High buildings, emergency lighting and power, interconnected floor spaces and testing (Building Services)

Last updated October 22, 2026

Values this chapter turns on

emergency lighting power in a high building: 2 h; emergency lighting power in a high building
fire alarm supervisory power before full load: 24 h; fire alarm supervisory power before full load
top floor height that makes A, D, E or F high: 36 m; top floor height that makes A, D, E or F high
exhaust rate for an interconnected floor space: 4 ACH; exhaust rate for an interconnected floor space

This chapter covers four Subsections that are heavy on services: 3.2.6. (high buildings, backed by Supplementary Standard SB-4), 3.2.7. (lighting and emergency power), the interconnected floor space rules in 3.2.8., and integrated systems testing in 3.2.9. Expect many "how many hours" and "how many lux" questions.

High buildings: application, smoke control, elevators and central alarm

When Subsection 3.2.6. applies OBC Div. B 3.2.6.1., in our summary:

Building contains	Applies when
Group A, D, E or F	top floor level more than 36 m above grade, or more than 18 m with a high occupant load relative to exit stair width
Group B	highest Group B storey floor more than 18 m above grade
Group B Division 2 or 3	any floor area above the third storey
Group C or a retirement home	highest storey floor more than 18 m above grade

Note the measurement: grade to the floor level of the top storey, not the ceiling.

Smoke control. A sprinklered high building is designed to Sentences 3.2.6.2.(2) to (6) and to SB-4 OBC Div. B 3.2.6.2.. Key numbers: stairs below the lowest exit level must hold not more than 1% contaminated air for 2 h; each stair serving storeys above the lowest exit level needs a bottom vent of 0.05 m² per door, but at least 1.8 m²; fans serving more than 2 storeys must be stoppable from a manual switch at the central alarm and control facility (kitchen and bathroom fans in dwelling units excepted). Make-up air to Group C public corridors should keep running on alarm to keep corridors pressurized. SB-4 then offers lettered Measures (A to N) for limiting smoke movement and repeats these rules SB-4 3.2.6.2.(3).

Elevators. Every elevator serving storeys above the first needs manual emergency recall with key switches at the recall lobby and the central alarm and control facility, plus in-car firefighter switches OBC Div. B 3.2.6.4.. Automatic recall is added only when the building is not sprinklered. At least one firefighters' elevator is needed: at least 2.2 m² platform, 900 kg to the top floor within 1 min, and protected by rated shaft closures, a 45 min vestibule or a 1 h corridor OBC Div. B 3.2.6.5..

Venting. Each floor area needs venting to the outdoors by windows, wall panels, smoke shafts or the building exhaust system (the exhaust option is not allowed in an unsprinklered building; hoistways never count) OBC Div. B 3.2.6.6.. Under SB-4, venting windows or panels total at least 1% of each storey's exterior wall area SB-4 3.2.6.6..

Central alarm and control facility goes on the firefighter-access storey OBC Div. B 3.2.6.7.. It controls voice messages, shows alarms, elevator recall status, waterflow and supervisory signals, releases vestibule hold-open devices, and can stop or start auxiliary smoke control equipment. A voice communication system is needed if the top floor is more than 36 m above grade, if Group B Division 2 or 3 is above the third storey, or if a retirement home floor is more than 18 m up OBC Div. B 3.2.6.8..

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Lighting, emergency lighting and emergency power

Normal lighting: exits, public corridors and similar routes need an average of 50 lx with a minimum of 10 lx OBC Div. B 3.2.7.1.. Other values worth tabbing: 100 lx on escalators and in elevator machine rooms, 2 lx in theatre aisles during a show, 500 lx in food preparation areas.

Emergency lighting averages at least 10 lx, minimum 1 lx, in exits, public corridors, principal routes to exits, assembly areas, day care areas, commercial kitchens, public washrooms and similar places OBC Div. B 3.2.7.3..

Emergency power durations are the most tested numbers in this section:

Building	Emergency lighting 3.2.7.4.	Fire alarm full load after 24 h supervisory 3.2.7.8.
Within 3.2.6. (high building)	2 h	2 h
Group B, or Group C retirement home, not in 3.2.6.	1 h	1 h
Built under 3.2.2.51. or 3.2.2.60.	1 h	1 h
No annunciator required	30 min (general rule)	5 min
Any other building	30 min	30 min

Emergency power systems are installed to CSA C282 (CSA Z32 in health care facilities) OBC Div. B 3.2.7.5.. A generator providing at least 2 h at full load is needed for elevators in buildings over 36 m, firefighters' elevators, fire water supply equipment that relies only on building power, smoke control fans and venting fans OBC Div. B 3.2.7.9..

Conductors serving fire alarm, emergency lighting and high-building emergency equipment need a 1 h circuit integrity rating under CAN/ULC-S139 or a 1 h rated service space; conductors for mechanical systems serving areas of refuge or contained use areas need 2 h OBC Div. B 3.2.7.10..

