Part 9 egress and fire protection

(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.

(1)This Article applies to wired glass in doors, and wired glass or glass block in sidelights, where these are installed in fire separations between exit enclosures and floor areas.

(2)Except as provided in Sentence (3), the combined area of glazing in doors and sidelights shall not exceed 0.8 m².

(3)Where an exit enclosure connects with a floor area through an enclosed vestibule or corridor separated from the floor area by fire separations having not less than a 45 min fire-resistance rating, the glazed areas described in Sentence (1) need not be limited as required in Sentence (2).

(1)Where an unenclosed exterior exit stair or ramp provides the only means of egress from a suite, and is exposed to fire from openings in the exterior walls of another fire compartment, or another dwelling unit, ancillary space or common space in a house with a secondary suite, the openings in the exterior walls of the building shall be protected with wired glass in fixed steel frames or glass block conforming to Articles 9.10.13.5. and 9.10.13.7. when the openings in the exterior walls of the building are within 3 m horizontally and less than 10 m below or less than 5 m above the exit stair or ramp.

(1)This Article applies to

(a)exit doors serving other than an individual dwelling unit, and

(b)exit doors serving an individual dwelling unit where there is no second and separate exit from the dwelling unit.

(2)Where an exterior exit door described in Sentence (1) in one fire compartment is within 3 m horizontally of an unprotected opening in another fire compartment and the exterior walls of these fire compartments intersect at an exterior angle of less than 135°, the opening shall be protected with wired glass in fixed steel frames or glass block conforming to Articles 9.10.13.5. and 9.10.13.7. or with a rated closure conforming to Table 9.10.13.1. with respect to the rating of the fire separation between the two compartments.

(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))

(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))

(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.)

(1)Except for dwelling units, at least two egress doors shall be provided where

(a)the area of a room or suite exceeds 200 m² in a Group D, E, F2 and F3 occupancy, or 150 m² in a Group C occupancy, or

(b)the distance measured from any point within a room or suite to the nearest egress door exceeds 25 m.

(2)Doors required in Sentence (1) shall be spaced so that in the event one door is made inaccessible by a fire within such a room or suite, the other door will provide safe egress.

(1)Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3) and Subsection 9.9.9., at least 2 exits shall be provided from every floor area, spaced so that the travel distance to the nearest exit is not more than

(a)40 m in the case of business and personal services occupancies,

(b)45 m for all occupancies where the floor area is sprinklered, and

(c)30 m for all other occupancies.

(2)Except as provided in Subsection 9.9.9., a single exit is permitted from each storey in buildings of 1 and 2 storeys in building height provided the floor area and travel distance requirements conform to those required in Article 9.9.7.4. and the total occupant load served by an exit facility does not exceed 60 persons.

(3)In boarding, lodging or rooming houses,

(a)where sleeping accommodation is provided for not more than eight persons, a single exit is permitted from each floor area, or

(b)where sleeping accommodation is not provided in the basement, a single exit is permitted from the basement floor area.

(1)An access to exit shall be provided from every roof intended for occupancy and from every podium, terrace, platform or contained open space.

(2)Where a roof is intended for an occupant load of more than 60 persons, at least 2 separate means of egress shall be provided from the roof to stairs designed in conformance with the requirements for exit stairs and located remote from each other.

(3)Where a podium, terrace, platform or contained open space is provided, egress requirements shall conform to the appropriate requirements for rooms or suites in Article 9.9.7.4.

(1)Not more than one exit from a floor area is permitted to lead through a lobby.

(2)The lobby referred to in Sentence (1) shall be not more than 4.5 m above grade, and the path of travel through the lobby to the outdoors shall not exceed 15 m.

(3)The lobby referred to in Sentence (1) shall conform in all respects to the requirements for exits, except that rooms other than service rooms, storage rooms and rooms of residential or industrial occupancy are permitted to open directly onto such lobby.

(3.1)Except as provided in Sentence (6), an exit is permitted to lead through a lobby referred to in Sentence (1) provided the lobby is not located within an interconnected floor space other than as described in Sentence 3.2.8.2.(6).

