Part 9 egress, fire protection and alarms (Detection, Lighting and Power)

Last updated October 22, 2026

Values this chapter turns on

Part 9 emergency lighting duration, every building: 30 min; Part 9 emergency lighting duration, every building
smoke alarm battery backup before 4 min of alarm: 7 days; smoke alarm battery backup before 4 min of alarm
incandescent emergency lighting deemed to give 10 lx: 1 W/m²; incandescent emergency lighting deemed to give 10 lx
max force to open an exit door once unlatched: 90 N; max force to open an exit door once unlatched

This section collects the Part 9 rules that bear on detection, lighting and power. Part 9 often hands an item back to Part 3. Tents, transformer vaults, walkways, elevators, sprinklers, standpipes and fire pumps all follow Part 3 OBC Div. B 9.10.1.3.. So do buildings near existing above ground conductors OBC Div. B 9.1.1.5..

Exits, doors and obstructions

An exit's fire separation may be pierced only by electrical wiring, noncombustible conduit and noncombustible piping that serve only the exit, plus standpipes, sprinkler piping, exit doorways, and permitted wired glass or glass block OBC Div. B 9.9.4.2.. Service rooms, storage rooms, washrooms and laundry rooms may not open directly into an exit, except in a house with a secondary suite OBC Div. B 9.9.5.9.. Service rooms with equipment subject to explosion, such as boilers above 100 kPa, may not sit under a required exit OBC Div. B 9.9.5.8..
Obstructions within 1,980 mm of the floor may project not more than 100 mm into exit passageways and public corridors. They may project further if they come down to less than 680 mm above the floor OBC Div. B 9.9.5.3..
Doors in an access to exit must open without keys or special knowledge, or be controlled by electromagnetic locks that meet 3.4.6.16.(5). Release hardware goes 900 mm to 1,100 mm above the floor and works with one hand and one operation, except for single dwelling units OBC Div. B 9.9.6.7.. Except in hotels, suite doors onto a public corridor fitted with closers must not lock automatically.
Exit doors open under a force of not more than 90 N once the latch is released OBC Div. B 9.9.6.8..

Practice this topic

Exit signs and egress lighting

Part 9 exit signs OBC Div. B 9.9.11.3. are needed over or beside every exit door where the exit serves any of the following:

a building 3 storeys in building height;
an occupant load of more than 150;
a room or floor area with a fire escape in its required means of egress.

Hotel exits always need signs, except suite doors that open directly outdoors. Internally lit electrical signs conform to CSA C22.2 No. 141; non-electrical ones to CAN/ULC-S572. Sign circuits serve only emergency lighting and connect to the emergency power in 9.9.12.3. Directional signs are needed where no exit is visible from a public corridor, a corridor used by the public, or a principal route in an open floor area with more than 150 occupants. The Subsection does not apply to exits serving only one dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite.

Egress lighting under Subsection 9.9.12. does not apply inside dwelling units:

Lighting	Average	Minimum	Duration
Normal (exits, public corridors, public access corridors)	50 lx	10 lx	n/a
Emergency (exits, open floor area routes, public corridors, underground walkways)	10 lx	1 lx	30 min

Emergency lighting must come from an energy source separate from the building's electrical supply and switch on automatically. Self-contained units conform to CSA C22.2 No. 141 OBC Div. B 9.9.12.3.. Incandescent lighting of 1 W/m² of floor area is deemed to give the 10 lx average.

