Part 9 electrical facilities and related items (Detection, Lighting and Power)

Last updated October 22, 2026

Values this chapter turns on

unfinished basement area per lighting outlet: 30 m²; unfinished basement area per lighting outlet
min lighting in a service room or laundry area: 200 lx; min lighting in a service room or laundry area
min bathroom supplemental exhaust fan capacity: 25 L/s; min bathroom supplemental exhaust fan capacity
min undamaged width left in a notched top plate: 50 mm; min undamaged width left in a notched top plate

Section 9.34. is the Part 9 electrical Section. It is short: where electrical services are available, every building gets electrical facilities built to it OBC Div. B 9.34.1.2.. Wiring methods themselves belong to the Electrical Safety Code, not the Building Code. The syllabus also pulls in Part 9 items that electricians and inspectors run into: framing notches, air barrier penetrations, ventilation fan controls and carbon monoxide alarms.

Electrical facilities and lighting outlets

General items Subsection 9.34.1.:

Entrance switches, meters, panel boxes and similar equipment may not be in a public area unless protected from interference.
Recessed fixtures may not go in insulated ceilings unless they are designed for it.
Outside dwelling units, wires and cables in combustible construction must pass the FT1 test (no flame conveyed and no burning for more than 1 min), or run in noncombustible raceways, masonry walls, concrete slabs or qualifying non-metallic raceways OBC Div. B 9.34.1.5.. Cables in a floor or ceiling plenum meet the material rules of 3.6.4.3.(1)(a).

Lighting outlets Subsection 9.34.2.:

Location	Requirement
Every entrance to a residential building	Exterior outlet with fixture, wall switch inside (authorized-personnel switch allowed for multi-suite entrances, hotels and motels)
Kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, utility and laundry rooms, dining rooms, bathrooms, vestibules, hallways in dwelling units	Wall-switched outlet with fixture (bedrooms and living rooms may use a switched receptacle instead)
Dwelling unit stairs with 4 or more risers	At least one outlet on 3-way switches at the head and foot
Unfinished basements	One outlet per 30 m² or fraction; the one nearest the stairs switched at the head of the stairs
Storage rooms; garages and carports	An outlet with fixture; garage outlet switched near the doorway

An unfinished basement serving one dwelling unit may light its stair from a single switch at the top. This applies if the basement has no finished space and does not lead to an outside entrance or built-in garage OBC Div. B 9.34.2.3..

Public and service areas in any building, including recreational camps and camps for housing of workers, need wall- or panel-switched lighting outlets OBC Div. B 9.34.2.7.. With incandescent lighting, read Table 9.34.2.7. by room type. A service room or laundry area needs 200 lx, and a storage room or garage needs 50 lx. Other lighting types must give equivalent illumination. Egress lighting is set by 9.9.12., not this table.

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Emergency lighting

Part 9 emergency lighting must conform to Subsection 9.9.12. OBC Div. B 9.34.3.1.. That means:

emergency lighting in exits, principal routes in open floor areas, corridors used by the public, underground walkways and public corridors;
an energy source separate from the building's electrical supply;
automatic operation for at least 30 min;
an average of 10 lx and a minimum of 1 lx at floor or tread level;
self-contained units conforming to CSA C22.2 No. 141 OBC Div. B 9.9.12.3..

None of this applies to the means of egress within a dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite OBC Div. B 9.9.12.1..

Building	Emergency lighting needed in
3-storey apartment building	Exit stairs, public corridors
1-storey store with open floor area	Principal routes to exits, exits
Detached house	None (dwelling unit egress is excluded)

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Ventilation fan controls and CO alarms

Fan controls in a dwelling unit OBC Div. B 9.32.3.3.:

The principal ventilation fan is controlled by a manual switch in the living area, clearly marked as the ventilation fan.
If every control is off, the system must not run.
A dehumidistat or other automatic control may carry the marked manual override. Where an automatic control is added, the manual switch must be able to start the fan whatever the automatic setting.
Supplemental exhaust fans (50 L/s in kitchens, 25 L/s in bathrooms without a principal fan intake) are switched in the room they serve OBC Div. B 9.32.3.7..

