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TABLE OF CONTENTS

DIVISION A
COMPLIANCE, OBJECTIVES AND FUNCTIONAL STATEMENTS

PART 1
COMPLIANCE AND GENERAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1.1  ORGANIZATION OF THIS CODE

Subsection 1.1.1.  General

Scope of Division A

1.1.1.1.  Division A contains the compliance and application provisions, objectives and functional statements of this Code.

Scope of Division B

1.1.1.2.  Division B contains the acceptable solutions of this Code.

Scope of Division C

1.1.1.3.  Division C contains the administrative provisions of this Code.

Internal cross-references

1.1.1.4.  If a provision of this Code contains a reference to another provision of this Code but no Division is specified, both provisions are in the same Division of this Code.

SECTION 1.2  COMPLIANCE

Subsection 1.2.1.  Compliance with this Code

Owner's responsibility

1.2.1.1.  Unless otherwise specified, the owner is responsible for carrying out the provisions of this Code.

Compliance with Parts 2 and 3

1.2.1.2.  Compliance with Parts 2 and 3 is required only as it relates to the use of alternative solutions as set out in Subsection 1.2.2.

Subsection 1.2.2.  Compliance with Division B

1.2.2.1.  (1)  Compliance with Division B shall be achieved

(a) by complying with the acceptable solutions in Division B, or

(b) by using alternative solutions that

(i) will achieve the level of performance required by the applicable acceptable solutions in respect of the objectives and functional statements attributed to the applicable acceptable solutions in OFM Fire Code Supplement FCS-1, "Objectives and Functional Statements Attributed to Acceptable Solutions",

(ii) do not contravene any other provision in Division B, and

(iii) have been approved and implemented in conformance with Subsection 1.3.2. of Division C.

(2)  For the purpose of Clause (1)(b), the level of performance in respect of a functional statement refers to the performance required by the functional statement as it relates to the objective with which it is associated in OFM Fire Code Supplement FCS-1, "Objectives and Functional Statements Attributed to Acceptable Solutions".

(3)  The use of alternative solutions as described in Clause (1) (b) is not applicable in respect of any acceptable solutions to which objectives and functional statements have not been attributed in OFM Fire Code Supplement FCS-1, "Objectives and Functional Statements Attributed to Acceptable Solutions".

Subsection 1.2.3.  Compliance with Other Applicable Law

1.2.3.1.  Compliance with this Code does not relieve the owner from compliance with other applicable legislation and regulations, and, where the requirements of the applicable legislation and regulations conflict with the requirements in this Code, the more stringent requirements prevail.

SECTION 1.3  EXEMPTIONS

Subsection 1.3.1.  Exemption for Farms

1.3.1.1.  A farm building with an occupant load of not more than one person per 40 m² of floor area during normal use and other premises on a farm used for farming purposes are exempt from the requirements of this Code.

SECTION 1.4  TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Subsection 1.4.1.  Definitions of Words and Phrases

Non-defined terms

1.4.1.1.  (1)  Definitions of words and phrases used in this Code that are not included in the list of definitions in Article 1.4.1.2. have the meanings that are commonly assigned to them in the context in which they are used, taking into account the specialized use of terms with the various trades and professions to which the terminology applies.

(2)  Despite Sentence (1), words and phrases may be assigned other meanings where specifically noted in another provision of this Code.

Defined terms

1.4.1.2.  The words and terms used in this Code that are in bold face, and either in upper and lower case or in lower case, have the following meanings:

Acceptable solution means a requirement set out in Division B.

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.

Air-supported structure means a structure that consists of a pliable membrane that achieves and maintains its shape and support by internal air pressure.

Alarm signal means an audible signal transmitted throughout a zone or zones 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.

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.

Approved means approved by the Chief Fire Official.

Architect means a member or licensee of the Ontario Association of Architects under the Architects Act.