Practice this topic

Penetrations, service rooms and closures

Penetrations of a fire separation are sealed by a firestop with an F rating of at least the separation's rating (CAN/ULC-S115), tightly fitted or cast in place for steel, copper, concrete or masonry items, or otherwise sealed to keep the separation intact. Firewall penetrations need an FT rating OBC Div. B 9.10.9.6..
Noncombustible outlet boxes may skip the firestop if each is 0.016 m² or less, with an aggregate of 0.065 m² or less in any 9.3 m², and an annular gap of 3 mm or less. Boxes on opposite sides of a rated wall are 600 mm apart, or enclosed or insulated as allowed OBC Div. B 9.10.9.8..
Unsprinklered service rooms need a 1 h fire separation, unless they hold a limited amount of equipment that is not a fire hazard. Fuel-fired appliances need a 1 h room unless they serve one room or suite, or a building of 400 m² or less and 2 storeys or less (or meet the secondary suite option). Incinerator rooms need 2 h. Generator rooms need 1 h where the floor needs no more than 1 h, and 2 h otherwise Subsection 9.10.10.. The Subsection does not apply to rooms inside a dwelling unit.
Every swing door in a fire separation has a latch and a self-closing device OBC Div. B 9.10.13.9.. Closers are not required between public corridors and suites in business and personal services occupancies, except in dead-end corridors or corridors serving a hotel OBC Div. B 9.10.13.10.. Hold-open devices follow Part 3 Article 3.1.8.14. OBC Div. B 9.10.13.11..

Practice this topic

Fire alarm and detection systems in Part 9

Under OBC Div. B 9.10.18.2., a fire alarm system is required in any of these cases:

the building has more than 3 storeys, counting storeys below the first storey;
the total occupant load exceeds 300;
the occupant load of any occupancy exceeds the Table 9.10.18.2. value.

From Table 9.10.18.2.:

Occupancy	Trigger (exceeds)
Residential	10 persons with sleeping accommodation
Business, personal services, mercantile	150 above or below the first storey
Low- or medium-hazard industrial	75 above or below the first storey

Residential buildings are exempt where an exit or public corridor serves not more than 4 suites, or each suite has direct access to an exterior exit facility leading to ground level.

Once installed, the system follows Subsection 3.2.4. and Articles 3.2.7.8. and 3.2.7.10., except 3.2.4.1., 3.2.4.10., 3.2.4.11., 3.2.4.12., 3.2.4.20. and 3.2.4.22., which do not apply OBC Div. B 9.10.18.3.. The Part 9 detection rules OBC Div. B 9.10.18.4. put smoke detectors in every residential public corridor and every exit stair shaft. Fire detectors go in storage, service, janitors' and hazardous rooms, shafts and chutes, and common laundry rooms. These are not needed in dwelling units or in buildings with electrically supervised sprinklers and waterflow alarms. Hotels need heat detectors in every room, apart from the listed exceptions. A hotel gets a single-stage system OBC Div. B 9.10.18.9.. Integrated systems are tested to CAN/ULC-S1001, except in buildings with only dwelling units and none above another OBC Div. B 9.10.18.10..

Practice this topic

Smoke alarms

Smoke alarms conforming to CAN/ULC-S531 are required in each dwelling unit, in each sleeping room not within a dwelling unit, and in the shared spaces of a house with a secondary suite OBC Div. B 9.10.19.1.. Inside a unit OBC Div. B 9.10.19.3. they go:

on each storey, including basements;
in each sleeping room;
between the sleeping rooms and the rest of the storey, in the hallway if there is one.

They are installed to CAN/ULC-S553, on or near the ceiling, with a visual signal of at least 175 cd in sleeping rooms. Power is hard-wired with no disconnect switch, plus a battery for 7 days normal followed by 4 minutes of alarm. Battery-only alarms are allowed where the building has no electrical power OBC Div. B 9.10.19.4.. Alarms in a unit are interconnected. In a house with a secondary suite, all alarms in the house are interconnected, by wire or wirelessly OBC Div. B 9.10.19.5.. Each alarm has a manual silencer of not more than 10 min. A CAN/ULC-S540 residential fire warning system may replace the smoke alarms where no fire alarm system is installed or required. Seasonal recreational buildings are exempt from 9.9. to 9.11., but their dwelling units still need smoke alarms under 9.10.19. OBC Div. B 9.37.2.4..

Practice this topic

Common traps

Using the Part 3 exit sign wording (more than 2 storeys) in Part 9. Part 9 says 3 storeys in building height.
Requiring 1 h of emergency lighting in Part 9. It is 30 min in every Part 9 building.
Applying 3.2.4.1. to a Part 9 building. Use 9.10.18.2. and its table.
Assuming a cottage needs no smoke alarm because 9.10. is waived. Article 9.37.2.4. brings it back.

