Last updated
Values this chapter turns on
- fire alarm supervisory power before full load
- 24 h
- fire alarm supervisory power before full load
- emergency lighting power in a high building
- 2 h
- emergency lighting power in a high building
- average normal lighting in exits and corridors
- 50 lx
- average normal lighting in exits and corridors
- circuit integrity rating for emergency conductors
- 1 h
- circuit integrity rating for emergency conductors
Subsection 3.2.7. is the "lighting and power" half of this exam. It sets normal lighting levels, where emergency lighting goes and for how long, emergency power for fire alarms and building services, and how emergency conductors are protected. This chapter also covers the life safety systems of interconnected floor spaces (atriums) and integrated systems testing.
Minimum lighting and emergency lighting
Normal lighting OBC Div. B 3.2.7.1.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…:
| Space | Required illumination |
|---|---|
| Exits, public corridors, corridors used by the public, B-2/B-3 patient corridors, classroom corridors, electrical equipment rooms, transformer vaults, hoistway pits | 50 lx average, 10 lx minimum, at floor or tread level |
| Escalators and moving walks | 100 lx at treads |
| Barrier-free controls (3.8.1.5.) | 100 lx, or 200 lx where visual information is shown |
| Signs with visual information | 200 lx unless internally lit |
| Elevator machine rooms | 100 lx average |
| Cinema and theatre aisles during viewing | 2 lx average |
| Food processing and preparation areas | 500 lx |
| Their storage rooms, dressing rooms, washrooms and corridors | 300 lx |
Lighting outlets in residential buildings follow 9.34.2. Recessed fixtures may go in insulated ceilings only if designed for it OBC Div. B 3.2.7.2.OBC Div. B 3.2.7.2. Recessed Lighting Fixtures(1) A recessed lighting fixture shall not be located in an insulated ceiling unless the fixture is designed for this type of installation..
Emergency lighting must give an average of 10 lx at floor or tread level, with no point below 1 lx OBC Div. B 3.2.7.3.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…. It goes in:
- exits, public corridors and corridors used by the public,
- principal routes to exits in open floor areas and service rooms,
- B-2/B-3 sleeping room corridors and classroom corridors,
- underground walkways,
- floor areas where the public congregates in Group A-1, and in Group A-2 and A-3 with an occupant load of 60 or more,
- day care areas and commercial kitchen food preparation areas,
- washrooms with fixtures for public use, and universal washrooms and showers,
- locations of electromagnetically locked doors,
- principal routes and internal corridors in Group D, E and F floor areas not served by a public corridor.
Service spaces and rack storage walkways also get 10 lx. Battery units in health care facilities must also meet CSA Z32.
Emergency power for lighting, fire alarms and building services
Emergency lighting runs on batteries or generators that take the load automatically OBC Div. B 3.2.7.4.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…. Self-contained units must conform to CSA C22.2 No. 141. Emergency power systems are installed to CSA C282, or to CSA Z32 for hospital equipment, and every supply needs an audible and visual trouble indication OBC Div. B 3.2.7.5.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…, OBC Div. B 3.2.7.6.OBC Div. B 3.2.7.6. Emergency Power for Hospitals(1) Except as required by Article 3.2.7.7., an emergency electrical power supply system for emergency equipment required by this Part for health care facilities shall be installed in conformance with CSA Z32, "Electrical safety and essential electrical systems in health care facilities." (See Note A-3.2.7.6.(1)). A generator fed by fuel from outside needs a separate, identified shut-off valve outside the building. Its exhaust through a fire separation runs in a service space rated at least 45 min OBC Div. B 3.2.7.7.OBC Div. B 3.2.7.7. Fuel Supply Shut-Off Valves and Exhaust Pipes(1) If a liquid or gas fuel-fired engine or turbine for an emergency electric power supply is dependent on a fuel supply from outside the building, the fuel supply shall be provided with a suitably-identified separate shut-off valve outside the building. (2) Where pipes for exhaust gases from emergency power systems….
