Fire protection, smoke alarms and sound transmission (House)

Last updated October 22, 2026

Values this chapter turns on

min separation between residential suites: 45 min; min separation between residential suites
Type X board, secondary suite smoke barrier: 15.9 mm; Type X board, secondary suite smoke barrier
min sound rating separating a dwelling unit: ASTC 47; min sound rating separating a dwelling unit
min clearance, burners to combustibles above: 750 mm; min clearance, burners to combustibles above

Section 9.10 is long, but a small set of Articles does most of the work on the House exam. Section 9.11 adds sound ratings between dwelling units.

Key terms

Term	Plain meaning
Fire separation	Any assembly acting as a barrier to fire spread (Div. A)
Fire-resistance rating	Time an assembly resists flame and heat transmission (Div. A)
Fire-protection rating	Time a closure (door, damper, wired glass) resists flame (Div. A)
Firewall	A noncombustible fire separation that stays standing in a fire (Div. A)
Limiting distance	From the exposing building face to the property line, street centre line or an imaginary line between buildings (Div. A)
Exposing building face	The part of an exterior wall facing one direction, ground to top-storey ceiling (Div. A)

Application, occupancy and ratings

Houses are Group C under Table 9.10.2.1.. Ratings come from Part 3 test methods, SB-2 "Fire Performance Ratings" or SB-3 "Fire and Sound Resistance Tables" OBC Div. B 9.10.3.1.. Floors are rated for fire from below and exterior walls for fire from inside. Firewalls and interior vertical separations are rated from each side OBC Div. B 9.10.3.3..

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Building size, construction type and floor ratings

Table 9.10.8.1. asks for 45 min floors in residential buildings up to 3 storeys. OBC Div. B 9.10.8.10. switches the table off for:

a dwelling unit with no other dwelling unit above or below it,
a house with a secondary suite whose floor framing has a continuous smoke-tight barrier of 15.9 mm Type X gypsum board on the underside,
a dwelling unit not above or below another major occupancy.

So a detached house needs no floor rating. In a house with a secondary suite, walls, columns and beams (including steel) that support the floor between units need 15.9 mm Type X gypsum board protection OBC Div. B 9.10.8.3..

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Separations: suites, garages and service rooms

Floors within a dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite need not be fire separations OBC Div. B 9.10.9.4..

Residential suites OBC Div. B 9.10.9.16.: suites are separated by at least 45 min. A dwelling unit of 2 or more storeys, including the basement, needs at least 1 h. In a house with a secondary suite, the 45 min rule may be replaced by a continuous smoke-tight barrier of at least 15.9 mm Type X gypsum board. It goes on both sides of the separating walls and on the underside of the floor-ceiling framing. If the house is sprinklered, the rating of that separation may be waived.

Garages OBC Div. B 9.10.9.18.: a garage serving only its own dwelling unit is treated as part of the unit, so no rated separation is needed. An air barrier system must still stop exhaust fumes. The connecting door must be tight-fitting, weather-stripped and self-closing, and may not open into a room intended for sleeping OBC Div. B 9.10.13.15..

Service rooms with fuel-fired appliances normally need a 1 h separation. However, appliances serving a single suite, or a small building (400 m² or less, 2 storeys or less), are exempt OBC Div. B 9.10.10.4.. In a house with a secondary suite, appliances serving both units are exempt if the room is wrapped in a 15.9 mm Type X smoke-tight barrier. Subsection 9.10.10. does not apply to rooms inside a dwelling unit OBC Div. B 9.10.10.1..

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Firewalls, exterior walls and closures

A party wall on a property line is normally a firewall OBC Div. B 9.10.11.1.. For houses it may instead be a 1 h fire separation where it separates two dwelling units with none above another, or involves a house with a secondary suite OBC Div. B 9.10.11.2.. The wall runs from the top of the footings to the underside of the roof deck, with any gap at the top tightly filled with mineral wool or noncombustible material.

Exterior walls of different fire compartments or units meeting at 135 degrees or less need 1.2 m between unprotected openings OBC Div. B 9.10.12.3..

Closures in rated separations follow Table 9.10.13.1.:

Separation rating	Closure rating
30 or 45 min	20 min
1 h	45 min
1.5 h	1 h
2 h	1.5 h

A 45 mm solid core wood door may serve where 20 min is allowed OBC Div. B 9.10.13.2..

