1) The provisions of this Section apply to
horizontal service spaces, vertical service spaces, attic or roof spaces, ducts, crawl spaces, shaft spaces, service rooms, and mechanical penthouses, and facilities contained therein.
1) The installation of electrical wiring and electrical equipment shall conform to the requirements of the Electrical Safety Regulation pursuant to the BC Safety Standards Act.
1) Service spaces shall not be designed to facilitate subsequent use as storage space.
1) A fuel-fired appliance installed on the roof of a building or in another location outside the building shall be installed not less than
a)1.2 m from a property line, measured horizontally, and
b)3 m from an adjacent wall of the same building if that wall contains any opening within 3 storeys above and 5 m horizontally from the appliance, unless every opening within these limits is protected by
i)a closure having a fire-protection rating not less than 45 min determined in accordance with Article 3.1.8.4., or
ii)a wired glass assembly permitted for use in a vertical fire separation and described in Appendix D-2.3.14.
1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2), (8), (9) and (10), fuel-fired appliances shall be installed in service rooms separated from the remainder of the building by fire separations having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.
2) Except as required by Sentence (3), a fuel-fired appliance that serves only one room or suite is not required to be installed in a service room separated from the remainder of the building.
3) A solid-fuel-burning appliance shall not be located in a repair garage, a storage garage, or any other location where it could be exposed to flammable vapours or
gases, unless
a)it is enclosed in a service room that is separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h,
b)it is supplied with combustion air directly from outside the building, and
c)the heat that it generates is supplied indirectly to the space served by means of ducts or piping.
4) A service room containing an incinerator shall be separated from the remainder of the
building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h.
5) Equipment that uses a liquid having a flash point below 93.3°C shall be installed in a service room separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.
6) Sentence (5) shall apply to a room that contains electrical equipment that is required to be located in a service room by the Electrical Safety Regulation pursuant to the BC Safety Standards Act.
7) Except as permitted by Sentence (8), in a storey that is not sprinklered throughout, a service room that contains service equipment other than that addressed by Sentences (1) to (6) shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.
8) Where a service room contains a limited quantity of service equipment, and the
service equipment neither constitutes a fire hazard nor is
essential to the operation of fire safety systems in the
building, the requirements for a fire separation shall not apply.
9) A fire separation is not required between a fireplace and the space it serves.
10) A fire separation is not required between a roof-top appliance and the building it serves.
1) A service room containing service equipment subject to possible explosion, such as boilers operating in excess of 100 kPa (gauge) and some types of refrigerating
machinery and transformers, shall not be located directly under
a required exit.
1) A service room containing space heating, space cooling and service water heating appliances is permitted to contain other service equipment such as electrical service equipment.
1) A service room containing an incinerator shall not contain other fuel-fired appliances.
1) Except as required by Sentence 3.6.3.3.(9), a room for the storage of combustible refuse shall be
a)separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, and
b) sprinklered.
(See Appendix A.)1) A swing-type door from a service room containing a boiler or incinerator shall swing outward from the room, except that the
door shall swing inward if the door opens onto a corridor or any
room used for an assembly occupancy. (See also Sentence 3.4.4.4.(7).)
1) An electrical equipment vault shall conform to Sentences (2) to (8) if the vault is required by the Electrical Safety Regulation pursuant to the BC Safety Standards Act.
2) An electrical equipment vault referred to in Sentence (1) shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation of solid masonry or concrete construction having a fire-resistance rating not less than
a)3 h if the vault is not protected by an automatic fire extinguishing system, or
b)2 h if the vault is protected by an automatic fire extinguishing system.
3) If a building is sprinklered throughout, an electrical equipment vault referred to in Sentence (1) need not be sprinklered provided
a)the vault is designed for no purpose other than to contain the electrical equipment, and
b)the vault contains a smoke detector which will actuate the building fire alarm system in the event of a fire in the vault.
[See Appendix A]
4) Only pipes or ducts necessary for fire protection or
the proper operation of the electrical installation shall
penetrate the fire separation referred to in Sentence (2).