Fire alarm emergency power comes from a generator, batteries or both. It must give 24 h of supervisory power, then a full-load period, with immediate automatic transfer and no loss of information OBC Div. B 3.2.7.8.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….
| Building | Emergency lighting (3.2.7.4.) | Fire alarm full load after 24 h (3.2.7.8.) |
|---|---|---|
| Within 3.2.6. (high building) | 2 h | 2 h |
| Group B, not high | 1 h | 1 h |
| Contains a Group C retirement home, not high | 1 h | 1 h |
| Built under 3.2.2.51. or 3.2.2.60. | 1 h | 1 h |
| Not required to have an annunciator (and none of the rows above) | 30 min (lighting depends on occupancy, not the annunciator) | 5 min |
| Any other building | 30 min | 30 min |
Building services need an emergency generator able to run at full load for 2 h OBC Div. B 3.2.7.9.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…. It serves:
- elevators in buildings over 36 m high, and firefighters' elevators,
- fire suppression water supply equipment that depends only on building power (not NFPA 13D),
- fans keeping the air quality required by 3.2.6.2. and 3.3.3.6.,
- smoke venting fans, and atrium fans in high buildings.
The elevator generator must run all firefighters' elevators plus one more at the same time, unless every car can be recalled within 5 min.
Worked example
A sprinklered 2-storey retail store (Group E only) needs an annunciator, because the sprinkler system rules out the waiver.
- Emergency lighting: 30 min.
- Fire alarm power: 24 h supervisory plus 30 min full load, a total of 24.5 h. Compare with a 2-storey long-term care home (Group B): 1 h of lighting, and 24 h plus 1 h for the fire alarm.
Protection of electrical conductors
In high buildings, conductors serving fire alarms, emergency lighting and 3.2.6. emergency equipment must meet one of two options OBC Div. B 3.2.7.10.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…. The same applies to fire pump emergency conductors in any building:
- a 1 h circuit integrity rating under CAN/ULC-S139, including the hose stream, or
- a service space separated by a 1 h fire separation, containing nothing combustible except those conductors.
Emergency conductors for mechanical systems serving areas of refuge (3.3.3.6.) and certain contained use areas need 2 h by either method.
What is covered and what is exempt:
| Conductor | Protection |
|---|---|
| Emergency source to equipment (or to its distribution equipment in the same room) | Protected |
| Transponder or annunciator links between fire compartments | Protected |
| Fire alarm branch circuits within a storey to devices | Exempt |
| Feeders up to an emergency lighting distribution panel | Protected |
| Panel to emergency lights on the same storey | Exempt |
| Panel to emergency lights on other storeys | Protected up to that floor area; the panel goes in a 1 h service room |
Interconnected floor spaces
An interconnected floor space has floor assemblies that must be fire separations but have openings with no closures Div. AOBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) Interconnected floor spaceInterconnected 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.. The building must be sprinklered throughout, with closely spaced sprinklers and draft stops around openings per NFPA 13 OBC Div. B 3.2.8.3.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…. Other requirements:
- Exits opening into the space are protected by vestibules with doors at least 1.8 m apart, designed to keep stair contamination to 1% OBC Div. B 3.2.8.4.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….
- Protected floor spaces are separated and vestibuled OBC Div. B 3.2.8.5.OBC Div. B 3.2.8.5. Protected Floor Space(1) A protected floor space used to satisfy the requirements of Clause 3.4.3.2.(6)(b) shall (a) be separated from the interconnected floor space by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the floor assembly of the storey in which it is located, (b) have all openings in the….
- Draft stops are at least 500 mm deep at each floor OBC Div. B 3.2.8.6.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..
- A mechanical exhaust removes 4 air changes per hour. Its actuating switch is on the firefighter access storey, near the fire alarm annunciator OBC Div. B 3.2.8.7.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….
- Combustible contents are limited where ceilings are over 8 m OBC Div. B 3.2.8.8.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….
For example, a 20,000 m³ atrium needs an exhaust of 80,000 m³/h.
Integrated systems testing
Where fire protection and life safety systems are integrated with each other, they are tested as a whole to CAN/ULC-S1001 OBC Div. B 3.2.9.1.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…. Examples are a fire alarm that releases magnetic locks, recalls elevators and shuts down fans. Verifying each system alone (for example the fire alarm to S537) is not enough.
Common traps
- Mixing up the 10 lx emergency average with the 10 lx normal minimum.
- Giving a high building 1 h of power. Anything within 3.2.6. gets 2 h.
- Forgetting the 24 h supervisory period ahead of the fire alarm full-load period.
- Using 5 min for emergency lighting. 5 min is the fire alarm full-load period only, and only where no annunciator is required.
- Requiring circuit integrity on in-storey fire alarm branch circuits. They are exempt.
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.
- Minimum lighting and emergency lighting
Lighting outlets in residential buildings follow 9.34.2. Recessed fixtures may go in insulated ceilings only if designed for it.