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Spatial separation between houses

For buildings with only dwelling units and none above another, and for houses with a secondary suite, use Subsection 9.10.15. OBC Div. B 9.10.15.1., not 9.10.14. Glazed openings are limited by OBC Div. B 9.10.15.4. in one of three ways: by Table 9.10.15.4., by Part 3, or, where the limiting distance is at least 1.2 m, to the limiting distance squared. Openings of 130 cm² or less are ignored. The limit doubles for glass block, or for a sprinklered house where the rooms behind the openings are also sprinklered.

Reading the table. Find the row at or above the face area. Then find the column at or below the limiting distance. The cell is a percentage of the face area. Example: 40 m² face, limiting distance 2 m. The cell reads 11 %, so 0.11 x 40 = 4.4 m². The squared method gives 2 x 2 = 4 m², so the table result governs.

Construction of the face OBC Div. B 9.10.15.5.:

Limiting distance	Requirement
1.2 m or more	No added rating or cladding rule
0.6 m to under 1.2 m	45 min rating
Under 0.6 m	45 min rating plus noncombustible or metal cladding (or listed options)

Openings in a wall with limiting distance under 1.2 m need rated closures, not wired glass or glass block. Where there is no capable fire department, the required limiting distance doubles for an unsprinklered house OBC Div. B 9.10.15.3A..

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Fire blocks and flame spread

Fire blocks separate concealed spaces in interior walls, floors and ceilings from those in exterior walls and attics OBC Div. B 9.10.16.1.. In walls they go at each floor level and at least every 20 m horizontally and 3 m vertically. They can be left out if the space is filled with insulation, or meets the other conditions in OBC Div. B 9.10.16.2.. Deemed materials include 0.38 mm sheet steel, 12.7 mm gypsum board, 12.5 mm plywood or OSB, two layers of 19 mm lumber, or 38 mm lumber OBC Div. B 9.10.16.3..

Interior walls and ceilings are limited to a surface flame-spread rating of 150 OBC Div. B 9.10.17.1.. Bathrooms within residential suites may go to 200 OBC Div. B 9.10.17.11.. Doors within dwelling units, other than garage doors, are exempt.

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Smoke alarms

Smoke alarms are required in each dwelling unit and in the common spaces of a house with a secondary suite OBC Div. B 9.10.19.1.. Location rules OBC Div. B 9.10.19.3.:

at least one on each storey, including basements,
one in each sleeping room,
one between the sleeping rooms and the rest of the storey, in the hallway if there is one,
mounted on or near the ceiling, with a visual signal of at least 175 cd in sleeping rooms.

Smoke alarm item	Value
Power	Permanent connection, no disconnect switch 9.10.19.4.
Battery backup	7 days normal, then 4 minutes of alarm
Interconnection	All alarms in the unit sound together 9.10.19.5.
Silencing	Not more than 10 min 9.10.19.6.

In a house with a secondary suite, all alarms in both units must be interconnected, by wire or wirelessly.

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Firefighting access and cooktops

Upper-storey firefighter access windows are not required for houses OBC Div. B 9.10.20.1., but every building needs fire department access OBC Div. B 9.10.20.3..

Cooktops: combustible framing, finishes and cabinets directly above must be at least 750 mm above the burners. This drops to 600 mm if they are noncombustible or protected by a metal hood projecting 125 mm OBC Div. B 9.10.22.2.. Combustible walls within 450 mm need 9.5 mm gypsum board, or equivalent, above burner level OBC Div. B 9.10.22.3.. Example: burners at 915 mm put the cabinet underside at 1,665 mm or higher.

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Sound transmission

A dwelling unit must be separated from other spaces where noise may be generated. The separation needs either an ASTC rating of at least 47, or an STC rating of at least 50 with adjoining constructions built to 9.11.1.4. OBC Div. B 9.11.1.1.. Next to an elevator shaft or refuse chute, the requirement is STC 55. Assemblies from SB-3 Tables 1 and 2 can show compliance OBC Div. B 9.11.1.3..

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Common traps

Requiring a 45 min floor in a detached house. 9.10.8.10. removes it.
Requiring a rated door between a house and its own attached garage. Only tight-fitting, weather-stripped and self-closing is required.
Using 9.10.14. for houses. Houses use 9.10.15.