Assembly occupancy means the occupancy or the use of a building, or part thereof, by a gathering of persons for civic, political, travel, religious, social, educational, recreational or like purposes or for the consumption of food or drink.

Atmospheric storage tank means a storage tank that is designed to operate at pressures from atmospheric to 3.5 kPa (gauge).

Attic space means the space between the roof and the ceiling of the top storey or between a dwarf wall and a sloping roof.

Basement means a storey or storeys of a building located below the first storey.

Boiler means an appliance intended to supply hot water or steam for space heating, processing or power purposes.

Building means any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.

Building area means the greatest horizontal area of a building above grade within the outside surface of exterior walls or within the outside surface of exterior walls and the centre line of firewalls.

Building Code means any version of the Ontario Building Code that was in force at any time since it was made under The Building Code Act, 1974, the Building Code Act of the Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1980, the Building Code Act of the Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1990, the Building Code Act, 1992 or a successor to the Building Code Act, 1992, and, where a specific version of the Building Code is referred to, that version of the Building Code.

Building height (in storeys) means the number of storeys contained between the roof and the floor of the first storey.

Business and personal services occupancy means the occupancy or use of a building or part thereof for the transaction of business or the rendering or receiving of professional or personal services.

Care and treatment occupancy means an occupancy in which persons receive special care and treatment.

Care occupancy 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 thereof 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.

Check means visual observation to ensure the device or system is in place and is not obviously damaged or obstructed.

Chief Fire Official means the assistant to the Fire Marshal who is the Municipal Fire Chief or a member or members of the fire department appointed by the Municipal Fire Chief under Article 1.1.1.2. of Division C or a person appointed by the Fire Marshal under Article 1.1.1.1. of Division C.

Chimney means a primarily vertical shaft enclosing at least 1 flue for conducting flue gases to the outdoors.

Class A fire means a fire involving combustible materials such as wood, cloth and paper.

Class B fire means a fire involving a flammable or combustible liquid, fat or grease.

Class C fire means a fire involving energized electrical equipment.

Class D fire means a fire involving a combustible metal.

Closed container means a container so sealed by means of a lid or other device that neither liquid nor vapour will escape from it at ordinary temperatures.

Closure means a device or assembly for closing an opening through a fire separation such as a door, a shutter, wired glass or glass block and includes all components, such as hardware, closing devices, frames and anchors.

Combustible construction means that type of construction that does not meet the requirements for noncombustible construction.

Combustible dust means dust and particles ignitable and liable to explode when mixed with air.

Combustible fibres means finely divided combustible vegetable or animal fibres and thin sheets or flakes of such materials that in a loose, unbaled condition present a flash fire hazard, and includes cotton, wool, hemp, sisal, jute, kapok, paper and cloth.

Combustible liquid means any liquid having a flash point at or above 37.8°C and below 93.3°C.

Compressed gas means any contained mixture or material with either an absolute pressure exceeding 275.8 kPa at 21°C or an absolute pressure exceeding 717 kPa at 54°C, or both, or any liquid having an absolute vapour pressure exceeding 275.8 kPa at 37.8°C.

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.

Dangerous goods means those products or substances which are regulated by the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act (Canada) and its Regulations.

Demolition means the doing of anything in the removal of a building or any material part thereof.

Detention occupancy means an occupancy in which persons are under restraint or are incapable of self preservation because of security measures not under their control.

Distilled beverage alcohol means a beverage that is produced by fermentation and contains more than 20 per cent by volume of water-miscible alcohol.

Distillery means a process plant where distilled beverage alcohols are produced, concentrated or otherwise processed, and includes facilities on the same site where the concentrated products may be blended, mixed, stored or packaged.

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.

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.

Facility, for the purposes of Division A, means a property upon which a use regulated by this Code, including open air public assembly activities, open air industrial processing and outdoor storage, occurs, whether or not a building is located on the property.