- Emergency power for lighting, fire alarms and building services
Emergency lighting runs on batteries or generators that take the load automatically.
- Protection of electrical conductors
In high buildings, conductors serving fire alarms, emergency lighting and 3.2.6. emergency equipment must meet one of two options.
- Interconnected floor spaces
An interconnected floor space has floor assemblies that must be fire separations but have openings with no closures.
- Integrated systems testing
Where fire protection and life safety systems are integrated with each other, they are tested as a whole to CAN/ULC-S1001. Examples are a fire alarm that releases magnetic locks…
Usual exam traps
- Mixing up the 10 lx emergency average with the 10 lx normal minimum.
- Giving a high building 1 h of power. Anything within 3.2.6. gets 2 h.
- Forgetting the 24 h supervisory period ahead of the fire alarm full-load period.
- Using 5 min for emergency lighting. 5 min is the fire alarm full-load period only, and only where no annunciator is required.
- Requiring circuit integrity on in-storey fire alarm branch circuits. They are exempt.
Practice this chapter
Questions on Lighting, 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.
Code cited in this chapter
Based on the official 2024 Building Code Compendium on ontario.ca.
© King's Printer for Ontario, 2024. Reproduced with permission.
OBC Div. B 3.2.7.1. Minimum Lighting Requirements
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.7.1. in the code viewer(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.
OBC Div. B 3.2.7.2. Recessed Lighting Fixtures
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.7.2. in the code viewer(1)A recessed lighting fixture shall not be located in an insulated ceiling unless the fixture is designed for this type of installation.
OBC Div. B 3.2.7.3. Emergency Lighting
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.7.3. in the code viewer(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."
OBC Div. B 3.2.7.4. Emergency Power for Lighting
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.7.4. in the code viewer(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."
OBC Div. B 3.2.7.5. Emergency Power Supply Installation
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.7.5. in the code viewer(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.
OBC Div. B 3.2.7.6. Emergency Power for Hospitals
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.7.6. in the code viewer(1)Except as required by Article 3.2.7.7., an emergency electrical power supply system for emergency equipment required by this Part for health care facilities shall be installed in conformance with CSA Z32, "Electrical safety and essential electrical systems in health care facilities." (See Note A-3.2.7.6.(1))
OBC Div. B 3.2.7.7. Fuel Supply Shut-Off Valves and Exhaust Pipes
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.7.7. in the code viewer(1)If a liquid or gas fuel-fired engine or turbine for an emergency electric power supply is dependent on a fuel supply from outside the building, the fuel supply shall be provided with a suitably-identified separate shut-off valve outside the building.
(2)Where pipes for exhaust gases from emergency power systems penetrate required fire separations, they shall be enclosed in a separate service space having a fire-resistance rating equal to that of the penetrated floor assembly, but not less than 45 min.
OBC Div. B 3.2.7.8. Emergency Power for Fire Alarm Systems
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.7.8. in the code viewer(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 3.2.7.9. Emergency Power for Building Services
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.7.9. in the code viewer(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."
OBC Div. B 3.2.7.10. Protection of Electrical Conductors
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.7.10. in the code viewer(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.
OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) Interconnected floor space
Open OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) in the code viewerInterconnected 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.
OBC Div. B 3.2.8.3. Sprinklers
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.8.3. in the code viewer(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.
OBC Div. B 3.2.8.4. Vestibules
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.8.4. in the code viewer(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).
OBC Div. B 3.2.8.5. Protected Floor Space
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.8.5. in the code viewer(1)A protected floor space used to satisfy the requirements of Clause 3.4.3.2.(6)(b) shall
(a)be separated from the interconnected floor space by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the floor assembly of the storey in which it is located,
(b)have all openings in the vertical fire separation between a protected floor space and the adjacent interconnected floor space protected by vestibules conforming to Sentence 3.2.8.4.(1), and
(c)be designed so that it is not necessary to enter the interconnected floor space to reach an exit.
OBC Div. B 3.2.8.6. Draft Stops
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.8.6. in the code viewer(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.
OBC Div. B 3.2.8.7. Mechanical Exhaust System
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.8.7. in the code viewer(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.
OBC Div. B 3.2.8.8. Combustible Content Limits
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.8.8. in the code viewer(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.
OBC Div. B 3.2.9.1. Testing
Open OBC Div. B 3.2.9.1. in the code viewer(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))