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Interconnected floor spaces

An interconnected floor space is a set of stacked floor areas where required fire separation floors have openings with no closures definition. Service requirements:

the whole building is sprinklered, with closely spaced sprinklers and draft stops around openings (large openings as defined in NFPA 13 excepted) OBC Div. B 3.2.8.3.;
draft stops at least 500 mm deep at each floor level OBC Div. B 3.2.8.6.;
exit openings into the space are protected by vestibules with doors at least 1.8 m apart, designed so the exit stair stays under 1% contamination OBC Div. B 3.2.8.4.;
a mechanical exhaust system at 4 air changes per hour, switched from the firefighter-access storey near the annunciator OBC Div. B 3.2.8.7.;
combustible contents limited to 16 g/m³ where ceilings exceed 8 m OBC Div. B 3.2.8.8..

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Testing of integrated systems

Where fire protection and life safety systems are integrated with each other, they are tested together under CAN/ULC-S1001 OBC Div. B 3.2.9.1.. High building smoke control and venting are separately tested by the SB-4 procedures OBC Div. B 3.2.6.9..

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Common traps

Using 2 h emergency lighting for every Group C building. 2 h is for high buildings only.
Forgetting the fire alarm's 24 h of supervisory power before the full-load period.
Thinking automatic elevator recall is always required in a high building. It is required only when the building is not sprinklered; manual recall is always required.
Mixing the 1% stair contamination limit with the 1% venting area. One is air volume, the other is wall area.

Chapter review

Chapter at a glance

One line per section: the idea to carry into the exam. Then the answers that most often catch candidates out.

Chapter at a glance: the key idea in each section
Section	Key idea
High buildings: application, smoke control, elevators and central alarm	Note the measurement: grade to the floor level of the top storey, not the ceiling.
Lighting, emergency lighting and emergency power	Normal lighting: exits, public corridors and similar routes need an average of 50 lx with a minimum of 10 lx.
Interconnected floor spaces	An interconnected floor space is a set of stacked floor areas where required fire separation floors have openings with no closures.
Testing of integrated systems	Where fire protection and life safety systems are integrated with each other, they are tested together under CAN/ULC-S1001. High building smoke control and venting are separately…

High buildings: application, smoke control, elevators and central alarm
Note the measurement: grade to the floor level of the top storey, not the ceiling.
Lighting, emergency lighting and emergency power
Normal lighting: exits, public corridors and similar routes need an average of 50 lx with a minimum of 10 lx.
Interconnected floor spaces
An interconnected floor space is a set of stacked floor areas where required fire separation floors have openings with no closures.
Testing of integrated systems
Where fire protection and life safety systems are integrated with each other, they are tested together under CAN/ULC-S1001. High building smoke control and venting are separately…

Usual exam traps

Using 2 h emergency lighting for every Group C building. 2 h is for high buildings only.
Forgetting the fire alarm's 24 h of supervisory power before the full-load period.
Thinking automatic elevator recall is always required in a high building. It is required only when the building is not sprinklered; manual recall is always required.
Mixing the 1% stair contamination limit with the 1% venting area. One is air volume, the other is wall area.

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Questions on High buildings, emergency power, floor openings and testing, in the exam format, every answer explained and cited to its article. Sign in to start; a free account gets the free questions.

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Code cited in this chapter

Based on the official 2024 Building Code Compendium on ontario.ca.