Farm building means a building or part thereof associated with and located on land devoted to the practice of farming, and used primarily for the housing of equipment or livestock or the production, storage or processing of agricultural and horticultural produce or feeds, but is not used for residential occupancy.

Fire compartment means an enclosed space in a building that is separated from all other parts of the building by enclosing construction that provides a fire separation having a required fire-resistance rating.

Fire damper means a closure that consists of a damper installed in an air distribution system or in a wall or floor assembly that is normally held in the open position and that is designed to close automatically in the event of a fire in order to maintain the integrity of the fire separation.

Fire department means a group of firefighters authorized to provide fire protection services by a municipality, group of municipalities or by an agreement made under section 3 of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997.

Fire detector means a device which 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-protection rating means the time in hours or fraction thereof that a closure, window assembly or glass block assembly will withstand the passage of flame when exposed to fire under specified conditions of test and performance criteria, or as otherwise prescribed in the Building Code.

Fire-resistance rating means the time in hours or fraction thereof 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 therefrom as prescribed in the Building Code.

Fire separation means a construction assembly that acts as a barrier against the spread of fire and may or may not have a fire-resistance rating or a fire-protection rating.

Fire stop means a draft-tight barrier within or between construction assemblies that acts to retard the passage of smoke and flame.

Fire-stop flap means a device intended for use in horizontal assemblies that are required to have a fire-resistance rating and incorporate protective ceiling membranes and that operates to close off a duct opening through the membrane in the event of a fire.

Firewall means a fire separation of noncombustible construction that subdivides a building or separates adjoining buildings to resist the spread of fire that has a fire-resistance rating as prescribed in the Building Code and that has structural stability to remain intact under fire conditions for the required fire-rated time.

First storey means the storey with its floor closest to grade and having its ceiling more than 1.8 m above grade.

Flame-spread rating means an index or classification indicating the extent of spread of flame on the surface of a material or an assembly of materials as determined in the Building Code.

Flammable liquid means a liquid having a flash point below 37.8ºC and having a vapour pressure not more than 275.8 kPa (absolute) at 37.8ºC as determined by ASTM D 323, "Vapor Pressure of Petroleum Products (Reid Method)".

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.

Floor area means the space on any storey of a building between exterior walls and required firewalls and includes the space occupied by interior walls and partitions, but does not include exits and vertical service spaces that pierce the storey.

Flue means an enclosed passageway for conveying exhaust gases.

Flue pipe means the pipe connecting the flue collar of an appliance to a chimney.

Fuel dispensing station means any premises or part of premises at which flammable liquids or combustible liquids are dispensed from fixed equipment into the fuel tank of a motor vehicle, watercraft or floatplane.

Functional statement means a function set out in Part 3.

Furnace means a space-heating appliance that uses warm air as the heating medium and that usually has provision for the attachment of ducts.

Grade means the average level of finished ground adjoining a building at all exterior walls.

Guest suite means a single room or a series of rooms of complementary use providing sleeping accommodation for the travelling public or for recreational purposes in a hotel.

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 by placing limitations on the sizes of wood structural members and on thickness and composition of wood floors and roofs, by avoidance of concealed spaces under floors and roofs and by use of approved fastenings, construction details and adhesives for structural members.

High hazard industrial occupancy means an industrial occupancy that contains sufficient quantities of highly combustible and flammable or explosive materials that, because of their inherent characteristics, constitute a special fire hazard.

Hotel means floor areas, a floor area or part of a floor area containing four or more suites that provide sleeping accommodation for the travelling public or for recreational purposes.

Hotel establishment means a building containing a hotel and all subsidiary occupancies that are operated in connection with the hotel and includes all connected or adjacent buildings that are operated in connection with the hotel.

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 they are able to leave the area, but does not include a contained use area.

Individual storage area means the area occupied by piles, bin boxes, racks or shelves, including subsidiary aisles providing access to the stored products, which is separated from the adjacent storage by aisles not less than 2.4 m in width.

