jswizzle3737/ontario_laws_and_regs huggingface dataset:
9.10.9.6. Service Equipment Penetrating a Fire Separation (1) Piping, tubing, ducts, chimneys, wiring, conduit, electrical outlet boxes and other similar service equipment that penetrate a required fire separation shall be tightly fitted or fire stopped to maintain the integrity of the separation. (2) Except as provided in Sentences (3) to (9) and Article 9.10.9.7., pipes, ducts, electrical outlet boxes, totally enclosed raceways or other similar service equipment that partly or wholly penetrate an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating shall be noncombustible unless the assembly has been tested incorporating such equipment. (3) Electrical wires or other similar wiring enclosed in noncombustible totally enclosed raceways are permitted to partly or wholly penetrate an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating without being incorporated in the assembly at the time of testing as required in Sentence (2). (4) Electrical wires or cables, single or grouped, with combustible insulation or jacketing that is not totally enclosed in raceways of noncombustible material, are permitted to partly or wholly penetrate an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating without being incorporated in the assembly at the time of testing as required in Sentence (2) provided the overall diameter of the wiring is not more than 25 mm. (5) Combustible totally enclosed raceways which are embedded in a concrete floor slab are permitted in an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating without being incorporated in the assembly at the time of testing as required in Sentence (2), where the concrete provides at least 50 mm of cover between the raceway and the bottom of slab. (6) Combustible outlet boxes are permitted in an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating without being incorporated in the assembly at the time of testing as required in Sentence (2) provided the opening through the membrane into the box does not exceed 160 cm2. (7) Combustible water distribution piping that has an outside diameter not more than 30 mm is permitted to partly or wholly penetrate a vertical fire separation that is required to have a fire-resistance rating without being incorporated in the assembly at the time of testing as required in Sentence (2) provided the piping is sealed in conformance with Article 3.1.9.1. (8) Combustible sprinkler piping is permitted to penetrate a fire separation provided the fire compartments on each side of the fire separation are sprinklered. (9) Combustible piping for central vacuum systems is permitted to penetrate a fire separation provided the installation conforms to the requirements that apply to combustible piping in Sentences 9.10.9.7.(2) to (6).
9.10.9.7. Combustible Piping (1) Except as permitted in Sentences (2) to (6), combustible piping shall not be used where any part of a piping system partly or wholly penetrates a fire separation required to have a fire-resistance rating or penetrates a membrane that contributes to the required fire-resistance rating of an assembly. (2) Combustible piping not located in a vertical shaft is permitted to penetrate a fire separation required to have a fire-resistance rating or a membrane that forms part of an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating provided the piping is sealed at the penetration by a firestop system that has an F rating not less than the fire-resistance rating required for the fire separation. (3) The rating referred to in Sentence (2) shall be based on CAN4-S115, “Standard Method of Fire Tests for Firestop Systems” with a pressure differential of 50 Pa between the exposed and unexposed sides, with the higher pressure on the exposed side. (4) Combustible drain piping is permitted to penetrate a horizontal fire separation or a membrane that contributes to the required fire-resistance rating of a horizontal fire separation provided it leads directly from a noncombustible water closet through a concrete floor slab. (5) Combustible piping is permitted (a) on one side of a vertical fire separation provided it is not located in a vertical shaft, and (b) to penetrate a vertical or horizontal fire separation when the fire compartment on each side of the fire separation is sprinklered. (6) In buildings containing 2 dwelling units only, combustible piping is permitted on one side of a horizontal fire separation.
9.10.9.8. Collapse of Combustible Construction (1) Combustible construction that abuts on or is supported by a noncombustible fire separation shall be constructed so that its collapse under fire conditions will not cause collapse of the fire separation.
9.10.9.9. Reduction in Thickness of Fire Separation by Beams and Joists (1) Beams and joists framed into a masonry or concrete fire separation shall not reduce the thickness of the fire separation to less than (a) 100 mm of solid masonry or solid concrete, or (b) the equivalent thickness of the masonry or concrete determined in accordance with the Supplementary Guidelines.
9.10.9.10. Concealed Spaces above Fire Separations (1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), a horizontal service space or other concealed space located above a required vertical fire separation shall be divided at the fire separation by an equivalent fire separation within the space. (2) Where a horizontal service space or other concealed space is located above a required vertical fire separation other than a vertical shaft, such space need not be divided as required in Sentence (1) provided the construction between such space and the space below is constructed as a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the vertical fire separation, except that where the vertical fire separation is not required to have a fire-resistance rating greater than 45 min, the fire-resistance rating of the ceiling is permitted to be reduced to 30 min.
9.10.9.11. Separation of Residential Occupancies (1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (4), residential occupancies shall be separated from all other major occupancies by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 h. (2) Except as provided in Sentence (3), a major occupancy classified as a residential occupancy, including live/work units, shall be separated from other major occupancies classified as mercantile or medium hazard industrial occupancies by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 h. (3) Where not more than 2 dwelling units or live/work units are located in a building containing a mercantile occupancy, such mercantile occupancy shall be separated from the dwelling units or live/work units by a fire separation having not less than 1 h fire-resistance rating. (4) The requirement for fire separations between major occupancies in Sentence (1) is waived for the occupancies allowed within live/work units.
