1.4.1.2. Defined Terms (1) Each of the words and terms in italics in this Code has, (a) the same meaning as in subsection 1 (1) of the Act, if not defined in clause (b), or (b) the following meaning for the purposes of this Code and, where indicated, for the purposes of the Act: Absorption trench means an excavation in soil, as defined in Part 8 of Division B, or in leaching bed fill, being part of a leaching bed, in which a distribution pipe is laid that allows infiltration of the effluent into the soil, as defined in Part 8 of Division B, or leaching bed fill. Acceptable solution means a requirement stated in Parts 3 to 12 of Division B. Accessible means, when applied to a fixture, connection, plumbing appliance, valve, cleanout or equipment, to be accessible with or without having to first remove an access panel, door or similar obstruction, but a fixture, connection, plumbing appliance, valve, cleanout or equipment is not accessible if access can be gained only by cutting or breaking materials. Access to exit means that part of a means of egress within a floor area that provides access to an exit serving the floor area. Additional circuit vent means a vent pipe that is installed between a circuit vent and a relief vent to provide additional air circulation. Adfreezing means the adhesion of soil to a foundation unit resulting from the freezing of soil water. Air admittance valve means a one-way valve designed to allow air to enter the drainage system when the pressure in the plumbing system is less than the atmospheric pressure. Air barrier system means an assembly installed to provide a continuous barrier to the movement of air. Air break means the unobstructed vertical distance between the lowest point of an indirectly connected waste pipe and the flood level rim of the fixture into which it discharges. Air-conditioning is the process of treating air in a space to control simultaneously its temperature, humidity, cleanliness, and distribution to meet the comfort requirements of the occupants of the space. Air gap means the unobstructed vertical distance through air between the lowest point of a water supply outlet and the flood level rim of the fixture or device into which the outlet discharges. Air-supported structure means a structure consisting of a pliable membrane that achieves and maintains its shape and support by internal air pressure. Alarm signal means an audible signal transmitted throughout one or more zones of a building or throughout a building to advise occupants that a fire emergency exists. Alert signal means an audible signal to advise designated persons of a fire emergency. Allowable bearing pressure means the maximum pressure that may be safely applied to a soil or rock by the foundation unit considered in design under expected loading and subsurface conditions. Allowable load means the maximum load that may be safely applied to a foundation unit considered in design under expected loading and subsurface conditions. Alternative solution means a substitute for an acceptable solution. Appliance means a device to convert fuel into energy and includes all components, controls, wiring and piping required to be part of the device by the applicable standard referred to in this Code. Architect means, for the purposes of the Act and this Code, the holder of a licence, a certificate of practice or a temporary licence under the Architects Act. Area affected by a significant drinking water threat means an area described in Clause 1.10.2.3.(2)(b) of Division C. Artesian groundwater means a confined body of water under pressure in the ground. As constructed plans means, for the purposes of the Act and this Code, construction plans and specifications that show the building and the location of the building on the property as the building has been constructed. Assembly occupancy means the occupancy or the use of a building or part of a building by a gathering of persons for civic, political, travel, religious, social, educational, recreational or similar purposes or for the consumption of food or drink. Attic or roof space means the space between the roof and the ceiling of the top storey or between a dwarf wall and a sloping roof. Auxiliary water supply means, when applied to premises, any water supply on or available to the premises other than the primary potable water supply for the premises. Backflow means a flowing back or reversal of the normal direction of the flow. Backflow preventer means a device or a method that prevents backflow in a water distribution system. Back-siphonage means backflow caused by a negative pressure in the supply system. Back-siphonage preventer means a device or a method that prevents back-siphonage in a water distribution system. Back vent means a pipe that is installed to vent a trap off the horizontal section of a fixture drain or the vertical leg of a water closet or other fixture that has an integral siphonic flushing action and “back vented” has a corresponding meaning. Backwater valve means a check valve designed for use in a gravity drainage system. Barrier-free means, when applied to a building and its facilities, that the building and its facilities can be approached, entered and used by persons with physical or sensory disabilities. Basement means one or more storeys of a building located below the first storey. Bathroom group means a group of plumbing fixtures installed in the same room, consisting of one domestic-type lavatory, one water closet and either one bathtub, with or without a shower, or one one-headed shower. Bearing surface means the contact surface between a foundation unit and the soil or rock on which the foundation unit bears. Boarding, lodging or rooming house means a building, (a) that has a building height not exceeding three storeys and a building area not exceeding 600 m², (b) in which lodging is provided for more than four persons in return for remuneration or for the provision of services or for both, and (c) in which the lodging rooms do not have both bathrooms and kitchen facilities for the exclusive use of individual occupants. Boiler means an appliance intended to supply hot water or steam for space heating, processing or power purposes. Bottle trap means a trap that retains water in a closed chamber and that seals the water by submerging the inlet pipe in the liquids or by a partition submerged in the liquids. Branch means a soil or waste pipe that is connected at its upstream end to the junction of two or more soil or waste pipes or to a soil or waste stack and that is connected at its downstream end to another branch, a sump, a soil or waste stack or a building drain. Branch vent means a vent pipe that is connected at its lower end to the junction of two or more vent pipes and that, at its upper end, is connected to another branch vent, a stack vent, a vent stack or a header, or terminates in open air. Breeching means a flue pipe or chamber for receiving flue gases from one or more flue connections and for discharging these gases through a single flue connection. Building area means the greatest horizontal area of a building above grade, (a) within the outside surface of exterior walls, or (b) within the outside surface of exterior walls and the centre line of firewalls. Building Code website means the website at www.ontario.ca/buildingcode. Building control valve means the valve on a water system that controls the flow of potable water from the water service pipe to the water distribution system. Building drain means the lowest horizontal piping, including any vertical offset, that conducts sewage, clear-water waste or storm water by gravity to a building sewer. Building height means the number of storeys contained between the roof and the floor of the first storey. Building sewer means a sanitary building sewer or storm building sewer. Building trap means a trap that is installed in a sanitary building drain or sanitary building sewer to prevent circulation of air between the sanitary drainage system and a public sewer. Business and personal services occupancy means the occupancy or use of a building or part of a building for the transaction of business or the provision of professional or personal services. Camp for housing of workers means a camp in which buildings or other structures or premises are used to accommodate five or more employees. Campground means land or premises used as an overnight camping facility that is not a recreational camp. Canopy means a roof-like structure projecting more than 300 mm from the exterior face of the building. Care and treatment occupancy (Group B, Division 2) means an occupancy in which persons receive special care and treatment. Care occupancy (Group B, Division 3) means an occupancy in which persons receive special or supervisory care because of cognitive or physical limitations, but does not include a dwelling unit. Care or detention occupancy means the occupancy or use of a building or part of a building by persons who, (a) are dependent on others to release security devices to permit egress, (b) receive special care and treatment, or (c) receive supervisory care. Cavity wall means a construction of masonry units laid with a cavity between the wythes, where the wythes are tied together with metal ties or bonding units and are relied on to act together in resisting lateral loads. Certificate for the occupancy of a building described in Sentence 1.3.3.4.