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
Building size, construction type and floor ratings	So a detached house needs no floor rating.
Separations: suites, garages and service rooms	Floors within a dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite need not be fire separations.
Firewalls, exterior walls and closures	A party wall on a property line is normally a firewall.
Spatial separation between houses	For buildings with only dwelling units and none above another, and for houses with a secondary suite, use Subsection 9.10.15., not 9.10.14. Glazed openings are limited by in one…
Fire blocks and flame spread	Fire blocks separate concealed spaces in interior walls, floors and ceilings from those in exterior walls and attics.
Smoke alarms	Smoke alarms are required in each dwelling unit and in the common spaces of a house with a secondary suite.
Firefighting access and cooktops	Upper-storey firefighter access windows are not required for houses, but every building needs fire department access.
Sound transmission	A dwelling unit must be separated from other spaces where noise may be generated.

Building size, construction type and floor ratings
So a detached house needs no floor rating.
Separations: suites, garages and service rooms
Floors within a dwelling unit or a house with a secondary suite need not be fire separations.
Firewalls, exterior walls and closures
A party wall on a property line is normally a firewall.
Spatial separation between houses
For buildings with only dwelling units and none above another, and for houses with a secondary suite, use Subsection 9.10.15., not 9.10.14. Glazed openings are limited by in one…
Fire blocks and flame spread
Fire blocks separate concealed spaces in interior walls, floors and ceilings from those in exterior walls and attics.
Smoke alarms
Smoke alarms are required in each dwelling unit and in the common spaces of a house with a secondary suite.
Firefighting access and cooktops
Upper-storey firefighter access windows are not required for houses, but every building needs fire department access.
Sound transmission
A dwelling unit must be separated from other spaces where noise may be generated.

Usual exam traps

Requiring a 45 min floor in a detached house. 9.10.8.10. removes it.
Requiring a rated door between a house and its own attached garage. Only tight-fitting, weather-stripped and self-closing is required.
Using 9.10.14. for houses. Houses use 9.10.15.

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Questions on Fire protection, smoke alarms and sound transmission, 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. A 1.4.1.2.(1) Fire separation
Fire separation means a construction assembly that acts as a barrier against the spread of fire. (See Note A-1.4.1.2.(1))
Open OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) in the code viewer
OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) Fire-resistance rating
Fire-resistance rating means the time in minutes or hours that a material or assembly of materials will withstand the passage of flame and the transmission of heat when exposed to fire under specified conditions of test and performance criteria, or as determined by extension or interpretation of information derived therefrom as prescribed in this Code. (See Sentence 1.2.1.(2) in MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-2)
Open OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) in the code viewer
OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) Fire-protection rating
Fire-protection rating means the time in minutes or hours that a closure will withstand the passage of flame when exposed to fire under specified conditions of test and performance criteria, or as otherwise prescribed in this Code.
Open OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) in the code viewer
OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) Firewall
Firewall means a type of fire separation of noncombustible construction that subdivides a building or separates adjoining buildings to resist the spread of fire and that has a fire-resistance rating as prescribed in this Code and has structural stability to remain intact under fire conditions for the required fire-rated time.
Open OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) in the code viewer
OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) Limiting distance
Limiting distance means the distance from an exposing building face to a property line, the centre line of a street, lane or public thoroughfare, or to an imaginary line between 2 buildings or fire compartments on the same property, measured at right angles to the exposing building face.
Open OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) in the code viewer
OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) Exposing building face
Exposing building face means that part of the exterior wall of a building that faces one direction and is located between ground level and the ceiling of its top storey or, where a building is divided into fire compartments, the exterior wall of a fire compartment that faces one direction.
Open OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) in the code viewer
OBC Div. B Table 9.10.2.1. Occupancy Classifications — Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.2.1.(1)
Table 9.10.2.1 — Occupancy Classifications — Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.2.1.(1) Group | Division | Description of Major Occupancies[1] C | N/A | Residential occupancies D | N/A | Business and personal services occupancies E | N/A | Mercantile occupancies F | 2 | Medium-hazard industrial occupancies F | 3 | Low-hazard industrial occupancies (Does not include storage garages serving houses or individual dwelling units) Notes to Table 9.10.2.1.: (1) See Note A-3.1.2.1.(1).
Open OBC Div. B Table 9.10.2.1. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.3.1. Fire-Resistance and Fire-Protection Ratings
(1)Where a fire-resistance rating or a fire-protection rating is required in this Section for an element of a building, such rating shall be determined in conformance with
(a)the test methods described in Part 3,
(b)MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-2, "Fire Performance Ratings," or
(c)MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-3, "Fire and Sound Resistance Tables."
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.3.1. in the code viewer

