c)be provided with lighting and emergency power systems conforming to Subsection 3.2.7.,
d)except as permitted in Subsection 10.2.3., be upgraded to provide exterior wall and opening protection conforming to Subsection 3.2.3.,
e)except as permitted in Subsection 10.2.4., be upgraded to comply with the
f)except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.5. and 10.2.7., be upgraded to comply with the fire containment requirements within a floor area conforming to this By-law, and
g)except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.6. and 10.2.7., be upgraded to provide exit systems conforming to Section 3.4.
1) A Group B, Division 2, non-ambulatory occupancy may be permitted only within a storey of an existing building which has direct or ramped access to ground level, provided the building conforms to Sentence (2) and provided the entire building is sprinklered.
2) The building referred to in Sentence (1) shall
a)be upgraded to conform to Sentence 3.2.2.40.(2),
b)be provided with a fire alarm and detection system conforming to Subsection 3.2.4. where the building contains more than 2 storeys including storeys below grade or where the building area exceeds 250 m2 regardless of the occupant load,
c)be provided with lighting and emergency power systems conforming to Subsection 3.2.7.,
d)except as permitted in Subsection 10.2.3., be upgraded to provide exterior wall and opening protection conforming to Subsection 3.2.3.,
e)except as permitted in Subsection 10.2.4., be upgraded to comply with the structural requirements of Part 4,
f)except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.5. and 10.2.7., be upgraded to comply with the fire containment requirements within a floor area conforming to this By-law, and
g)except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.6. and 10.2.7., be upgraded to provide exit systems conforming to Section 3.4.
1) A Group C occupancy may be permitted in an existing building more than 3 storeys in building height provided it conforms to Sentence (2) and provided the entire building is sprinklered.
2) The building referred to in Sentence (1) shall
a)be upgraded to conform to Sentence 3.2.2.45.(2), provided the building conforms to Clause 3.2.2.43.(1)(c),
b)where the limitations of Clause 3.2.2.43.(1)(c) are exceeded, be upgraded to conform to Sentence 3.2.2.43.(2), except that existing combustible construction is permitted,
c)be provided with a fire alarm and detection system conforming to Subsection 3.2.4.,
d)be provided with lighting and emergency power systems conforming to Subsection 3.2.7.,
e)except as permitted in Subsection 10.2.3., be upgraded to provide exterior wall and opening protection conforming to Subsection 3.2.3.,
f)except as permitted in Subsection 10.2.4., be upgraded to comply with the structural requirements of Part 4,
g)except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.5. and 10.2.7., be upgraded to comply with the fire containment requirements within a floor area conforming to this By-law, and
h)except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.6. and 10.2.7., be upgraded to provide exit systems conforming to Section 3.4.
1) Single Room occupancies are permitted in an existing building classified as a Group C hotel occupancy where the entire building is
a)provided with a sprinkler system which incorporates quick-response heads,
b)upgraded to provide fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h between storeys and between suites, except that a 45 min fire-resistance rating or existing lath and plaster in good repair is acceptable when the building is no more than 3 storeys in building height,
c)upgraded to provide exit systems conforming to Section 3.4., except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.6. and 10.2.7.,
d)upgraded to provide public corridors conforming to Article 3.3.1.4., except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.5. and 10.2.6.,
e)provided with emergency lighting conforming to Subsection 3.2.7.,
f)when the number of living units exceeds 5, provided with a fire alarm and detection system conforming to Subsection 3.2.4., including smoke detectors in public corridors and a smoke alarm in each sleeping area,
g)provided with a structural survey conforming to Article 10.2.4.2. and provided all floors and beams are substantially connected to walls and columns,
h)provided, as a minimum, with shared washroom facilities installed to conform to the Standards of Maintenance By-law for lodging houses, and
i)provided with sound insulation conforming to Article 3.3.4.6. installed between suites, except that where suites share washroom and kitchen facilities no sound insulation need be provided.
1) A Group D occupancy shall be permitted in an existing building provided the building conforms to Sentence (2), and where the building exceeds 3 storeys in building height the entire building shall be sprinklered.
2) The building referred to in Sentence (1) shall be
1)upgraded to conform to Sentence 3.2.2.53.(2) provided the limitations of Table 3.2.2.50. are not exceeded,
b)where the limitations of Table 3.2.2.50. are exceeded, upgraded to conform to Sentence 3.2.2.50.(2), except that existing combustible construction shall be permitted,
c)except as permitted in Subsection 10.2.3., upgraded to provide exterior wall and opening protection conforming to Subsection 3.2.3.,
d)except as permitted in Subsection 10.2.4., upgraded to comply with the structural requirements of Part 4,
e)except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.5. and 10.2.7., upgraded to comply with the fire containment requirements withina floor area conforming to this By-law, and
f)except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.6. and 10.2.7., upgraded to provide exit systems conforming to Section 3.4.