OBC Div. B 3.2.6.1. Application
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (2), this Subsection applies to a building
(a)of Group A, D, E or F major occupancy classification that is more than
(i)36 m high, measured between grade and the floor level of the top storey, or
(ii)18 m high, measured between grade and the floor level of the top storey, and in which the cumulative or total occupant load on or above any storey above grade, other than the first storey, divided by 1.8 times the width in metres of all exit stairs at that storey, exceeds 300,
(b)containing a Group B major occupancy in which the floor level of the highest storey of that major occupancy is more than 18 m above grade,
(c)containing a floor area or part of a floor area located above the third storey designed or intended as a Group B, Division 2 or 3 occupancy,
(d)containing a Group C major occupancy in which the floor level of the highest storey of that major occupancy is more than 18 m above grade, or
(e)containing a retirement home, where the floor level of the highest storey of the retirement home is more than 18 m above grade.
(2)Except as required by Clause 3.2.6.1.(1)(c), this Subsection applies to a building or part thereof constructed in conformance with Article 3.2.2.57. or 3.2.2.93. in which the floor level of the highest storey is more than 18 m above grade.
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.6.1. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 3.2.6.2. Limits to Smoke Movement
(1)A sprinklered building shall be designed in accordance with Sentences (2) to (6) and MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-4, "Measures for Fire Safety in High Buildings," to limit the danger to occupants and firefighters from exposure to smoke in a building fire.
(2)A building referred to in Sentence (1), shall be designed so that, during a period of 2 h after the start of a fire, each exit stair serving storeys below the lowest exit level will not contain more than 1% by volume of contaminated air from the fire floor, assuming an outdoor temperature equal to the January design temperature on a 2.5% basis determined in conformance with MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-1, "Climatic and Seismic Data."
(3)Each stairway that serves storeys above the lowest exit level shall have a vent to the outdoors, at or near the bottom of the stair shaft, that
(a)has an openable area of 0.05 m² for every door between the stair shaft and a floor area, but not less than 1.8 m²,
(b)opens directly to the outdoors or into a vestibule that has a similar opening to the outdoors, and
(c)has a door or closure that
(i)is openable manually, and
(ii)can remain in the open position during a fire emergency.
(4)Measures shall be taken to limit movement of smoke from a fire in a floor area below the lowest exit storey into upper storeys.
(5)Except for exhaust fans in kitchens, washrooms and bathrooms in dwelling units, and except for fans used for smoke venting as required by Article 3.2.6.6., air moving fans in a system that serves more than 2 storeys shall be designed and installed so that in the event of a fire these fans can be stopped by means of a manually operated switch at the central alarm and control facility.
(6)Except as provided in Article 3.2.4.12. or where there is a conflict with other smoke control measures in the building, air-handling systems used to provide make-up air to public corridors serving suites in a Group C major occupancy shall not shut down automatically upon activation of the fire alarm so as to maintain corridor pressurization.
(7)A building that is not sprinklered shall be designed in accordance with MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-4, "Measures for Fire Safety in High Buildings," to limit the danger to occupants and firefighters from exposure to smoke in a building fire.
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.6.2. in the code viewer
OBC SB-4 3.2.6.2. (3) Requirements for Stair Shafts Serving Storeys Above Lowest Exit Level
Open doors and vents at the bottom of a stair shaft that serve storeys above the lowest exit level, will create a positive pressure in the shaft relative to adjacent floor areas and thus prevent smoke infiltration into the shaft. This pressure differential, created as a result of the stack effect will be the greatest during the winter, when the difference in temperature between the interior and the exterior of the building is most pronounced. If a stair shaft does not have a direct opening to the exterior, alternative means must be provided to achieve the pressure differential and consequent smoke control. In the instance where a corridor or vestibule is used as a link between the exit level of an interior stair shaft and the outdoors, it will be necessary to assess the reliability and performance of the overall system in creating the necessary stairway pressurization. The probability of all doors or closures being opened at the same time, as well as the size of the vestibule and its impact on the overall smoke control system, are factors that need to be considered.
(1)Each stairway that serves storeys above the lowest exit level shall have a vent to the outdoors, at or near the bottom of the stair shaft, that,
(a)has an openable area of 0.05 m² for every door between the stair shaft and a floor area, but not less than 1.8 m² ,
(b)opens directly to the outdoors or into a vestibule that has a similar opening to the outdoors, and
(c)has a door or closure that,
(i)is openable manually, and
(ii)can remain in the open position during a fire emergency.
If mechanical methods are used to develop a positive pressure in a stair shaft, a minimum pressure differential of 12 Pa is recommended to prevent smoke migration from floor areas in a sprinklered building where fire temperatures are controlled and smoke movement may be dominated by stack effect in a stair shaft. During a fire emergency, persons will be entering and exiting a stair shaft as they move to a place of safety and under these conditions the number of doors open to the stair shaft cannot be predetermined. The number will vary depending on the occupancy of the building, population density and the evacuation plan for the building. It should be assumed that two doors are open. This is based in part as a practical level for most buildings and considers the positive fire experience in sprinklered buildings.