9.10.9.12. Residential Suites, Live/Work Units and Industrial Buildings (1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), not more than 1 suite of residential occupancy shall be contained within a building classified as a Group F, Division 2 major occupancy. (2) Except where a Group F Division 2 major occupancy is directly related to live/work units, not more than one suite of residential occupancy shall be contained within a building classified as Group F, Division 2 major occupancy.
9.10.9.13. Separation of Suites (1) Except as required in Article 9.10.9.14., and as permitted by Sentence (2), each suite in other than business and personal services occupancies shall be separated from adjoining suites by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min. (2) In sprinklered buildings, suites of business and personal services occupancy and mercantile occupancy that are served by public corridors conforming with Sentence 3.3.1.4.(4) are not required to be separated from each other by fire separations.
9.10.9.14. Separation of Residential Suites (1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3) and Article 9.10.20.2., suites in residential occupancies shall be separated from adjacent rooms and suites by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min. (2) Sleeping rooms in boarding, lodging or rooming houses where sleeping accommodation is provided for not more than 8 boarders or lodgers shall be separated from the remainder of the floor area by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 30 min where the sleeping rooms form part of the proprietor’s residence and do not contain cooking facilities. (3) Dwelling units that contain 2 or more storeys including basements shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 h.
9.10.9.15. Separation of Public Corridors (1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), public corridors shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having not less than a 45 min fire-resistance rating. (2) In other than residential occupancies, no fire-resistance rating is required for fire separations between a public corridor and the remainder of the building if (a) the floor area is sprinklered, (b) the sprinkler system is electrically supervised in conformance with Sentence 3.2.4.9.(2), and (c) the operation of the sprinkler system will cause a signal to be transmitted to the fire department in conformance with Sentence 3.2.4.7.(4). (3) In other than residential occupancies, no fire separation is required between a public corridor and the remainder of the building if (a) the floor area is sprinklered, (b) the sprinkler system is electrically supervised in conformance with Sentence 3.2.4.9.(2), (c) the operation of the sprinkler system will cause a signal to be transmitted to the fire department in conformance with Sentence 3.2.4.7.(4), and (d) the corridor exceeds 5 m in width.
9.10.9.16. Separation of Storage Garages (1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), a storage garage shall be separated from other occupancies by a fire separation having not less than a 1.5 h fire-resistance rating. (2) Except as permitted in Sentence (3), storage garages containing 5 motor vehicles or fewer shall be separated from other occupancies by a fire separation of not less than 1 h. (3) Where a storage garage serves only the dwelling unit to which it is attached or built in, it shall be considered as part of that dwelling unit and the fire separation required in Sentence (2) need not be provided between the garage and the dwelling unit where (a) the construction between the garage and the dwelling unit provides an effective barrier to gas and exhaust fumes, and (b) every door between the garage and dwelling unit conforms to Article 9.10.13.15.
9.10.9.17. Separation of Repair Garages (1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), a repair garage shall be separated from other occupancies by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 h. (2) Ancillary spaces directly serving a repair garage, including waiting rooms, reception rooms, tool and parts storage areas and supervisory office space need not be separated from the repair garage but shall be separated from other occupancies as required in Sentence (1).
9.10.9.18. Exhaust Ducts Serving More Than One Fire Compartment (1) Where a vertical service space contains an exhaust duct that serves more than one fire compartment, the duct shall have a fan located at or near the exhaust outlet to ensure that the duct is under negative pressure. (2) Individual fire compartments referred to in Sentence (1) shall not have fans that exhaust directly into the duct in the vertical service space.
9.10.9.19. Central Vacuum Systems (1) A central vacuum system shall serve not more than one suite. 9.10.10.Service Rooms
9.10.10.1. Application (1) This Subsection applies to service rooms in all buildings except rooms located within a dwelling unit.
9.10.10.2. Service Room Floors (1) The fire-resistance rating requirements in this Subsection do not apply to the floor assembly immediately below a service room.
9.10.10.3. Separation of Service Rooms (1) Except as required in Sentence (2) and Articles 9.10.10.5. and 9.10.10.6., service rooms shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 h when the floor area containing the service room is not sprinklered. (2) Where a room contains a limited quantity of service equipment and the service equipment does not constitute a fire hazard, the requirements in Sentence (1) shall not apply.
9.10.10.4. Appliances and Equipment to be Located in a Service Room (1) Except as provided in Sentence (2) and Article 9.10.10.5., fuel-fired appliances other than fireplaces shall be located in a service room separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having not less than a 1 h fire-resistance rating. (2) Except as required in the appliance installation standards referenced in Sentences 6.2.1.5.(1), 9.33.5.2.(1) and 9.33.5.3.(1), fuel-fired space-heating appliances, space-cooling appliances and service water heaters need not be separated from the remainder of the building as required in Sentence (1) where the equipment serves (a) not more than one room or suite, or (b) a building with a building area of not more than 400 m2 and a building height of not more than 2 storeys.
