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The Independent Fire Code Specialist - Protecting Your Interests
Hotels
This section applies to a hotel establishment that is more than 1 storey
in building height and has a building area of 300 m2 or more.
The Ontario Fire Code Retrofit Section 9.9 looks at Four Areas of Fire Safety:
Containment -Fire separations between floors, occupancies, dwelling
units and corridors and the protection of all the openings in these fire separations.
Smoke control is also looked at in these occupancies.
Means of Egress - The required number and type of exits from a floor
area and travel distances as well as the proper separation of these exit facilities.
Fire Alarm and Detection - Fire Alarm Systems, annunciation, emergency
power, shutdown of air handling systems, voice communication systems, signals to Fire
Department and smoke alarms.
Suppression- Sprinkler and standpipe requirements according to building
size, elevators for the use of Firefighters and emergency power systems.
The regulation requires a Building Audit
be prepared and retained by the Owner By January 1, 2008
In addition to these areas of Retrofit, the Ontario Fire Code prescribes
the regular Maintenance of the Fire Safety Systems built into the building and for the
preparation, approval and implementation of a Fire Safety Plan as described in section 2.8
of this Code.
Two Unit Dwelling
Typically the single family dwelling, originally designed and constructed
to be occupied by one family, but to-day has been converted to a house with a basement or
other accessory apartment. The problem with this type of conversion is that it has
typically been done without a building Permit and often constructed by the homeowner. This
may result in a situation whereby tenant and owner safety has been compromised.
The Ontario Fire Code Retrofit Section 9.8 looks at Four areas of Fire
Safety:
Containment - Fire separations between dwelling units.
Means of egress - The number of means of escape from a dwelling unit.
One may be sufficient if other Fire Safety Measures are present.
Fire Alarm and Detection - Smoke alarms and Carbon Monoxide detectors
are the minimum.
Suppression- Sprinkler protection may be considered as an option to
some of the above noted requirements.
And the premises must be inspected by the Electrical Safety Authority and
any hazards identified and corrected.
Low Rise Residential (Up to six storeys)
This section applies to residential Buildings up to and including six
storeys in building height that contain more than Two Dwelling Units where at least two
units share common exit facilities and have interior access to one another, one dwelling
unit located above another, or one unit located above another and the dwelling units share
common exit facilities.
Certain Group Homes that do not fit under the criteria of boarding and lodging and rooming
houses may fall under this section of Retrofit.
The Ontario Fire Code Retrofit Section 9.5 looks at Four Areas of Fire
Safety:
Containment - Fire separations between floors, dwelling units and
corridors and the protection of all openings in these fire separations.
Means of Egress - The required number and type of exits from a floor
area.
Fire Alarm and Detection - Smoke alarms are the minimum, other Fire
Alarm requirements will apply according to building size and use.
Suppression- Sprinkler and Standpipe requirements according to Building
size and occupancy.
In addition to these areas of Retrofit, the Ontario Fire Code prescribes
the regular Maintenance of the Fire Safety Systems built into the building and for the
preparation, approval and implementation of a Fire Safety Plan as described in section 2.8
of this Code.
Hi Rise Residential (over six storeys)
This section applies to residential buildings over six storeys in
building height that contain more than Two Dwelling Units, Sleeping Accommodation for more
than Ten persons in Dormitories or Boarding, Lodging or Rooming Accommodation for more
than ten persons.
The Ontario Fire Code Retrofit section 9.6 looks at Four Areas of Fire
Safety:
Containment -Fire separations between floors, occupancies, dwelling
units and corridors and the protection of all the openings in these fire separations.
Smoke control is also looked at in these occupancies.
Means of Egress - The required number and type of exits from a floor
area and travel distances as well as the proper separation of these exit facilities.
Fire Alarm and Detection - Fire Alarm Systems, annunciation, emergency
power, shutdown of air handling systems, voice communication systems, signals to Fire
Department and smoke alarms.