The maximum pressure differential created by a mechanical system should not prevent doors to the stair shafts from being opened. A specific maximum value cannot be given, as this value will depend on the door opening force and size of the door. These values should be calculated for each specific case. A maximum value of 130 N is suggested by research as the force that can be opened by the majority of people in most occupancies, however this value is above the maximum value of 90 N generally specified in this Code (Section 3.4. of Division B). The use of values below 130 N can create a practical problem in achieving effective smoke control as it is difficult to design for the acceptable minimum and maximum pressure differential range. Special consideration may need to be given to doors located in a barrier free path of travel.
Care should be taken by designers and by building and fire officials in implementation of these requirements. Assumptions involved in the design of a smoke control system may be different from final construction conditions. For this reason each system should be tested after installation to ensure that the design intent is met. The minimum pressure differential is not intended to apply to locations in stair shafts when nearby doors are open to adjacent floor areas.
Open OBC SB-4 3.2.6.2. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 3.2.6.4. Emergency Operation of Elevators
(1)Manual emergency recall shall be provided for all elevators serving storeys above the first storey.
(2)Key-operated switches for emergency recall described by Sentence (1) shall be provided in a conspicuous location at
(a)each elevator lobby on the recall level, and
(b)the central alarm and control facility required by Article 3.2.6.7.
(3)In-car emergency service switches shall be provided in all elevator cars.
(4)Keys to operate the switches required by Sentences (2) and (3) shall be
(a)provided in a suitably identified box conspicuously located on the outside of an elevator hoistway near the central alarm and control facility required by Article 3.2.6.7., and
(b)kept at the central alarm and control facility.
(5)In a building that is not sprinklered, automatic emergency recall operation shall be provided for all elevators serving storeys above the first storey.
(6)The automatic emergency recall feature in Sentence (5) shall be actuated by
(a)smoke detectors installed in each elevator lobby on each storey, or (See Note A-3.2.6.4.(6)(a))
(b)the building fire alarm system.
(7)Smoke detectors in Sentence (6) shall be designed as part of the building fire alarm system.
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.6.4. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 3.2.6.5. Elevator for Use by Firefighters
(1)At least one elevator shall be provided for use by firefighters in conformance with Sentences (2) to (6).
(2)The elevator referred to in Sentence (1) shall have a useable platform area not less than 2.2 m² and shall be capable of carrying a load of 900 kg to the top floor that it serves from a landing on the storey containing the entrance for firefighter access referred to in Articles 3.2.5.4. and 3.2.5.5. within 1 min.
(3)Except where Measure K of MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-4, "Measures for Fire Safety in High Buildings," is used, each elevator for use by firefighters shall
(a)be provided with a closure at each shaft opening so that the interlock mechanism remains mechanically engaged and electrical continuity is maintained in the interlock circuits and associated wiring for a period of not less than 1 h when the assembly is subjected to the standard fire exposure described in CAN/ULC-S104, "Standard Method for Fire Tests of Door Assemblies,"
(b)be protected with a vestibule containing no occupancy and separated from the remainder of the floor area by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min, or
(c)be protected with a corridor containing no occupancy and separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.
(4)Except as permitted by Sentence (5), an elevator referred to in Sentence (1) shall be capable of providing transportation from the storey containing the entrance for firefighter access referred to in Articles 3.2.5.4. and 3.2.5.5. to every floor that is above grade in the building and that is normally served by the elevator system.
(5)If it is necessary to change elevators to reach any floor referred to in Sentence (4), the system shall be designed so that not more than one change of elevator is required when travelling to any floor in the building from the storey containing the entrance for firefighter access referred to in Articles 3.2.5.4. and 3.2.5.5.
(6)Electrical conductors for the operation of the elevator referred to in Sentence (1) shall
(a)be installed in service spaces conforming to Section 3.6. that do not contain other combustible material, or
(b)conform to CAN/ULC-S139, "Standard for Fire Test for Circuit Integrity of Fire-Resistive Power, Instrumentation, Control and Data Cables," including the hose stream application, to provide a circuit integrity rating of not less than 1 h. (See Note A-3.2.6.5.(6)(b))
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.6.5. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 3.2.6.6. Venting to Aid Firefighting
(1)Means of venting each floor area to the outdoors shall be provided by windows, wall panels, smoke shafts or, except as provided by Sentence (5), the building exhaust system.
(2)Fixed glass windows shall not be used for the venting required by Sentence (1) if the breaking of the windows could endanger pedestrians below.
(3)Openable windows used for the venting required by Sentence (1) shall be permanently marked so that they are easily identifiable.
(4)Elevator hoistways shall not be designed for the venting required by Sentence (1).
(5)In a building that is not sprinklered, venting of floor areas required in Sentence (1) shall not be provided by the building exhaust system.
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.6.6. in the code viewer
OBC SB-4 3.2.6.6. (1) Venting to Aid Firefighting