9.10.10.5. Incinerators (1) Service rooms containing incinerators shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 h. (2) The design, construction, installation and alteration of each indoor incinerator shall conform to NFPA 82, “Incinerators, Waste and Linen Handling Systems and Equipment”. (3) Every incinerator shall be connected to a chimney flue conforming to the requirements in Section 9.21 and serving no other appliance. (4) An incinerator shall not be located in a room with other fuel-fired appliances.
9.10.10.6. Storage Rooms (1) Rooms for the temporary storage of combustible refuse in all occupancies or for public storage in residential occupancies shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having not less than a 1 h fire-resistance rating, except that a 45 min fire separation is permitted where the fire-resistance rating of the floor assembly is not required to exceed 45 min, or where such rooms are sprinklered. 9.10.11.Firewalls
9.10.11.1. Required Firewalls (1) Except as provided in Articles 9.10.11.2. and 9.10.11.4., a party wall on a property line shall be constructed as a firewall.
9.10.11.2. Firewalls Not Required (1) In a building of residential occupancy in which there is no dwelling unit above another dwelling unit, a party wall on a property line between dwelling units need not be constructed as a firewall provided it is constructed as a fire separation having not less than a 1 h fire-resistance rating. (2) The wall described in Sentence (1) shall provide continuous protection from the top of the footings to the underside of the roof deck. (3) Any space between the top of the wall described in Sentence (1) and the roof deck shall be tightly filled with mineral wool or noncombustible material.
9.10.11.3. Construction of Firewalls (1) Where firewalls are used, the requirements in Part 3 shall apply.
9.10.11.4. Firewalls in Detached Garages (1) Where a garage is detached from the dwelling unit but attached to another garage on the adjacent property, the party wall so formed shall be constructed as a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min. 9.10.12.Prevention of Fire Spread at Exterior Walls and between Storeys
9.10.12.1. Separation of Exterior Openings (1) In buildings of mercantile or medium hazard industrial occupancy, exterior openings in one storey shall be separated from openings in an adjacent storey by (a) a wall not less than 1 000 mm in vertical dimension, or (b) a canopy or balcony not less than 1 000 mm in width. (2) The wall, canopy or balcony described in Sentence (1) shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the floor assembly separating the storeys, except that the rating need not exceed 1 h.
9.10.12.2. Termination of Floors or Mezzanines (1) Except as provided in Sentence (2) and in Articles 9.10.1.3. and 9.10.9.5., the portions of a floor area or mezzanine that do not terminate at an exterior wall, a firewall or a vertical shaft, shall terminate at a vertical fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the floor assembly that terminates at the separation. (2) A mezzanine need not terminate at a vertical fire separation where the mezzanine is not required to be considered as a storey in Articles 9.10.4.1. and 9.10.4.2.
9.10.12.3. Location of Skylights (1) Where a wall in a building is exposed to a fire hazard from an adjoining roof of a separate unsprinklered fire compartment in the same building, the roof shall contain no skylights within a horizontal distance of 5 m of the windows in the exposed wall.
9.10.12.4. Exterior Walls Meeting at an Angle (1) Except as provided in Article 9.9.4.5., where exterior walls of a building meet at an external angle of less than 135°, the horizontal distance from an opening in one wall to an opening in the other wall shall be not less than 1 200 mm where the openings are in different fire compartments. (2) The exterior wall of each fire compartment referred to in Sentence (1) within the 1 200 mm distance, shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the interior vertical fire separation between the compartment and the remainder of the building.
9.10.12.5. Protection of Soffits (1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), where a common attic or roof space spans more than 2 suites of residential occupancy, and projects beyond the exterior wall of the building, the portion of any soffit or other surface enclosing the projection which is less than 2 500 mm vertically above a window or door and less than 1 200 mm from either side of the window or door, shall have no unprotected openings and shall be protected by (a) noncombustible material having a minimum thickness of 0.38 mm and a melting point not below 650°C, (b) not less than 12.7 mm thick gypsum soffit board or gypsum wallboard installed according to CSA A82.31-M, “Gypsum Board Application”, (c) not less than 11 mm thick plywood, (d) not less than 12.5 mm thick OSB or waferboard, or (e) not less than 11 mm thick lumber. (2) Where the soffit or other surface described in Sentence (1) is completely separated from the remainder of the attic or roof space by firestopping, the requirements in Sentence (1) do not apply. (3) Where all suites spanned by a common attic or roof space are sprinklered, the requirements in Sentence (1) do not apply provided that all rooms, including closets and bathrooms, having openings in the wall beneath the soffit are sprinklered, notwithstanding any exceptions in the sprinkler standards referenced in Article 3.2.5.13. 9.10.13.Doors, Dampers and Other Closures in Fire Separations
9.10.13.1. Closures (1) Except as provided in Article 9.10.13.2., openings in required fire separations shall be protected with a closure conforming to Table 9.10.13.1. and shall be installed in conformance with Chapters 2 to 14 of NFPA 80, “Fire Doors and Windows” unless otherwise specified herein. Table 9.10.13.1. Fire-Protection Ratings for Closures Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.13.1.(1)  Required Fire-Resistance Rating of Fire Separation