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OBC Div. B 9.10.3.3. Fire Exposure
(1)Floor, roof and ceiling assemblies shall be rated for exposure to fire on the underside.
(2)Exterior walls shall be rated for exposure to fire from inside the building, except that such walls need not comply with the temperature rise limitations required by the standard tests referred to in Article 9.10.3.1. if such walls have a limiting distance of not less than 1.2 m, and due allowance is made for the effects of heat radiation in accordance with the requirements in Part 3.
(3)Firewalls and interior vertical fire separations required to have fire-resistance ratings shall be rated for exposure to fire on each side.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.3.3. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B Table 9.10.8.1. Fire Resistance Ratings for Floors and Roofs — Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.8.1.(1)
Table 9.10.8.1 — Fire Resistance Ratings for Floors and Roofs — Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.8.1.(1) Major Occupancy | Maximum Building Height, Storeys | Minimum Fire-Resistance Rating for Floors Except Floors over Crawl Spaces, min | Minimum Fire-Resistance Rating for Mezzanine Floors, min | Minimum Fire-Resistance Rating for Roofs, min Residential (Group C) | 3 | 45 | 45 | N/A All other occupancies | 2 | 45 | N/A | N/A All other occupancies | 3 | 45 | 45 | 45
Open OBC Div. B Table 9.10.8.1. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.8.10. Non-Application to Houses
(1)Table 9.10.8.1. does not apply to
(a)a dwelling unit that has no other dwelling unit above or below it,
(b)houses with a secondary suite, where the floor framing is protected on the underside by a continuous smoke-tight barrier of not less than 15.9 mm thick Type X gypsum board, or
(c)a dwelling unit that is not above or below another major occupancy.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.8.10. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.8.3. Fire-Resistance Ratings for Walls, Columns and Arches
(1)Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection, all loadbearing walls, columns and arches in the storey immediately below a floor or roof assembly shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than that required for the supported floor or roof assembly.
(2)Light-frame walls, columns, arches and beams as well as loadbearing steel elements that support floors between dwelling units in a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces shall be protected by not less than 15.9 mm thick Type-X gypsum board. (See Note A-9.10.8.3.(2))
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.8.3. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.9.4. Floor Assemblies
(1)Except as permitted in Sentences (2) to (4), all floor assemblies shall be constructed as fire separations.
(2)Floor assemblies contained within dwelling units and within houses with a secondary suite need not be constructed as fire separations.
(3)Floor assemblies for which no fire-resistance rating is required by Subsection 9.10.8. and floors of mezzanines not required to be counted as storeys in Articles 9.10.4.1. and 9.10.4.2. need not be constructed as fire separations.
(4)Where a crawl space is not required by Article 9.10.8.9. to be constructed as a basement, the floor above it need not be constructed as a fire separation.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.9.4. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.9.16. Separation of Residential Suites
(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.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.9.16. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.9.18. Separation of Storage Garages
(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.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.9.18. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.13.15. Doors Between Garages and Dwelling Units
(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.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.13.15. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.10.4. Locations of Fuel-Fired Appliances
(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.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.10.4. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.10.1. Application
(1)This Subsection applies to service rooms in all buildings except rooms located within a dwelling unit.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.10.1. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.11.1. Required Firewalls
(1)Except as provided in Articles 9.10.11.2., a party wall on a property line shall be constructed as a firewall.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.11.1. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.11.2. Firewalls Not Required
(1)A party wall on a property line of a building of residential occupancy need not be constructed as a firewall, provided it is constructed as a fire separation having not less than a 1 h fire-resistance rating, where the party wall separates
(a)two dwelling units where there is no dwelling unit above another dwelling unit,