5) Explosion-relief devices and vents or other protective
measures conforming to Sentence 3.3.1.20.(2) shall be provided for an
electrical equipment vault referred to in Sentence (1) that contains dielectric-liquid-filled electrical equipment. (See Appendix A.)
6) An electrical equipment vault referred to in Sentence (1) shall be provided with a ventilation system designed in conformance
with Part 6 to prevent the ambient temperature in the vault from exceeding
40°C.
7) The ventilation system required by Sentence (6) shall be separate from the system for the remainder of the building and shall be designed so that it is automatically shut off in the event of a fire in the vault.
8) The floor of an electrical equipment vault referred to
in Sentence (1) shall be liquid tight and surrounded by liquid tight walls and
sills of sufficient height to confine within the vault all of
the liquid from the largest item of electrical equipment, but to
a height of not less than 100 mm.
1) A generator intended to supply emergency power for
lighting, fire safety and life safety systems shall be
located in a room that
a)is separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h, and
b)contains only the generating set and equipment related to the emergency power supply system.
1) Except as required by Section 3.5., a vertical service space shall be separated from all other portions of each adjacent storey by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating conforming to Table 3.6.3.1. for the fire-resistance rating required by Subsection 3.2.2. for
a)the floor assembly above the storey, or
b)the floor assembly below the storey, if there is no floor assembly above.
(See Appendix A.)| Table 3.6.3.1. Fire Separations for Vertical Service Spaces Forming Part of Sentence 3.6.3.1.(1) |
|
| Fire-Resistance Rating of Fire Separation Required for Floor Assembly | Minimum Fire-Resistance Rating of Vertical Service Space |
|---|---|
| less than 45 min | — |
| 45 min | 45 min |
| 1 h | 45 min |
| 1.5 h | 1 h |
| 2 h or more | 1 h |
2) A vertical service space that does not extend through the roof of a building shall be enclosed at the top with construction having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the vertical service space walls.
3) A vertical service space that does not extend to the bottom of a building shall be enclosed at the lowest level with construction having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the vertical service space walls.
4) A vent from a vertical service space not extending to the roof shall be enclosed
within the building with construction having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the vertical service space walls.
5) Only openings that are necessary for the use of the
vertical service space shall be permitted through a vertical service space enclosure.
1) Foamed plastic insulation in a vertical service space shall be protected in conformance with Article 3.1.5.12.
1) A linen chute or refuse chute shall
a)be impervious to moisture,
b)have a smooth internal surface,
c)be corrosion-resistant,
d)be constructed of noncombustible material, and
e)be located in a shaft in which there are no services other than noncombustible drain, waste and vent piping or noncombustible water piping.
2) A shaft containing a linen chute or refuse chute shall
have a fire-resistance rating conforming to Sentence 3.6.3.1.(1), but not less than
a)1 h if the chute outlet for the discharge room is protected by an automatic, self-latching closure held open by a fusible link, or
b)2 h if no closure is provided at the chute outlet into the discharge room.
3) An interior linen chute or refuse chute shall extend
not less than 1 m above the roof and shall be vented
above the roof with a vent which
a)has an unobstructed area not less than the cross-sectional area of the chute, and
b)is equipped with a cover that will open automatically, or that can be opened manually, in the event of a fire in the chute.
4) Intake openings for a linen chute or a refuse chute
shall
a)have an area not more than 60% of the cross-sectional area of the chute, and
b)be fitted with closures designed to close automatically and latch after use.
5) Intake openings for a linen chute or a refuse chute
shall be located in rooms or compartments that
a)have no dimension less than 750 mm,
b)are separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min,
c)are designed for no other purpose, and
d)do not open directly into an exit.
6) Sprinklers shall be installed at the top of each linen
chute or refuse chute, at alternate floor levels and in the room
or bin into which the chute discharges.
7) The room into which a linen chute discharges shall be
separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.
8) A refuse chute shall be equipped at the top with spray
equipment for washing-down purposes.