Required Fire-Protection Rating of Closure


30 or 45 min

20 min(1)


1 h

45 min(1)


1.5 h

1 h


2 h

1.5 h


3 h

2 h


4 h

3 h


Column 1

2 Note to Table 9.10.13.1.: (1) See Article 9.10.13.2.
9.10.13.2. Solid Core Wood Door as a Closure (1) A 45 mm thick solid core wood door is permitted to be used where a minimum fire-protection rating of 20 min is permitted or between a public corridor and a suite provided the door conforms to CAN4-S113, “Standard Specification for Wood Core Doors Meeting the Performance Required by CAN4-S104 for Twenty Minute Fire-Rated Closure Assemblies”. (2) Doors described in Sentence (1) shall have not more than a 6 mm clearance beneath and not more than 3 mm at the sides and top. (3) Where a 45 mm thick solid core wood door is permitted in a required fire separation, the requirement for a noncombustible sill in NFPA 80, “Fire Doors and Windows” shall not apply.
9.10.13.3. Unrated Wood Door Frames (1) Doors required to provide a 20 min fire-protection rating or permitted to be 45 mm solid core wood shall be mounted in a wood frame of at least 38 mm thickness where the frame has not been tested and rated.
9.10.13.4. Doors as a Means of Egress (1) Doors forming part of an exit or a public means of egress shall conform to Subsection 9.9.6. in addition to this Subsection.
9.10.13.5. Wired Glass as a Closure (1) Wired glass conforming to Article 9.7.3.1. which has not been tested in accordance with Article 9.10.3.1. is permitted as a closure in a vertical fire separation required to have a fire-resistance rating of not more than 1 h provided such glass is not less than 6 mm thick and is mounted in conformance with Sentence (2). (2) Wired glass described in Sentence (1) shall be mounted in fixed steel frames having a minimum metal thickness of not less than 1.35 mm and a glazing stop of not less than 20 mm on each side of the glass. (3) Individual panes of glass described in Sentence (1) shall not exceed 0.8 m2 in area or 1 400 mm in height or width, and the area of glass not structurally supported by mullions shall not exceed 7.5 m2.
9.10.13.6. Steel Door Frames (1) Steel door frames forming part of a closure in a fire separation, including anchorage requirements, shall conform to CAN4-S105, “Standard Specification for Fire Door Frames Meeting the Performance Required by CAN4-S104.”
9.10.13.7. Glass Block as a Closure (1) Glass block that has not been tested in accordance with Article 9.10.3.1. is permitted as a closure in a fire separation required to have a fire-resistance rating of not more than 1 h.
9.10.13.8. Maximum Size of Opening (1) The size of an opening in an interior fire separation, even where protected with a closure, shall not exceed 11 m2, with no dimension greater than 3.7 m, if a fire compartment on either side of the fire separation is not sprinklered. (2) The size of an opening in an interior fire separation, even where protected with a closure, shall not exceed 22 m2, with no dimension greater than 6 m, when the fire compartments on both sides of the fire separation are sprinklered.
9.10.13.9. Door Latch (1) Every swing type door in a fire separation shall be equipped with a latch.
9.10.13.10. Self-Closing Device (1) Except as described in Sentence (2), every door in a fire separation shall have a self-closing device. (2) Self-closing devices are not required between public corridors and suites in business and personal services occupancies, except in (a) dead-end corridors, or (b) a corridor which serves a hotel.
9.10.13.11. Hold-Open Devices (1) Where hold-open devices are used on doors in required fire separations, they shall be installed in accordance with Article 3.1.8.12.
9.10.13.12. Service Room Doors (1) Swing-type doors shall open into service rooms containing fuel-fired equipment where such doors lead to public corridors or rooms used for assembly but shall swing outward from such rooms in all other cases.
9.10.13.13. Fire Dampers (1) Except as permitted in Sentences (2) to (5) and 9.10.5.1.(4) ducts that connect 2 fire compartments or penetrate an assembly required to be a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating shall be equipped with a fire damper in conformance with Article 3.1.8.9. (2) A fire damper is not required where a noncombustible branch duct pierces a required fire separation provided the duct (a) has melting point not below 760°C, (b) has a cross-sectional area less than 0.013 m2, and (c) supplies only air-conditioning units or combined air-conditioning and heating units discharging air at not more than 1 200 mm above the floor. (3) A fire damper is not required where a noncombustible branch duct pierces a required fire separation around an exhaust duct riser in which the air flow is upward provided (a) the melting point of the branch duct is not below 760°C, (b) the branch duct is carried up inside the riser at least 500 mm, and (c) the exhaust duct is under negative pressure as described in Article 9.10.9.18. (4) Noncombustible ducts that penetrate a fire separation separating a vertical service space from the remainder of the building need not be equipped with a fire damper at the fire separation provided (a) the ducts have a melting point above 760°C, and (b) each individual duct exhausts directly to the outside at the top of the vertical service space. (5) A duct serving commercial cooking equipment and piercing a required fire separation need not be equipped with a fire damper at the fire separation.
9.10.13.14. Fire Stop Flaps (1) Fire stop flaps in ceiling membranes required in Sentence 9.10.5.1.(4) shall be constructed in conformance with the Supplementary Guidelines.
9.10.13.15. Doors Between Garages and Dwelling Units (1) A door between an attached or built-in garage and a dwelling unit shall be tight-fitting and weatherstripped to provide an effective barrier against the passage of gases and exhaust fumes and shall be fitted with a self-closing device. (2) A doorway between an attached or built-in garage and a dwelling unit shall not be located in a room intended for sleeping.
9.10.13.16. Door Stops (1) Where a door is installed so that it may damage the integrity of a fire separation if its swing is unrestricted, door stops shall be installed to prevent such damage. 9.10.14.Spatial Separations between Buildings
9.10.14.1. Maximum Percentage Area of Unprotected Openings (1) Except as provided in Sentence (2) and Articles 9.10.14.3. to 9.10.14.11., the maximum percentage of unprotected openings in an exposing building face shall conform to Table 9.10.14.1. or to Subsection 3.2.3., whichever is the least restrictive for the occupancy being considered. (2) An opening in an exposing building face not more than 0.013 m2 shall not be considered an unprotected opening. Table 9.10.14.1. Maximum Percentage of Unprotected Openings or Glazed Areas, % of Exposing Building Face Area Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.14.1.(1)  Occupancy Classification of Building