(4)Where the lobby referred to in Sentence (1) and adjacent occupancies that are permitted to open into the lobby are sprinklered, the fire separation between such occupancies and the lobby need not have a fire-resistance rating. (See Note A-3.4.4.2.(2) (e))

(5)Passenger elevators are permitted to open onto the lobby referred to in Sentence (1) provided the elevator doors are designed to remain closed except while loading and unloading passengers.

(6)An exit that serves a hotel is permitted to lead through a lobby referred to in Sentence (1) provided the lobby is not located within an interconnected floor space.

(1)Except as required in Sentence 9.9.9.3.(1), each suite in a floor area occupied by more than one suite shall have

(a)an exterior exit doorway,

(b)a doorway to a public corridor, or

(c)a doorway to an exterior passageway.

(2)Except as provided in Sentences 9.9.7.3.(1) and 9.9.8.2.(2), from the point where a doorway described in Clause(1)(b) or (c) enters the public corridor or exterior passageway, it shall be possible to go in opposite directions to each of 2 separate exits.

(1)Except as provided in Sentence 9.9.7.3.(1) and except for dwelling units in a house with a secondary suite, where an egress door from a dwelling unit opens onto a public corridor or exterior passageway it shall be possible from the location where the egress door opens onto the corridor or exterior passageway to go in opposite directions to 2 separate exits unless the dwelling unit has a second and separate means of egress.

(1)Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), every dwelling unit containing more than 1 storey shall have exits or egress doors located so that it shall not be necessary to travel up or down more than 1 storey to reach a level served by

(a)an egress door to a public corridor, enclosed exit stair or exterior passageway, or

(b)an exit doorway not more than 1.5 m above adjacent ground level.

(2)Where a dwelling unit is not located above or below another suite, the travel limit from a floor level in the dwelling unit to an exit or egress door may exceed 1 storey where that floor level is served by an openable window or door

(a)providing an unobstructed opening of not less than 1 m in height and 0.55 m in width, and

(b)located so that the sill is not more than

(i)1 m above the floor, and

(ii)7 m above adjacent ground level.

(3)The travel limit from a floor level in a dwelling unit to an exit or egress door may exceed 1 storey where that floor level has direct access to a balcony.

(1)Except where a door on the same floor level as the bedroom provides direct access to the exterior, every floor level containing a bedroom in a suite shall be provided with at least one outside window that

(a)is openable from the inside without the use of tools,

(b)provides an individual, unobstructed open portion having a minimum area of 0.35 m² with no dimension less than 380 mm, and

(c)maintains the required opening described in Clause (b) without the need for additional support. (See Note A-9.9.10.1.(1))

(2)Except for basement areas, the window required in Sentence (1) shall have a maximum sill height of 1,000 mm above the floor. (See Note A-9.9.10.1.(2))

(3)Where a window required in Sentence (1) opens into a window well, a clearance of not less than 550 mm shall be provided in front of the window. (See Note A-9.9.10.1.(3))

(4)Where the sash of a window referred to in Sentence (3) swings towards the window well, the operation of the sash shall not reduce the clearance in a manner that would restrict escape in an emergency.

(5)Where a protective enclosure is installed over the window well referred to in Sentence (3), the enclosure shall be openable from the inside without the use of keys, tools or special knowledge of the opening mechanism.

(6)When sliding windows are used, the minimum dimension described in Sentence (1) shall apply to the openable portion of the window.

(7)Where the sleeping area within a live/work unit is on a mezzanine with no obstructions more than 1,070 mm above the floor, the window required in Sentence (1) may be provided on the main level of the live/work unit provided the mezzanine is not more than 25% of the area of the live/work unit or 20 m², whichever is less, and an unobstructed direct path of travel is provided from the mezzanine to this window.

(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.

(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.

(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."

(1)Emergency lighting shall conform to Subsection 9.9.12.

(1)Except as required in Article 9.10.9.16. and as permitted by Sentence (2), each suite in other than business and personal services occupancies shall be separated from adjoining suites by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min.

(2)In sprinklered buildings, suites of business and personal services occupancy and mercantile occupancy that are served by public corridors conforming with Clause 3.3.1.4.(4)(b) are not required to be separated from each other by fire separations.