9) A refuse chute shall discharge only into a room or bin
separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h.
10) The room or bin into which a refuse chute discharges
shall be of sufficient size to contain the refuse between normal
intervals of emptying, be impervious to moisture and be equipped
with a water connection and floor drain for washing-down
purposes.
11) A room into which a refuse chute discharges shall
contain no service equipment that is not related to refuse
handling and disposal.
1) If a vertical service space contains an exhaust duct that serves more than one fire compartment,
a)the duct shall have a fan located at or near the exhaust outlet to ensure that the duct is under negative pressure, and
b)the individual fire compartments shall not have individual fans that exhaust directly into the duct in the vertical service space.
1) This Subsection applies to horizontal service spaces and service facilities, including ceiling spaces, duct spaces, crawl spaces and attic or roof spaces.
1) A horizontal service space that penetrates a required vertical fire separation shall be separated from the remainder of
the building it serves in conformance with Sentence (2).
2) If a horizontal service space or other concealed space is located above a required
vertical fire separation other than a vertical shaft, this space need not be divided at the fire separation as required by Article 3.1.8.3. provided the construction between this space and the space below
is a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating equivalent to that required for the vertical fire separation, except that the fire-resistance rating is permitted to be not less than 30 min if the vertical fire separation is not required to have a fire-resistance rating more than 45 min. (See Appendix A.)
1) A concealed space used as a plenum within a floor assembly or within a roof assembly need not conform to Sentence 3.1.5.15.(1) and Article 3.6.5.1. provided
a)all materials within the concealed space have a flame-spread rating not more than 25 and a smoke developed classification not more than 50, except for
i)tubing for pneumatic controls,
ii)optical fibre cables and electrical wires and cables that exhibit a flame spread of not more than 1.5 m, a smoke density of not more than 0.5 at peak optical density and a smoke density not more than 0.15 at average optical density when tested in conformance with the Horizontal Flame and Smoke Test referenced in Clause 4.11.6. of CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 0.3, "Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables" (FT6 Rating), in Cabletrough in Clause 4.11.4 of CSA C22.2 No. 0.3, “Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables”,
iii)optical fibre cables and electrical wires and cables that are located in totally enclosed noncombustible raceways (see A-3.1.4.3.(1)(b)(i) in Appendix A), and
iv)Deleted, and
b)the supports for the ceiling membrane are of noncombustible material having a melting point not below 760°C.
2) If a concealed space referred to in Sentence (1) is used as a return-air plenum and incorporates a ceiling membrane that forms part of the required fire-resistance rating of the assembly, every opening through the membrane shall be protected by a fire stop flap which shall
a)stop the flow of air into the concealed space in the event of a fire,
b)be supported in a manner that will maintain the integrity of the ceiling membrane for the duration of time required to provide the required fire-resistance rating, and
c)conform to the appropriate requirements of Appendix D..
3) Despite Sentence (1), all optical fibre cables and electrical wires and cables installed in a concealed space used as a plenum shall
a)exhibit a flame spread of not more than 1.5 m, a smoke density of not more than 0.5 at peak optical density and a smoke density not more than 0.15 at average optical density when tested in conformance with the Horizontal Flame and Smoke Test referenced in Clause 4.11.6. of CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 0.3, "Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables" (FT6 Rating), or
b)be located in totally enclosed noncombustible raceways. (See A-3.1.4.3.(1)(b)(i) in Appendix A.)
4) Despite Clause (3)(a), minor components of wiring systems such as communication conductors not more than 9 m in length, including the drop down to floor level, that exhibit a vertical char of not more than 1.5 m when tested in conformance with the Vertical Flame Test - Cables in Cable trough in Clause 4.11.4. of the CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 0.3, "Test Method for Electrical Wires and Cables" (FT4 Rating), are permitted to be installed in a concealed space used as a plenum.
1) An attic or roof space more than 600 mm high shall be provided with access from the
floor immediately below by a hatchway not less than
550 mm by 900 mm or by a stairway.