(b)a dwelling unit and a house with a secondary suite including their common spaces, or
(c)two houses with a secondary suite including their common spaces.
(2)Reserved.
(3)The wall described in Sentence (1) shall provide continuous protection from the top of the footings to the underside of the roof deck.
(4)Any space between the top of the wall described in Sentence (1) and the roof deck shall be tightly filled with mineral wool or noncombustible material.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.11.2. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.12.3. Exterior Walls Meeting at an Angle
(1)Except as provided in Article 9.9.4.5., where exterior walls of a building meet at an external angle of 135° or less, the horizontal distance from an unprotected opening in one exterior wall to an unprotected opening in the other exterior wall shall be not less than 1.2 m, where these openings are
(a)in different fire compartments, or
(b)in different dwelling units, ancillary spaces or common spaces in a house with a secondary suite.
(2)Except as provided in Sentence (3), the exterior wall of each fire compartment referred to in Sentence (1) within the 1.2 m distance shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the interior vertical fire separation between the compartment and the remainder of the building.
(3)Where interior walls between dwelling units, ancillary spaces or common spaces in a house with a secondary suite are not constructed as fire separations, the exterior wall of each dwelling unit, ancillary space or common space referred to in Sentence (1) within the 1.2 m distance shall be finished on the interior with not less than 15.9 mm thick Type X gypsum board.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.12.3. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B Table 9.10.13.1. Fire-Protection Ratings for Closures — Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.13.1.(1)
Table 9.10.13.1 — Fire-Protection Ratings for Closures — Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.13.1.(1) Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.13.1.(1) Required Fire-Resistance Rating of Fire Separation | Required Fire-Protection Rating of Closure 30 or 45 min | 20 min[1] 1 h | 45 min[1] 1.5 h | 1 h 2 h | 1.5 h 3 h | 2 h 4 h | 3 h Notes to Table 9.10.13.1.: (1) See Article 9.10.13.2.
Open OBC Div. B Table 9.10.13.1. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.13.2. Solid Core Wood Door as a Closure
(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.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.13.2. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.15.1. Application
(1)This Subsection applies to
(a)buildings that contain only dwelling units and have no dwelling unit above another dwelling unit, and
(b)houses with a secondary suite including their common spaces. (See Note A-9.10.15.1.(1))
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.15.1. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 9.10.15.4. Glazed Openings in Exposing Building Face
(1)Except as provided in Sentences (6) to (9), the maximum area of glazed openings in an exposing building face shall
(a)conform to Table 9.10.15.4.,
(b)conform to Subsection 3.2.3. as if the glazed openings were unprotected openings, or
(c)where the limiting distance is not less than 1.2 m, be equal to or less than the limiting distance squared.
(2)Where the limits on the area of glazed openings are determined for individual portions of the exposing building face, as described in Subclause 9.10.15.2.(1)(b)(iii), the maximum aggregate area of glazed openings for any portion shall be determined using the values in Table 9.10.15.4. corresponding to
(a)the maximum total area of exposing building face, which is equal to the sum of all portions of the exposing building face, and
(b)the limiting distance of each portion. (See Note A-9.10.15.4.(2))
(3)Reserved.
(4)Reserved.
(5)Reserved
(6)The limits on the area of glazed openings shall not apply to the exposing building face of a dwelling unit facing a detached garage or accessory building, where
(a)the detached garage or accessory building serves only one dwelling unit,
(b)the detached garage or accessory building is located on the same property as that dwelling unit, and
(c)the dwelling unit served by the detached garage or accessory building is the only major occupancy on the property.
(7)The maximum aggregate area of glazed openings in an exposing building face is permitted to be up to twice the area determined in accordance with Sentence (1), where
(a)the glazed openings consist of glass blocks, as described in Article 9.10.13.7., or
(b)the building is sprinklered, provided all rooms, including closets, bathrooms and attached garages, that are adjacent to the exposing building face and that have glazed openings are sprinklered, notwithstanding any exemptions in the sprinkler standards referenced in Article 3.2.5.12.
(8)Except as provided in Sentence (9), openings in a wall having a limiting distance of less than 1.2 m shall be protected by closures, of other than wired glass or glass block, whose fire-protection rating is in conformance with the fire-resistance rating required for the wall.
