Farm buildings (Part 2): BCIN Large Buildings Study Guide

Last updated October 22, 2026

Values this chapter turns on

max area, sprinklered 1 storey Group G-1 barn: 4,800 m²; max area, sprinklered 1 storey Group G-1 barn
firewall rating where G-1 floor areas are separated: 4 h; firewall rating where G-1 floor areas are separated
minimum exterior farm fire alarm signal: 110 dBA; minimum exterior farm fire alarm signal
fence height around open outdoor manure tanks: 1.5 m; fence height around open outdoor manure tanks

Part 2 of Division B is a compact code for larger farm buildings. It covers fire, structural and HVAC performance of farm buildings, plus processes that carry a risk of explosion or high flammability (OBC Div. B 2.1.1.1.). The Large Buildings syllabus covers scope and classification, building size and construction, fire alarm, firefighting, emergency lighting, means of egress, exits and hazardous substances. The structural Section 2.3. and Subsections 2.4.1. and 2.4.2. (heating, ventilating and air-conditioning) are not on this syllabus, and neither is Subsection 2.1.3.

Scope: when Part 2 applies

Part 2 applies to farm buildings described in 2.1.2.2.(1), that is, of low human occupancy, that are either (OBC Div. B 2.1.2.1.):

Group G, Division 1, 2 or 3 and more than 600 m² in building area or more than 3 storeys, or
Group G, Division 4 (no human occupants), at any size.

Smaller Group G, Division 1 to 3 farm buildings follow the National Farm Building Code of Canada, with Ontario modifications, SB-1 climate data, and an SB-11 option for structure (OBC Div. B 2.1.2.3.). Subsections 2.2.6. (means of egress) and 2.2.7. (exits) do not apply to Division 4.

Low human occupancy means not more than one person per 40 m² of floor area in normal use (definition). That is the line in OBC Div. B 2.1.2.2.: at or below it, the space is Group G; above it, the space is classified under the ordinary Part 3 Groups in Table 3.1.2.1. A farm market or a farm-gate meeting hall with real crowds is therefore not Group G.

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Classification and occupancy combinations

Table 2.1.4.1. has four Divisions: G-1 high-hazard agricultural, G-2 agricultural not elsewhere classified (most barns), G-3 greenhouses, and G-4 agricultural with no human occupants (OBC Div. B 2.1.4.1.). Portions that are not Group G are classified under Table 3.1.2.1. and follow Part 3.

Some combinations are banned (OBC Div. B 2.2.1.2.):

Building classified as	May not contain
G-1 or G-4	Any Group A, B or C occupancy
G-2 or G-3	Group A Division 1 or 3, or Group B

Major occupancies are separated using Table 2.2.1.4. (OBC Div. B 2.2.1.4.). Reading it, a G-1 occupancy adjoining G-2 or G-3 needs 2 h, and Group D or E next to G-1 needs 1 h. Where one occupancy is above another, the floor rating is set by the lower occupancy.

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Building size and construction

Each construction article in 2.2.2. permits combustible or noncombustible construction, alone or combined. What changes is the height and area cap:

Article	Group	Conditions
2.2.2.3.	G-1	Sprinklered; up to 3 storeys; 4,800 / 2,400 / 1,600 m² for 1 / 2 / 3 storeys; 45 min floors
2.2.2.4.	G-1	1 storey, 2,400 m²; any area for a liquid manure livestock barn
2.2.2.5.	G-2	Sprinklered; any height and area; 45 min floors
2.2.2.6.	G-2	Up to 3 storeys, any area
2.2.2.7.	G-3	1 storey, any area
2.2.2.8.	G-4	Any height and area

Where a farm building has agricultural occupancies in more than one Division, use the height and area of the whole building for each one (OBC Div. B 2.2.2.1.).