(4) of Division C means a certificate described in Sentence 3.7.4.3.(5.1) of Division C. Certificate for the occupancy of a building not fully completed means a certificate described in Sentence 3.7.4.3.(5) of Division C. Chamber means a structure that is constructed with an open bottom and that contains a pressurized distribution pipe. Check valve means a valve that permits flow in only one direction and prevents a return flow. Chimney means a shaft that is primarily vertical and that encloses at least one flue for conducting flue gases to the outdoors. Chimney liner means a conduit containing a chimney flue used as a lining of a masonry or concrete chimney. Circuit vent means a vent pipe that serves a number of fixtures and connects to the fixture drain of the most upstream fixture, and “circuit vented” has a corresponding meaning. Class 1 fire sprinkler/standpipe system mean an assembly of pipes and fittings that conveys water from the water service pipe or fire service main to the sprinkler/standpipe system’s outlets, is directly connected to the public water supply main only, has no pumps or reservoirs and in which the sprinkler drains discharge to the atmosphere, to dry wells or to other safe outlets. Class 2 fire sprinkler/standpipe system means a Class 1 fire sprinkler/standpipe system that includes a booster pump in its connection to the public water supply main. Class 3 fire sprinkler/standpipe system means an assembly of pipes and fittings that conveys potable water from the water service pipe or fire service main to the sprinkler/standpipe system’s outlets and that is directly connected to the public water supply main and to one or more of the following storage facilities, which are filled from the public water supply main only: elevated water storage, fire pumps supplying water from aboveground covered reservoirs or pressure tanks. Class 4 fire sprinkler/standpipe system means an assembly of pipes and fittings that conveys water from the water service pipe or fire service main to the sprinkler/standpipe system’s outlets and is directly connected to the public water supply main (similar to Class 1 and Class 2 fire sprinkler/standpipe systems) and to an auxiliary water supply dedicated to fire department use that is located within 520 m of a pumper connection. Class 5 fire sprinkler/standpipe system means an assembly of pipes and fittings that conveys water from the water service pipe or fire service main to the sprinkler/standpipe system’s outlets, is directly connected to the public water supply main and is interconnected with an auxiliary water supply. Class 6 fire sprinkler/standpipe system means an assembly of pipes and fittings that conveys water from the water service pipe or fire service main to the sprinkler/standpipe system’s outlets and acts as a combined industrial water supply and fire protection system that is supplied from the public water supply main only, with or without gravity storage or pump suction tanks. Cleanout means a fitting access in a drainage system or venting system that is installed to provide access for cleaning and inspection and that is provided with a readily replaceable air tight cover. Clean water means water that has passed through a recirculation system. Clear water waste means waste water containing no impurities or contaminants that are harmful to a person’s health, plant or animal life or that impair the quality of the natural environment. Closure means a device or assembly for closing an opening through a fire separation or an exterior wall, such as a door, a shutter, wired glass and glass block, and includes all components such as hardware, closing devices, frames and anchors. Combustible means that a material fails to meet the acceptance criteria of CAN4-S114, “Standard Method of Test for Determination of Non-Combustibility in Building Materials”. Combustible construction means a type of construction that does not meet the requirements for noncombustible construction. Compliance alternative means a substitute for a requirement in another Part of Division B that is listed in Part 10 or 11 of Division B, and “C.A.” has a corresponding meaning. Computer room means a room, (a) that contains electronic computer or data processing equipment such as main frame type, (b) that is separated from the remainder of the building for the purpose of controlling the air quality in the room by a self-contained climate control system, and (c) that has an occupant load of not more than one person for each 40 m² of the room. Conditioned space means space within a building in which the temperature is controlled to limit variation in response to the exterior ambient temperature or interior differential temperatures by the provision, either directly or indirectly, of heating or cooling over substantial portions of the year. Construction index means a level on a scale of 1 to 8 determined in accordance with Table 11.2.1.1.A. of Division B designating the expected performance level of the building structure with respect to the type of construction and fire protection of an existing building, and “C.I.” has a corresponding meaning. Contained use area means a supervised area containing one or more rooms in which occupant movement is restricted to a single room by security measures not under the control of the occupant. Continuous vent means a vent pipe that is an extension of a vertical section of a branch of fixture drain. Critical level means the level of submergence at which a back-siphonage preventer ceases to prevent back-siphonage. Day camp means a camp or resort that admits persons for a continuous period not exceeding twenty-four hours. Day nursery means a day nursery as defined in the Day Nurseries Act. Dead end means a pipe that terminates with a closed fitting. Dead load means the weight of all permanent structural and nonstructural components of a building. Deep foundation means a foundation unit that provides support for a building by transferring loads either by end-bearing to a soil or rock at considerable depth below the building or by adhesion or friction, or both, in the soil or rock in which it is placed.  