Maximum Area of Exposing Building Face, m2

Limiting Distance, m


Less than 1.2

1.2

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

16.0

20.0

25.0


Residential, 

10

0

8

12

21

33

55

96

100

—

—

—

—

—

—


business and

15

0

8

10

17

25

37

67

100

—

—

—

—

—

—


personal

20

0

8

10

15

21

30

53

100

—

—

—

—

—

—


services and

25

0

8

9

13

19

26

45

100

—

—

—

—

—

—


low hazard

30

0

7

9

12

17

23

39

88

100

—

—

—

—

—


industrial

40

0

7

8

11

15

20

32

69

100

—

—

—

—

—


 

50

0

7

8

10

14

18

28

57

100

—

—

—

—

—


 

100

0

7

8

9

11

13

18

34

56

84

100

—

—

—


 

Over 100

0

7

7

8

9

10

12

19

28

40

55

92

100

—


Mercantile 

10

0

4

6

10

17

25

48

100

—

—

—

—

—

—


and medium

15

0

4

5

8

13

18

34

82

100

—

—

—

—

—


hazard

20

0

4

5

7

11

15

27

63

100

—

—

—

—

—


industrial

25

0

4

5

7

9

13

22

51

94

100

—

—

—

—


 

30

0

4

4

6

9

12

20

44

80

100

—

—

—

—


 

40

0

4

4

6

8

10

16

34

61

97

100

—

—

—


 

50

0

4

4

5

7

9

14

29

50

79

100

—

—

—


 

100

0

4

4

4

5

6

9

17

28

42

60

100

—

—


 