Firewalls, fire blocks and other separations

A firewall serving G-1 floor areas, or one that separates Group G from a prohibited occupancy, must be noncombustible with a 4 h rating (OBC Div. B 2.2.1.7.). Concealed wall spaces need fire blocks at not more than 3 m high and 20 m long, and unsprinklered horizontal concealed spaces in combustible floors or roofs are limited to 900 m² (OBC Div. B 2.2.1.8.), a larger compartment than the Part 3 values.

Article 2.2.1.9. sets extra separations. Fuel-fired appliances go in a service room with 45 min (no rating needed if sprinklered), unless the appliance serves only one room. A farm machinery repair room needs 1 h, or 30 min if sprinklered. Incinerator rooms range from 30 min to 2 h depending on the adjoining Division and sprinklers.

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Fire alarm, firefighting and lighting

A fire alarm is required in a building that is not sprinklered throughout if (OBC Div. B 2.2.3.1.):

it contains G-1 with an occupant load over 25, or
it contains G-2 or G-3 with an occupant load over 150, or more than 1 storey, or a basement used for more than service equipment.

The system is single-stage for G-1 and single- or 2-stage for G-2 and G-3 (OBC Div. B 2.2.3.2.). It needs an exterior audible device of at least 110 dBA, and visible devices where noise exceeds 87 dBA or workers wear ear protection. Audible devices may be omitted where animals are present if visible devices are installed (OBC Div. B 2.2.3.4.).

Fire department access is by a street, private roadway or yard (OBC Div. B 2.2.4.1.). Where lighting is provided, emergency lighting gives an average of at least 10 lx with a 1 lx minimum in exits and principal routes, with emergency power lasting 30 min (OBC Div. B 2.2.5.1.).

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Means of egress and exits

Item	G-1 (not liquid manure)	G-2 / G-3
Second egress doorway from a room	Over 15 m² (30 m² sprinklered)	Over 200 m² or 15 m travel (300 m² or 25 m sprinklered)
Single exit from a floor area	Up to 10 m² (20 m² sprinklered)	Up to 200 m² (300 m² sprinklered)
Travel distance to an exit	30 m	60 m (90 m sprinklered)

Sources: OBC Div. B 2.2.6.2., 2.2.7.3. and 2.2.7.5.. A G-1 livestock barn over liquid manure storage is treated like G-2 for egress doorways and gets 60 m of travel. Two exits must be at least half the floor area's maximum diagonal apart. Access to exit and exterior exit doors are at least 750 mm wide, and exit stairs at least 900 mm. Guards are 1,070 mm high where a drop exceeds 600 mm.

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Hazardous substances

Dangerous goods follow 3.3.6.1. to 3.3.6.7., and hazardous substances follow the Fire Code (OBC Div. B 2.2.8.1.). A barn over liquid manure storage needs ventilation with emergency power that runs the system at full load for at least 2 h and the trouble indicators for 24 h (OBC Div. B 2.2.8.3.). Pesticide storage must be ventilated, reachable only from outdoors, secured, on an impervious floor with no floor drain and a curb of at least 50 mm, separated by 1 h from other occupancies and by a 6 m limiting distance from other buildings (OBC Div. B 2.2.8.8.). Outdoor open manure tanks need a 1.5 m fence (OBC Div. B 2.2.8.5.).

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Common traps

Using the 600 m² threshold for G-4. Division 4 is under Part 2 at any size.
Treating a crowded agricultural space as Group G. Over one person per 40 m², it leaves Group G.
Applying the G-1 numbers to a liquid manure livestock barn. Several articles give it the more generous G-2 values.
Forgetting that the fire alarm triggers apply only to buildings not sprinklered throughout.

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
Scope: when Part 2 applies	Smaller Group G, Division 1 to 3 farm buildings follow the National Farm Building Code of Canada, with Ontario modifications, SB-1 climate data, and an SB-11 option for structure.
Classification and occupancy combinations	Major occupancies are separated using Table 2.2.1.4.. Reading it, a G-1 occupancy adjoining G-2 or G-3 needs 2 h, and Group D or E next to G-1 needs 1 h.
Building size and construction	Each construction article in 2.2.2. permits combustible or noncombustible construction, alone or combined.
Fire alarm, firefighting and lighting	The system is single-stage for G-1 and single- or 2-stage for G-2 and G-3. It needs an exterior audible device of at least 110 dBA, and visible devices where noise exceeds 87 dBA…
Hazardous substances	Dangerous goods follow 3.3.6.1. to 3.3.6.7., and hazardous substances follow the Fire Code.