Piles are the most common type of deep foundation. Design activities means the activities described in subsection 15.11 (5) of the Act. Design bearing pressure means the pressure applied by a foundation unit to soil or rock, which pressure is not greater than the allowable bearing pressure. Design capacity means, in the definition of sewage system, the total daily design sanitary sewage flow determined in accordance with Article 8.2.1.3. of Division B. Designer means the person responsible for the design. Design load means the load applied to a foundation unit, which load is not greater than the allowable load. Detention occupancy (Group B, Division 1) means an occupancy in which persons are under restraint or are incapable of self preservation because of security measures not under their control. Developed length means, when applied to a pipe and fittings, the length along the centre line of the pipe and fittings. Directly connected means physically connected in such a way that neither water nor gas can escape from the connection. Distributing pipe means a pipe or piping in a water distribution system. Distribution box means a device for ensuring that effluent from a treatment unit is distributed in equal amounts to each line of distribution pipe in a leaching bed. Distribution pipe means a line or lines of perforated or open jointed pipe or tile installed in a leaching bed for the purpose of distributing effluent from a treatment unit to the soil, as defined in Part 8 of Division B, or leaching bed fill in the leaching bed. Diving board means a flexible board. Diving platform means a rigid platform that is not a starting platform. Drainage system means an assembly of pipes, fittings, fixtures and appurtenances on a property that is used to convey sewage and clear water waste to a main sewer or a private sewage disposal system, and includes a private sewer, but does not include subsoil drainage piping. Drinking water system has the same meaning as in subsection 2 (1) of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002. Drum trap means a trap whose inlet and outlet are in the sides of the cylindrical body of the trap. Dual vent means a vent pipe that serves two fixtures and connects at the junction of the trap arms. Dwelling unit means a suite operated as a housekeeping unit, used or intended to be used as a domicile by one or more persons and usually containing cooking, eating, living, sleeping and sanitary facilities. Earth pit privy means a latrine consisting of an excavation in the ground surmounted by a superstructure. Effluent means sanitary sewage that has passed through a treatment unit. Electric space heating means an electric energy source that provides more than 10 per cent of the heating capacity provided for a building and includes, (a) electric resistance unitary baseboard heating, (b) electric resistance unitary cabinet heating, (c) electric resistance ceiling cable or floor cable heating, (d) electric resistance central furnace heating, (e) electric hot water space heating, and (f) air source heat pumps in combination with electric resistance backup heating. Excavation means the space created by the removal of soil, rock or fill for the purposes of construction. Exhaust duct means a duct through which air is conveyed from a room or space to the outdoors. Exit means that part of a means of egress, including doorways, that leads from the floor area it serves to a separate building, an open public thoroughfare or an exterior open space protected from fire exposure from the building and having access to an open public thoroughfare. Exit level means the level of an exit stairway in a building at which an exterior exit door or exit passageway leads to the exterior. Exit storey means a storey having an exterior exit door in a building governed by Subsection 3.2.6. of Division B. Exposing building face means that part of the exterior wall of a building that faces one direction and is located between ground level and the ceiling of its top storey or, where the building is divided into fire compartments, the exterior wall of a fire compartment that faces one direction. Exterior cladding means those components of a building that are exposed to the outdoor environment and are intended to provide protection against wind, water or vapour. Factory-built chimney means a chimney consisting entirely of factory-made parts, each designed to be assembled with the other without requiring fabrication on site. Farm building means all or part of a building, (a) that does not contain any area used for residential occupancy, (b) that is associated with and located on land devoted to the practice of farming, and (c) that is used essentially for the housing of equipment or livestock or the production, storage or processing of agricultural and horticultural produce or feeds. Fill means soil, rock, rubble, industrial waste such as slag, organic material or a combination of these that is transported and placed on the natural surface of a soil or rock or organic terrain; it may or may not be compacted. Fire compartment means an enclosed space in a building, (a) that is separated from all other parts of the building by enclosing construction that provides a fire separation, and (b) that may be required to have a fire-resistance rating. Fire damper means a closure that consists of a normally held open damper installed in an air distribution system or in a wall or floor assembly and designed to close automatically in the event of a fire in order to maintain the integrity of the fire separation. Fire detector means a device that detects a fire condition and automatically initiates an electrical signal to actuate an alert signal or alarm signal and includes heat detectors and smoke detectors. Fire load means, when applied to occupancy, the combustible contents of a room or floor area expressed in terms of the average weight of combustible materials per unit area, from which the potential heat liberation may be calculated based on the calorific value of the materials, and includes the furnishings, finished floor, wall and ceiling finishes, trim and temporary and movable partitions. Fire-protection rating means the time in minutes or hours that a closure will withstand the passage of flame when exposed to fire under specified conditions of test and performance criteria, or as otherwise prescribed in this Code. Fire-resistance rating means the time in minutes or hours that a material or assembly of materials will withstand the passage of flame and the transmission of heat when exposed to fire under specified conditions of test and performance criteria, or as determined by extension or interpretation of information derived from that test and performance as prescribed in this Code. Fire-retardant treated wood means wood or a wood product that has been impregnated with fire-retardant chemicals to reduce its surface-burning characteristics such as flame spread, rate of fuel contribution and the density of smoke developed. Fire separation means a construction assembly that acts as a barrier against the spread of fire. Fire service main means a pipe and its appurtenances that are connected to a source of water and that are located on a property, (a) between the source of water and the base of the riser of a water-based fire protection system, (b) between the source of water and inlets to foam making systems, (c) between the source of water and the base elbow of private hydrants or monitor nozzles, (d) as fire pump suction and discharge piping not within a building, or (e) beginning at the inlet side of the check valve on a gravity or pressure tank. Fire stop flap means a device that is intended for use in horizontal assemblies required to have a fire-resistance rating, that incorporates protective ceiling membranes and that operates to close off a duct opening through the membrane in the event of a fire. Firewall means a type of fire separation of noncombustible construction that subdivides a building or separates adjoining buildings to resist the spread of fire and that has a fire-resistance rating as prescribed in this Code and the structural stability to remain intact under fire conditions for the required fire-rated time. First storey means the storey that has its floor closest to grade and its ceiling more than 1.8 m above grade. Fixture means a receptacle, plumbing appliance, apparatus or other device that discharges sewage or clear water waste, and includes a floor drain. Fixture drain means the pipe that connects a trap serving a fixture to another part of a drainage system. Fixture outlet pipe means a pipe that connects the waste opening of a fixture to the trap serving the fixture. Fixture unit means, when applied to a drainage system, the unit of measure based on the rate of discharge, time of operation and frequency of use of a fixture that expresses the hydraulic load that is imposed by that fixture on the drainage system. Fixture unit means, when applied to a water distribution system, the unit of measure based on the rate of supply, time of operation and frequency of use of a fixture or outlet that expresses the hydraulic load that is imposed by that fixture or outlet on the supply system. Flame-spread rating means an index or classification indicating the extent of the spread of flame on the surface of a material or an assembly of materials, as determined in a standard fire test prescribed in this Code. Flash point means the minimum temperature at which a liquid within a container gives off vapour in sufficient