1) A Group E occupancy shall be permitted in an existing building provided the building conforms to Sentence (2) and is entirely sprinklered when the building exceeds
a)1000 m2 in building area, or
b)3 storeys in building height.
2) The building referred to in Sentence (1) shall be
a)upgraded to conform to Sentence 3.2.2.59.(2) provided the building is not more than 4 storeys in building height and the building area is not more than 1800 m2,
b)except as required in Clause (c), upgraded to conform to Sentence 3.2.2.58.(2) provided the building is not more than 6 storeys in building height and the building area conforms to Table 10.2.2.10.,
c)upgraded to conform to Sentence 3.2.2.57.(2), except that existing combustible construction and floor assemblies with a 1 1/2 h fire separation shall be permitted, when the building is more than 6 storeys in building height,
d)except as permitted in Subsection 10.2.3., upgraded to provide exterior wall and opening protection conforming to Subsection 3.2.3.,
e)except as permitted in Subsection 10.2.4., upgraded to comply with the structural requirements of Part 4,
f)except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.5. and 10.2.7., upgraded to comply with the fire containment requirements within a floor area conforming to this By-law, and
g)except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.6. and 10.2.7., upgraded to provide exit systems conforming to Section 3.4.
| Table 10.2.2.10. Forming Part of Sentence 10.2.2.10.(2) | |||
| No. of Storeys | Sprinklered Maximum Area, m2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Facing 1 Street | Facing 2 Streets | Facing 3 Streets | |
| 1 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| 2 | 7 500 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| 3 | 5 000 | 6 250 | 7 500 |
| 4 | 3 750 | 4 688 | 5 625 |
| 5 | 3 000 | 3 750 | 4 500 |
| 6 | 2 500 | 3 125 | 3 750 |
1) A Group F, Division 2 or 3 occupancy shall be permitted in an existing building, provided the building conforms to Sentence (2) and is entirely sprinklered when the building exceeds
a)1000 m2 in building area, or
b)2 storeys in building height.
2) The building referred to in Sentence (1) shall be
a)upgraded to conform to Sentence 3.2.2.69.(2), and provided the limitations of Table 10.2.2.11. are not exceeded, except that buildings with roofs of combustible construction shall be limited in building area to 4800 m2,
b)except as required in Clause (c), where the limitations of Table 10.2.2.11. are exceeded, upgraded to conform to Sentence 3.2.2.68.(2), except that existing combustible construction shall be permitted,
c)upgraded to conform to Article 3.2.2.67., when the building is more than 6 storeys in building height, except that existing combustible construction and floor assemblies with a 1 1/2 h fire separation shall be permitted,
d)except as permitted in Subsection 10.2.3., upgraded to provide exterior wall and opening protection conforming to Subsection 3.2.3.,
e)except as permitted in Subsection 10.2.4., upgraded to comply with the structural requirements of Part 4,
f)except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.5. and 10.2.7., upgraded to comply with the fire containment requirements within a floor area conforming to this By-law, and
g)except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.6. and 10.2.7., upgraded to provide exit systems conforming to Section 3.4.