Scope: when Part 2 applies
Smaller Group G, Division 1 to 3 farm buildings follow the National Farm Building Code of Canada, with Ontario modifications, SB-1 climate data, and an SB-11 option for structure.
Classification and occupancy combinations
Major occupancies are separated using Table 2.2.1.4.. Reading it, a G-1 occupancy adjoining G-2 or G-3 needs 2 h, and Group D or E next to G-1 needs 1 h.
Building size and construction
Each construction article in 2.2.2. permits combustible or noncombustible construction, alone or combined.
Fire alarm, firefighting and lighting
The system is single-stage for G-1 and single- or 2-stage for G-2 and G-3. It needs an exterior audible device of at least 110 dBA, and visible devices where noise exceeds 87 dBA…
Hazardous substances
Dangerous goods follow 3.3.6.1. to 3.3.6.7., and hazardous substances follow the Fire Code.

Usual exam traps

Using the 600 m² threshold for G-4. Division 4 is under Part 2 at any size.
Treating a crowded agricultural space as Group G. Over one person per 40 m², it leaves Group G.
Applying the G-1 numbers to a liquid manure livestock barn. Several articles give it the more generous G-2 values.
Forgetting that the fire alarm triggers apply only to buildings not sprinklered throughout.

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Questions on Farm buildings (Part 2), 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 2.1.1.1. Scope
(1)This Part is concerned with the fire, structural, heating, ventilating and air-conditioning performance of farm buildings, as well as processes and operations carried out therein that involve a risk of explosion, high flammability or related conditions that create a hazard to life safety. (See Note A-2.1.1.1.(1))
Open OBC Div. B 2.1.1.1. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 2.1.2.1. Application
(1)Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), this Part applies to all farm buildings
(a)that are
(i)more than 600 m² in building area or more than 3 storeys in building height used for major occupancies classified as Group G, Division 1, 2 or 3 agricultural occupancies, or
(ii)used for major occupancies classified as Group G, Division 4, with no human occupantsagricultural occupancies, and
(b)described in Sentence 2.1.2.2.(1).
(2)Subsections 2.2.6. and 2.2.7. do not apply to Group G, Division 4 major occupancies.
(3)farm buildings not described in Sentence (1) shall conform to the requirements of Article 2.1.2.3.
Open OBC Div. B 2.1.2.1. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 2.1.2.3. Small Farm Buildings
(1)Except as provided in Sentences (2) to (6), farm buildings not more than 3 storeys in building height and not more than 600 m² in building area used for major occupancies classified as Group G, Division 1, 2, or 3 agricultural occupancies shall conform to the requirements in the CCBFC NRCC 38732 National Farm Building Code of Canada.
(2)Articles 1.1.1.2. and 3.1.8.1. and Subsections 3.1.4. and 4.1.4. in the CCBFC NRCC 38732 National Farm Building Code of Canada do not apply to farm buildings.
(3)Except as provided in Sentence (4), in the CCBFC NRCC 38732 National Farm Building Code of Canada, references in Articles 1.1.1.3., 2.2.2.1., 2.2.2.2., 2.3.1.1., 2.3.2.1., 3.1.1.1., 3.1.1.2., 3.1.2.1. and 3.1.6.1. to the CCBFC NRCC 38726 National Building Code of Canada, are deemed to be references to Ontario Regulation 403/97 (Building Code), as it read on December 30, 2006.