concentration to form an ignitable mixture with air near the surface of the liquid. Flood level rim means the top edge at which water can overflow from a fixture or device. Floor area means the space on any storey of a building between exterior walls and required firewalls, including the space occupied by interior walls and partitions, but not including exits, vertical service spaces and their enclosing assemblies. Flow control roof drain means a roof drain that restricts the flow of storm water into the storm drainage system. Flue means an enclosed passageway for conveying flue gases. Flue collar means the portion of a fuel-fired appliance designed for the attachment of the flue pipe or breeching. Flue pipe means the pipe connecting the flue collar of an appliance to a chimney. Food premises means a floor area where food or drink for human consumption, or an ingredient of food or drink for human consumption, is manufactured, processed, prepared, stored, displayed, handled, served, distributed, sold or offered for sale, but does not include, (a) a private residence, (b) a boarding house that provides meals for fewer than ten boarders, (c) a building to which Regulation 554 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Camps in Unorganized Territory) or 568 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Recreational Camps) made under the Health Protection and Promotion Act applies, (d) a plant, as defined in the Milk Act, that is required to be operated under the authority of a licence issued under that Act, (e) premises where a licensed activity, as defined in the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001, is carried on by a person who is required to hold a licence issued under that Act, (f) an egg-grading station or a processed egg station that is required to be operated under the authority of a licence issued under the Livestock and Livestock Products Act, (g) a floor area occupied by a church, service club or fraternal organization for the purpose of, (i) preparing meals for special events for its members and personally invited guests, or (ii) conducting bake sales, or (h) a farm building. Forced-air furnace means a furnace equipped with a fan that provides the primary means for the circulation of air. Force main means a sanitary drainage pipe through which sanitary sewage is conveyed by mechanical or pneumatic propulsion. Foundation means a system or arrangement of foundation units through which the loads from a building are transferred to supporting soil or rock. Foundation unit means one of the structural members of the foundation of a building, such as a footing, raft and pile. Fresh air inlet means a vent pipe that is installed in conjunction with a building trap and terminates in open air. Frost action means the phenomenon that occurs when, (a) water in soil is subjected to freezing which, because of the water ice phase change or ice lens growth, results in a total volume increase or the build-up of expansive forces under confined conditions or both, and (b) the subsequent thawing leads to loss of soil strength and increased compressibility. Functional statement means a function set out in Table 3.2.1.1. that a building or an element of a building is intended to perform. Furnace means a space-heating appliance that uses warm air as the heating medium and usually provides for the attachment of ducts. Gaming premises means gaming premises as defined in the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation Act, 1999. Gas vent means that portion of a venting system designed to convey vent gases to the outdoors, (a) from the vent connector of a gas-fired appliance, or (b) directly from the appliance when a vent connector is not used. Grade means the average level of proposed or finished ground adjoining a building at all exterior walls. Graded lumber means lumber that has been graded and stamped to indicate its grade, as determined by the NLGA “Standard Grading Rules for Canadian Lumber”. Greywater means sanitary sewage of domestic origin that is derived from fixtures other than sanitary units. Gross area means the total area of all floors above grade measured between the outside surfaces of exterior walls or between the outside surfaces of exterior walls and the centre line of firewalls, except that, in any other occupancy than a residential occupancy, where an access or a building service penetrates a firewall, measurements shall not be taken to the centre line of such firewall. Ground water means, when applied to a sewage system, water below the surface of the ground that occupies a zone of the earth’s mantle that is saturated with water. Ground water table means, when applied to a sewage system, the elevation of the upper surface of the ground water existing in the area of the sewage system. Groundwater means a free standing body of water in the ground. Groundwater level means the top surface of groundwater. Guard means a protective barrier, with or without openings through it, that is around openings in floors or at the open sides of stairs, landings, balconies, mezzanines, galleries, raised walkways or other locations to prevent accidental falls from one level to another. Hauled sewage means sanitary sewage that, (a) is not finally disposed of at the site where it is produced and is not conveyed by a sewer to sewage works, and (b) is stored or retained at the site where it is produced for periodic collection, handling, treatment, transportation, storage or processing prior to final disposal at a place other than where it was produced, and includes sanitary sewage that is removed from a sewage system for the purpose of cleaning or maintaining the system. Hauled sewage system means works, installations, equipment, operations and land used in connection with the collection, handling, treatment, transportation, storage, processing and disposal of hauled sewage, as regulated under the Environmental Protection Act. Hazard index means a level on a scale of 1 to 8 determined in accordance with Tables 11.2.1.1.B. to 11.2.1.1.N. of Division B, designating the life safety hazard to occupants of a building based on, (a) use and occupancy, (b) occupant load, (c) the use and function of floor spaces, (d) the difficulty of egress, (e) the fire load of contents, finishes and furnishings, (f) the configuration or compartmentation of floor spaces, and (g) the size of the building, and “H.I.” has a corresponding meaning. Hazardous classroom means a classroom, (a) that is supplied with flammable gas, (b) that contains hazardous substances such as chemicals or explosive dusts, (c) that contains large quantities of combustible materials, or (d) where cooking equipment is used. Hazardous room means a room containing sufficient quantities of a substance that, because of its chemical nature, may create an atmosphere or condition of imminent hazard to health. Header means a vent pipe that connects two or more vent stacks or stack vents to open air. Header line means a line of pipe with watertight joints installed in a sewage system for the purpose of distributing effluent from a treatment unit to the distribution pipe in a leaching bed. Heat detector means a fire detector designed to operate at a predetermined temperature or rate of temperature rise. Heavy timber construction means that type of combustible construction in which a degree of fire safety is attained, (a) by placing limitations on the sizes of wood structural members and on the thickness and composition of wood floors and roofs, and (b) by the avoidance of concealed spaces under floors and roofs. Heritage building means a building, (a) that is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, or (b) that is certified to be of significant architectural or historical value by a recognized, non-profit public organization whose primary object is the preservation of structures of architectural or historical significance and the certification has been accepted by the chief building official. High ground water table means the highest elevation at which there is physical evidence that the soil, as defined in Part 8 of Division B, or the leaching bed fill has been saturated with water. High hazard industrial occupancy (Group F, Division 1) means an industrial occupancy containing sufficient quantities of highly combustible and flammable or explosive materials to constitute