(9)An opening in an exposing building face not more than 130 cm² need not be protected by a closure.
Open OBC Div. B 9.10.15.4. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B Table 9.10.15.4. Maximum Aggregate Area of Glazed Openings, % of Exposing Building Face Area
Table 9.10.15.4. — Maximum Aggregate Area of Glazed Openings, % of Exposing Building Face Area Forming Part of Subclause 9.10.15.2.(1)(b)(iii) and Sentences 9.10.15.4.(1) and (2) Maximum Total Area of Exposing Building Face , m² | Limiting Distance : Less than 1.2 m | Limiting Distance : 1.2 m | Limiting Distance : 1.5 m | Limiting Distance : 2 m | Limiting Distance : 2.5 m | Limiting Distance : 3 m | Limiting Distance : 4 m | Limiting Distance : 6 m | Limiting Distance : 8 m | Limiting Distance : 10 m | Limiting Distance : 12 m | Limiting Distance : 16 m | Limiting Distance : 20 m | Limiting Distance : 25 m 10 | 0 | 8 | 12 | 21 | 33 | 55 | 96 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 15 | 0 | 8 | 10 | 17 | 25 | 37 | 67 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 20 | 0 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 21 | 30 | 53 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 25 | 0 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 19 | 26 | 45 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 30 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 23 | 39 | 88 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 40 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 15 | 20 | 32 | 69 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 50 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 28 | 57 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 100 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 18 | 34 | 56 | 84 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 Over 100 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 19 | 28 | 40 | 55 | 92 | 100 | 100
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OBC Div. B 9.10.15.5. Construction of Exposing Building Face of Houses
(1)Except as provided in Sentences (1.1), (2), (4) and (6), each exposing building face and any exterior wall located above an exposing building face that encloses an attic or roof space shall be constructed in conformance with Subsection 9.10.8.,
(a)for the exposing building face as a whole, or
(b)for any number of separate portions of the exposing building face.
(1.1)Sentence (1) does not apply where
(a)the limiting distance is not less than 1.2 m,
(b)the limiting distance is less than 1.2 m but not less than 0.6 m, provided that the exposing building face has a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min, or
(c)the limiting distance is less than 0.6 m, provided that the exposing building face has a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min and is clad with noncombustible material.
(2)Except as provided in Sentences (4) and (5), where the limiting distance is less than 0.6 m, the exposing building face and exterior walls located above the exposing building face that enclose an attic or roof space shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min, and
(a)the cladding shall be metal or noncombustible cladding installed in accordance with Section 9.20., 9.27. or 9.28., (See Note A-9.10.14.5.(1)),
(b)the cladding shall
(i)conform to Subsection 9.27.12.,
(ii)be installed without furring members over gypsum sheathing at least 12.7 mm thick or over masonry,
(iii)has a flame-spread rating not more than 25 when tested in accordance with Sentence 3.1.12.1.(2), and
(iv)not exceed 2 mm in thickness exclusive of fasteners, joints and local reinforcements, or
(c)the wall assembly shall comply with Clause 3.1.5.5.(1)(b) when tested in conformance with CAN/ULC-S134, "Standard Method of Fire Test of Exterior Wall Assemblies."
(3)Reserved.
(4)The requirements for fire-resistance rating and type of cladding-sheathing assembly shall not apply to the exposing building face or projections from an exposing building face of a dwelling unit facing a detached garage or accessory building, or a garage or accessory building facing a dwelling unit, where
(a)the detached garage or accessory building serves only one dwelling unit,
(b)the detached garage or accessory building is located on the same property as that dwelling unit, and
(c)the dwelling unit served by the detached garage or accessory building is the only major occupancy on the property.
(5)Except for buildings containing 1 or 2 dwelling units only, combustible projections on the exterior of a wall that are more than 1 m above ground level and that could expose an adjacent building to fire spread shall not be permitted within
(a)1.2 m of a property line or the centre line of a public way, or
(b)2.4 m of a combustible projection on another building on the same property.
(6)Reserved.
(7)Reserved.
(8)Reserved.
(9)Reserved.
(10)Reserved.
(11)Reserved.
(12)Reserved.
(13)Heavy timber and steel columns need not conform to the requirements of Sentence (1) provided the limiting distance is not less than 3 m.
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OBC Div. B 9.10.15.3A. Inadequate Firefighting Facilities