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
Exit signs and egress lighting	Hotel exits always need signs, except suite doors that open directly outdoors.
Fire alarm and detection systems in Part 9	Residential buildings are exempt where an exit or public corridor serves not more than 4 suites, or each suite has direct access to an exterior exit facility leading to ground…
Smoke alarms	Smoke alarms conforming to CAN/ULC-S531 are required in each dwelling unit, in each sleeping room not within a dwelling unit, and in the shared spaces of a house with a secondary…

Exit signs and egress lighting
Hotel exits always need signs, except suite doors that open directly outdoors.
Fire alarm and detection systems in Part 9
Residential buildings are exempt where an exit or public corridor serves not more than 4 suites, or each suite has direct access to an exterior exit facility leading to ground…
Smoke alarms
Smoke alarms conforming to CAN/ULC-S531 are required in each dwelling unit, in each sleeping room not within a dwelling unit, and in the shared spaces of a house with a secondary…

Usual exam traps

Using the Part 3 exit sign wording (more than 2 storeys) in Part 9. Part 9 says 3 storeys in building height.
Requiring 1 h of emergency lighting in Part 9. It is 30 min in every Part 9 building.
Applying 3.2.4.1. to a Part 9 building. Use 9.10.18.2. and its table.
Assuming a cottage needs no smoke alarm because 9.10. is waived. Article 9.37.2.4. brings it back.

Practice this chapter

Questions on Part 9 egress, fire protection and alarms, in the exam format, every answer explained and cited to its article. Sign in to start; a free account gets the free questions.