a special fire hazard because of their inherent characteristics. Holding tank means a tank designed to totally retain all sanitary sewage discharged into it and requiring periodic emptying. Home for special care means a home for the care of persons requiring nursing, residential or sheltered care. Horizontal branch means that part of a waste pipe that is horizontal and installed to convey the discharge from more than one fixture. Horizontal exit means an exit from one building to another by means of a doorway, vestibule, walkway, bridge or balcony. Horizontal service space means a space such as an attic, duct, ceiling, roof or crawl space, (a) that is oriented essentially in a horizontal plane, (b) that is concealed and generally inaccessible, and (c) through which building service facilities such as pipes, ducts and wiring may pass. Hotel means floor areas, a floor area or part of a floor area that contains four or more suites and that provides sleeping accommodation for the travelling public or for recreational purposes. Hub drain means a drain opening for indirect liquid wastes, (a) that does not serve as a floor drain, (b) that has the same pipe size, material and venting requirements as a floor drain, (c) that has a flood level rim above the floor in which it is installed, and (d) that receives wastes that are discharged directly into the drain opening. Impeded egress zone means a supervised area in which occupants have free movement but require the release, by security personnel, of security doors at the boundary before being able to leave the area, but does not include a contained use area. Indirect service water heater means a service water heater that derives its heat from a heating medium such as warm air, steam or hot water. Indirectly connected means not directly connected. Individual vent means a vent pipe that serves one fixture. Indoor pool means a public pool where the pool and pool deck are totally or partially covered by a roof. Industrial occupancy means the occupancy or use of a building or part of a building for the assembling, fabricating, manufacturing, processing, repairing or storing of goods or materials. Interceptor means a receptacle that is designed and installed to prevent oil, grease, sand or other materials from passing into a drainage system. Interconnected floor space means superimposed floor areas or parts of floor areas in which floor assemblies that are required to be fire separations are penetrated by openings that are not provided with closures. Lake Simcoe shoreline has the same meaning as in the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan established under the Lake Simcoe Protection Act, 2008 and dated July, 2009. Note: On January 1, 2016, Clause (b) is amended by adding the following definition: Lake Simcoe watershed has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Lake Simcoe Protection Act, 2008. See: O. Reg. 315/10, ss. 1 (2), 7 (2). Leaching means dispersal of liquid by downward or lateral drainage or both into permeable soil, as defined in Part 8 of Division B, or leaching bed fill. Leaching bed means an absorption system constructed as absorption trenches or as a filter bed, located wholly in ground or raised or partly raised above ground, as required by local conditions, to which effluent from a treatment unit is applied for treatment and disposal and that is composed of, (a) the soil, as defined in Part 8 of Division B, leaching bed fill or other filter media that is contained between the surface on which the sanitary sewage is applied and the bottom of the bed, (b) the distribution pipe and the stone or gravel layer in which the distribution pipe is located, and (c) the backfill above the distribution pipe, including the topsoil and sodding or other anti-erosion measure, and the side slopes of any portion elevated above the natural ground elevation. Leaching bed fill means unconsolidated material suitable for the construction of a leaching bed, placed in the area of the leaching bed in order to obtain the required unsaturated zone below the distribution pipes and the required lateral extent such that the effluent is absorbed. Leader means a pipe that is installed to carry storm water from a roof to a storm building drain, sewer or other place of disposal. Limiting distance means the distance from an exposing building face to a property line, to the centre line of a street, lane or public thoroughfare or to an imaginary line between two buildings or fire compartments on the same property, measured at right angles to the exposing building face. Listed means equipment or materials included in a list published by a certification organization accredited by the Standards Council of Canada. Liquid manure means manure having a dry matter content of less than 18 per cent or a slump of more than 150 millimetres using the Test Method for the Determination of Liquid Waste (slump test) set out in Schedule 9 to Regulation 347 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (General — Waste Management) made under the Environmental Protection Act. Live load means a variable load due to the intended use and occupancy that is to be assumed in the design of the structural members of a building and includes loads due to cranes and the pressure of liquids in containers. Live/work unit means a dwelling unit having an area of not more than 200 m2 that contains a subsidiary business and personal services occupancy or a subsidiary low hazard industrial occupancy, and which is used and operated by one or more persons of a single household. Loadbearing means, when applied to a building element, subjected to or designed to carry loads in addition to its own dead load, but does not include a wall element subject only to wind or earthquake loads in addition to its own dead load. Loading rate means the volume in litres of effluent per square metre applied in a single day to soil, as defined in Part 8 of Division B, or leaching bed fill. Low hazard industrial occupancy (Group F, Division 3) means an industrial occupancy in which the combustible content is not more than 50 kg/m² or 1200 MJ/m² of floor area. Low human occupancy means, when applied to a farm building, an occupancy in which the occupant load of not more than one person per 40 m² of floor area during normal use. Major occupancy means the principal occupancy for which a building or part of a building is used or intended to be used, and is deemed to include the subsidiary occupancies that are an integral part of the principal occupancy. Make-up water means water added to a public pool from an external source. Marquee means a canopy over an entrance to a building. Masonry or concrete chimney means a chimney of brick, stone, concrete or masonry units constructed on site. Means of egress includes exits and access to exits and means a continuous path of travel provided for the escape of persons from any point in a building or in a contained open space to, (a) a separate building, (b) an open public thoroughfare, or (c) an exterior open space that is protected from fire exposure from the building and that has access to an open public thoroughfare. Medium hazard industrial occupancy (Group F, Division 2) means an industrial occupancy in which the combustible content is more than 50 kg/m² or 1200 MJ/m² of floor area and that is not classified as a high hazard industrial occupancy. Mercantile occupancy means the occupancy or use of a building or part of a building for the displaying or selling of retail goods, wares or merchandise. Mezzanine means an intermediate floor assembly between the floor and ceiling of any room or storey and includes an interior balcony. Modified pool means a public pool that has a basin-shaped floor sloping downward and inward toward the interior from the rim. Modified stack venting means a stack venting arrangement in which the stack vent above the connection of the highest stack vented fixture is reduced in diameter. Municipal drinking water system has the same meaning as in subsection 2 (1) of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002. Nominally horizontal means at an angle of less than 45° with the horizontal. Nominally vertical means at an angle of not more than 45° with the vertical. Noncombustible means that a material meets the acceptance criteria of CAN4-S114, “Standard Method of Test for Determination of