[See Sentences 9.1.1.3.(1) and 9.1.1.4.(1) and Article 10.3.3.1. for Secondary Suites]
1) This Section applies to the construction of a secondary suite and the alterations to an existing building to accommodate a secondary suite. (See Appendix A.)
1) The construction of a secondary suite or those alterations to an existing building to accommodate a secondary suite shall conform to the requirements in this Part except as provided in this Section. (See Appendix A.)
1) The minimum height of rooms or spaces in a secondary suite over the required minimum area as indicated in Table 9.5.3.1. shall be not less than 2.0 m.
2) It shall be possible to travel from the required area of one room to the required areas of all other rooms within a secondary suite without reduction of the room height as required in Sentence (1).
1) Solid blocking may be omitted for doors described in Sentence 9.6.8.9.(1) where the interior wall finish adjacent the door is in place prior to the construction of a secondary suite.
1) Exit stairs within or serving a building which contains a secondary suite shall have a minimum width, measured between wall faces or guards, of not less than 860 mm. (See Appendix A.)
1) Landings for exterior stairs serving both suites in a building containing a secondary suite need not exceed 900 mm in length.
1) Handrails and guards shall conform to the requirements of Subsections 9.8.7. and 9.8.8. as if serving only one dwelling unit.
1) The width of every public corridor and exit corridor that serves a building which contains a secondary suite shall be not less than 860 mm. (See Appendix A.)
1) Except as permitted in Sentence (2), every exit other than an exit doorway shall be separated from adjacent floor areas by a fire separation
a)having a fire resistance rating of 45 minutes, or
b)having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 30 minutes where the dwelling units are equipped with smoke alarms as referenced in Article 9.36.2.20.
2) A fire resistance rating is not required for a fire separation which separates an exit from adjacent floor areas where the building is sprinklered.
1) Where an unenclosed exterior exit stair or ramp provides the only means of egress from a dwelling unit in a building that contains a secondary suite and the stair is exposed to the hazards of fire from unprotected openings in the exterior wall of another fire compartment, the openings shall be protected in conformance with Articles 9.10.13.5. to 9.10.13.7. (See Appendix A.)
1) Every exit door or door that opens into or is located within a public corridor or other facility that provides access to exit from a suite shall
a)be not less than 1980 mm high,
b)have a clear opening width of not less than 800 mm, and
c)be permitted to swing inward.
1) In a building which contains a secondary suite, the travel limit from a floor level in a dwelling unit to an exit or egress door may exceed 1 storey provided the floor level within the dwelling unit is served by an operable window conforming to Sentence 9.9.9.1.(2).
1) Except as provided in Article 9.9.7.3., where an egress door from a dwelling unit opens onto a public corridor or exterior passageway it shall be possible from the location where the egress door opens onto the public corridor or exterior passageway to go in opposite directions to 2 separate exits unless the dwelling unit is served by a second and separate means of egress or an opening window conforming to Sentence 9.9.9.1.(2).
2) Each dwelling unit shall be provided with a second and separate means of egress or an opening window conforming to Sentence 9.9.9.1.(2) where the egress door from either dwelling unit opens onto
a)an exit stairway which serves both suites,
b)a public corridor serving both suites and served by a single exit stairway,
c)an exterior passageway serving both suites and served by a single exit stairway, or
d)a balcony serving both suites and served by a single exit stairway.
1) Exit signs are not required within a building which contains a secondary suite.
1) Table 9.10.8.1., “Minimum Required Fire-Resistance Ratings for Structural Members and Assemblies” does not apply to a building which contains a secondary suite.
1) Combustible water distribution piping that has an outside diameter not more than 30 mm is permitted to partly or wholly penetrate fire separations that are required to have a fire-resistance rating without being incorporated in the assembly at the time of testing as required in Sentence 9.10.9.6.(2) provided the piping is sealed in conformance with Sentence 3.1.9.1.(1).
1) Combustible drain, waste and vent piping is permitted to be located within or penetrate a fire separation required to have a fire-resistance rating provided
a)except for the permitted penetration in Clause (b), the combustible piping is located within an assembly protected by a membrane of a minimum 12.7 mm gypsum board,
b)the permitted penetration through the gypsum board membrane is limited to a size of the diameter of the penetrating pipe, and
c)the combustible piping does not penetrate the gypsum board protection membrane on the underside of a horizontal fire separation.
2) Combustible drain, waste and vent piping enclosed in an assembly or protected as described in Sentence (1) is permitted on both sides of a fire separation. (See Appendix A.)
1) Dwelling units in a building which contains a secondary suite shall be separated from each other by
a)a fire separation in conformance with the requirements of Article 9.10.9.14.,
b)a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 30 min. where the dwelling units are equipped with smoke alarms in conformance with Article 9.36.2.20., or
c)a fire separation having no required fire resistance rating where the building is sprinklered. (See Appendix A-9.36.2.17.)
1) A public corridor serving a building which contains a secondary suite shall be separated from the suites by
a)a fire separation in conformance to the requirements of Article 9.10.9.15.,
b)a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 30 minutes where the dwelling units are equipped with smoke alarms as indicated in Article 9.36.2.20., or
c)a fire separation having no required fire resistance rating where the building is sprinklered. (See Appendix A.)
1) Where a heating or ventilation duct systems serves more than one suite, the system shall be designed and installed to prevent the circulation of smoke upon a signal from a duct-type smoke detector.
2) Ducts penetrating fire separations need not be equipped with fire dampers in conformance with Article 3.1.8.9. provided they are noncombustible with all openings in the duct system serving only one fire compartment. (See Appendix A.)
1) Except as required in Article 9.10.15.3., in buildings which contain a secondary suite, the requirements of Article 9.10.14.5. do not apply provided
a)the exposing building face has a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min where the limiting distance is less than 1.2 m, and
b)where the limiting distance is less than 0.6 m the exposing building face is clad with noncombustible material.
2) Window openings in the exposing building face referred to in Sentence (1) shall not be permitted if the limiting distance is less than 1.2 m and shall be limited in conformance with the requirements for unprotected openings in Article 9.10.14.4. where the limiting distance is 1.2 m or greater.
1) Except as permitted in Sentence (3), an additional smoke alarm of photo-electric type conforming to CAN/ULC-S531 “Standard for Smoke Alarms,” shall be installed in each suite.
2) Smoke alarms required in Sentence (1) shall be wired so that the activation of the additional alarm in one suite will cause the additional alarm in the other suite to sound.
3) An additional interconnected smoke alarm is not required to be installed in each suite provided
a)the fire separations required in Articles 9.36.2.16. and Article 9.36.2.17. have a fire resistance rating of 45 minutes or greater, or
b)the building is sprinklered. (See Appendix A.)
1) The assemblies separating the residential suites need not comply with the sound control requirements of Subsection 9.11.2. (See Appendix A.)
1) An attic space access hatchway not less than 0.32 m2 in an area with no dimension less than 545 mm may serve both suites in a building which contains a secondary suite.
1) Section 9.35 is applicable to garages and carports serving a building which contains a secondary suite.