Practice this chapter Free Detection, Lighting and Power quiz

Code cited in this chapter

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

OBC Div. B 9.10.1.3. Items Under Part 3 Jurisdiction
(1)Tents, air-supported structures, transformer vaults, walkways, elevators and escalators shall conform to Part 3.
(2)Where rooms or spaces are intended for an assembly occupancy, such rooms or spaces shall conform to Part 3.
(3)Basements containing more than 1 storey or exceeding 600 m² in area shall conform to Part 3.
(4)Where rooms or spaces are intended for the storage, manufacture or use of hazardous or explosive material, such rooms or spaces shall conform to Part 3.
(5)Reserved.
(6)Openings through floors that are not protected by shafts or closures shall be protected in conformance with Subsection 3.2.8. (See also Sentence 9.9.4.7.(1))
(7)Chutes and shafts shall conform to Subsection 3.6.3. except where they are entirely contained within a dwelling unit.
(8)Sprinkler systems shall be designed, constructed and installed in conformance with Articles 3.2.5.12. to 3.2.5.15. and 3.2.5.17. (See Note A-9.10.1.3.(8) and (9))
(9)Standpipe and hose systems shall be designed, constructed and installed in conformance with Articles 3.2.5.8. to 3.2.5.11. and 3.2.5.17. (See Note A-9.10.1.3.(8) and (9))
(10)Fire pumps shall be installed in conformance with Articles 3.2.5.17. and 3.2.5.18.
(11)Where fuel-fired appliances are installed on a roof, such appliances shall be installed in conformance with Article 3.6.1.5.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.1.3. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.1.1.5. Proximity to Existing Above Ground Electrical Conductors
(1)Where a building is constructed in close proximity to existing above ground electrical conductors, the requirements of Subsection 3.1.20. shall apply.
Open OBC Div. B 9.1.1.5. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.9.4.2. Fire Separation for Exits
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (5) and Article 9.9.8.5., every exit other than an exit doorway shall be separated from each adjacent floor area or from another exit by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the floor assembly above the floor area.
(2)Where there is no floor assembly above, the fire-resistance rating required in Sentence (1) shall not be less than that required by Subsection 9.10.8. for the floor assembly below, but in no case shall the fire-resistance rating be less than 45 min.
(3)A fire separation common to 2 exits shall be smoke-tight and not be pierced by doorways, duct work, piping or any other opening that may affect the continuity of the separation.
(4)A fire separation that separates an exit from the remainder of the building shall have no openings except those for electrical wiring, noncombustible conduit and noncombustible piping that serve only the exit, and for standpipes, sprinkler piping, exit doorways and wired glass and glass block permitted in Article 9.9.4.3.
(5)The requirements in Sentence (1) do not apply to an exterior exit passageway provided the passageway has at least 50% of its exterior sides open to the outdoors and is served by an exit stair at each end of the passageway.
Open OBC Div. B 9.9.4.2. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.9.5.9. Ancillary Rooms
(1)Except in houses with a secondary suite, ancillary rooms such as storage rooms, washrooms, toilet rooms, laundry rooms and service rooms shall not open directly into an exit.
Open OBC Div. B 9.9.5.9. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.9.5.8. Service Rooms
(1)Service rooms containing equipment subject to possible explosion, such as boilers designed to operate at a pressure in excess of 100 kPa, and certain types of refrigerating and transformer equipment, shall not be located under required exits.
Open OBC Div. B 9.9.5.8. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.9.5.3. Obstructions in Public Corridors
(1)Except as permitted in Sentence (2), obstructions located within 1,980 mm of the floor shall not project horizontally more than 100 mm into exit passageways, corridors used by the public or public corridors in a manner that would create a hazard for visually impaired persons travelling adjacent to walls.
(2)The horizontal projection of an obstruction referred to in Sentence (1) is permitted to exceed 100 mm where the obstruction extends to less than 680 mm above the floor. (See Note A-3.3.1.8.(2) and (3))
Open OBC Div. B 9.9.5.3. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.9.6.7. Door Latching, Locking and Opening Mechanisms
(1)Principal entrance doors, exit doors and doors to suites, including exterior doors of dwelling units, and other doors in an access to exit shall
(a)be openable from the inside or in travelling to an exit without requiring keys, special devices or specialized knowledge of the door-opening mechanism, or
(b)be controlled by electromagnetic locking mechanisms in accordance with Sentence 3.4.6.16.(5).
(2)Except for doors serving a single dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite, and doors to accessory buildings and to garages serving a single dwelling unit, door release hardware on doors in a means of egress shall be operable with one hand and the door shall be openable with not more than one releasing operation. (See also Sentence 3.8.3.6.(4) and Note A-3.3.1.13.(4))
(3)Door release hardware on doors in a means of egress shall be installed 900 mm to 1,100 mm above the finished floor.
(4)Except for hotels, a door opening onto a public corridor that provides access to exit from suites shall be designed not to lock automatically when such doors are equipped with an automatic self-closing device. (See Note A-3.3.4.5.(1))
Open OBC Div. B 9.9.6.7. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.9.6.8. Effort Required to Open
(1)Except as required by Sentence 3.8.3.3.(7), every exit door, except doors serving a single dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite, shall be designed and installed so that when the latch is released the door will open in the direction of exit travel under a force of not more than 90 N applied to the door release hardware. (See Sentence 3.8.3.6.(8) for door opening forces in a barrier-free path of travel.)
Open OBC Div. B 9.9.6.8. in the code viewer