(1)The requirements of Sentence 3.2.6.6.(1) of Division B and of Measures H or I are met by incorporating in a floor area windows or wall panels as described in Sentence (2), by smoke shafts as described in Sentences (3) to (7) or by the use of building exhaust systems as described in Sentence (8).
(2)Where windows or wall panels are used for venting as required in Sentence (1), they must
(a)be uniformly distributed along the exterior wall of each storey,
(b)have a total area of not less than one percent of the exterior wall area of each storey,
(c)be readily openable from the interior without the use of wrenches or keys,
(d)be readily identified from the interior, and from the exterior where they are accessible to firefighters, and
(e)be designed so that when opened they will not endanger persons outside the building during a fire.
(3)Where one or more smoke shafts or vertical service spaces are used for venting to meet the requirements of Sentence (1), they must
(a)have an opening or openings into each storey with an aggregate area not less than that obtained from Table 1 for the height of the shaft, the area of the largest floor area served by the smoke shaft and the leakage characteristics of the shaft wall and closures obtained from Tables 2 and 3,
(b)have an aggregate unobstructed cross-sectional area equal to that provided in Clause (a), and
(c)be designed to comply with the requirements of Sentence (4).
(4)Each smoke shaft or vertical service space described in Sentence (3) must
(a)be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation that has a fire-resistance rating at least equal to that required for the floor assembly through which it passes, or be designed as a chimney conforming to Part 6 of Division B, except that flue liners need not be provided,
(b)have an opening to the outdoors at the top that has an area not less than the cross-sectional area of the shaft which may be protected from the weather,
(c)terminate not less than 900 mm above the roof surface where it penetrates the roof, and
(d)contain no combustible material, fuel lines or services that are required for use in an emergency.
(5)Each opening required by Clause (3)(a) must be located so that the top of the opening is not more than 250 mm below the ceiling, except that the opening may be above the ceiling if the ceiling freely allows passage of air and the opening into the smoke shaft is provided with a closure that
(a)has a fire-protection rating conforming to Sentence 3.1.8.4.(2) of Division B, except that the temperature on the unexposed face of the closure is not more than 250°C after 30 min during the fire test and there is no combustible material within the distances described in Table 4, and except that paint or tightly-adhering paper covering not more than 1 mm thick shall be exempted from these requirements when applied to a noncombustible backing,
(b)can be opened from a remote location such as a stair shaft, the storey immediately below or the central alarm and control facility, and
(c)must not open automatically on any floor, other than the fire floor, when smoke or hot gases pass through the shaft.
(6)Closures for openings described in Clause 4(b) are to be openable from the outside and will open automatically on a signal from a smoke detector in the shaft, by operation of the fire alarm system and when a closure required in Sentence (5) opens.
(7)A smoke shaft opening referred to in Sentence (2) or (3) that is less than 1,070 mm above the floor must be protected by guards in conformance with Article 3.3.1.18. of Division B.
(8)In a sprinklered building, the air handling system may be used for smoke venting provided
(a)the system can maintain an exhaust to the outdoors at the rate of six air changes per hour from any floor area, and
(b)emergency power to the fans required by (a) is provided as described in Article 3.2.7.9. of Division B.
(9)Where a closure is required by Sentence (5), the leakage area between closure components and between damper and frame must be not more than 3 percent of the openable area of the damper.
Open OBC SB-4 3.2.6.6. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 3.2.6.7. Central Alarm and Control Facility
(1)A central alarm and control facility shall be provided on the storey containing the entrance for firefighter access referred to in Articles 3.2.5.4. and 3.2.5.5. in a location that
(a)is readily accessible to firefighters entering the building, and
(b)takes into account the effect of background noise likely to occur under fire emergency conditions, so that the facility can properly perform its required function under such conditions.
(2)The central alarm and control facility required in Sentence (1) shall include
(a)means to control the voice communication system required by Article 3.2.6.8., so that messages can be sent to
(i)all loudspeakers simultaneously,
(ii)individual floor areas, and
(iii)exit stairwells,
(b)means to indicate audibly and visually alert signals and alarm signals and a switch to
(i)silence the audible portion of these signals, and
(ii)indicate visually that the audible portion has been silenced,
(c)means to indicate visually that elevators are on emergency recall,
(d)an annunciator conforming to Article 3.2.4.8.,
(e)means to transmit alert signals and alarm signals to the fire department in conformance with Article 3.2.4.7.,
(f)means to release hold-open devices on doors to vestibules,
(g)means to manually actuate alarm signals in the building selectively to any zone or zones,
(h)means to silence the alarm signals referred to in Clause (g) in conformance with Sentences 3.2.4.22.(2) and (3),
(i)means, as appropriate to the measure for fire safety provided in the building, to
(i)actuate auxiliary equipment identified in Articles 3.2.6.2., 3.2.6.3. and 3.2.6.6., or
(ii)communicate with a continually staffed auxiliary equipment control centre,
(j)means for two-way communications with every elevator car,
(k)means to indicate visually, individual sprinkler system waterflow signals,
(l)means to indicate audibly and visually, sprinkler and standpipe system supervisory signals and trouble signals,
(m)a switch to silence the audible portion of a supervisory signal or a trouble signal, and
(n)visual indication that the audible portion of a supervisory signal or a trouble signal has been silenced.
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.6.7. in the code viewer