Industrial occupancy means the occupancy or use of a building or part thereof for assembling, fabricating, manufacturing, processing, repairing or storing of goods and materials.

Inspection means physical examination to determine that the device or system will apparently perform in accordance with its intended function.

Listed means equipment or materials included in a list published by a certification organization accredited by the Standards Council of Canada.

Low hazard industrial occupancy means an industrial occupancy in which the combustible content is not more than 50 kg/m² or 1200 MJ/m² of floor area.

Low pressure storage tank means a storage tank designed to operate at pressures greater than 3.5 kPa (gauge) to 100 kPa (gauge).

Lower explosive limit means the minimum concentration of vapour in air at which the propagation of flame occurs on contact with a source of ignition.

Major occupancy means the principal occupancy for which a building or part thereof is used or intended to be used, and includes the subsidiary occupancies that are an integral part of the principal occupancy.

Marine fuel dispensing station means a fuel dispensing station at which flammable liquids or combustible liquids are dispensed into the fuel tank of a watercraft or floatplane.

Means of egress means a continuous path of travel provided for the escape of persons from any point in a building or contained open space 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. Means of egress includes both exits and access to exits.

Medium hazard industrial occupancy means an industrial occupancy in which the combustible content is more than 50 kg/m² or 1200 MJ/m² of floor area and not classified as high hazard industrial occupancy.

Mercantile occupancy means the occupancy or use of a building or part thereof for the displaying or selling of retail goods, wares or merchandise.

Minimum explosible concentration (MEC) means the minimum concentration of combustible dust suspended in air, measured in mass per unit volume, that will support a deflagration as defined by the test procedure in ASTM E 1515, Standard Test Method for Minimum Explosible Concentration of Combustible Dusts.

Noncombustible construction means that 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 Part 2.

Occupancy means the use or intended use of a building or part thereof for the shelter or support of persons, animals or property.

Occupant load means the number of persons for which a building or part thereof is designed.

Order means an order made under subsection 21(1) of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997.

Owner means any person, firm or corporation having control over any portion of the building or property under consideration and includes the persons in the building or property.

Partition means an interior wall, one storey or part of a storey in height, that is not load-bearing.

Plenum means a chamber forming part of an air duct system.

Pressure vessel means a storage tank that is designed to operate at pressures greater than 100 kPa (gauge).

Process plant means an industrial occupancy where materials, including flammable liquids, combustible liquids or Class 2 gases, are produced or used in a process.

Professional Engineer means a member or licensee of the Association of Professional Engineers of the Province of Ontario under the Professional Engineers Act.

Public amusement area means an area where the public is ordinarily invited or permitted access, either expressly or by implication, whether or not a fee is charged for entry, and includes entertainment displays or structures used on a temporary, seasonal or permanent basis.

Public corridor means a corridor that provides access to exit from more than one suite.

Rack means any combination of vertical, horizontal or diagonal members that support stored materials on solid or open shelves, including both fixed and portable units.

Rapid transit station means a building or part thereof used for the purpose of loading and unloading passengers of a rapid transit system but does not include open-air shelters at street level.

Refinery means any process plant in which flammable or combustible liquids are produced from crude petroleum, including areas on the same site where the resulting products are blended, packaged or stored on a commercial scale.

Residential occupancy means the occupancy or use of a building or part thereof by persons for whom sleeping accommodation is provided but who are not harboured or detained to receive medical care or treatment or are not involuntarily detained.

Retrofit means the minimum performance requirements for life safety for existing buildings.

Self-service outlet means a fuel dispensing station, other than a marine fuel dispensing station, where the public handles the dispenser.

Service room means a room in a building used to contain equipment associated with building services.

Service space means space in a building used to facilitate or conceal the installation of building service facilities such as chutes, ducts, pipes, shafts or wires.

Smoke alarm means a combined smoke detector and audible alarm device that is designed to sound an alarm within the room or suite in which it is located when there is smoke within the room or suite.