(4)The climatic values required for the design of farm buildings shall be in conformance with the climatic values provided in MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-1, Climatic and Seismic Data.
(5)A farm building of low human occupancy having a building area not exceeding 600 m² and not more than three storeys in building height is deemed to comply with the structural requirements of CCBFC NRCC 38732 National Building Code of Canada, if it is designed and constructed in conformance with MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-11, Construction of Farm Buildings.
(6)Where a floor area or portion of a floor area within a farm building is intended to contain a hazardous extraction operation involving cannabis, the floor area or portion of the floor area shall conform to the requirements of Article 2.2.8.9.
Open OBC Div. B 2.1.2.3. in the code viewer
OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) Low human occupancy
Low human occupancy means, when applied to a farm building, an occupancy in which the occupant load is not more than one person per 40 m² of floor area during normal use.
Open OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 2.1.2.2. Classification of Buildings Containing agricultural occupancies
(1)Buildings or parts of buildings containing an agricultural occupancy that has an occupant load of not more than one person per 40 m² shall be classified according to their major occupancy as belonging to Group G, Division 1, 2, 3 or 4.
(2)Buildings or parts of buildings containing an agricultural occupancy that has an occupant load of more than one person per 40 m² shall be classified according to their major occupancy as belonging to one of the Groups and Divisions listed in Table 3.1.2.1. of Division B.
(3)For the purposes of Sentences (1) and (2), the occupant load shall be determined based on the floor area or the part of the floor area that contains the agricultural occupancy.
(4)A building intended for use by more than one major occupancy shall be classified according to all the major occupancies for which it is used or intended to be used.
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OBC Div. B Table 2.1.4.1. Classification of Agricultural major occupancies
Table 2.1.4.1. Classification of Agricultural major occupancies Forming Part of Sentence 2.1.4.1.(1) Group | Division | Description of Agricultural Occupancies G | 1 | High-hazard agricultural occupancies G | 2 | Agricultural occupancies not elsewhere classified in Group G G | 3 | Greenhouse agricultural occupancies G | 4 | Agricultural occupancies with no human occupants
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OBC Div. B 2.1.4.1. Classification
(1)Every farm building or part of a farm building shall be classified according to its major occupancy as belonging to one of the Divisions of Group G described in Table 2.1.4.1. (See Note A-2.1.4.1.(1)) (See also Note A-2.2.8.3.)
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OBC Div. B 2.2.1.2. Prohibition of Occupancy Combinations
(1)Buildings classified as a Group G, Division 1 or 4 major occupancy shall not contain a Group A, B or C occupancy.
(2)Buildings classified as a Group G, Division 2 or 3 major occupancy shall not contain a Group A, Division 1 or 3, or Group B occupancy.
Open OBC Div. B 2.2.1.2. in the code viewer