Over 100

0

4

4

4

4

5

6

10

14

20

27

46

70

100


Column 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16
9.10.14.2 Area of Exposing Building Face (1) The area of an exposing building face shall be calculated as the total area of exterior wall facing in 1 direction on any side of a building measured from the finished ground level to the uppermost ceiling, except that where a building is divided by fire separations into fire compartments, the area of exposing building face is permitted to be calculated for each fire compartment provided such separations have not less than a 45 min fire-resistance rating.
9.10.14.3. Inadequate Fire-fighting Facilities (1) Where there is no fire department or where a fire department is not organized, trained and equipped to meet the needs of the community, the required limiting distance determined from Article 9.10.14.1. or required in Articles 9.10.14.12., 9.10.14.14., and 9.10.14.16., shall be doubled for a building that is not sprinklered.
9.10.14.4. Alternate Method of Determining Limiting Distance (1) The limiting distance shown in Table 9.10.14.1. is permitted to be reduced provided it is not less than the square root of (a) the aggregate area of unprotected openings in an exposing building face in residential occupancies, business and personal services occupancies and low hazard industrial occupancies, and (b) twice the aggregate area of unprotected openings in mercantile occupancies and medium hazard industrial occupancies.
9.10.14.5. Openings in Walls Having a Limiting Distance Less Than 1.2 m. (1) Openings in a wall having a limiting distance of less than 1.2 m shall be protected by closures, of other than wired glass or glass block, whose fire protection rating is in conformance with the fire-resistance rating required for the wall.
9.10.14.6. Allowance for Sprinklers and Wired Glass or Glass Block (1) The maximum area of unprotected openings is permitted to be doubled where the building is sprinklered provided all rooms, including closets and bathrooms, that are adjacent to the exposing building face and that have unprotected openings are sprinklered, notwithstanding any exemptions in the sprinkler standards referenced in Article 3.2.5.13. (2) The maximum area of unprotected openings is permitted to be doubled where the unprotected openings are glazed with wired glass in steel frames or glass blocks as described in Articles 9.10.13.5. and 9.10.13.7.
9.10.14.7. Exterior Wall Construction for Irregular-Shaped or Skewed Walls (1) For the purpose of using Table 9.10.14.11. to determine the required type of construction, cladding and fire-resistance rating for an exterior wall (a) the exposing building face is permitted to be divided into any number of portions and the fire-resistance rating, type of cladding and percentage of unprotected openings limitations is permitted to be determined individually for each portion based on the limiting distance for each portion so divided; (b) the exposing building face shall be taken as the projection of the exterior wall onto a vertical plane located so that no portion of the exterior wall of the building is between the vertical plane and the line to which the limiting distance is established in Clause (a), and (c) for the purpose of determining the actual area of unprotected openings permitted in an exterior wall, the unprotected openings shall be projected onto the vertical plane established in Clause (b). (2) Unprotected 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 Table 9.10.14.1. where the limiting distance is 1.2 m or greater.
9.10.14.8. Percentage of Unprotected Openings for Irregular-Shaped or Skewed Walls (1) For the purpose of using Table 9.10.14.1. to determine the actual percentage of unprotected openings permitted in an irregularly-shaped or skewed exterior wall, the location of the exposing building face is permitted to be taken at a vertical plane located so that there are no unprotected openings between the vertical plane and the line to which limiting distance is measured.
9.10.14.9. Storeys at Street Level (1) The exposing building face of a storey that faces a street and is at approximately the same level as the street is permitted to have unlimited unprotected openings if the limiting distance is not less than 9 m.
9.10.14.10. Open-Air Storage Garages (1) When a storage garage has all storeys constructed as open-air storeys, the exposing building face of such garage is permitted to have unlimited unprotected openings provided it has a limiting distance of not less than 3 m.
9.10.14.11. Construction of Exposing Building Face (1) Except as permitted in Sentence (2) and Articles 9.10.14.12. to 9.10.14.16., each exposing building face and any exterior wall located above an exposing building face that encloses an attic or roof space shall be constructed in conformance with Table 9.10.14.11. and Subsection 9.10.8. (2) Cladding installed on exposing building faces and exterior walls located above exposing building faces that enclose an attic or roof space need not conform to “Type of Cladding Required” in Table 9.10.14.11. provided (a) the limiting distance is not less than 600 mm, (b) the exposing face is constructed with no unprotected openings, and (c) the cladding conforms to Clauses 9.10.14.12.(3)(a) to (d). Table 9.10.14.11. Minimum Construction Requirements for Exposing Building Faces Forming Part of Article 9.10.14.11.  Occupancy   Classification of    Building