1) A horizontal service space, consisting of ceiling and duct spaces, which is more than
1 200 mm high and 600 mm wide shall
have inspection doors not less than 300 mm in both
horizontal and vertical dimensions placed so that the entire
interior of the duct or space can be viewed.
1) A crawl space shall have at least one access opening
not less than 550 mm by 900 mm.
1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2) to (5) and Article 3.6.4.3., all ducts, duct connectors, associated fittings and plenums used in air duct systems shall be constructed of steel, aluminum alloy, copper, clay,
asbestos-cement or other noncombustible material.
2) Except as permitted by Sentence (3), ducts, associated fittings and plenums are permitted to contain combustible material provided they
a)conform to the appropriate requirements for Class 1 duct materials in CAN/ULC-S110-M, “Tests for Air Ducts”,
b)conform to Article 3.1.5.15. in a building required to be of noncombustible construction,
c)conform to Subsection 3.1.9.,
d)are used only in horizontal runs in a building required to be of noncombustible construction,
e)are not used in vertical runs serving more than 2 storeys in a building permitted to be of combustible construction, and
f)are not used in air duct systems in which the air temperature could be more than 120°C.
3) Combustible ducts which are part of a duct system conveying only ventilation air and are contained
entirely within a dwelling unit need not comply with the requirements of Sentences (1) and (2).
4) Duct sealants shall have a flame-spread rating not more than 25 and a smoke developed classification not more than 50.
5) Duct connectors that contain combustible materials and that are used between ducts and air outlet units shall
a)conform to the appropriate requirements for Class 1 air duct materials in CAN/ULC-S110-M, “Test for Air Ducts”,
b)be not more than 4 m long,
c)be used only in horizontal runs, and
d)not penetrate a required fire separation.
1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2), vibration isolation connectors in air duct systems shall be noncombustible.
2) Combustible fabric vibration isolation connectors are permitted provided they
a)are not more than 250 mm long,
b)comply with the flame-resistance requirements of CAN/ULC-S109, “Flame Tests of Flame-Resistant Fabrics and Films”, and
c)are not used in a location where they are exposed to heated air or radiation from heat sources that could cause the exposed surface temperature to be more than 120°C.
1) Tape used to seal joints in air ducts, plenums and other parts of air duct systems shall meet the flame-resistance requirements for fabric in CAN/ULC-S109, “Flame
Tests of
Flame-Resistant Fabrics and Films”.
1) Coverings, linings and associated adhesives and
insulation for air ducts, plenums and other parts of air duct systems that would have an exposed
surface temperature more than 120°C when exposed to heated air
or radiation from heat sources shall be of noncombustible material.
2) Except as permitted by Sentence (3), combustible coverings and linings, including associated adhesives and insulation, shall have
a)a flame-spread rating not more than 25 on any exposed surface or any surface that would be exposed by cutting through the material in any direction, and
b)a smoke developed classification not more than 50.
3) The outer covering of ducts, plenums and other parts of air duct systems used within an assembly of combustible construction is permitted to have
a)an exposed surface flame-spread rating not more than 75, and
b)a smoke developed classification not more than 50.
4) Combustible coverings and linings referred to in Sentences (2) and (3) shall not flame, glow, smoulder or smoke when tested in accordance with the method of test in ASTM C 411, “Hot-Surface
Performance of High-Temperature Thermal Insulation”,
at the maximum temperature to which the coverings and linings
are to be exposed in service.
5) Except as permitted by Sentence (6), foamed plastic insulation shall not be used as part of an air duct
system or for insulating an air duct.
6) Foamed plastic insulation is permitted to be installed
in a ceiling space that is used as a return air plenum provided the foamed plastic insulation is protected from exposure to the plenum in accordance with Article 3.1.5.12.
7) Combustible coverings and linings of ducts, including associated adhesives and insulation, shall be
interrupted where the duct penetrates a fire separation and at the immediate area of operation of
heat sources in a duct system, including electric resistance
heaters or fuel-burning heaters or furnaces.