Carbon monoxide alarms. The Part 9 rules are in Articles 9.32.3.9. to 9.32.3.9C. They follow the same pattern as Part 6 (6.9.3.): a residential suite with a fuel-burning appliance or flue, a forced-air fuel-burning appliance supplying it, or an adjoining fuel-burning appliance, flue or storage garage, needs CO alarms. For a question on the exact trigger wording, read 9.32.3.9. and 9.32.3.9A.(1) directly in the Compendium rather than relying on a summary. Placement in OBC Div. B 9.32.3.9A.:

adjacent to each sleeping room, and one on each storey without a sleeping room;
in the combined area of a bachelor-type suite;
inside a sleeping room that contains, or adjoins outside the suite, a fuel-burning appliance or flue, or adjoins a storage garage, or adjoins an attic or crawl space the garage also adjoins;
in public corridors heated directly by forced air, not more than 25 m apart.

Service rooms and similar areas outside residential suites with fuel-burning appliances for building services or laundry drying need one in every building OBC Div. B 9.32.3.9B..

Installation OBC Div. B 9.32.3.9C.:

hard-wired with no disconnect switch;
a battery for 8 h of standby and then at least 12 h of alarm;
interconnected within the suite, along corridors, and throughout a house with a secondary suite including its common spaces;
conforming to CAN/CSA-6.19 or UL 2034;
a visual signal of at least 175 cd in sleeping areas;
mounted at the manufacturer's height, or on or near the ceiling.

Buildings with no electrical power may use battery alarms without a visual component.

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Notching for wiring, air barrier continuity and solar collectors

Running cable through framing is limited by Subsection 9.23.5.:

Member	Limit (unless reinforced or deepened)
Floor, roof, ceiling joist holes	Not larger than 1/4 of the depth, at least 50 mm from the edges
Joist notches	On the top, within half the joist depth from bearing, not deeper than 1/3 of the depth
Loadbearing studs	Undamaged portion at least 2/3 of the depth (40 mm for non-loadbearing)
Top plates	At least 50 mm of undamaged width
Roof trusses	No notching or drilling unless the truss design allows it

Penetrations of the air barrier by wiring, electrical boxes, piping or ductwork must be sealed to keep the air barrier continuous OBC Div. B 9.25.3.3.. The same Article requires sump pit covers to be sealed. The second plane of protection in cladding must also be kept continuous at wiring and outlet penetrations OBC Div. B 9.27.3.1.. Solar collector systems may be installed above roofing that meets 9.26.2.1.(1) OBC Div. B 9.26.1.4..

A few other listed items point back to rules covered elsewhere:

Part 9 supply duct clearances follow the same 75 mm and 150 mm plenum clearance ladder as Part 3 OBC Div. B 9.33.6.8..
Park model trailers near existing above ground conductors use the Part 3 clearance rules through 9.1.1.5. OBC Div. B 9.39.3.4..
A sump pit cover must resist removal by children and be airtight OBC Div. B 9.14.5.2..
A Part 9 change of use brings in, among other items, Section 9.34. for the new occupancy OBC Div. B 9.41.2.1..

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Common traps

Rounding down basement outlets. A fraction of 30 m² needs its own outlet.
Requiring Part 9 emergency lighting inside dwelling units. It applies only outside them.
Leaving out the "ventilation fan" marking, or putting the only switch in the mechanical room.
Notching joists at the bottom or at mid-span. Notches go on the top, near bearing.
Treating CO alarms in a house with a secondary suite as two separate systems. They must all sound together.

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
Electrical facilities and lighting outlets	An unfinished basement serving one dwelling unit may light its stair from a single switch at the top.
Emergency lighting	None of this applies to the means of egress within a dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite.
Ventilation fan controls and CO alarms	Service rooms and similar areas outside residential suites with fuel-burning appliances for building services or laundry drying need one in every building.
Notching for wiring, air barrier continuity and solar collectors	Penetrations of the air barrier by wiring, electrical boxes, piping or ductwork must be sealed to keep the air barrier continuous.

Electrical facilities and lighting outlets
An unfinished basement serving one dwelling unit may light its stair from a single switch at the top.
Emergency lighting
None of this applies to the means of egress within a dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite.
Ventilation fan controls and CO alarms
Service rooms and similar areas outside residential suites with fuel-burning appliances for building services or laundry drying need one in every building.
Notching for wiring, air barrier continuity and solar collectors
Penetrations of the air barrier by wiring, electrical boxes, piping or ductwork must be sealed to keep the air barrier continuous.