| Table 10.2.2.11. Forming Part of Sentence 10.2.2.11.(2) | |||
| No. of Storeys | Sprinklered Maximum Area, m2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Facing 1 Street | Facing 2 Streets | Facing 3 Streets | |
| 1 | 9 000 | 11 250 | 13 500 |
| 2 | 4 500 | 5 625 | 6 750 |
| 3 | 3 000 | 3 750 | 4 500 |
| 4 | 2 250 | 2 812 | 3 375 |
| 5 | 1 800 | 2 250 | 2 700 |
| 6 | 1 500 | 1 875 | 2 250 |
1) Artist live/work studios are permitted in an existing building classified as a Group F, Division 2 occupancy where the building is
a)sprinklered with fast-response heads,
b)upgraded to provide a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating notless than 1 h between storeys and between suites, except that a 45 min fire-resistance rating or existing lath and plaster in good repair is acceptable when the building is less than 4 storeys in building height,
c)except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.6. and 10.2.7., upgraded to provide exit systems conforming to Section 3.4.,
d)except as permitted in Subsections 10.2.5. and 10.2.7., upgraded to provide public corridors conforming to Article 3.3.1.4.,
e)provided with emergency lighting conforming to Subsection 3.2.7.,
f)when the number of living units exceeds 5, provided with a fire alarm and detection system conforming to Subsection 3.2.4., including smoke detectors in public corridors and a smoke alarm in each sleeping area,
g)provided with equipment and electrical wiring which comply with the Vancouver Fire By-law if dust or fumes are produced in the studios,
h)in compliance with the Vancouver Fire By-law and to the British Columbia Gas Safety Act when flammable or combustible liquids or gases are stored or used in the studios,
i)heated only by hot water, electrical equipment, or elevated gas-fired forced-air heaters when dust or fume producing processes are used in the studios,
j)upgraded to provide service rooms and storage rooms conforming to Section 3.6. when these rooms are located outside of the studios,
k)provided with a structural survey conforming to Article 10.2.4.2. and provided all floors and beams are substantially connected to walls and columns,
l)provided with sound insulation conforming to Article 3.3.4.6. installed between suites, except that where suites share washroom and kitchen facilities no sound insulation need be provided,
m)provided, as a minimum, with light and ventilation requirements for sleeping areas from the remaining studio area, and
n)provided, as a minimum, with shared washroom facilities installed to conform to the Standards of Maintenance By-law for lodging houses.
1) Except for additions and new construction, where the exterior wall of an existing building is required by Article 3.2.3.7. to be of noncombustible construction, the provisions of this Subsection may be used as alternatives to the spatial separation requirements of Subsection 3.2.3.
1) In a building of Group B or C occupancy, existing combustible construction may be retained in an existing exterior wall provided
a)the wall has at least a 1 h fire-resistive rating,
b)the building is sprinklered, and
c)all voids in the wall are filled with noncombustible insulation and fire stopped.
2) In a building of other than Group B or C occupancy, existing combustible construction may be retained in an existing exterior wall provided the wall has at least a 1 h fire-resistance rating, and either
a)the building is sprinklered, or
b)all voids in the wall are completely filled with noncombustible insulation and fire stopped.
3) When an existing exterior wall requires a 2 h fire-resistance rating, existing combustible construction may be retained provided
a)the wall has at least a 1 h fire-resistance rating,
b)the building is sprinklered, and
c)all voids in the wall are completely filled with noncombustible insulation and fire stopped.
1) Existing combustible cladding may be retained provided
a)the building is sprinklered using fast-response heads,
b)the exterior cladding is treated with acceptable exterior quality fire retardant intumescent paint, and
c)all exterior windows contain wired or safety glass in steel frames.
1) Where the limiting distance is less than 900 mm, existing unprotected openings may be retained, but not enlarged, provided
a)the openings are constructed of glass block or wired glass or tempered glass or laminated safety glass, and the building is sprinklered using fast-response heads, or
b)acceptable self-closing fire protection shutters are installed at the existing opening locations.
2) Except as provided in Sentence (3), where a limiting distance is 900 mm or more, existing unprotected openings, which have a total area exceeding the values listed in or extrapolated from Tables 3.2.3.1.A, 3.2.3.1.B, 3.2.3.1.C or 3.2.3.1.D, may be retained provided
a)the openings are constructed of glass blocks or wired glass, or
b)the building is sprinklered with fast-response heads.
3) The requirements for existing unprotected openings in dwelling units may be relaxed so that
a)where the distance from the adjacent property line is 900 mm or more to existing openings, no opening protection need be provided,
b)where the distance from the adjacent property line is less than 900 mm to an existing bedroom window, protection as required in Sentence (2) shall be provided and the window shall not be enlarged, and
c)where the distance from the adjacent property line is more than 1.2 m, existing openings may be retained but no new openings shall be permitted unless they comply with Tables 3.2.3.1.A and 3.2.3.1.C
1) A structural analysis of an existing building shall be provided to the Chief Building Official by a registered structural engineer when
a)the total cost of the intended work, as determined in Subsection 10.1.1. exceeds 200% of the value of the building as determined by the British Columbia Assessment Authority,
b)the work includes a major addition as determined by Subsection 10.1.1., or
c)the work includes a change of major occupancy as determined by Subsection 10.1.1..
2) The structural analysis required by Sentence (1) shall
a)take into account the proposed alterations and the building occupancy,
b)indicate the structural sufficiency of the building to safely resist all vertical and lateral loads, including wind and earthquake forces, and any construction loads that may be expected, and
c)show the remedial work necessary to bring the structure up to the minimum standards required by Part 4 of this By-law.