Show all 28 articles

OBC Div. B 9.9.11.3. Exit Signs
(1)Except as required in Sentence (7), every exit door shall have an exit sign placed over it or adjacent to it if the exit serves
(a)a building that is 3 storeys in building height,
(b)a building having an occupant load of more than 150, or
(c)a room or floor area that has a fire escape as part of a required means of egress.
(2)Except as required in Sentence (6), every exit sign shall
(a)be visible on approach to the exit,
(b)consist of a green pictogram and a white or lightly tinted graphical symbol meeting the colour specifications referred to in ISO 3864-1, "Graphical symbols – Safety colours and safety signs – Part 1: Design principles for safety signs and safety markings," and
(c)conform to ISO 7010, "Graphical symbols – Safety colours and safety signs – Registered safety signs," for the following symbols: (See Note A-3.4.5.1.(2) (c))
(i)E001 emergency exit left,
(ii)E002 emergency exit right,
(iii)E005 90-degree directional arrow, and
(iv)E006 45-degree directional arrow.
(3)Internally illuminated exit signs shall be continuously illuminated, and
(a)where illumination of the sign is powered by an electrical circuit, be constructed in conformance with CSA C22.2 No. 141, "Emergency lighting equipment," or
(b)where illumination of the sign is not powered by an electrical circuit, be
(i)constructed in conformance with CAN/ULC-S572, "Standard for Photoluminescent and Self-Luminous Exit Signs and Path Marking Systems," and
(ii)labelled in accordance with the time duration for which they have been tested and listed.
(4)Externally illuminated exit signs shall be continuously illuminated at all times by a light fixture supplied by an electrical circuit.
(5)The circuitry serving lighting for externally and internally illuminated exit signs shall
(a)serve no equipment other than emergency lighting in the area where the exit signs are installed, and
(b)be connected to an emergency power supply as described in Sentences 9.9.12.3.(2), (3) and (7).
(6)An exit sign conforming to Clauses (2)(b) and (c) with an arrow or other indicator pointing at the direction of egress shall be provided where no exit is visible from
(a)a public corridor,
(b)a corridor used by the public, or
(c)a principal route serving an open floor area having an occupant load of more than 150.
(7)Except for suite doors opening directly to the exterior, every exit serving a hotel shall have an exit sign placed over it or adjacent to it.
Open OBC Div. B 9.9.11.3. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.9.12.2. Required Lighting in Egress Facilities
(1)Every exit, public corridor or corridor providing access to exit for the public shall be equipped to provide illumination to an average level of 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 value of the illumination required by Sentence (1) shall be not less than 10 lx.
Open OBC Div. B 9.9.12.2. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.9.12.3. Emergency Lighting
(1)Emergency lighting shall be provided in
(a)exits.
(b)principal routes providing access to exit in an open floor area,
(c)corridors used by the public,
(d)underground walkways, and
(e)public corridors.
(2)Emergency lighting required in Sentence (1) shall be provided from a source of energy separate from the electrical supply for the building.
(3)Lighting required in Sentence (1) shall be designed to be automatically actuated for a period of at least 30 min when the electric lighting in the affected area is interrupted.
(4)Illumination from lighting required in Sentence (1) shall be provided to average levels of not less than 10 lx at floor or tread level.
(5)The minimum value of the illumination required by Sentence (4) shall be not less than 1 1x.
(6)Where incandescent lighting is provided, lighting equal to 1 W/m² of floor area shall be considered to meet the requirement in Sentence (4).
(7)Where self-contained emergency lighting units are used, they shall conform to CSA C22.2 No. 141, "Emergency lighting equipment."
Open OBC Div. B 9.9.12.3. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.9.6. General Requirements for Penetrations of Fire Separations
(1)Except as required by Sentence (2) and Articles 9.10.9.7. and 9.10.9.8. and as permitted by Article 9.10.9.9., penetrations of a required fire separation or a membrane forming part of an assembly required to be a fire separation shall be
(a)sealed by a firestop that, when subjected to the fire test method in CAN/ULC-S115, "Standard Method of Fire Tests of Firestop Systems," has an F rating not less than the required fire-resistance rating for the fire separation,
(b)tightly fitted or cast in place, provided the penetrating item is made of steel, ferrous, copper, concrete or masonry, or
(c)sealed to maintain the integrity of the fire separation. (See Note A-9.10.9.6.(1))