Maximum Area of Unprotected Openings Permitted, % of Exposing Building Face Area

Minimum Required Fire-Resistance Rating

Type of    Construction   Required

Type of   Cladding   Required


Residential, business and personal services, and low hazard industrial

0 - 10

1 h

Noncombustible

Noncombustible


11 - 25

1 h

Combustible or noncombustible

Noncombustible 


26 - < 100

45 min

Combustible or noncombustible

Combustible or noncombustible


Mercantile and medium hazard industrial

0 - 10

2 h

Noncombustible

Noncombustible


11 - 25

2 h

Combustible or noncombustible

Noncombustible


26 - < 100

1 h

Combustible or noncombustible

Combustible or noncombustible


Column 1

2

3

4

5
9.10.14.13. Combustible Projections (1) Except for buildings containing 1 or 2 dwelling units only, combustible projections on the exterior of a wall that are more than 1 000 mm above ground level, such as balconies, platforms, canopies, eave projections and stairs, and that could expose an adjacent building to fire spread, shall not be permitted within (a) 1 200 mm of a property line or the centreline of a public way, or (b) 2 400 mm of a combustible projection on another building on the same property.
9.10.14.14. Detached Garage or Accessory Building Serving One Dwelling Unit (1) Except as required in Article 9.10.14.3., the exposing building face of a garage or accessory building that serves one dwelling unit only and is detached from any building shall have a fire-resistance rating of at least 45 min, except that no fire-resistance rating is required where the limiting distance is 600 mm or greater. (2) The exterior cladding of detached garages or accessory buildings described in Sentence (1) is not required to be noncombustible regardless of the limiting distance. (3) The percentage of glazed areas permitted in the exposing building face of detached garages or accessory buildings described in Sentence (1) shall conform to the requirements for glazed areas in Table 9.10.14.1. (4) The requirements for limiting distance shall not apply between a detached garage or accessory building and a dwelling unit where (a) the detached garage or accessory building serves only one dwelling unit, (b) the detached garage or accessory building is located on the same property as that dwelling unit, and (c) the dwelling unit served by the detached garage or accessory building is the only major occupancy on the property.
9.10.14.15. Heavy Timber and Steel Columns (1) Heavy timber and steel columns need not conform to the requirements of Article 9.10.14.11. provided the limiting distance is not less than 3 m.
9.10.14.16. Low Fire Load Occupancies
(1) Except as required in Article 9.10.14.3., in buildings of 1 storey in building height of noncombustible construction classified as low hazard industrial occupancy which are used only for low fire load occupancies such as power generating plants or plants for the manufacture or storage of noncombustible materials, non-loadbearing wall components need not have a minimum fire-resistance rating provided the limiting distance is 3 m or more. 9.10.15.Fire Stops
9.10.15.1. Required Fire Stops in Concealed Spaces (1) Concealed spaces in interior walls, ceilings and crawl spaces shall be separated by fire stops from concealed spaces in exterior walls and attic or roof spaces. (2) Fire stops shall be provided at all interconnections between concealed vertical and horizontal spaces in interior coved ceilings, drop ceilings and soffits where the exposed construction materials within the concealed spaces have a surface flame-spread rating greater than 25. (3) Fire stops shall be provided at the top and bottom of each run of stairs where they pass through a floor containing concealed space in which the exposed construction materials within the space have a surface flame-spread rating greater than 25. (4) In unsprinklered buildings of combustible construction, every concealed space created by a ceiling, roof space or unoccupied attic space shall be separated by fire stops into compartments of not more than not more than 300 m2 in area where such space contains exposed construction materials having a surface flame-spread rating greater than 25. (5) No dimension of such space shall exceed 20 m. (6) Concealed spaces in mansard or gambrel style roofs, exterior cornices, balconies and canopies of combustible construction in which the exposed construction materials within the space have a surface flame-spread rating exceeding 25 shall have vertical fire stops at intervals of not more than 20 m and at points where such concealed spaces extend across the ends of required vertical fire separations.
9.10.15.2. Required Fire Stops in Wall Assemblies (1) Except as permitted in Sentences (2) and (3), fire stops shall be provided to block off concealed spaces within wall assemblies, including spaces created by furring (a) at each floor level, (b) at each ceiling level where the ceiling contributes to part of the required fire-resistance rating, and (c) at other locations within the wall, so that the distance between fire stops does not exceed 20 m horizontally and 3 m vertically. (2) Fire stops required in Sentence (1) are not required provided (a) the width of the concealed wall space does not exceed 25 mm, (b) the exposed construction materials within the space are noncombustible, or (c) the exposed construction materials within the space, including insulation, but not including wiring, piping or similar services, have a flame-spread rating of not more than 25. (3) Fire stops required in Sentence (1) are not required provided the wall space is filled with insulation.
9.10.15.3. Fire Stop Materials (1) Fire stops shall be constructed of not less than (a) 0.38 mm sheet steel, (b) 6 mm asbestos board, (c) 12.7 mm gypsum wallboard, (d) 12 mm plywood, OSB or waferboard, with joints having continuous support, (e) 2 layers of 19 mm lumber with joints staggered, (f) 38 mm lumber, or (g) materials conforming to Sentence 3.1.11.7.(1).
9.10.15.4. Penetration of Fire Stops (1) Where fire stops are pierced by pipes, ducts or other elements, the effectiveness of the fire stops shall be maintained around such elements. 9.10.16.Flame Spread Limits
9.10.16.1. Flame Spread Rating of Interior Surfaces (1) Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection, the exposed surface of every interior wall and ceiling, including skylights and glazing, shall have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 150. (2) Except as permitted in Sentence (3), doors need not conform to Sentence (1) provided they have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 200. (3) Doors within dwelling units, other than vehicle garage doors, need not conform to Sentences (1) and (2).
9.10.16.2. Ceilings in Exits or Public Corridors (1) At least 90% of the exposed surface of every ceiling in an exit or unsprinklered ceiling in a public corridor shall have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 25.
9.10.16.3. Walls in Exits (1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), at least 90% of the exposed surfaces of every wall in an exit shall have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 25. (2) At least 75% of the wall surface of a lobby used as an exit in Article 9.9.8.5. shall have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 25.
9.10.16.4. Exterior Exit Passageways (1) Where an exterior exit passageway provides the only means of egress from the rooms or suites it serves, the wall and ceiling finishes of that passageway, including the soffit beneath and the guard on the passageway, shall have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 25, except that up to 10% of the total wall area and 10% of the total ceiling area is permitted to have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 150.
9.10.16.5. Walls in Public Corridors (1) At least 90% of the total wall surface in any unsprinklered public corridor shall have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 75, or at least 90% of the upper half of such walls shall have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 25.
9.10.16.6. Calculation of Wall and Ceiling Areas (1) Skylights, glazing, combustible doors, and combustible light diffusers and lenses shall not be considered in the calculation of wall and ceiling areas in this Subsection.
9.10.16.7. Corridors Containing an Occupancy (1) Where a public corridor or a corridor used by the public contains an occupancy, the interior finish materials used on the walls or ceiling of such occupancy shall have a surface flame-spread rating in conformance with that required for public corridors.
9.10.16.8. Light Diffusers and Lenses (1) Light diffusers and lenses having flame-spread ratings that exceed those permitted for the ceiling finish, shall conform to the requirements of Sentence 3.1.13.4.(1).
9.10.16.9. Combustible Skylights (1) Individual combustible skylights in corridors required to be separated from the remainder of the building by fire separations shall not exceed 1 m2 in area and shall be spaced not less than 1 200 mm apart.
9.10.16.10. Protection of Foamed Plastics (1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), foamed plastics which form part of a wall or ceiling assembly in combustible construction shall be protected from adjacent space in the building other than adjacent concealed spaces within attic or roof spaces, crawl spaces, and wall assemblies, by (a) one of the finishes described in Subsections 9.29.4. to 9.29.9., (b) sheet metal mechanically fastened to the supporting assembly independent of the insulation and having a thickness of not less than 0.38 mm and a melting point not below 650°C provided the building does not contain a Group C major occupancy, or (c) any thermal barrier that meets the requirements of Clause 3.1.5.11.(2)(e). (2) Foamed plastic insulation having a flame-spread rating of not more than 500 is permitted to be used in factory-assembled doors in storage garages serving buildings of residential occupancy provided that (a) the insulation is covered on the interior with a metallic foil, (b) the assembly has a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 200, and (c) the assembly incorporates no air spaces.
9.10.16.11. Walls and Ceilings in Bathrooms (1) The interior finish of walls and ceilings in bathrooms within suites of residential occupancy shall have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 200.
9.10.16.12. Coverings or Linings of Ducts (1) Where a covering or a lining is used with a duct, such lining or covering shall have a flame-spread rating conforming to Part 6. 9.10.17.Alarm and Detection Systems
9.10.17.1. Access Provided through a Firewall (1) Where access is provided through a firewall, the requirements in this Subsection shall apply to the floor areas on both sides of the firewall as if they were in the same building.
9.10.17.2. Fire Alarm System Required (1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), a fire alarm system shall be installed (a) in every building that contains more than 3 storeys, including storeys below the first storey, (b) where the total occupant load exceeds 300, or (c) when the occupant load for any major occupancy in Table 9.10.17.2. is exceeded. Table 9.10.17.2. Maximum Occupant Load for Buildings without Fire Alarm Systems Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.17.2.(1)  Major Occupancy   Classification