(1)Where there is no fire department or where a fire department is not organized, trained and equipped to meet the needs of the community, the required limiting distance determined from Sentences 9.10.15.4.(2) and (5) and Sentence 9.10.15.5.(6), shall be doubled for a building that is not sprinklered throughout.
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OBC Div. B 9.10.16.1. Required Fire Blocks in Concealed Spaces
(1)Concealed spaces in interior walls, ceilings, floors and crawl spaces shall be separated by fire blocks from concealed spaces in exterior walls and attic or roof spaces.
(2)Reserved.
(3)Fire blocks shall be provided at all interconnections between concealed vertical and horizontal spaces in interior coved ceilings, drop ceilings and soffits where the exposed construction materials within the concealed spaces have a surface flame-spread rating greater than 25.
(4)Fire blocks shall be provided at the top and bottom of each run of stairs where they pass through a floor containing concealed space in which the exposed construction materials within the space have a surface flame-spread rating greater than 25.
(5)Where not sprinklered, concealed spaces of combustible construction created by a ceiling, roof space or unoccupied attic space shall be separated by fire blocks into compartments
(a)not more than 60 m in greatest dimension, and
(b)where such space contains exposed construction materials having a surface flame-spread rating greater than 25, not more than 300 m² in area.
(6)No dimension of the compartment described in Clause (5)(b) shall exceed 20 m.
(7)Concealed spaces in mansard or gambrel style roofs, exterior cornices, balconies and canopies of combustible construction in which the exposed construction materials within the space have a surface flame-spread rating exceeding 25 shall have vertical fire blocks at intervals of not more than 20 m and at points where such concealed spaces extend across the ends of required vertical fire separations.
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OBC Div. B 9.10.16.2. Required Fire Blocks in Wall Assemblies
(1)Except as permitted in Sentence (2), fire blocks shall be provided to block off concealed spaces within wall assemblies, including spaces created by furring,
(a)at each floor level,
(b)at each ceiling level where the ceiling contributes to part of the required fire-resistance rating, and
(c)at other locations within the wall, so that the distance between fire blocks does not exceed 20 m horizontally and 3 m vertically.
(2)Fire blocks described in Sentence (1) are not required, provided
(a)the insulated wall assembly contains not more than one concealed air space whose horizontal thickness is not more than 25 mm,
(b)the exposed construction materials within the space are noncombustible, or
(c)the exposed construction materials within the space, including insulation, but not including wiring, piping or similar services, have a flame-spread rating of not more than 25, or
(d)the concealed wall space is filled with insulation.
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OBC Div. B 9.10.16.3. Fire Block Materials
(1)Except as permitted in Sentences (2) and (3), fire blocks shall be constructed of materials that will remain in place and prevent the passage of flames for not less than 15 min when subjected to the standard fire exposure in CAN/ULC-S101, "Standard Method of Fire Endurance Tests of Building Construction and Materials."
(2)Fire blocks are deemed to comply with Sentence (1) if they are constructed of not less than,
(a)0.38 mm sheet steel,
(b)12.7 mm gypsum board,
(c)12.5 mm plywood, OSB or waferboard, with joints having continuous supports,
(d)two layers of lumber, each not less than 19 mm thick, with joints staggered, or
(e)38 mm lumber.
(3)In a building permitted to be of combustible construction, semi-rigid fibre insulation board produced from glass, rock or slag, is permitted to be used to block the vertical space in a double-frame wall assembly formed at the intersection of the floor assembly and the walls, provided the width of the vertical space does not exceed 25 mm and the insulation board
(a)has a density not less than 45 kg/m³,
(b)is securely fastened to one set of studs,
(c)extends from below the bottom of the top plates in the lower storey to above the top of the bottom plate in the upper storey, and
(d)completely fills the portion of the vertical space between the headers and between the wall plates. (See Note A-3.1.11.7.(8))
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OBC Div. B 9.10.17.1. Flame-Spread Rating of Interior Surfaces
(1)Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection, the exposed surface of every interior wall and ceiling, including skylights and glazing, shall have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 150.
(2)Except as permitted in Sentence (3), doors need not conform to Sentence (1) provided they have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 200.
(3)Doors within dwelling units, other than garage doors, need not conform to Sentences (1) and (2).
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OBC Div. B 9.10.17.11. Walls and Ceilings in Bathrooms