1) Insulation and coverings on pipes in which the
temperature of the fluid exceeds 120°C shall
a)be made of noncombustible material, or
b)not flame, glow, smoulder or smoke when tested in accordance with the method of test ASTM C 411, “Hot-Surface Performance of High-Temperature Thermal Insulation,” at the maximum temperature to which the insulation or covering is to be exposed in service.
2) Except as permitted by Sentence (5), where combustible insulation is used on piping in a horizontal service space or a vertical service space, the insulation and coverings on that piping shall have a flame-spread rating, on any exposed surface and on any surface that would be exposed by cutting
through the material in any direction,
a)not more than 25 in a building required to be of noncombustible construction, or
b)not more than 75 in a building permitted to be of combustible construction.
3) Except as permitted by Sentence (5), insulation and coverings on piping located in rooms and spaces
other than the service spaces described in Sentence (2) shall have a flame-spread rating not more than that required for the interior finish of the ceiling
of the room or space.
4) Except as permitted by Sentence (5), combustible insulation and covering used on piping in a building within the scope of Subsection 3.2.6. shall have a smoke developed classification not
more than 100.
5) No flame-spread rating or smoke developed classification limits are required for
combustible insulation and coverings used on piping located within a
a)concealed space in a wall,
b)floor slab, or
c) noncombustible enclosure.
1) The clearance of furnace plenums from combustible material shall conform to the requirements of the appropriate standards referenced in
Sentence 6.2.1.4.(1).
2) If the plenum clearance required in accordance with Sentence (1) is not more than 75 mm, the clearance between a supply duct and combustible material shall be not less than
a)the required plenum clearance within a horizontal distance of 450 mm from the plenum, and
b)12 mm at a horizontal distance of 450 mm or more from the plenum, except that this clearance is permitted to be reduced to zero beyond a bend or offset in the duct sufficiently large to shield the remainder of the supply duct from direct radiation from the furnace heat exchanger.
(See Appendix A.)3) If the plenum clearance required in accordance with Sentence (1) is more than 75 mm but not more than 150 mm, the clearance between a
supply duct and combustible material shall be not less than
a)the required plenum clearance within a horizontal distance of 1 800 mm from the plenum, and
b)12 mm at a horizontal distance of 1 800 mm or more from the plenum, except that this distance is permitted to be reduced to zero beyond a bend or offset in the duct sufficiently large to shield the remainder of the supply duct from direct radiation from the furnace heat exchanger.
(See Appendix A.)4) If the plenum clearance required in accordance with Sentence (1) is more than 150 mm, the clearance between a supply duct and combustible material shall be not less than
a)the required plenum clearance within a horizontal distance of 1 000 mm from the plenum,
b)150 mm within a horizontal distance between 1 000 mm and 1 800 mm from the plenum, and
c)25 mm at a horizontal distance of 1 800 mm or more from the plenum, except that this distance is permitted to be reduced to 8 mm beyond a bend or offset in the duct sufficiently large to shield the remainder of the supply duct from direct radiation from the furnace heat exchanger.
(See Appendix A.)5) If a register is installed in a floor directly over a
pipeless furnace, a double-walled register box with not less than 100 mm between walls, or a register box
with the warm-air passage completely surrounded by the cold-air
passage, shall be permitted instead of the clearances listed in
Sentences (2), (3) and (4).
1) Combustible grilles, diffusers and other devices for supply, return, and exhaust-air openings in rooms
shall conform to the flame-spread rating and smoke developed classification requirements for
the interior finish of the surface on which they are installed.
1) Except as required by Sentences (2) and (3), return ducts shall be constructed of material having a flame-spread rating not more than 150.
2) If any part of a return duct will be exposed to radiation from the furnace heat exchanger or other radiating part within the furnace, that part of a return duct directly above or within 600 mm of the outside furnace casing shall be noncombustible.
3) Return ducts serving solid-fuel-burning furnaces shall be constructed of noncombustible material.
4) Combustible return ducts shall be lined with noncombustible material
a)below floor registers,
b)at the bottom of vertical ducts, and
c)under furnaces having a bottom return.