3) Sealed drawings which detail the structural upgrading work required as a result of the analysis carried out under Sentence (2) shall be provided to the Chief Building Official by the owner.
4) All structural work referred to in Sentence (3) shall be completed prior to final inspection and occupancy.
1) When alterations to an existing building do not include an addition or a change of major occupancy and when the total cost of the intended work, as determined in Subsection 10.1.1., exceeds 100% but does not exceed 200% of the actual value of the building as determined by the British Columbia Assessment Authority, a structural survey of the existing building may be provided by a registered structural engineer instead of the total analysis required by Article 10.2.4.1.
2) The structural survey required by Sentence (1) shall
a)describe the condition of all structural members and connections,
b)document evidence of deterioration from physical damage, fire, weather or neglect,
c)document evidence of foundation settlement or failure,
d)include an evaluation of the building's expected stability with respect to minimum design loads, forces and effects,
e)include an evaluation of the building in conformance with the NRC publication "Guidelines for Seismic Evaluation of Existing Buildings" dated December 1992,
f)document the condition of all flashings, rain gutters, downpipes, chimneys, ornamentation, parapets and appurtenances, and
g)indicate the weather protection ability of the roof and exterior cladding, and the extent of impermeability of the below ground structure, where present.
3) Sealed drawings which detail the structural upgrading work required as a result of the survey carried out under Sentence (2) shall be provided to the Chief Building Official by the owner
4) All structural work referred to in Sentence (3) shall be completed prior to final inspection and occupancy.
1) Existing walls of unreinforced masonry may be used provided
a)the walls are connected to the horizontal structural element sof the building,
b)tests are conducted to determine the safe permissible working stresses of the masonry construction,
c)a registered structural engineer has determined that the walls are safe, and
d)design stresses as determined by the registered structural engineer do not exceed the maximum stresses permitted in Part 4.
1) The Chief Building Official may relax the requirements for seismic upgrading of an existing building, but not to less than 75% of the seismic design requirements, provided
a)the required analysis in Article 10.2.4.1. has been completed to the satisfaction of the Chief Building Official,
b)all deficiencies from the requirements of Subsection 4.1.8. have been identified,
c)it can be demonstrated that the total upgrade required to comply with the seismic requirements would be unusually difficult to achieve,
d)the seismic capacity of the proposed remedial work, recommended by the structural engineer, has been expressed as a percentage of the required By-law standard as detailed in Part 4 for each of the applicable design modes, and
e)the recommended remedial work in Clause (d) takes in to consideration the detrimental effects that a reduction in the safety factor may have on
i)public safety in and around the building,
ii)the expected level of awareness of the occupants as determined by the occupancy, and
iii)unusual aspects arising out of the building design which may statistically improve or worsen safety factors during an earthquake.
1) Except as permitted in Articles 10.2.5.2., 10.2.5.3. and 10.2.5.4. and Subsection 10.2.7., all fire separations shall be upgraded to comply with the appropriate requirements of this By-law.
1) Existing public corridor walls, serving Group A Division 2, D, E, F Division 2 and F Division 3 occupancies, required to have a fire-resistance rating exceeding 45 min may be terminated at the underside of a 30 min ceiling membrane, where the corridors are equipped with acceptable smoke detectors connected to the building fire alarm system.
1) In Group A Division 2, D, E, F Division 2 and F Division 3 occupancies, existing vertical occupancy fire separations and suite fire separations need not exceed a 1 h fire-resistance rating provided acceptable smoke detectors are installed on each side of such separations and are connected to the building fire alarm system.
1) A 20 min fire-protection rating may be used for an existing door assembly provided
a)the existing solid core of a wood door has a minimum thickness of not less than 45 mm, or
b)an existing hollow core or panel type suite door is covered with one layer of gypsum wallboard on the suite side and a minimum 0.9 mm thick sheet steel covers the gypsum wall board and extends over the edges of the door.
1) Except as permitted in Articles 10.2.6.2. and 10.2.6.3. and in Subsection 10.2.7., every floor area or other space shall be served with exits in conformance with Section 3.4.
1) In an existing building a maximum of 2 suite doors or 2 room doors per storey may be located within an exit enclosure provided
a)the exit enclosure is not required to have a fire-resistance rating of more than 1 h,
b)the suites or rooms have a second and separate means of egress, and
c)the suite or room doors have a fire-protection rating of 45 min, are self-closing and self-latching and are not automatic locking.