(1)The interior finish of walls and ceilings in bathrooms within suites of residential occupancy shall have a surface flame-spread rating of not more than 200.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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))
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OBC Div. B 9.10.19.6. Silencing of Smoke Alarms
(1)Except as permitted in Sentence (2), a manually operated device shall be incorporated within the circuitry of a smoke alarm installed in a dwelling unit so that the signal emitted by the smoke alarm can be silenced for a period of not more than 10 min, after which the smoke alarm will reset and sound again if the level of smoke in the vicinity is sufficient to reactuate it.
(2)Suites of residential occupancy equipped with smoke detectors installed to CAN/ULC-S524, "Standard for Installation of Fire Alarm Systems," which are part of the fire alarm system in lieu of smoke alarms as permitted in Sentence 9.10.19.4.(3), need not incorporate the manually operated device required in Sentence (1).
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OBC Div. B 9.10.20.1. Windows or Access Panels Required
(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.
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OBC Div. B 9.10.20.3. Fire Department Access to Buildings
(1)Access for fire department equipment shall be provided to each building by means of a street, private roadway or yard. (See Note A-9.10.20.3.(1) and A-3.2.5.6.(1))
(2)Where access to a building as required in Sentence (1) is provided by means of a roadway or yard, the design and location of such roadway or yard shall take into account connection with public thoroughfares, weight of firefighting equipment, width of roadway, radius of curves, overhead clearance, location of fire hydrants, location of fire department connections and vehicular parking.
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OBC Div. B 9.10.22.2. Vertical Clearances Above Cooktops
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (2), framing, finishes and cabinetry installed directly above the location of the cooktop shall be not less than 750 mm above the level of cooktop burners or elements.
(2)The vertical clearance described in Sentence (1) for framing, finishes and cabinets located directly above the location of the cooktop is permitted to be reduced to 600 mm above the level of the elements or burners provided the framing, finishes and cabinets
(a)are noncombustible, or
(b)are protected by a metal hood that projects 125 mm beyond the framing, finishes and cabinets.
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OBC Div. B 9.10.22.3. Protection Around Cooktops
(1)Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), combustible wall framing, finishes or cabinets within 450 mm of the area where the cooktop is to be located shall be protected above the level of the heating elements or burners by
(a)gypsum board not less than 9.5 mm thick, or
(b)any material providing a fire-resistance rating of not less than 10 min and a flame-spread rating of not more than 25.
(2)Countertop splash boards or back plates that extend above the level of the heating elements or burners need not be protected as described in Sentence (1).
(3)Except for cabinetry described in Article 9.10.22.2., cabinetry located not less than 450 mm above the level of the heating elements or burners need not be protected as described in Sentence (1).
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OBC Div. B 9.11.1.1. Required Protection
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (3), a dwelling unit and a suite in hotels shall be separated from every other space in a building in which noise may be generated by
(a)a separating assembly and adjoining constructions, which, together, provide an apparent sound transmission class (ASTC) rating of not less than 47, or
(b)a separating assembly that provides a sound transmission class (STC) rating of at least 50 and adjoining constructions that conforms to Article 9.11.1.4. (See Note A-9.11.1.4.)
(2)Reserved.
(3)Construction separating a dwelling unit or suite in a hotel from an elevator shaft or refuse chute shall have an STC rating of not less than 55.
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OBC Div. B 9.11.1.3. Compliance with Required Ratings
(1)Compliance with the required STC ratings shall be demonstrated through
(a)measurements carried out in accordance with Sentence 9.11.1.2.(1), or
(b)the construction of separating assemblies conforming to Table 1 or 2 of MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-3, "Fire and Sound Resistance Tables," as applicable.
(2)Compliance with the required ASTC ratings shall be demonstrated through
(a)measurements or calculations carried out in accordance with Sentence 9.11.1.2.(2), or
(b)the construction of separating assemblies conforming to Table 1 or 2 of MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-3, "Fire and Sound Resistance Tables," as applicable, that have an STC rating of not less than 50 in conjunction with flanking assemblies constructed in accordance with Article 9.11.1.4. (See Note A-9.11.1.3.(2) (b))
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