Usual exam traps

Rounding down basement outlets. A fraction of 30 m² needs its own outlet.
Requiring Part 9 emergency lighting inside dwelling units. It applies only outside them.
Leaving out the "ventilation fan" marking, or putting the only switch in the mechanical room.
Notching joists at the bottom or at mid-span. Notches go on the top, near bearing.
Treating CO alarms in a house with a secondary suite as two separate systems. They must all sound together.

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Questions on Part 9 electrical facilities and related items, 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 9.34.1.2. Required Facilities
(1)Where electrical services are available, electrical facilities shall be provided for every building in conformance with this Section.
Open OBC Div. B 9.34.1.2. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.34.1.3. Location of Equipment in Public Areas
(1)Entrance switches, meters, panel boxes, splitter boxes, time clocks and other similar equipment shall not be located in any public area unless adequate precautions are taken to prevent interference with the equipment.
Open OBC Div. B 9.34.1.3. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.34.1.5. Wiring and Cables
(1)Except for dwelling units and except as required in Sentence (2), optical fibre cables and electrical wires and cables installed in buildings permitted to be of combustible construction shall
(a)not convey flame or continue to burn for more than 1 min when tested in conformance with the Vertical Flame Test in Clause 4.11.1. of CSA C22.2 No. 0.3, "Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables," (FT1 Rating), or
(b)be located in
(i)totally enclosed noncombustible raceways, (See Note A-3.1.4.3.(1) (b)(i))
(ii)masonry walls,
(iii)concrete slabs, or
(iv)totally enclosed non metallic raceways conforming to Clause 3.1.5.23.(1)(b).
(2)Where a concealed space in a floor or ceiling assembly is used as a plenum, electrical wires and cables within the plenum shall conform to Clause 3.6.4.3.(1)(a).
Open OBC Div. B 9.34.1.5. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.34.2.2. Outlets in Dwelling Units
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (2), a lighting outlet with fixture controlled by a wall switch shall be provided in kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, utility rooms, laundry rooms, dining rooms, bathrooms, water-closet rooms, vestibules and hallways in dwelling units.
(2)Where a receptacle controlled by a wall switch is provided in bedrooms or living rooms, such rooms need not conform to the requirements of Sentence (1).
Open OBC Div. B 9.34.2.2. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.34.2.3. Stairways
(1)Every stairway shall be lighted.
(2)Except as provided in Sentence (3), 3-way wall switches located at the head and foot of every stairway shall be provided to control at least one lighting outlet with fixture for stairways with 4 or more risers in dwelling units and houses with a secondary suite including their common spaces.
(3)The stairway lighting for basements that do not contain finished space or lead to an outside entrance or built-in garage and which serve not more than one dwelling unit is permitted to be controlled by a single switch located at the head of the stairs.
Open OBC Div. B 9.34.2.3. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.34.2.4. Basements
(1)A lighting outlet with fixture shall be provided for each 30 m² or fraction thereof of floor area in unfinished basements.
(2)The outlet required in Sentence (1) nearest the stairs shall be controlled by a wall switch located at the head of the stairs.
Open OBC Div. B 9.34.2.4. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.34.2.7. Public and Service Areas
(1)Every public or service area in buildings, including a recreational camp and a camp for housing of workers, shall have lighting outlets with fixtures controlled by a wall switch or panel to illuminate such areas.
(2)When provided by incandescent lighting, illumination required in Sentence (1) shall conform to Table 9.34.2.7. (See Article 9.9.12.2. for lighting in means of egress.)
(3)When other types of lighting are used, illumination equivalent to that shown in Table 9.34.2.7. shall be provided.
Open OBC Div. B 9.34.2.7. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B Table 9.34.2.7. Lighting for Public Areas - Forming Part of Sentences 9.34.2.7.(2) and (3)
Table 9.34.2.7. Lighting for Public Areas - Forming Part of Sentences 9.34.2.7.(2) and (3) Forming Part of Sentences 9.34.2.7.(2) and (3) Room or Space | Minimum Illumination, lx | Minimum Lighting Power Density, W/m² of floor area Storage rooms | 50 | 5 Service rooms and laundry areas | 200 | 20 Garages | 50 | 5 Public water closet rooms | 100 | 10 Service hallways and stairways | 50 | 5 Recreation rooms | 100 | 10 Hallways, corridors, stairways and sleeping areas in recreational camps and camps for housing of workers | 100 | 10 Kitchen in recreational camps and camps for housing of workers | 500 | 50 All other rooms in recreational camps and camps for housing of workers | 250 | 25
Open OBC Div. B Table 9.34.2.7. in the code viewer