2) Exit stairs shall be enclosed as required in Subsection 3.4.4. except that existing exit enclosures may have
a)wired glass set in steel frames conforming to Article 3.1.8.14. only in the portion of the enclosure which faces a public corridor, and
b)in sprinklered buildings, acceptable hold-open devices actuated by smoke detectors and the building fire alarm system.
1) A single exit is permitted from an existing non sprinklered dwelling unit provided
a)the exit is an exterior doorway not more than 1.5 m above adjacent ground level,
b)the total area served by the exit door does not exceed 100 m2,
c)the maximum travel distance within the dwelling unit does not exceed 15 m, and
d)it is not necessary to travel up or down more than one storey to reach the exit door, or the uppermost floor level opens from a common area to an unenclosed balcony or deck not more than 6 m above adjacent ground level.
1) The relaxations of Articles 10.2.7.2. to 10.2.7.9. may be used in an existing building when
a)the building is sprinklered in conformance with Subsection 3.2.5., and
b)the building has a fire alarm system in conformance with Subsection 3.2.4.
1) Fire containment protection need not exceed a fire-resistance ratings of 45 min for Group C or D occupancies and in a building of not more than 3 storeys existing lath and plaster may be permitted when properly restored to its original condition.
1) fire-resistance ratings for an occupancy separation need not exceed 1 h when the By-law elsewhere requires 2 h, and need not exceed 45 min when the By-law elsewhere requires 1 h.
1) The flame-spread rating for an existing wall or ceiling finish may be increased to 300 for not more than 25 percent of the wall or ceiling area, provided the wall or ceiling has no exposed foamed plastic.
1) Where a fire separation is permitted to have a 45 min fire-resistance rating, a fire damper may be exempted for existing noncombustible ducts less than 0.065 m2 in cross-sectional area.
1) Plastic sprinkler piping may be permitted to penetrate avertical fire separation provided
a)the piping and its installation are listed by an acceptable testing agency, and
b)the piping is tightly fitted or fire stopped to maintain the integrity of the separation.
1) Smoke-venting to aid fire-fighting may penetrate exterior openings and existing shafts in adjacent fire compartments.
1) In a building which is provided with a sprinkler system with fast-response heads, corridors which have smoke detectors installed and connected to the fire alarm system may contain existing dead-end corridors of lengths not exceeding 10 m to the nearest exit in Group C occupancies and 15 m to the nearest exit in Group D, E, F Divisions 2 and F Division 3 occupancies.
2) In a building containing exits conforming to Article 10.2.7.9., one dead-end corridor per floor is permitted provided
a)the dead-end corridor does not exceed the lengths specified in Sentence (1), and
b)each exit stair serving the public corridor contains a smoke barrier between each storey, where the barrier
i)is positioned as to permit occupants to safely avoid any smoke hazard within one stairway, and be able to make their way to the alternate stairway, and
ii)has a door equipped with acceptable hold-open device actuated by a local smoke detector circuit, and
c)the building sprinkler system has fast-response heads.
1) Existing open exit stairways located at the ends of public corridors need not be enclosed provided
a)the building does not exceed 3 storeys in building height,
b)a smoke barrier is installed within each public corridor approximately midway between the exit stairways,
c)the smoke barrier
i)has a door provided with an acceptable hold-open device actuated by the fire alarm system and smoke detectors on that floor,
ii)is constructed of either tempered or wired glass, or has a fire-protection rating of not less than 20 min, and
iii)is designed to retard the passage of smoke,
d)the public corridor contains no dead-ends,
e)the public corridor on both sides of the smoke barrier is continuously pressurized, and
f)the building sprinkler system has fast-response heads.
2) Wired glass in steel frame exposure protection for exterior fire escapes need not be provided in an existing building provided
a)there is at least one exit enclosure which conforms to this By-law and which leads directly to the exterior of the building,
b)access to the fire escape is made by means of a full-size door at floor levels,
c)the fire escape goes directly to grade level or leads to grade level by means of an interior stair enclosure which is notless than 750 mm in width,
d)a sprinkler head is located on the ceiling adjacent to and within 1 500 mm of each opening requiring protection, and
e)the building sprinkler system has fast-response heads.
3) Where a building is provided with a sprinkler system with fast-response heads, the Chief Building Official may allow existing exit doors to be retained provided they do not swing over stairs and do not significantly impede safe egress and provided the Chief Building Official is satisfied that the existing exit door-swings and existing exit and corridor widths approach the requirements of Section 3.4.