Non-Combustibility in Building Materials”. Noncombustible construction means a type of construction in which a degree of fire safety is attained by the use of noncombustible materials for structural members and other building assemblies. Objective means an objective set out in Article 2.2.1.1. Occupancy means the use or intended use of a building or part of a building for the shelter or support of persons, animals or property. Occupant load means the number of persons for which a building or part of a building is designed. Offset means the piping that connects the ends of two pipes that are parallel. Offset relief vent means a relief vent that provides additional air circulation upstream and downstream of an offset in a soil or waste stack. Open air means the atmosphere outside a building. Open-air storey means a storey in which at least 25 per cent of the total area of its perimeter walls is open to the outdoors in a manner that will provide cross ventilation to the entire storey. Outdoor pool means a public pool that is not an indoor pool. Pail privy means a latrine in which the receptacle for human waste consists of a removable container surmounted by a superstructure. Partition means an interior wall, one storey or part-storey in height, that is not loadbearing. Party wall means a wall, (a) that is jointly owned and jointly used by two parties under an easement agreement or by a right in law, and (b) that is erected at or upon a line separating two parcels of land each of which is, or is capable of being a separate real estate entity. Perched groundwater means a free standing body of water in the ground extending to a limited depth. Percolation time means the average time in minutes that is required for water to drop one centimetre during a percolation test or as determined by a soil evaluation or analysis. Performance level means the level of performance under which all or part of an existing building functions with respect to its building systems. Pharmacy means the premises in a building or the part of the premises in which prescriptions are compounded and dispensed for the public or in which drugs are sold by retail. Pile means a slender deep foundation unit, (a) that is made of materials such as wood, steel or concrete or a combination of them, and (b) that is either pre-manufactured and placed by driving, jacking, jetting or screwing, or cast-in-place in a hole formed by driving, excavating or boring. Plenum means a chamber forming part of an air duct system. Plumbing appliance means a receptacle or equipment that receives or collects water, liquids or sewage and discharges water, liquid or sewage directly or indirectly to a plumbing system. Plumbing system means a system of connected piping, fittings, valves, equipment, fixtures and appurtenances contained in plumbing. Point of entry treatment unit has the same meaning as in Subsection 1 (1) of Ontario Regulation 170/03 (Drinking Water Systems) made under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002. Pool deck means the area immediately surrounding a public pool. Portable privy means a portable latrine in which the receptacle for human body waste and the superstructure are combined structurally into one unit. Post-disaster building means a building that is essential to the provision of services in the event of a disaster, and includes, (a) hospitals, emergency treatment facilities and blood banks, (b) telephone exchanges, (c) power generating stations and electrical substations, (d) control centres for land transportation, (e) public water treatment and storage facilities, (f) water and sewage pumping stations, (g) emergency response facilities, (h) fire, rescue and police stations, (i) storage facilities for vehicles or boats used for fire, rescue and police purposes, and (j) communications facilities, including radio and television stations. Potable means fit for human consumption. Potable water system means the plumbing that conveys potable water. Pressurized distribution system means a leaching bed in which the effluent is distributed through the use of pressurized distribution pipes. Private sewage disposal system means a sewage system or a sewage works that is not owned and operated by the Crown, a municipality or an organization acceptable to the Director responsible for issuing a Certificate of Approval under the Ontario Water Resources Act. Private sewer means a sewer other than a building sewer that, (a) is not owned or operated by a municipality, the Ministry of Environment or another public agency, (b) receives drainage from more than one sanitary building drain either directly or through more than one sanitary building sewer or receives drainage from more than one storm building drain either directly or through one or more storm building sewers, and connects to a main sewer, or (c) serves as a place of disposal on the property, but does not include, (d) a sewer that carries only the sanitary waste or storm sewage from two semi-detached dwelling units, (e) a sewer that carries only the sanitary waste or storm sewage from one main building that is of industrial, commercial or care or detention occupancy and one ancillary building, or (f) a sewer that carries only the sanitary waste or storm sewage from a row housing complex having five or fewer single family residences. Private water supply means piping that serves as a source of supply on the property to more than one water service pipe. Private water supply system means an assembly of pipes, fittings, valves, equipment and appurtenances that supplies water from a private source to a potable water system. Privy vault means a latrine in which the receptacle for human waste consists of a constructed vault from which the waste is periodically removed. Professional engineer means, for the purposes of the Act and this Code, a person who holds a licence or a temporary licence under the Professional Engineers Act. Public corridor means a corridor that provides access to exit from more than one suite. Public heritage building means a heritage building where the occupancy in whole or in part includes viewing of the building by the public provided that displays in it are limited to those relevant to the heritage significance of the building. Public pool means a structure, basin, chamber or tank containing or intended to contain an artificial body of water for swimming, water sport, water recreation or entertainment, but does not include, (a) pools operated in conjunction with less than six dwelling units, suites or single family residences or any combination of them, (b) pools that are used only for commercial display and demonstration purposes, (c) wading pools, (d) hydro-massage pools, or (e) pools that serve only as receiving basins for persons at the bottom of water slides. Public spa means a hydro-massage pool that contains an artificial body of water, that is intended primarily for therapeutic or recreational use, that is not drained, cleaned or refilled before use by each individual and that utilizes hydrojet circulation, air induction bubbles, current flow or a combination of them over the majority of the pool area, but does not include, (a) wading pools, or (b) spas operated in conjunction with less than six dwelling units, suites or single family residences, or any combination of them, for the use of occupants or residents and their visitors. Public use means, when applied to plumbing fixtures, fixtures in general washrooms of schools, gymnasiums, hotels, bars, public comfort stations and other installations in which fixtures are installed so that their use is unrestricted. Public way means a sidewalk, street, highway, square or another open space to which the public has access, as of right or by invitation, expressed or implied. Range means a cooking appliance equipped with a cooking surface and one or more ovens. Recirculation system means a system, (a) that maintains the circulation of water through a public pool by pumps, and (b) that provides continuous treatment of the water, including filtration and chlorination or bromination and any other process that may be necessary for the treatment of the water. Recreational camp means a camp for recreational activities consisting of one or more buildings or other structures established or maintained as living quarters, with or without charge, for the temporary