Occupant Load above which Fire Alarm System is required


Residential

10 (sleeping accommodation)


Business and personal services, mercantile

150 above or below the first storey


Low or medium hazard industrial

75 above or below the first storey


Column 1

2 (2) A fire alarm system is not required in a residential occupancy where an exit or public corridor serves not more than 4 suites or where each suite has direct access to an exterior exit facility leading to ground level.
9.10.17.3. Rooms and Spaces Requiring Heat Detectors or Smoke Detectors (1) Where a fire alarm system is required, every public corridor in buildings of residential occupancy and every exit stair shaft shall be provided with smoke detectors. (2) Except as provided in Sentence (3), buildings required to have a fire alarm system shall be equipped with heat detectors or smoke detectors in storage rooms, service rooms, elevator shafts, chutes, janitors closets and any other rooms where hazardous substances are intended to be used or stored. (3) Except as required in Sentence (4), heat detectors and smoke detectors described in Sentence (2), are not required in dwelling units or in sprinklered buildings in which the sprinkler system is electrically supervised and equipped with a water flow alarm. (4) Where a fire alarm system is required in a hotel, heat detectors shall be installed in every room in a suite and in every room not located in a suite in a floor area containing a hotel other than washrooms within a suite, saunas, refrigerated areas and swimming pools.
9.10.17.4. Smoke Detectors in Recirculating Air Handling Systems (1) Except for a recirculating air system serving not more than 1 dwelling unit, where a fire alarm system is required to be installed, every recirculating air handling system shall be designed to prevent the circulation of smoke upon a signal from a duct-type smoke detector where such system supplies more than one suite on the same floor or serves more than 1 storey.
9.10.17.5. Portions of Buildings Considered as Separate Buildings (1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), where a vertical fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of at least 1 h separates a portion of a building from the remainder of the building and there are no openings through the fire separation other than those for piping, tubing, wiring and conduit, the requirements for fire alarm and detection systems is permitted to be applied to each portion so separated as if it were a separate building. (2) The permission in Sentence (1) to consider separated portions of a building as separate buildings does not apply to service rooms and storage rooms.
9.10.17.6. Design and Installation Requirements (1) Fire alarm, fire detection and smoke detection devices and systems, and their installation, shall conform to Subsection 3.2.4.
9.10.17.7. Reserved
9.10.17.8. Open-Air Storage Garages (1) Except as required in Article 9.10.17.1., a fire alarm system is not required in a storage garage conforming to Article 3.2.2.60. provided there are no other occupancies in the building.
9.10.17.9. Fire Alarm System in a Hotel (1) If a fire alarm system is required in a building containing a hotel, a single stage fire alarm system shall be provided. 9.10.18.Smoke Alarms
9.10.18.1. Required Smoke Alarms (1) Smoke alarms conforming to CAN/ULC-S531, “Standard for Smoke Alarms” shall be installed in each dwelling unit and in each sleeping room not within a dwelling unit.