Suppression- Sprinkler and standpipe requirements according to building
size, elevators for the use of Firefighters and emergency power systems.
In addition to these areas of Retrofit, the Ontario Fire Code prescribes
the regular Maintenance of the Fire Safety Systems built into the building and for the
preparation, approval and implementation of a Fire Safety Plan as described in section 2.8
of this Code.
Mixed Commercial, Residential
Typically this would encompass Commercial or Retail occupancies with more
than Two dwelling units located above. Retrofit legislation would only apply to the
residential portion of the building and the degree of Fire Separation between two
occupancies.
The Ontario Fire Code Retrofit Section 9.5 as described for Low Rise
Apartments would be applied to these occupancies.
Containment - Fire separations between floors, occupancies, dwelling
units and corridors and the protection of all openings in these fire separations.
Means of Egress - The required number and type of exits from a floor
area.
Fire Alarm and Detection - Smoke alarms are the minimum, other Fire
Alarm requirements will apply according to building use.
Suppression - Sprinkler and Standpipe requirements according to
Building size and Occupancy.
In addition to these areas of Retrofit, the Ontario Fire Code prescribes
the regular Maintenance of the Fire Safety Systems built into the building and for the
preparation, approval and implementation of a Fire Safety Plan as described in section 2.8
of this Code.
Boarding, Lodging and Rooming Houses
This section applies to Boarding Lodging and Rooming houses under three
storeys in height and under 600m2 in building area. Lodging is provided for more than
three persons and lodging rooms do not have both bathroom and kitchen facilities for their
exclusive use of individual occupants.
Where the building height or the size of the building exceeds these above figures the
Ontario Fire Code Retrofit section 9.5 as described above for Low Rise Apartments would
apply to these occupancies.
The Ontario Fire Code Retrofit Section 9.3 looks at Four areas of Fire
Safety:
Containment - Fire separations between rooms and other areas.
Means of egress - Number and type of exits.
Fire Alarm and Detection - Smoke alarms are the minimum.
Suppression- Portable Fire Extinguishers.
In addition to these areas of Retrofit, the Ontario Fire Code prescribes
the regular Maintenance of the Fire Safety Systems built into the building and for the
preparation, approval and implementation of a Fire Safety Plan as described in section 2.8
of this Code.
Health Care Facilities
This section applies to Homes For Special Care where sleeping
accommodation is provided for more than ten residents, Homes for the Aged, Nursing Homes,
Private Hospitals and Public Hospitals.
The Ontario Fire Code Retrofit section 9.4 looks at Four areas of Fire
Safety:
Containment - Construction, fire separations, protection of openings in
fire separations, and the separation of service rooms.
Means of Egress - Number of exits, the separation of exits, exit signs
and lighting.
Fire alarm requirements - Fire alarm design and function.
Suppression - Provisions for firefighting.
In addition to these areas of Retrofit, the Ontario Fire Code prescribes the regular
Maintenance of the Fire Safety Systems built into the building and for the preparation,
approval and implementation of a Fire Safety Plan as described in section 2.8 of this
Code.
Assembly Occupancies
Can be defined as any type of occupancy for the assembly or use of the
general public, from the small restaurant or coffee shop with seating for more than 30
persons, clubs, bingo halls, community halls, theatres and any other area for the use of
the general public for meeting areas.
The Ontario Fire Code Retrofit section 9.2 looks at Four areas of Fire
Safety:
Containment- Fire separation between occupancies and the protection of
openings in fire separations.
Means of egress - Number, location and design of exits and lighting.
Fire Alarm and Detection - Design and operation of Fire alarm systems.
Suppression- Provisions for firefighting.
In addition to these areas of Retrofit, the Ontario Fire Code prescribes
the regular Maintenance of the Fire Safety Systems built into the building and for the
preparation, approval and implementation of a Fire Safety Plan as described in section 2.8
of this Code.
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