(2)Penetrations of a firewall shall be sealed at the penetration by a firestop that, when subjected to the fire test method in "CAN/ULC-S115, "Standard Method of Fire Tests of Firestop Systems," has an FT rating not less than the fire-resistance rating for the fire separation.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.9.6. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.9.8. Penetrations by Outlet Boxes or Service Equipment in Concealed Spaces
(1)Except as provided in Sentences (2) to (5), outlet boxes are permitted to penetrate the membrane of an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating, provided they are sealed at the penetration by a firestop that, when subjected to the fire test method in CAN/ULC-S115, "Standard Method of Fire Tests of Firestop Systems," has an FT rating not less than the fire-resistance rating of the fire separation. (See Note A-9.10.9.8.(1))
(2)Except as provided in Sentence 9.10.9.6.(2), noncombustible outlet boxes that penetrate a fire separation or a membrane forming part of an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating need not conform to Sentence (1), provided
(a)they do not exceed
(i)0.016 m² in area, and
(ii)an aggregate area of 0.065 m² in any 9.3 m² of surface area, and
(b)the annular space between the membrane and the noncombustible outlet boxes does not exceed 3 mm.
(3)Except as provided in Sentence 9.10.9.6.(2), combustible outlet boxes that penetrate a fire separation or a membrane forming part of an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating need not conform to Sentence (1), provided
(a)the outlet boxes are
(i)separated from the remainder of the space within the assembly by an enclosure of not more than 0.3 m² in area made of fire block material conforming to Article 9.10.16.3., or (See Note A-9.10.9.8.(3) (a)(i))
(ii)located in a space within the assembly that is filled with preformed fibre insulation processed from rock or slag conforming to CAN/ULC-S702.1, "Standard for Mineral Fibre Thermal Insulation for Buildings, Part 1: Material Specification," and having a mass per unit area of not less than 1.22 kg/m² of wall surface such that the exposed sides and back of the outlet box are encapsulated by the noncombustible insulation, and
(b)the outlet boxes do not exceed an aggregate area of 0.016 m² in any individual enclosure as described in Subclause (a)(i) or any individual insulated space as described in Subclause (a)(ii).
(4)Noncombustible outlet boxes conforming to Sentence (2) are permitted to be located on opposite sides of a vertical fire separation having a fire-resistance rating and need not conform to Sentence (1), provided they are
(a)separated from each other by a horizontal distance of not less than 600 mm,
(b)separated from each other and the remainder of the wall space by an enclosure conforming to Subclause (3)(a)(i), or
(c)located in an insulated wall space in accordance with Subclause (3)(a)(ii).
(5)Combustible outlet boxes conforming to Sentence (3) are permitted to be located on opposite sides of a vertical fire separation having a fire-resistance rating and need not conform to Sentence (1).
(6)Service equipment is permitted to penetrate a horizontal fire separation conforming to Sentence 9.10.9.12.(2), provided the penetration is sealed by
(a)a firestop that, when subjected to the fire test method in CAN/ULC-S115, "Standard Method of Fire Tests of Firestop Systems," has an FT rating not less than the required fire-resistance rating for the fire separation,
(b)a firestop conforming to Clause 9.10.9.6.(1)(a), where the service equipment is located entirely within the cavity of a wall assembly above and below the horizontal fire separation having a required fire-resistance rating, or
(c)a firestop conforming to Clause 9.10.9.6.(1)(a), where the penetration is
(i)contained within the concealed space of a floor or ceiling assembly having a fire-resistance rating,
(ii)located above a ceiling membrane providing a horizontal fire separation, or
(iii)contained within a horizontal service space conforming to Sentence 9.10.9.12.(2) that is directly above or below a floor or ceiling.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.9.8. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.10.7. Emergency Power Installation
(1)Where a generator intended to supply emergency power for lighting, fire safety and life safety systems is located in a building, it shall be located in a room that,
(a)is separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than
(i)1 h, if the floor assembly is not required to have a fire-resistance rating of more than 1 h, and
(ii)2 h, if the floor assembly is required to have a fire-resistance rating of more than 1 h, and
(b)contains only the generating set and equipment that is related to the emergency power supply system.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.10.7. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.13.9. Door Latch
(1)Every swing type door in a fire separation shall be equipped with a latch.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.13.9. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.13.10. Self-Closing Device
(1)Except as described in Sentence (2), every door in a fire separation shall have a self-closing device.