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OBC Div. B 3.2.6.8. Voice Communication System
(1)A voice communication system conforming to Article 3.2.4.22. shall be provided in a building if
(a)the floor of the top storey is more than 36 m above grade,
(b)a floor area or part of a floor area located above the third storey is designed or intended for use as a Group B, Division 2 or 3 occupancy, or
(c)a floor area or part of a floor area located more than 18 m above grade is designed or intended for use as a retirement home regulated under the Retirement Homes Act, 2010 that is a Group C occupancy.
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.6.8. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 3.2.7.1. Minimum Lighting Requirements
(1)An exit, a public corridor, a corridor providing access to exit for the public, a corridor serving patients or residents in a Group B, Division 2 or 3 occupancy, a corridor serving classrooms, an electrical equipment room, a transformer vault and a hoistway pit shall be equipped to provide illumination to an average level not less than 50 lx at floor or tread level and at all points such as angles and intersections at changes of level where there are stairs or ramps.
(2)The minimum level of the illumination required by Sentence (1) shall be 10 lx.
(3)Rooms and spaces used by the public shall be equipped to provide illumination as described in Sentences (4) to (7) and Article 9.34.2.7.
(4)The minimum level of illumination over the entire length of escalators and moving walks shall be not less than 100 lx at the level of the treads and walking surfaces.
(5)Except as provided in Sentence (6) and except for light switches and internally illuminated controls, the minimum level of illumination at controls required by Article 3.8.1.5. shall be not less than 100 lx.
(6)Where visual information is provided at controls referred to in Sentence (5), the minimum level of illumination at the controls shall be not less than 200 lx, except where the visual information is internally illuminated.
(7)Except for internally illuminated signs, the minimum level of illumination at signs displaying visual information required by Clauses 3.4.6.10.(5)(b) and 3.4.6.16.(5)(g), Sentence 3.4.6.18.(3), Clause 3.4.6.18.(4)(a) and Articles 3.4.6.19. and 3.8.3.1. shall be not less than 200 lx.
(8)Lighting outlets in a building of residential occupancy shall be provided in conformance with Subsection 9.34.2.
(9)Elevator machine rooms shall be equipped to provide illumination to an average level of not less than 100 lx at floor level.
(10)Every place of assembly intended for the viewing of motion pictures or the performing arts, shall be equipped to provide an average level of illumination at floor level in the aisles of not less than 2 lx during the viewing.
(11)Every area where food is intended to be processed, prepared or manufactured and where equipment or utensils are intended to be cleaned shall be equipped to provide illumination to a level of not less than 500 lx measured at the floor level.
(12)Every storage room, dressing room, sanitary facility, service area and corridor serving the areas in Sentence (11) shall be equipped to provide illumination to a level of not less than 300 lx measured at the floor level.
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.7.1. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 3.2.7.3. Emergency Lighting
(1)Emergency lighting shall be provided to an average level of illumination not less than 10 lx at floor or tread level in
(a)exits,
(b)principal routes providing access to exit in open floor areas and in service rooms,
(c)corridors used by the public,
(d)corridors serving patients' or residents' sleeping rooms in a Group B, Division 2 or 3 occupancy,
(e)reserved
(f)corridors serving classrooms,
(g)underground walkways,
(h)public corridors,
(i)floor areas or parts of thereof where the public may congregate
(i)in Group A, Division 1 occupancies, or
(ii)in Group A, Divisions 2 and 3 occupancies having an occupant load of 60 or more,
(j)floor areas or parts of thereof in day care centres where persons are cared for,
(k)food preparation areas in commercial kitchens,
(l)washrooms with fixtures for public use,
(m)locations where doors are equipped with an electromagnetic lock as described in Clauses 3.4.6.16.(5)(k),
(n)universal washrooms required by Article 3.8.3.12. and universal shower rooms required by Article 3.8.3.13.,
(o)principal routes providing access to exit in a floor area that is not subdivided into rooms or suites of rooms served by corridors in a business and personal services occupancy, a mercantile occupancy or an industrial occupancy, and
(p)internal corridors or aisles serving as principal routes to exits in a business and personal services occupancy, a mercantile occupancy or an industrial occupancy that is subdivided into rooms or suites of rooms, and is not served by a public corridor.
(2)Emergency lighting to provide an average level of illumination of not less than 10 lx at floor or catwalk level shall be included
(a)in a service space referred to in Sentence 3.2.1.1.(8), and
(b)on a shelf and rack storage system, in locations described in Sentence 3.16.1.5.(2).
(3)The minimum value of the illumination required by Sentences (1) and (2) shall not be less than 1 lx.
(4)In addition to the requirements of Sentences (1) to (3), the installation of battery-operated emergency lighting in health care facilities shall conform to the appropriate requirements of CSA Z32, "Electrical safety and essential electrical systems in health care facilities."
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OBC Div. B 3.2.7.4. Emergency Power for Lighting
(1)An emergency power supply shall be
(a)provided to maintain the emergency lighting required by this Subsection from a power source such as batteries or generators that will continue to supply power in the event that the regular power supply to the building is interrupted, and
(b)so designed and installed that upon failure of the regular power it will assume the electrical load automatically for a period of