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OBC Div. B 9.34.3.1. Criteria for Emergency Lighting
(1)Emergency lighting shall conform to Subsection 9.9.12.
Open OBC Div. B 9.34.3.1. 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 9.9.12.1. Application
(1)This Subsection applies to the lighting of all means of egress except those within dwelling units or a house with a secondary suite.
Open OBC Div. B 9.9.12.1. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.32.3.3. Principal Ventilation System
(1)The principal ventilation system shall incorporate the following components:
(a)a principal ventilation fan complying with this Article, and
(b)except as permitted by Article 9.32.3.6., provision for the introduction of outdoor air to the dwelling unit, in conformance with Article 9.32.3.4. or 9.32.3.5.
(2)The principal ventilation fan shall be capable of operating at an exhaust capacity complying with Table 9.32.3.3., referred to hereinafter as the "normal operating exhaust capacity." (See Note A-9.32.3.3.(2))
(3)The requirement for a principal ventilation fan may be satisfied by a single fan, by the exhaust side of a heat recovery ventilator, or by a group of fans, provided all fans in the group are controlled simultaneously by a controller complying with Sentences (5) to (7). (See Note A-9.32.3.3.(3))
(4)The components of the principal ventilation system shall be approved by their manufacturer for continuous operation.
(5)The principal ventilation fan shall be controlled by a manual switch located within the living area of the dwelling unit and clearly marked ventilation fan. (See Note A-9.32.3.3.(5))
(6)If all controls serving the principal ventilation fan are in the "off" position, the principal ventilation system shall not operate.
(7)The requirement for a manual switch stated in Sentence (5) can be satisfied by a manual override incorporated in a dehumidistat or other automatic control, provided
(a)the automatic control is located within the living area of the dwelling unit, and
(b)the manual override is clearly marked ventilation fan.
(8)Where the principal ventilation fan is controlled by a dehumidistat or other automatic control in addition to the manual switch required by Sentence (5), the manual switch shall be capable of activating the fan regardless of the setting of the automatic control.
(9)Where an exhaust air intake for the principal ventilation fan is connected directly to the return side of the duct system of a forced air heating system or other forced air distribution system, it shall be connected, where applicable, not less than 1 m upstream from the connection of the outdoor air supply duct required by Sentence 9.32.3.4.(5).
(10)Exhaust air intakes for principal ventilation fans located in kitchens, bathrooms and water-closet rooms shall be located in the ceiling or on the wall not less than 2 m above the floor. (See Note A-9.32.3.3.(10))
Open OBC Div. B 9.32.3.3. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.32.3.7. Supplemental Exhaust
(1)Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), a supplemental exhaust fan with a rated capacity not less than 50 L/s shall be installed in each kitchen.
(2)A supplemental exhaust fan is not required in a kitchen where the only exhaust air intake for the principal ventilation fan is located in that kitchen.
(3)A supplemental exhaust fan is not required in a kitchen where the principal ventilation fan draws from that kitchen and other rooms, provided
(a)the principal ventilation fan can be switched to a high exhaust rate equal to not less than 2.5 times the minimum normal operating exhaust capacity specified in Table 9.32.3.3., and
(b)the high exhaust rate of the principal ventilation fan, as described in Clause (a), is activated by a manual switch in the kitchen labeled "kitchen exhaust."
(4)Where an exhaust air intake for the principal ventilation fan is not located in a bathroom or water-closet room, a supplemental exhaust fan with a rated capacity not less than 25 L/s shall be installed in that bathroom or water-closet room.
(5)Where the intake for a supplemental exhaust fan other than a cooking appliance exhaust fan serving a cooktop is installed in a kitchen, it shall be installed in the ceiling or on the wall at not less than 2 m above the floor.
(6)A supplemental exhaust fan required by this Article shall be controlled by a manual switch located in the room served by the fan.
(7)Where a kitchen or bathroom is exempted from the requirement to install a supplemental exhaust fan by virtue of Sentence (2) or (3), the principal ventilation fan shall be controlled by a manual switch located in the kitchen or bathroom and wired in parallel with the manual switch required by Sentence 9.32.3.3.(5).
(8)Where a supplemental exhaust fan required by this Article is controlled by a dehumidistat or other automatic control in addition to the manual switch required by Sentence (6), the manual switch shall be capable of activating the fan regardless of the setting of the automatic control.