(1)Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3) and Article 9.10.21.2., suites in residential occupancies shall be separated from adjacent rooms and suites by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min.

(2)Sleeping rooms in boarding, lodging or rooming houses where sleeping accommodation is provided for not more than 8 boarders or lodgers need not be separated from the remainder of the floor area as required in Sentence (1) where the sleeping rooms form part of the proprietor's residence and do not contain cooking facilities.

(3)Except as provided in Sentences (4) and (5), dwelling units that contain 2 or more storeys including basements shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 h. (See Note A-3.3.4.4.(1))

(4)Walls and floor-ceiling framing in a house with a secondary suite that separate dwelling units from each other or dwelling units from ancillary spaces and common spaces need not comply with Sentence (1), where the walls and floor-ceiling framing are protected by a continuous smoke-tight barrier of not less than 15.9 mm thick Type X gypsum board installed on

(a)both sides of walls, and

(b)the underside of floor-ceiling framing.

(5)The fire-resistance rating of the fire separation required in Sentence (4) is permitted to be waived where the house with a secondary suite is sprinklered.

(1)Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (4), residential occupancies shall be separated from all other major occupancies by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 h.

(2)Except as provided in Sentence (3), a major occupancy classified as a residential occupancy, including live/work units, shall be separated from other major occupancies classified as mercantile or medium hazard industrial occupancies by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 h.

(3)Where not more than two dwelling units or live/work units are located in a building containing a mercantile occupancy, such mercantile occupancy shall be separated from the dwelling units or live/work units by a fire separation having not less than 1 h fire-resistance rating.

(4)The requirement for fire separations between major occupancies in Sentence (1) is waived for the occupancies allowed within live/work units.

(1)Except as otherwise required by this Part and as provided in Sentences (2) to (5), public corridors shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having not less than a 45 min fire-resistance rating.

(2)In other than residential occupancies, no fire-resistance rating is required for fire separations between a public corridor and the remainder of the building if

(a)the floor area is sprinklered,

(b)the sprinkler system is electrically supervised in conformance with Sentence 3.2.4.9.(3), and

(c)the operation of the sprinkler system will cause a signal to be transmitted to the fire department in conformance with Sentence 3.2.4.7.(4).

(3)In other than residential occupancies, no fire separation is required between a public corridor and the remainder of the building if

(a)the floor area is sprinklered,

(b)the sprinkler system is electrically supervised in conformance with Sentence 3.2.4.9.(3),

(c)the operation of the sprinkler system will cause a signal to be transmitted to the fire department in conformance with Sentence 3.2.4.7.(4), and

(d)the corridor exceeds 5 m in width.

(4)Where a public corridor is located in a house with a secondary suite, a continuous smoke-tight barrier of not less than 15.9 mm thick Type X gypsum board shall be installed on

(a)both sides of walls separating the corridor from the remainder of the building, and

(b)the underside of floor-ceiling framing separating the corridor from the remainder of the building.

(5)No fire separation is required in a sprinklered floor area between a public corridor and a space containing plumbing fixtures required by Article 3.7.4.2. and Section 9.31., provided

(a)the space and the public corridor are separated from the remainder of the storey by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required between the public corridor and the remainder of the storey, and

(b)the plumbing fixtures are not located within a dwelling unit or suite.

(1)Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), a storage garage shall be separated from other occupancies by a fire separation having not less than a 1.5 h fire-resistance rating.

(2)Except as permitted in Sentence (3), storage garages containing 5 motor vehicles or fewer shall be separated from other occupancies by a fire separation of not less than 1 h.

(3)Where a storage garage serves only the dwelling unit to which it is attached or in which it is built, it shall be considered as part of that dwelling unit and the fire separation required in Sentence (2) need not be provided between the garage and the dwelling unit.

(4)Except as provided in Sentence (5), where a storage garage is attached to or built into a building of residential occupancy

(a)an air barrier system conforming to Subsection 9.25.3. shall be installed between the garage and the remainder of the building to provide an effective barrier to gas and exhaust fumes, and

(b)every door between the garage and the remainder of the building shall conform to Article 9.10.13.15. (See Note A-9.10.9.18.(4))

(5)Where membrane materials are used to provide the required airtightness in the air barrier system, all joints shall be sealed and structurally supported.