occupancy of 10 or more persons for five or more days. Relief vent means a vent pipe that is used in conjunction with a circuit vent to provide additional air circulation between a drainage system and a venting system. Repair garage means a building or part of a building where facilities are provided for the repair or servicing of motor vehicles. Residential full flow-through fire sprinkler/standpipe system means an assembly of pipes and fittings installed in the residential portions of a building containing one or two dwelling units that conveys water from the water service pipe to outlets in the sprinkler and standpipe systems and is fully integrated into the potable water system to ensure a regular flow of water through all parts of the sprinkler and standpipe systems. Residential occupancy means the occupancy or use of a building or part of a building by persons for whom sleeping accommodation is provided but who are not harboured or detained there to receive medical care or treatment or who are not involuntarily detained there. Residential partial flow-through sprinkler/standpipe system means an assembly of pipes and fittings installed in the residential portions of a building containing one or two dwelling units that conveys water from the water service pipe to outlets in the sprinkler and standpipe systems and in which flow occurs during inactive periods of the sprinkler and standpipe systems only through the main header to the water closet located at the farthest point of the sprinkler and standpipe systems. Return duct means a duct for conveying air from a space being heated, ventilated or air-conditioned back to the heating, ventilating or air-conditioning appliance. Riser means a water distributing pipe that extends through at least one full storey, as defined in Part 7 of Division B. Rock means a portion of the earth’s crust that is consolidated, coherent and relatively hard and that is a naturally formed, solidly bonded, mass of mineral matter that cannot readily be broken by hand. Roof drain means a fitting or device that is installed in the roof to permit storm sewage to discharge into a leader. Roof gutter means an exterior channel installed at the base of a sloped roof to convey storm sewage. Sanitary building drain means a building drain that conducts sewage to a building sewer from the most upstream soil or waste stack, branch or fixture drain serving a water closet. Sanitary building sewer means a pipe that is connected to a sanitary building drain 1 000 mm outside a wall of a building and that conducts sewage to a public sewer or private sewage disposal system. Sanitary drainage pipe means all piping that conveys sanitary sewage to a place of disposal, including the sanitary building drain, sanitary building sewer, soil pipe, soil stack, waste stack and waste pipe but not the main sewer or piping in a sewage treatment plant. Sanitary drainage system means a drainage system that conducts sanitary sewage. Sanitary sewage means liquid or water borne waste, (a) of industrial or commercial origin, or (b) of domestic origin, including human body waste, toilet or other bathroom waste, and shower, tub, culinary, sink and laundry waste. Sanitary sewer means a sewer that conducts sewage. Sanitary unit means a water closet, urinal, bidet or bedpan washer. Self-service storage building means a building that is used to provide individual storage spaces to the public and that is open to the public only for those purposes. Septic tank means a watertight vault in which sanitary sewage is collected for the purpose of removing scum, grease and solids from the liquid without the addition of air and in which solids settling and anaerobic digestion of the sanitary sewage takes place. Service room means a room provided in a building to contain equipment associated with building services. Service space means space provided in a building to facilitate or conceal the installation of building service facilities such as chutes, ducts, pipes, shafts or wires. Service water heater means a device for heating water for plumbing services. Sewage means sanitary sewage or storm sewage. Sewage system means, (a) a chemical toilet, an incinerating toilet, a recirculating toilet, a self-contained portable toilet and all forms of privy including a portable privy, an earth pit privy, a pail privy, a privy vault and a composting toilet system, (b) a greywater system, (c) a cesspool, (d) a leaching bed system, or (e) a system that requires or uses a holding tank for the retention of hauled sewage at the site where it is produced before its collection by a hauled sewage system, where these, (f) have a design capacity of 10,000 litres per day or less, (g) have, in total, a design capacity of 10,000 litres per day or less, where more than one of these are located on a lot or parcel of land, and (h) are located wholly within the boundaries of the lot or parcel of land on which is located the building or buildings they serve. Sewage works means sewage works as defined in subsection 1 (1) of the Ontario Water Resources Act. Shallow buried trench means an absorption trench that contains a chamber. Shallow foundation means a foundation unit that derives its support from soil or rock located close to the lowest part of the building that it supports. Shelf and rack storage system means a self-contained structural system within a building, having one or more elevated platforms or walkway levels for personnel access that may also support conveyors and other material handling, storage and distribution equipment. Significant drinking water threat has the same meaning as in subsection 2 (1) of the Clean Water Act, 2006. Size means the nominal diameter by which a pipe, fitting, trap or other similar item is commercially designated. Smoke alarm means a combined smoke detector and audible alarm device designed to sound an alarm within the room or suite in which it is located on the detection of smoke within that room or suite. Smoke detector means a fire detector designed to operate when the concentration of airborne combustion products exceeds a pre-determined level. Soil means, except for the purposes of Part 8 of Division B, a portion of the earth’s crust that is fragmentary or such that individual particles of a dried sample may be readily separated by agitation in water, and includes boulders, cobbles, gravel, sand, silt, clay and organic matter. Soil pipe means a sanitary drainage pipe that carries the discharge of a sanitary unit, with or without the discharge, from any other fixture. Soil stack means a vertical soil pipe that passes through one or more storeys and includes any offset that is part of the stack. Source protection area has the same meaning as in subsection 2 (1) of the Clean Water Act, 2006. Source protection plan has the same meaning as in subsection 2 (1) of the Clean Water Act, 2006. Space heater means a space-heating appliance for heating the room or space within which it is located, without the use of ducts. Space-heating appliance means an appliance, (a) that is intended to supply heat directly to a room or space, such as a space heater, fireplace and unit heater, or (b) that is intended to supply heat to rooms or spaces of a building through a heating system, such as a central furnace or boiler. Sprinklered means equipped with a system of automatic sprinklers. Stack vent means a vent pipe that connects the top of a soil stack or waste stack to a header or open air and “stack vented” has a corresponding meaning. Stack venting means, when used with reference to fixtures, an arrangement such that the connections of the drainage piping from the stack vented fixtures to the stack provide venting to the fixture traps so that no additional vent pipe is required. Stage means a space that is designed primarily for theatrical performances with provision for quick change scenery and overhead lighting, including environmental control for a wide range of lighting and sound effects, and that is traditionally, but not necessarily, separated from the audience by a proscenium wall and curtain opening. Starting platform means a rigid platform located entirely on a pool deck that consists of a top that, if projected horizontally over the water surface, would be less than 1 000 mm (3 ft 3 in) in vertical height above the surface and that is designed to be used by a swimmer to dive