Open OBC Div. B 9.32.3.7. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.32.3.9. Application of Carbon Monoxide Alarms
(1)Article 9.32.3.9A. applies to every building that
(a)contains a supply duct, and contains a fuel-burning appliance or a storage garage, or
(b)contains a residential occupancy and is served by a forced-air fuel-burning appliance not contained within the building.
(2)Articles 9.32.3.9B. and 9.32.3.9C. apply to every building.
Open OBC Div. B 9.32.3.9. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.32.3.9A. Location of Carbon Monoxide Alarms
(1)A carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed in a suite of supply duct where
(a)a fuel-burning appliance or a flue is installed in the suite,
(b)a forced-air fuel-burning appliance provides heated air directly to the suite,
(c)a fuel-burning appliance or a flue is located in a room, suite or area that shares a common wall or floor or ceiling assembly with the suite, or
(d)a storage garage shares a common wall or floor or ceiling assembly with the suite.
(2)Where a carbon monoxide alarm is required by Sentence (1) to be installed in a suite of residential occupancy, other than a suite that consists of a combined living and sleeping area, a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed
(a)adjacent to each sleeping room in the suite, and
(b)on each storey without a sleeping room in the suite.
(3)Where a carbon monoxide alarm is required by Sentence (1) to be installed in a suite of residential occupancy that consists of a combined living and sleeping area, a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed in the combined living and sleeping area.
(4)In addition to the carbon monoxide alarms required to be installed in a suite of residential occupancy in accordance with Sentence (2), a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed in each sleeping room within the suite where the sleeping room
(a)contains a fuel-burning appliance or a flue, or
(b)shares a common wall or floor or ceiling assembly
(i)with a room, suite or area that is located outside the suite and contains a fuel-burning appliance or a flue,
(ii)with a storage garage, or
(iii)that is adjacent to an attic or crawl space to which the storage garage is also adjacent.
(5)Carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed in public corridors serving suites of residential occupancy where the corridor is directly heated by a forced-air fuel-burning appliance.
(6)Where carbon monoxide alarms are required by Sentence (5) to be installed in a public corridor, the carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed such that
(a)there is at least one carbon monoxide alarm in each portion of a divided corridor, and
(b)each carbon monoxide alarm in an undivided portion of a corridor is spaced not more than 25 m apart.
Open OBC Div. B 9.32.3.9A. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.32.3.9B. Location of Carbon Monoxide Alarms in All Buildings
(1)A carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed in service rooms or other areas of a building where the service room or other area
(a)contains a fuel-burning appliance used for building services or laundry drying equipment, and
(b)is not located within a suite of residential occupancy.
Open OBC Div. B 9.32.3.9B. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.32.3.9C. Installation and Conformance to Standards
(1)The carbon monoxide alarms required by Articles 9.32.3.9A. and 9.32.3.9B. shall
(a)except as permitted in Sentence (2), be permanently connected to an electrical circuit and shall have no disconnect switch between the overcurrent device and the carbon monoxide alarm,
(b)in case the regular power supply to the carbon monoxide alarm is interrupted, be provided with a battery as an alternative power source that can continue to provide power to the carbon monoxide alarm for a period of not less than 8 h in the standby condition, followed by the operation of the carbon monoxide alarm for an alarm signal for at least 12 h,
(c)be wired so that
(i)activation of one carbon monoxide alarm within a suite of residential occupancy will activate all carbon monoxide alarms within the suite,
(ii)activation of one carbon monoxide alarm within a house with a secondary suite will activate all carbon monoxide alarms within the house with a secondary suite including their common spaces, and
(iii)activation of one carbon monoxide alarm located in a public corridor serving suites of residential occupancy will activate all carbon monoxide alarms within the corridor.
(d)be audible within sleeping rooms when the intervening doors are closed, where located adjacent to a sleeping room in a suite of residential occupancy, and
(e)conform to