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OBC Div. B 2.2.1.4. Separation of Occupancies
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (2), major occupancies shall be separated from adjoining major occupancies by fire separations having fire-resistance ratings conforming to Table 2.2.1.4.
(2)If one major occupancy is located above another major occupancy, the fire-resistance rating of the floor assembly between the major occupancies shall be determined on the basis of the requirements of this Section for the lower major occupancy.
(3)Occupancies other than major occupancies shall be separated from adjoining occupancies belonging to a different Group or Division by fire separations having fire-resistance ratings that conform to Table 2.2.1.4., but need not be more than 1 h.
Open OBC Div. B 2.2.1.4. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 2.2.2.3. Group G, Division 1, up to 3 Storeys, Limited Area, Sprinklered
(1)A building classified as Group G, Division 1 is permitted to be of combustible construction or noncombustible construction, used singly or in combination, provided
(a)the building is sprinklered throughout,
(b)the building is not more than 3 storeys in building height,
(c)the building has a building area not more than
(i)4,800 m², if 1 storey in building height,
(ii)2,400 m², if 2 storeys in building height, or
(iii)1,600 m², if 3 storeys in building height,
(d)floor assemblies, including the floor assembly immediately above a basement, are fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min, and
(e)loadbearing walls, columns and arches have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly.
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OBC Div. B 2.2.2.4. Group G, Division 1, One Storey
(1)A building classified as Group G, Division 1 is permitted to be of combustible construction or noncombustible construction, used singly or in combination, provided
(a)it is not more than 1 storey in building height, and
(b)except as provided in Sentence (2), it has a building area not more than 2,400 m².
(2)Where the building referred to in Sentence (1) is a farm building housing livestock with a below-floor storage area for liquid manure, the building is permitted to have a building area of any size.
Open OBC Div. B 2.2.2.4. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 2.2.2.5. Group G, Division 2, Any Height, Any Area, Sprinklered
(1)A building classified as Group G, Division 2 of any building height or building area is permitted to be of combustible construction or noncombustible construction, used singly or in combination, provided
(a)the building is sprinklered throughout,
(b)floor assemblies are fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min, and
(c)loadbearing walls, columns and arches have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly.
Open OBC Div. B 2.2.2.5. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 2.2.2.6. Group G, Division 2, up to 3 Storeys, Any Area
(1)A building classified as Group G, Division 2 of any building area is permitted to be of combustible construction or noncombustible construction, used singly or in combination, provided the building is not more than 3 storeys in building height.
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OBC Div. B 2.2.2.7. Group G, Division 3, One Storey, Any Area
(1)A building classified as Group G, Division 3 of any building area is permitted to be of combustible construction or noncombustible construction, used singly or in combination, provided the building is not more than 1 storey in building height.
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OBC Div. B 2.2.2.8. Group G, Division 4, Any Height, Any Area
(1)A building classified as Group G, Division 4 of any building height or building area is permitted to be of combustible construction or noncombustible construction, used singly or in combination.
Open OBC Div. B 2.2.2.8. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 2.2.2.1. Farm buildings with Multiple Agricultural Major Occupancies
(1)In a farm building containing more than one agricultural major occupancy classified in more than one Division, the building height and building area of the entire farm building shall be used in determining the construction requirements and the fire safety requirements for each of the major occupancies.
Open OBC Div. B 2.2.2.1. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 2.2.1.7. Firewalls
(1)A firewall that separates a building or buildings with floor areas containing a Group G, Division 1 major occupancy shall be constructed as a fire separation of noncombustible construction having a fire-resistance rating not less than 4 h.
(2)A firewall that separates a building or buildings with floor areas containing a Group G major occupancy and a major occupancy prohibited by Article 2.2.1.2. shall be constructed as a fire separation of noncombustible construction having a fire-resistance rating not less than 4 h.
(3)Firewalls shall conform to the requirements of Articles 3.1.10.1. and 3.1.10.3. to 3.1.10.7., and Sentence 3.1.10.2.(3).
Open OBC Div. B 2.2.1.7. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 2.2.1.8. Fire Blocks