from at the start of a swimming race. Storage garage means a building or part of a building that is intended for the storage or parking of motor vehicles and that contains no provision for the repair or servicing of motor vehicles. Storage-type service water heater means a service water heater with an integral hot water storage tank. Storey means, except for the purposes of Part 7 of Division B, the portion of a building, (a) that is situated between the top of any floor and the top of the floor next above it, or (b) that is situated between the top of the floor and the ceiling above the floor, if there is no floor above it. Storm building drain means a building drain that conducts storm water and is connected at its upstream end to a leader, sump or catch basin, and at its downstream end to a building sewer or a designated storm water disposal location. Storm building sewer means a building sewer that conveys storm sewage to a place of disposal and commences 1 000 mm from the building. Storm drainage pipe means all the connected piping that conveys storm sewage to a place of disposal and includes the storm building drain, storm building sewer, rain water leader, catch basin and area drain installed to collect water from the property and the piping that drains water from a swimming pool or from water cooled air-conditioning equipment, but does not include, (a) a main storm sewer, (b) a subsoil drainage pipe, or (c) a private sewage treatment and disposal facility designed for the treatment or retention of storm sewage prior to discharge to the natural environment. Storm drainage system means a drainage system that conveys storm sewage. Storm sewage means water that is discharged from a surface as a result of rainfall, snow melt or snowfall. Storm sewer means a sewer that conveys storm sewage. Stove means an appliance intended for cooking or space heating or both. Street means any highway, road, boulevard, square or other improved thoroughfare that is 9 m or more in width, that has been dedicated or deeded for public use and that is accessible to fire department vehicles and equipment. Subsoil drainage pipe means a pipe that is installed underground to intercept and convey subsurface water, and includes foundation drain pipes. Subsurface investigation means the appraisal of the general subsurface conditions at a building site by analysis of information gained by methods such as geological surveys, in situ testing, sampling, visual inspection, laboratory testing of samples of the subsurface materials and groundwater observations and measurements. Suite means a single room or series of rooms of complementary use, operated under a single tenancy, and includes, (a) dwelling units, (b) individual guest rooms in motels, hotels, boarding houses, rooming houses and dormitories, and (c) individual stores and individual or complementary rooms for business and personal services occupancies. Supply duct means a duct for conveying air from a heating, ventilating or air-conditioning appliance to a space to be heated, ventilated or air-conditioned. Surface water means water on the surface of the ground. Tarion Warranty Corporation means Tarion Warranty Corporation as designated under section 2 of the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act. Theatre means a place of public assembly intended for the production and viewing of the performing arts or the screening and viewing of motion pictures, and consisting of an auditorium with permanently fixed seats intended solely for a viewing audience. Trap means a fitting or device that is designed to hold a liquid seal that will prevent the passage of gas but will not materially affect the flow of a liquid. Trap arm means that portion of a fixture drain between the trap weir and the vent pipe fitting. Trap dip means the lowest part of the upper interior surface of a trap. Trap seal depth means the vertical distance between the trap dip and the trap weir. Trap standard means the trap for a fixture that is integral with the support for the fixture. Trap weir means the highest part of the lower interior surface of a trap. Treatment unit means a device that, when designed, installed and operated in accordance with its design specifications, provides a specific degree of sanitary sewage treatment to reduce the contaminant load from that of sanitary sewage to a given effluent quality. Tribunal means the License Appeal Tribunal established under the Licence Appeal Tribunal Act, 1999. Unit heater means a suspended space heater with an integral air circulating fan. Unprotected opening means, when applied to an exposing building face, (a) a doorway, window or opening, other than one equipped with a closure having the required fire-protection rating, or (b) any part of a wall forming part of the exposing building face that has a fire-resistance rating less than required for the exposing building face. Vacuum breaker means back-siphonage preventer. Vapour barrier means the elements installed to control the diffusion of water vapour. Vent connector means, when applied to a heating or cooling system, the part of a venting system that conducts the flue gases or vent gases from the flue collar of a gas appliance to the chimney or gas vent, and may include a draft control device. Vent pipe means a pipe that is part of a venting system. Vent stack means a vent pipe that is connected at its upper end to a header or is terminated in open air and that is used to limit pressure differential in a soil or waste stack. Venting system means an assembly of pipes and fittings that connects a drainage system with open air for circulation of air and the protection of trap seals in the drainage system. Vertical leg means the vertical portion of a fixture drain and includes the portion of a drain from the outlet of a water closet bowl to the point where the connecting piping changes to horizontal. Vertical service space means a shaft that is oriented essentially vertically and that is provided in a building to facilitate the installation of building services, including mechanical, electrical and plumbing installations and facilities such as elevators, refuse chutes and linen chutes. Vulnerable area has the same meaning as in subsection 2 (1) of the Clean Water Act, 2006. Walkway means a covered or roofed pedestrian thoroughfare used to connect two or more buildings. Waste pipe means a sanitary drainage pipe that carries the discharge from a fixture directly to a waste stack, soil stack, sanitary building drain, branch or sewage system. Waste stack means a vertical waste pipe that passes through one or more storeys and includes any offset that is part of the stack that conducts liquid waste from fixtures other than sanitary units. Water distribution system means an assembly of pipes, fittings, valves and appurtenances that conveys potable water to water supply outlets, fixtures, plumbing appliances and devices from the water service pipe or from a point of entry treatment unit located in the building. Water purveyor means the owner or operator of a drinking water system. Water service pipe means a pipe on the property that conveys potable water from a drinking water system or a private water supply to the inside of the building. Water system means a water service pipe, a private water supply, a water distribution system, a fire service main or any part of any of them. Wave action pool means a public pool equipped with a means for inducing wave motion in the water. Wet vent means a waste pipe that also serves as a vent pipe. Working capacity means the volume of liquid that a treatment unit or holding tank is capable of holding without overflowing while it is in its working position, but does not include the volume of liquid contained in a compartment in which a pump or siphon is installed. X-ray equipment includes x-ray imaging systems, processing equipment and equipment directly related to the production of images for diagnosis or directly related to irradiation with x-rays for therapy. X-ray machine means an electrically-powered device producing x-rays for the irradiation of a human being or an animal for a therapeutic or diagnostic purpose or for industrial use. Yoke vent means a vent pipe that is connected at its lower end to a soil or waste stack and at its upper end to a vent stack or a branch vent that is connected to a vent stack.