(1)Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), a repair garage shall be separated from other occupancies by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 h.

(2)Ancillary spaces directly serving a repair garage, including waiting rooms, reception rooms, tool and parts storage areas and supervisory office space, need not be separated from the repair garage but shall be separated from other occupancies as required in Sentence (1).

(3)The fire separation referred to in Sentence (1) shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 h, where

(a)the building is not more than one storey in building height,

(b)the building is operated as a single suite, and

(c)the only occupancy other than the repair garage is a mercantile occupancy.

(4)Except as provided in Sentence (5), where a building containing a repair garage also contains a dwelling unit, an air barrier system conforming to Subsection 9.25.3. shall be installed between the dwelling unit and the suite containing the garage to provide an effective barrier to gas and exhaust fumes. (See Note A-9.10.9.18.(4))

(5)Where membrane materials are used to provide the required airtightness in the air barrier system, all joints shall be sealed and structurally supported.

(1)Except as provided in Sentence (2) and Articles 9.10.10.5. and 9.10.10.6., service rooms shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 h when the floor area containing the service room is not sprinklered.

(2)Where a room contains a limited quantity of service equipment and the service equipment does not constitute a fire hazard, the requirements in Sentence (1) shall not apply.

(1)Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3) and Article 9.10.10.5., fuel-fired appliances shall be located in a service room separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having not less than a 1 h fire-resistance rating.

(2)Except as required in the appliance installation standards referenced in Sentences 6.2.1.5.(1) and 9.10.10.5.(1), fuel-fired space-heating appliances, space-cooling appliances and service water heaters need not be separated from the remainder of the building as required in Sentence (1),

(a)where the appliances serve

(i)not more than one room or suite, or

(ii)a building with a building area of not more than 400 m² and a building height of not more than 2 storeys, or

(b)where the appliances

(i)serve a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces, and

(ii)are located in a service room where both sides of any wall assemblies and the underside of any floor-ceiling framing separating this room from both dwelling units or their common spaces are protected by a continuous smoke-tight barrier consisting of not less than 15.9 mm thick Type X gypsum board.

(3)Sentence (1) does not apply to fireplaces and cooking appliances.

(1)Service rooms containing incinerators shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 h.

(2)The design, construction, installation and alteration of each indoor incinerator shall conform to NFPA 82, "Standard on Incinerators and Waste and Linen Handling Systems and Equipment."

(3)Every incinerator shall be connected to a chimney flue conforming to the requirements in Section 9.21. and serving no other appliance.

(4)An incinerator shall not be located in a room with other fuel-fired appliances.

(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.

(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.

(1)A 45 mm thick solid core wood door is permitted to be used where a minimum fire-protection rating of 20 min is permitted or between a public corridor and a suite provided the door conforms to CAN/ULC-S113, "Standard Specification for Wood Core Doors Meeting the Performance Required by CAN/ULC-S104 for Twenty Minute Fire Rated Closure Assemblies." (See Note A-9.10.13.2.(1))

(2)Doors described in Sentence (1) shall have not more than a 6 mm clearance beneath and not more than 3 mm at the sides and top.

(1)A door between an attached or built-in garage and a dwelling unit shall be tight-fitting and weather-stripped to provide an effective barrier against the passage of gases and exhaust fumes and shall be fitted with a self-closing device.

(2)A doorway between an attached or built-in garage and a dwelling unit shall not be located in a room intended for sleeping.

(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.

(1)If a fire alarm system is required in a building containing a hotel, a single stage fire alarm system shall be provided.

(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.

(1)Every dwelling unit within the scope of this Section shall be provided with a smoke alarm in accordance with Subsection 9.10.19.

(1)Except as provided in Sentence (3), a window or access panel providing an opening not less than 1,100 mm high and 550 mm wide and having a sill height of not more than 900 mm above the floor shall be provided on the second and third storeys of every building in at least one wall facing on a street if such storeys are not sprinklered.