(2)Self-closing devices are not required between public corridors and suites in business and personal services occupancies, except in dead-end corridors or a corridor that serves a hotel.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.13.10. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.13.11. Hold-Open Devices
(1)Where hold-open devices are used on doors in required fire separations, they shall be installed in accordance with Article 3.1.8.14.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.13.11. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.18.2. Fire Alarm System Required
(1)Reserved.
(2)Except as provided in Sentence (5), a fire alarm system shall be installed
(a)in every building that contains more than 3 storeys, including storeys below the first storey,
(b)where the total occupant load exceeds 300, or
(c)when the occupant load for any major occupancy in Table 9.10.18.2. is exceeded.
(3)Reserved.
(4)Reserved.
(5)A fire alarm system is not required in a residential occupancy where an exit or public corridor serves not more than 4 suites or where each suite has direct access to an exterior exit facility leading to ground level.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.18.2. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B Table 9.10.18.2. Maximum Occupant Load for Buildings Without Fire Alarm Systems — Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.18.2.(2)
Table 9.10.18.2 — Maximum Occupant Load for Buildings Without Fire Alarm Systems — Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.18.2.(2) Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.18.2.(2) Major Occupancy Classification | Occupant Load Residential | 10 (sleeping accommodation) Business and personal services, mercantile | 150 above or below the first storey Low-or medium-hazard industrial | 75 above or below the first storey
Open OBC Div. B Table 9.10.18.2. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.18.3. Design and Installation Requirements
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (2), and as required by this Subsection, where fire alarm, fire detection and smoke detection devices and systems are installed, these devices and systems and their installation shall conform to Subsection 3.2.4., 3.2.7.8. and 3.2.7.10. (See Note A-9.10.18.3.(1))
(2)The following Articles in Subsection 3.2.4. regarding fire alarm systems do not apply to Part 9 buildings: Articles 3.2.4.1., 3.2.4.10., 3.2.4.11., 3.2.4.12., 3.2.4.20. and 3.2.4.22.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.18.3. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.18.4. Rooms and Spaces Requiring Heat Detectors or Smoke Detectors
(1)Where a fire alarm system is required, every public corridor in buildings of residential occupancy and every exit stair shaft shall be provided with smoke detectors.
(2)Except as provided in Sentence (3), if a fire alarm system is required in a building that is not sprinklered, fire detectors shall be installed in the following spaces:
(a)storage rooms not within dwelling units,
(b)service rooms not within dwelling units,
(c)janitors' rooms,
(d)rooms in which hazardous substances are to be used or stored, (See Note A-3.3.1.2.(1))
(e)elevator hoistways, chutes and dumbwaiter shafts, and
(f)laundry rooms in buildings of residential occupanciy, except those within dwelling units.
(3)Except as required in Sentence (4), heat detectors and smoke detectors described in Sentence (2), are not required in dwelling units or in sprinklered buildings in which the sprinkler system is electrically supervised and equipped with a water flow alarm.
(4)Where a fire alarm system is required in a hotel, heat detectors shall be installed in every room in a suite and in every room not located in a suite in a floor area containing a hotel, other than washrooms within a suite, saunas, refrigerated areas and swimming pools.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.18.4. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.18.9. Fire Alarm System in a Hotel
(1)If a fire alarm system is required in a building containing a hotel, a single stage fire alarm system shall be provided.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.18.9. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.18.10. Commissioning of Life Safety and Fire Protection Systems
(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, "Integrated Systems Testing of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems," to verify that the systems have been properly integrated.
(2)Sentence (1) does not apply to a building that contains only dwelling units and has no dwelling unit above another dwelling unit.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.18.10. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.19.1. Required Smoke Alarms
(1)Except as permitted by Article 9.10.19.8., smoke alarms conforming to CAN/ULC-S531, "Standard for Smoke Alarms," shall be installed in
(a)each dwelling unit,
(b)each sleeping room not within a dwelling unit, and
(c)ancillary spaces and common spaces not in dwelling units in a house with a secondary suite.