Smoke detector means a fire detector designed to operate when the concentration of airborne combustion products exceeds a predetermined level.

Space heater means a space-heating appliance that heats the room or space within which it is located without the use of ducts.

Space-heating appliance means an appliance that supplies heat to a room or space directly or indirectly or to rooms or spaces of a building through a heating system.

Spraying area means the area that is within 6 m of a spray booth or spraying operation and that is not separated therefrom by a vapour-tight separation.

Spray booth means a power-ventilated structure that encloses or accommodates a spraying operation so that spray vapour and residue can be controlled and exhausted.

Spray room means a spraying area on a floor area or part thereof in which an open spraying operation is confined and that is separated from the remainder of the building in which it is located by a noncombustible vapour-tight separation.

Sprinklered (as applying to a building or part thereof) means that the building or part thereof is equipped with a system of automatic sprinklers.

Storage tank means a vessel for flammable or combustible liquids having a capacity of more than 230 L and designed to be installed in a fixed location.

Storey means that portion of a building that is situated between the top of any floor and the top of the floor next above it, and where there is no floor above it, that portion between the top of the floor and the ceiling above it.

Street means any highway, road, boulevard, square or other improved thoroughfare 9 m or more in width that has been dedicated or deeded for public use and is accessible to fire department vehicles and equipment.

Suite means a single room or series of rooms of complementary use, operated under a single tenancy, and includes dwelling units, individual guest rooms in motels, hotels, boarding houses, rooming houses and dormitories, as well as individual stores and individual or complementary rooms for business and personal services occupancies.

Supervisory staff means those occupants of a building who have some delegated responsibility for the fire safety of other occupants under the fire safety plan and may include the fire department where the fire department agrees to accept these responsibilities.

Tank vehicles means any vehicle, other than railroad tank cars and boats, with a cargo tank having a capacity of more than 450 L mounted or built as an integral part of the vehicle, used for the transportation of flammable or combustible liquids, and includes tank trucks, trailers and semi-trailers.

Tent means a shelter or structure with a covering that is made of pliable material.

Test means the operation of a device or system to ensure that it will perform in accordance with its intended operation or function.

Total area means the total area of all floors above and below grade, including mezzanines and penthouses, measured between the inside surfaces of exterior walls or between the inside surfaces of exterior walls and the inside surfaces of firewalls.

Travel distance means the distance from any point in a floor area to an exit measured along the path of exit travel, except that when floor areas are subdivided into rooms used singly or into suites of rooms and served by public corridors or exterior passageways, the distance is measured from the door of the rooms or suites to the nearest exit.

Unstable liquid means a liquid, including a flammable and combustible liquid, which is chemically reactive to the extent that it will vigorously react or decompose at or near normal temperature and pressure conditions or which is chemically unstable when subject to impact.

Vapour pressure means the pressure exerted by a liquid as determined by ASTM D 323, "Vapor Pressure of Petroleum Products (Reid Method)".

Vertical service space means a shaft oriented essentially vertically that is provided in a building to facilitate the installation of building services, including elevators, refuse chutes, linen chutes and mechanical, electrical and plumbing installations.

Viscosity means the resistance that a liquid offers to flow.

Subsection 1.4.2.  Symbols and Other Abbreviations

1.4.2.1.  The symbols and abbreviations in this Code have the following meanings:

SECTION 1.5  REFERENCED DOCUMENTS

Subsection 1.5.1.  Referenced Documents

Application of referenced documents

1.5.1.1.  The provisions of documents referenced in this Code apply only to the extent that they are related to fire safety matters.

Conflicting requirements

1.5.1.2.  In the case of a conflict between the provisions of this Code and those of a referenced document, the provisions of this Code govern.

Secondary references

1.5.1.3.  If a document in this Code refers to another document, only those portions of the second document that are specific to the subject matter are applicable.

O. Reg. 213/07, Division A, Part 1.