(i)2 h for a building within the scope of Subsection 3.2.6.,
(ii)1 h for a building of Group B major occupancy classification that is not within the scope of Subsection 3.2.6.,
(iii)(ii.1) 1 h for a building that contains a Group C major occupancy retirement home and that is not within the scope of Subsection 3.2.6.,
(iv)1 h for a building within the scope of Article 3.2.2.51. or 3.2.2.60, and
(v)30 min for a building of any other occupancy. (See Note A-3.2.7.4.(1))
(2)If self-contained emergency lighting units are used, they shall conform to CSA C22.2 No. 141, "Emergency lighting equipment."
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OBC Div. B 3.2.7.8. Emergency Power for Fire Alarm Systems
(1)Fire alarm systems, including those incorporating a voice communication system, shall be provided with an emergency power supply conforming to Sentences (2) to (4).
(2)The emergency power supply required by Sentence (1) shall be supplied from
(a)a generator,
(b)batteries, or
(c)a combination thereof.
(3)The emergency power supply required by Sentence (1) shall be capable of providing
(a)supervisory power for not less than 24 h, and
(b)immediately following that period, emergency power under full load for not less than
(i)2 h for a building within the scope of Subsection 3.2.6.,
(ii)1 h for a building classified as Group B major occupancy that is not within the scope of Subsection 3.2.6.,
(iii)(ii.1) 1 h for a building that contains a Group C major occupancy retirement home and that is not within the scope of Subsection 3.2.6.,
(iv)1 h for a building within the scope of Article 3.2.2.51. or 3.2.2.60.,
(v)5 min for a building not required to be equipped with an annunciator, and
(vi)30 min for any other building. (See Note A-3.2.7.8.(3))
(4)The emergency power supply required by Sentence (1) shall be designed so that, in the event of a failure of the normal power source, there is an immediate automatic transfer to emergency power with no loss of information.
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OBC Div. B 3.2.7.5. Emergency Power Supply Installation
(1)Except as required by Articles 3.2.7.6. and 3.2.7.7., an emergency electrical power supply system shall be installed in conformance with CSA C282, "Emergency electrical power supply for buildings." (See Sentence 3.2.7.8.(1) for emergency electrical power supply for voice communication systems.)
(2)Every emergency power supply shall be equipped with an emergency audible and visual trouble indication.
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OBC Div. B 3.2.7.9. Emergency Power for Building Services
(1)An emergency power supply capable of operating under a full load for not less than 2 h shall be provided by an emergency generator for
(a)every elevator serving storeys above the first storey in a building that is more than 36 m high measured between grade and the floor level of the top storey and every elevator for firefighters in conformance with Sentence (2),
(b)except as provided in Sentence (4), equipment that supplies water for fire suppression as required by Articles 3.2.5.7. and 3.2.5.8. and Sentences 3.2.5.12.(1) and (2) and 3.2.5.18.(1), if the supply depends solely on electrical power supplied to the building,
(c)fans and other electrical equipment that are installed to maintain the air quality specified in Articles 3.2.6.2. and 3.3.3.6.,
(d)fans required for venting by Article 3.2.6.6., and
(e)fans required by Clause 3.2.8.4.(1)(c) and Article 3.2.8.7. in buildings within the scope of Subsection 3.2.6. (See Note A-3.2.7.9.(1))
(2)Except as permitted by Sentence (3), the emergency power supply for elevators required by Clause (1)(a) shall be capable of operating all elevators for firefighters plus one additional elevator simultaneously.
(3)Sentence (2) does not apply if the time to recall all elevators under emergency power supply is not more than 5 min, each from its most remote storey to
(a)the storey containing the entrance for firefighter access referred to in Articles 3.2.5.4 and 3.2.5.5., or
(b)to a transfer lobby.
(4)The emergency power supply required by Clause (1)(b) for the equipment that supplies water for fire suppression need not be provided for sprinkler systems conforming to NFPA 13D, "Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes."
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OBC Div. B 3.2.7.10. Protection of Electrical Conductors
(1)The protection of electrical and emergency conductors referred to in Clauses (a) to (c) shall conform to the requirements stated in Sentences (2) to (11):
(a)electrical conductors located within buildings identified in Article 3.2.6.1. serving
(i)fire alarms,
(ii)emergency lighting, or
(iii)emergency equipment within the scope of Articles 3.2.6.2. to 3.2.6.8.,
(b)emergency conductors serving fire pumps required to be installed under Article 3.2.5.18., and
(c)emergency conductors serving mechanical systems serving
(i)areas of refuge identified in Clause 3.3.3.6.(1)(b), or
(ii)contained use areas referred to in Clauses 3.3.3.7.(4)(a) and (b).
(2)Except as otherwise required by Sentence (3) and permitted by this Article, electrical conductors that are used in conjunction with systems identified in Sentence (1) shall
(a)conform to CAN/ULC-S139, "Standard for Fire Test for Circuit Integrity of Fire-Resistive Power, Instrumentation, Control and Data Cables," including the hose stream application, to provide a circuit integrity rating of not less than 1 h, or (See Note A-3.2.7.10.(2)(a) and (3)(a)) (See also Clause 3.2.6.5.(6)(b))
(b)be located in a service space that is separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation that has a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 h.
(3)Electrical conductors identified in Clause (1)(c) shall
(a)conform to CAN/ULC-S139, "Standard for Fire Test for Circuit Integrity of Fire-Resistive Power, Instrumentation, Control and Data Cables," including the hose stream application, to provide a circuit integrity rating of not less than 2 h, or (See Note A-3.2.7.10.(2)(a) and (3)(a))