(1)Concealed spaces in interior wall, ceiling and crawl spaces shall be separated from concealed spaces in exterior walls and attic or roof spaces by fire blocks. (See Note A-2.2.1.8.(1))
(2)Concealed spaces in walls and partitions shall be separated by fire blocks into compartments not more than 3 m in height and 20 m in length.
(3)Horizontal concealed spaces within a floor assembly or roof assembly of combustible construction, in which sprinklers are not installed, shall be separated by fire blocks into compartments not more than 900 m² in area.
(4)Except as permitted by Sentence (5), 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.
(5)Fire blocks need not be tested in conformance with Sentence (4) 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 backed with similar material,
(d)two layers of lumber, each not less than 19 mm thick, with joints staggered, or
(e)38 mm lumber.
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OBC Div. B 2.2.1.9. Additional Fire Separations
(1)Except as permitted by Sentence (2) and required by Sentence (3), fuel-fired appliances shall be installed in service rooms separated from the remainder of the farm building by
(a)a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min in a floor area that is not sprinklered throughout, or
(b)a fire separation not required to have a fire-resistance rating in a floor area that is sprinklered throughout.
(2)A fuel-fired appliance that serves only one room is not required to be installed in a service room separated from the remainder of the farm building.
(3)Incinerators shall be installed in service rooms that
(a)do not contain other fuel-fired appliances, and
(b)are separated from the remainder of the farm building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than
(i)2 h, where the service room is adjacent to a Group G, Division 1 major occupancy in a floor area that is not sprinklered throughout,
(ii)1 h, where the service room is adjacent to a Group G, Division 1 major occupancy in a floor area that is sprinklered throughout,
(iii)1 h, where the service room is adjacent to a Group G, Division 2 or 3 major occupancy in a floor area that is not sprinklered throughout, or
(iv)30 min, where the service room is adjacent to a Group G, Division 2 or 3 major occupancy in a floor area that is sprinklered throughout.
(4)A room containing a device that produces open flames, heat or sparks and used for crop drying shall be separated from the remainder of the farm building by
(a)a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min in a floor area that is not sprinklered throughout, or
(b)a fire separation not required to have a fire-resistance rating in a floor area that is sprinklered throughout.
(5)A room intended to be used for repairing farm machinery shall be separated from the remainder of the farm building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than
(a)1 h, in a floor area that is not sprinklered throughout, or
(b)30 min, in a floor area that is sprinklered throughout.
(6)Storage areas for dangerous goods shall be separated from the remainder of the farm building in accordance with Sentences 3.3.6.2.(1) and (2).
Open OBC Div. B 2.2.1.9. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 2.2.3.1. Determination of Requirement for a Fire Alarm System
(1)A fire alarm system complying with Sentence (2) shall be installed in a building that is not sprinklered throughout and that
(a)contains a Group G, Division 1 major occupancy with an occupant load more than 25, or
(b)contains a Group G, Division 2 or 3 major occupancy
(i)with an occupant load more than 150,
(ii)in a building more than 1 storey in building height, or
(iii)in a building with a basement used for a purpose other than the housing of service equipment.
(2)Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the fire alarm system required by Sentence (1) shall comply with Articles 3.2.4.2., 3.2.4.4., 3.2.4.5. and 3.2.4.17. and Sentences 3.2.4.9.(1) and (4).
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OBC Div. B 2.2.3.2. Types of Fire Alarm Systems
(1)The fire alarm system required by Sentence 2.2.3.1.(1) shall be
(a)a single-stage system in a Group G, Division 1 major occupancy, and
(b)a single- or 2-stage system in a Group G, Division 2 or 3 major occupancy.
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OBC Div. B 2.2.3.4. Fire Alarm Signals
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (3), the fire alarm system required by Sentence 2.2.3.1.(1) shall include
(a)audible signal devices conforming to Sentences 3.2.4.18.(1) to (4), (7) and (11),
(b)an audible alarm signal device with a sound pressure level not less than 110 dBA installed on the exterior of the farm building, and
(c)visible signal devices installed in any floor area in which
(i)the ambient noise level is more than 87 dBA,
(ii)the occupants use ear protection devices, or
(iii)the occupants are located in sound-insulating enclosures.
(2)The visible signal devices required by Clause (1)(c) shall be installed so that the signal from at least one device is visible throughout the floor area or portion thereof in which they are installed. (See Note A-3.2.4.19.(3))