(2)Smoke alarms required in Sentence (1) shall have a visual signalling component conforming to the requirements in 18.5.3. (Light, Color and Pulse Characteristics) of NFPA 72, "National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code."
(3)The visual signalling component required in Sentence (2) need not
(a)be integrated with the smoke alarm provided it is interconnected to it,
(b)be on battery backup, or
(c)have synchronized flash rates, when installed in a house with a secondary suite or an individual dwelling unit.
(4)The luminous intensity for visual signalling components required in Sentence (2) that are installed in sleeping rooms shall be a minimum of 175 cd.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.19.1. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.19.3. Location of Smoke Alarms
(1)Except as permitted in Article 9.10.19.8., within dwelling units, sufficient smoke alarms shall be installed so that
(a)there is at least one smoke alarm installed on each storey, including basements, and
(b)on any storey of a dwelling unit containing sleeping rooms, a smoke alarm is installed
(i)in each sleeping room, and
(ii)in a location between the sleeping rooms and the remainder of the storey, and if the sleeping rooms are served by a hallway, the smoke alarm shall be located in the hallway. (See Note A-9.10.19.3.(1))
(1.1)Except as permitted in Article 9.10.19.8., within a house with a secondary suite that contains an interior shared means of egress or common area, a smoke alarm shall be installed in each shared means of egress and common area.
(2)A smoke alarm required in Sentences (1) and (1.1) shall be installed in conformance with CAN/ULC-S553, "Standard for Installation of Smoke Alarms."
(3)Smoke alarms required in Article 9.10.19.1. and Sentences (1) and (1.1) shall be installed on or near the ceiling.
(4)A smoke alarm required in Sentences (1) and (1.1) shall have a visual signalling component conforming to the requirements in 18.5.3. (Light, Color and Pulse Characteristics) of NFPA 72, "National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code."
(5)The visual signalling component required in Sentence (4) need not
(a)be integrated with the smoke alarm provided it is interconnected to it,
(b)be on battery backup, or
(c)have synchronized flash rates, when installed in a house with a secondary suite or an individual dwelling unit.
(6)The luminous intensity for visual signalling components required in Sentence (4) that are installed in sleeping rooms shall be a minimum of 175 cd.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.19.3. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.19.4. Power Supply
(1)Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), smoke alarms described in Sentence 9.10.19.1.(1) and 9.10.19.3.(1.1) shall
(a)be installed with permanent connections to an electrical circuit, (See Note A-3.2.4.20.(9) (a))
(b)have no disconnect switch between the overcurrent device and the smoke alarm, and
(c)in case the regular power supply to the smoke alarm is interrupted, be provided with a battery as an alternative power source that can continue to provide power to the smoke alarm for a period of not less than 7 days in the normal condition, followed by 4 minutes of alarm.
(2)Where the building is not supplied with electrical power, smoke alarms are permitted to be battery-operated.
(3)Suites of residential occupancy are permitted to be equipped with smoke detectors in lieu of smoke alarms, provided the smoke detectors
(a)are capable of independently sounding audible signals with a sound pressure level between 75 dBA and 110 dBA within the individual suites, (See also Note A-3.2.4.18.(4))
(b)except as permitted in Sentence (4), are installed in conformance with CAN/ULC-S524, "Standard for Installation of Fire Alarm Systems," and
(c)form part of the fire alarm system. (See Note A-9.10.19.5.(2))
(4)Smoke detectors permitted to be installed in lieu of smoke alarms as stated in Sentence (3) are permitted to sound localized alarms within individual suites, and need not sound an alarm throughout the rest of the building.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.19.4. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.19.5. Interconnection of Smoke Alarms
(1)Where more than one smoke alarm is required in a dwelling unit, the smoke alarms shall be wired so that the activation of one alarm will cause all alarms within the dwelling unit to sound.
(2)Smoke alarms in a house with a secondary suite shall be wirelessly interconnected or interconnected by hard-wiring so that the activation of any one smoke alarm causes all smoke alarms within the house with a secondary suite to sound. (See Note A-9.10.19.5.(2))
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.19.5. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.37.2.4. Smoke Alarms
(1)Every dwelling unit within the scope of this Section shall be provided with a smoke alarm in accordance with Subsection 9.10.19.
Open OBC Div. B 9.37.2.4. in the code viewer