(b)be located in a service space that is separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation that has a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 h.
(4)The service spaces referred to in Clause (2)(b) and (3)(b) shall not contain any combustible materials other than the electrical conductors being protected.
(5)Except as permitted by Sentences (7) and (9), the electrical conductors referred to in Sentence (1) are those that extend from the source of emergency power to
(a)the equipment served, or
(b)the distribution equipment supplying power to the equipment served, if both are in the same room. (See Note A-3.2.7.10.(5)(b))
(6)If a fire alarm transponder or annunciator located in one fire compartment is connected to a central processing unit or another transponder or annunciator located in a different fire compartment, the electrical conductors connecting them shall be protected in accordance with Sentence (2).
(7)Fire alarm system branch circuits within a storey that connect transponders and individual devices need not conform to Sentence (2). (See Note A-3.2.7.10.(7))
(8)Except as permitted in Sentence (9), if a distribution panel supplies power to emergency lighting, the power supply conductors leading up to the distribution panel shall be protected in accordance with Sentence (2).
(9)Conductors leading from a distribution panel referred to in Sentence (8) to emergency lighting units in the same storey need not conform to Sentence (2).
(10)Distribution panels serving emergency lighting units located on other storeys shall be installed in a service room separated from the floor area by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of at least 1 h.
(11)Conductors leading from a distribution panel to emergency lighting units located on other storeys shall be protected in accordance with Sentence (2) between the distribution panel and the floor area where the emergency lighting units are located.
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OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) Interconnected floor space
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.
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OBC Div. B 3.2.8.3. Sprinklers
(1)A building containing an interconnected floor space shall be sprinklered throughout.
(2)Except for large floor openings as defined in NFPA 13, "Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems," closely spaced sprinklers and associated draft stops shall be installed around floor openings in conformance with NFPA 13.
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OBC Div. B 3.2.8.6. Draft Stops
(1)A draft stop shall be provided at each floor level within an interconnected floor space, immediately adjacent to and surrounding the opening, and shall be not less than 500 mm deep measured from ceiling level down to the underside of the draft stop.
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OBC Div. B 3.2.8.4. Vestibules
(1)An exit opening into an interconnected floor space shall be protected at each opening into the interconnected floor space by a vestibule
(a)with doorways that are not less than 1.8 m apart,
(b)that is separated from the remainder of the floor area by a fire separation that is not required to have a fire-resistance rating, and (See Note A-3.1.8.1.(1)(b))
(c)that is designed to limit the passage of smoke so that the exit stair shaft does not contain more than 1% by volume of contaminated air from the fire floor, assuming an outdoor temperature equal to the January design temperature on a 2.5% basis determined in accordance with MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-1, "Climatic and Seismic Data." (See Note A-3.2.8.4.(1)(c))
(2)An exit opening into an interconnected floor space shall conform to Sentence 3.4.3.2.(6).
(3)If an elevator hoistway opens into an interconnected floor space and into storeys above the interconnected floor space, either the elevator doors opening into the interconnected floor space or the elevator doors opening into the storeys above the interconnected floor space shall be protected by vestibules conforming to Sentence (1).
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OBC Div. B 3.2.8.7. Mechanical Exhaust System
(1)A mechanical exhaust system shall be provided to remove air from an interconnected floor space at a rate of 4 air changes per hour. (See Note A-3.2.8.7.(1))
(2)The mechanical exhaust system required by Sentence (1) shall be actuated by a switch located on the storey containing the entrance for firefighter access referred to in Articles 3.2.5.4. and 3.2.5.5. near the annunciator for the fire alarm system.
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OBC Div. B 3.2.8.8. Combustible Content Limits
(1)An interconnected floor space shall be designed so that the combustible contents, excluding interior finishes, in those parts of a floor area in which the ceiling is more than 8 m above the floor, are limited to not more than 16 g of combustible material for each cubic metre of volume of the interconnected floor space.
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OBC Div. B 3.2.9.1. Testing
(1)Where fire protection and life safety systems, and systems with fire protection and life safety functions, are integrated with each other, the systems shall be tested as a whole in accordance with CAN/ULC-S1001, "Standard for Integrated Systems Testing of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems", to verify that they have been properly integrated. (See Note A-3.2.9.1.(1))
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OBC Div. B 3.2.6.9. Testing
(1)The systems for control of smoke movement and mechanical venting required by Articles 3.2.6.2. and 3.2.6.6. shall be tested to ensure satisfactory operation in accordance with the procedures described in MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-4, "Measures for Fire Safety in High Buildings."
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