(3)The audible alarm signal devices referred to in Clauses (1)(a) and (b) need not be provided in areas where animals are present, provided that visible signal devices are installed in accordance with Sentence (2).
Open OBC Div. B 2.2.3.4. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 2.2.4.1. Fire Department Access to Buildings
(1)Access for fire department equipment shall be provided to each farm building by means of a street, private roadway or yard.
(2)Where access to a farm 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.
Open OBC Div. B 2.2.4.1. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 2.2.5.1. Minimum Lighting Requirements
(1)Where lighting is provided in a farm building, emergency lighting shall be provided to an average level of illumination not less than 10 lx at floor or tread level in
(a)exits, and
(b)principal routes providing access to exit in open floor areas and in service rooms.
(2)The minimum value of the illumination required by Sentence (1) shall be 1 lx.
(3)An emergency power supply shall be
(a)provided to maintain the emergency lighting required by Sentence (1) from a power source such as batteries or generators that will continue to supply power in the event that the regular power supply to the farm building is interrupted, and
(b)designed and installed such that, upon failure of the regular power, it will assume the electrical load automatically for a period of 30 min.
Open OBC Div. B 2.2.5.1. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 2.2.6.2. Egress Doorways
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (2), at least one egress doorway shall be provided from every room.
(2)A minimum of 2 egress doorways located so that one doorway could provide egress from the room as required by Article 2.2.6.3. if the other doorway becomes inaccessible to the occupants due to a fire originating in the room, shall be provided for every room
(a)that is used for a Group G, Division 1 major occupancy, other than one housing livestock with a below-floor storage area for liquid manure, where the area of the room is more than
(i)15 m², in a floor area that is not sprinklered throughout, or
(ii)30 m², in a floor area that is sprinklered throughout,
(b)in a floor area that is not sprinklered throughout and contains a Group G, Division 1 major occupancy housing livestock with a below-floor storage area for liquid manure or a Group G, Division 2 or 3 major occupancy, where
(i)the area of the room is more than 200 m², or
(ii)the travel distance within the room to the nearest egress doorway is more than 15 m, or
(c)in a floor area that is sprinklered throughout and contains a Group G, Division 1 major occupancy housing livestock with a below-floor storage area for liquid manure or a Group G, Division 2 or 3 major occupancy, where
(i)the area of the room is more than 300 m², or
(ii)the travel distance within the room to the nearest egress doorway is more than 25 m.
(3)Where 2 egress doorways are required by Sentence (2), they shall be placed at a distance from one another equal to or greater than one third of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the area to be served, measured as the shortest distance that smoke would have to travel between the nearest required egress doorways.
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OBC Div. B 2.2.7.3. Minimum Number of Exits
(1)Except as provided by Sentences (2) and (3), every floor area shall be served by at least 2 exits.
(2)A floor area classified as a Group G, Division 1 major occupancy is permitted to be served by a single exit, provided the floor area is not more than
(a)10 m², where the floor area is not sprinklered throughout, or
(b)20 m², where the floor area is sprinklered throughout.
(3)A floor area classified as a Group G, Division 2 or 3 major occupancy is permitted to be served by a single exit, provided the floor area is not more than
(a)200 m², where the floor area is not sprinklered throughout, or
(b)300 m², where the floor area is sprinklered throughout.
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OBC Div. B 2.2.7.5. Location of Exits
(1)Except as permitted by Sentence (2), the travel distance to at least one exit shall be not more than
(a)30 m, in a floor area that contains a Group G, Division 1 major occupancy, other than one housing livestock with a below-floor storage area for liquid manure,
(b)60 m, in a floor area that contains a Group G, Division 1 major occupancy housing livestock with a below-floor storage area for liquid manure,
(c)60 m, in a floor area that contains a Group G, Division 2 or 3 major occupancy and that is not sprinklered throughout, and
(d)90 m, in a floor area that contains a Group G, Division 2 or 3 major occupancy and that is sprinklered throughout.
(2)A floor area containing a Group G, Division 3 major occupancy need not comply with Sentence (1), provided
(a)exits are placed not more than 60 m apart along the perimeter of the floor area, and
(b)each main aisle in the floor area
(i)leads directly to an exit in at least two opposite directions, and
(ii)has a minimum width of 750 mm.
(3)Exits shall be located and arranged in conformance with Sentence 3.4.2.5.(3).