(2)Access panels required in Sentence (1) shall be readily openable from both inside and outside or be glazed with plain glass.

(3)Access panels required in Sentence (1) need not be provided in

(a)buildings containing only dwelling units where there is no dwelling unit above another dwelling unit, or

(b)houses with a secondary suite.

(1)Only crawl spaces under 1-storey portions of dwelling units shall be used as warm air plenums.

(2)Enclosing material in crawl spaces described in Sentence (1), including insulation, shall have a surface flame-spread rating not greater than 150.

(3)Combustible ground cover used as enclosing material in Sentence (2) shall be covered with noncombustible material. (See Note A-9.18.7.1.(3) and (4))

(4)Noncombustible material described in Sentence (3) shall

(a)extend not less than 300 mm beyond the projection of a register opening, and

(b)have turned-up edges. (See Note A-9.18.7.1.(3) and (4))

(1)Except as provided in Sentences (2) to (6.2) and in Article 3.6.4.3., all ducts, duct connectors, associated fittings and plenums used in air duct systems shall be constructed of steel, aluminum alloy, copper, clay or similar noncombustible material.

(2)Ducts, associated fittings and plenums are permitted to contain combustible material provided they

(a)conform to the appropriate requirements for Class 1 duct materials in CAN/ULC-S110, "Standard Methods of Test for Air Ducts,"

(b)conform to Article 3.1.5.18. and Subsection 3.1.9.,

(c)are not used in vertical runs serving more than 2 storeys, and

(d)are not used in air duct systems in which the air temperature may exceed 120°C.

(3)Duct sealants shall have a flame-spread rating of not more than 25 and a smoke developed classification of not more than 50.

(4)Duct connectors that contain combustible materials and that are used between ducts and air outlet units shall

(a)conform to the appropriate requirements for Class 1 air duct materials in CAN/ULC-S110, "Standard Methods of Test for Air Ducts,"

(b)be limited to 4 m in length,

(c)be used only in horizontal runs, and

(d)not penetrate required fire separations.

(5)Combustibleducts that are part of a duct system carrying only ventilation air and that are contained entirely within a dwelling unit need not comply with the requirements of Sentences (1) to (4).

(6)Except as provided in Sentences 9.33.6.13.(2) and (3), ducts that are part of a return-air duct system and that are contained entirely within a dwelling unit need not comply with the requirements of Sentences (1) to (4).

(6.1)All ductwork and fittings shall be constructed and installed in conformance with SMACNA Manuals and ASHRAE Handbooks.

(6.2)All duct materials and fittings shall be

(a)suitable for exposure to the temperature and humidity of the air being conveyed, and

(b)resistant to corrosion due to contaminants in the air being conveyed in the duct.

(7)Materials referred to in Sentences (1) to (6.2), when used in a location where they may be subjected to excessive moisture, shall

(a)have no appreciable loss of strength when wet, and

(b)be corrosion-resistant.

(1)The return-air system shall be designed to handle the entire air supply.

(1.1)Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), return ducts shall be constructed of material having a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 150.

(2)Where any part of a return duct will be exposed to radiation from the furnace heat exchanger or other radiating part within the furnace, such part of a return duct directly above or within 600 mm of the outside furnace casing shall be noncombustible.

(3)Return ducts serving solid-fuel-burning furnaces shall be constructed of noncombustible material.

(4)Combustible return ducts shall be lined with noncombustible material

(a)below floor registers,

(b)at the bottom of vertical ducts, and

(c)under furnaces having a bottom return.

(5)Spaces between studs or joists used as return ducts shall be separated from the unused portions of such spaces by tight-fitting metal stops or wood blocking.

(6)A vertical return duct shall have openings to return air on not more than one floor.

(6.1)A public corridor shall comply with Sentences 6.3.2.7.(4) and (5).

(7)The return-air system shall be designed so that the negative pressure from the circulating fan cannot

(a)affect the furnace combustion air supply, nor

(b)draw combustion products from joints or openings in the furnace or flue pipe.

(7.1)Return-air from a dwelling unit shall not be recirculated to any other dwelling unit.

(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).

(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.