(i)CAN/CSA-6.19, "Residential Carbon Monoxide Alarming Devices," or
(ii)UL 2034, "Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms."
(2)Where the building is not supplied with electrical power, carbon monoxide alarms are
(a)are permitted to be battery operated, and
(b)need not have a visual signaling component.
(3)Except as permitted in Sentence (2), the carbon monoxide alarms required by Articles 9.32.3.9A. and 9.32.3.9B. 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".
(4)The luminous intensity for visual signaling components required by Sentence (3) that are installed in sleeping rooms or combined living and sleeping areas shall be a minimum of 175 cd.
(5)The visual signaling component required by Sentence (3) need not
(a)be integrated with the carbon monoxide alarm provided it is interconnected to it,
(b)be on battery backup, or
(c)have synchronized flash rates, when installed in a dwelling unit.
(6)The carbon monoxide alarms required by Articles 9.32.3.9A. and 9.32.3.9B. shall be installed
(a)at the manufacturer's recommended height, or
(b)in the absence of specific instructions, on or near the ceiling.
Open OBC Div. B 9.32.3.9C. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.23.5.2. Notching of Framing Members
(1)Floor, roof and ceiling framing members are permitted to be notched provided the notch is located on the top of the member within half the joist depth from the edge of bearing and is not deeper than one-third the joist depth, unless the depth of the member is increased by the size of the notch.
Open OBC Div. B 9.23.5.2. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.25.3.3. Continuity of the Air Barrier System
(1)Where the air barrier system consists of an air-impermeable panel-type material, all joints shall be sealed to prevent air leakage.
(2)Where the air barrier system consists of flexible sheet material, all joints shall be
(a)sealed with compatible material such as tape or flexible sealant, or
(b)except as required by Sentence (2.1), lapped not less than 100 mm and clamped, such as between framing members, furring or blocking, and rigid panels.
(2.1)Where an air barrier system consisting of flexible sheet material is installed at locations where it is not supported by an interior finish, such as a behind a bathtub, shower enclosure or fireplace, the continuity of the air barrier shall be maintained by sealing its joints.
(3)Where an interior wall meets an exterior wall, ceiling, floor or roof required to be provided with air barrier protection, the air barrier system shall extend across the intersection and shall be sealed in accordance with Sentences (1) and (2).
(4)Where an interior wall projects through a ceiling or extends to become an exterior wall, spaces in the wall shall be blocked to provide continuity across those spaces with the air barrier system in the abutting walls or ceiling by
(a)sealing each air barrier to the blocking, or
(b)wrapping each air barrier around the transition and sealing in accordance with Sentences (1) and (2).
(5)Where an interior floor projects through an exterior wall to become an exterior floor,
(a)the air barrier of the wall under the floor shall be continuous with or sealed to the subfloor or the air barrier on the underside of the floor,
(b)the air barrier of the wall above the floor shall be continuous with or sealed to the subfloor or the air barrier on the top of the floor, and
(c)the spaces between floor joists shall be blocked and sealed.
(5.1)Where a header wrap is used as an air barrier, it shall be sealed or lapped to the wall air barrier above and below in accordance with Sentences (1) and (2).
(6)Penetrations of the air barrier system, such as those created by the installation of electrical wiring, electrical boxes, piping or ductwork, shall be sealed to maintain the integrity of the air barrier system over the entire surface.
(6.1)Where an interior air barrier is penetrated by doors, windows and other fenestration, the air barrier shall be sealed to the door frame or window frame with
(a)compatible tape, or
(b)spray foam insulation.
(6.2)Where an exterior air barrier is penetrated by doors, windows and other fenestration, the air barrier shall be sealed to the door frame or window frame with
(a)compatible flexible flashing material,
(b)caulking, or
(c)spray foam insulation.
(7)Where access hatches and sump pit covers are installed through assemblies constructed with an air barrier system, they shall be weatherstripped around their perimeters to prevent air leakage.
(8)Clearances between chimneys or gas vents and the surrounding construction that would permit air leakage from within the building into a wall or attic or roof space shall be sealed by noncombustible material to prevent such leakage and shall be sealed to the air barrier with tape or another compatible material, and to the vent with high temperature caulking in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.