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OBC Div. B 2.2.8.1. General
(1)Except as provided in Sentences (2) to (4), the storage, handling and use of hazardous substances shall be in conformance with
(a)the Fire Code made under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, or
(b)the NRCC-CONST-56437E 2020, "National Fire Code of Canada., in the absence of regulations referred to in Clause (a). (See Note A-3.3.1.2.(1))
(2)Farm buildings or parts of farm buildings used for the storage, handling, use and processing of dangerous goods shall comply with Articles 3.3.6.1. to 3.3.6.7.
(3)The production, handling, storage and utilization of biogas shall be in conformance with ANSI/CSA-B149.6, "Code for digester gas, landfill gas, and biogas generation and utilization."
(4)Where Article 3.2.9.1. of Division B of the NRCC-CONST-56437E 2020, National Fire Code of Canada applies due to the quantity and nature of the stored product, farm buildings used for the storage of ammonium nitrate shall
(a)be classified as Group G, Division 2 major occupancies, and
(b)comply with Sentence 3.3.6.6.(1).
(5)Systems for the ventilation of cooking equipment that is used in processes producing grease-laden vapours shall be designed and installed in conformance with Articles 3.6.3.5., 6.3.1.6. and 6.9.1.3. (See Note A-3.3.1.2.(2))
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OBC Div. B 2.2.8.3. Below-Floor Storage Areas for Liquid Manure
(1)farm buildings housing livestock with a below-floor storage area for liquid manure shall be provided with a ventilation system conforming to Subsection 2.4.2.
(2)Where the ventilation system required by Sentence (1) relies on electrical power for normal operation, it shall be provided with an emergency power supply conforming to Sentence (3).
(3)The emergency power supply required by Sentence (2) shall be
(a)supplied from a generator, batteries or a combination thereof,
(b)equipped with audible and visible trouble indicators,
(c)capable of operating the trouble indicators for not less than 24 h,
(d)capable of operating the ventilation system under full load for not less than 2 h, and
(e)designed so that, in the event of a failure of the normal power source to the farm building, there is an immediate automatic transfer to emergency power.
(4)Where a fuel-fired engine or turbine for the emergency power supply required by Sentence (2) is dependent on a fuel supply located outside the farm building, the fuel supply shall be provided with a shut-off valve in conformance with Article 3.2.7.7.
(5)Where exhaust piping for the emergency power supply required by Sentence (2) penetrates a required fire separation, the piping shall be enclosed in a service space that is separated from the remainder of the farm building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than that of the penetrated fire separation, but not less than 45 min.
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OBC Div. B 2.2.8.8. Pesticide Storage Areas
(1)In addition to the requirements of Article 2.2.8.7., pesticide storage areas in farm buildings shall be designed in conformance with this Article.
(2)Pesticide storage areas shall be
(a)ventilated with outdoor air in accordance with Subsection 2.4.2. by dedicated natural or mechanical means at a rate sufficient to prevent the accumulation of dangerous goods classified as toxic or flammable gases,
(b)accessible only from the outdoors, and
(c)secured against unauthorized entry.
(3)Floors of pesticide storage areas shall
(a)be constructed of concrete or other impervious material,
(b)not have a floor drain, and
(c)be provided with a curb at the perimeter of the storage area that is
(i)designed to contain accidental spillage of the largest container in the storage area, and
(ii)not less than 50 mm high.
(4)Pesticide storage areas shall be separated from
(a)food, feed and water supplies,
(b)otheroccupancies by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, and
(c)other buildings by a limiting distance not less than 6 m.
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OBC Div. B 2.2.8.5. Liquid Manure Storage Tanks and Piping Systems
(1)This Article does not apply to below-floor storage areas for liquid manure.
(2)Access covers for liquid manure storage tanks shall be designed in accordance with Section 2.3. to support the imposed loads.
(3)Access covers for liquid manure storage tanks that weigh less than 20 kg shall be equipped with locking devices.
(4)Ladders shall not be installed on closed liquid manure storage tanks.
(5)Liquid manure storage tanks without a cover that are located outdoors shall be surrounded by a permanent safety fence or wall that
(a)extends not less than 1.5 m above adjacent ground level,
(b)is adequately secured at ground level, and
(c)has gates with latches.
(6)Where an access point for filling, agitation, emptying or a similar operation is provided for a liquid manure storage tank described in Sentence (5), a curb or barrier shall be installed between the access point and the storage tank that is
(a)not less than 450 mm high, or
(b)of sufficient height to prevent unintended vehicle entry.
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