(9)Reserved.
(10)Sump pit covers shall be sealed to maintain continuity of the air barrier system.
Open OBC Div. B 9.25.3.3. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.27.3.1. Elements of the Second Plane of Protection
(1)The second plane of protection shall consist of a drainage plane having an appropriate inner boundary and flashing to dissipate rainwater to the exterior.
(2)Except for cladding systems conforming to Subsection 9.27.14., the inner boundary of the drainage plane shall comply with Articles 9.27.3.2. to 9.27.3.6.
(3)The protection provided by the second plane of protection shall be maintained
(a)at wall penetrations created by the installation of components and services such as windows, doors, ventilation ducts, piping, wiring and electrical outlets, and
(b)at the interface with other wall assemblies.
(4)Flashing material and its installation shall comply with Articles 9.27.3.7. and 9.27.3.8.
Open OBC Div. B 9.27.3.1. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.26.1.4. Solar Collector Systems
(1)A solar collector system is permitted to be installed above roofing materials conforming to Sentence 9.26.2.1.(1).
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OBC Div. B 9.33.6.8. Clearances of Ducts and Plenums
(1)Reserved.
(2)Where the plenum clearance is 75 mm or less, the clearance between a supply duct and combustible material shall
(a)be equal to the required plenum clearance within 450 mm of the plenum, and
(b)be not less than 12 mm at a distance of 450 mm or more from the plenum, except that this clearance may be reduced to zero beyond a bend or offset in the duct sufficiently large to shield the remainder of the supply duct from direct radiation from the furnace heat exchanger. (See Note A-3.6.5.6.(2))
(3)Where the plenum clearance is more than 75 mm but not more than 150 mm, the clearance between a supply duct and combustible material shall be
(a)equal to the required plenum clearance within a horizontal distance of 1.8 m of the plenum, and
(b)not less than 12 mm at a horizontal distance of 1.8 m or more from the plenum, except that this distance may be reduced to zero beyond a bend or offset in the duct sufficiently large to shield the remainder of the duct from direct radiation from the furnace heat exchanger. (See Note A-3.6.5.6.(3))
(4)Where the plenum clearance is more than 150 mm, the clearance between a supply duct and combustible material shall be
(a)equal to the required plenum clearance within a horizontal distance of 1 m of the plenum,
(b)not less than 150 mm within a horizontal distance between 1 m and 1.8 m from the plenum, and
(c)not less than 25 mm at a horizontal distance of 1.8 m or more from the plenum, except that this distance may be reduced to 8 mm beyond a bend or offset in the duct sufficiently large to shield the remainder of the supply duct from direct radiation from the furnace heat exchanger. (See Note A-3.6.5.6.(4))
(5)Where a register is installed in a floor directly over a pipeless furnace, a double-walled register box with not less than 100 mm between walls, or a register box with the warm-air passage completely surrounded by the cold-air passage, shall be permitted in lieu of the clearances listed in Sentences (2) to (4).
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OBC Div. B 9.39.3.4. Proximity to Above Ground Electrical Conductors
(1)Buildings described in Article 9.39.1.1. shall comply with Article 9.1.1.5.
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OBC Div. B 9.14.5.2. Sump Pits
(1)Where a sump pit is provided it shall be
(a)not less than 750 mm deep,
(b)not less than 0.25 m² in area, and
(c)provided with a cover.
(2)Covers for sump pits shall be designed
(a)to resist removal by children, and
(b)to be airtight in accordance with Sentence 9.25.3.3.(7)
(3)Where gravity drainage is not practical, an automatic sump pump shall be provided to discharge the water from the sump pit described in Sentence (1) into a sewer, drainage ditch or dry well.
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OBC Div. B 9.41.2.1. Change of Use and Compensating Construction
(1)Where proposed construction will result in a change of use described in Clauses 9.40.1.1.(1)(a) to (f), additional construction shall be required in order that the building or part of a building subject to the change of use conforms to the requirements of Subsections 9.5.1. and 9.5.3. to 9.5.10., Section 9.6., Article 9.7.2.3. Sentences 9.7.5.1.(2) and 9.7.6.2.(1) and (3), Articles 9.8.8.1. and 9.9.10.1., Subsection 9.10.17. and Sections 9.31., 9.32. and 9.34. as they apply to the new major occupancy that the building or part of a building is to support.
(2)For the purposes of this Article, existing buildings shall be classified as to their construction and occupancy as provided for in Sentence 11.2.1.1.(1).
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