Code structure and scope items from Divisions A and B

Referenced documents and organizations

Division A Section 1.5 controls standards that the code incorporates by reference.

• Referenced documents (and documents they reference) apply only so far as they relate to buildings and to the objectives and functional statements of the acceptable solutions where they are cited (OBC Div. A 1.5.1.1.OBC Div. A 1.5.1.1. Application of Referenced Documents(1) The provisions of documents referenced in this Code, and of any documents referenced within those documents, apply only to the extent that they relate to (a) buildings, and (b) the objectives and functional statements attributed to the applicable acceptable solutions in Division B where the documents are…). A clause in a standard about factory worker procedures, for example, is not enforceable by the CBO.
• If the code and a referenced document conflict, the code governs (OBC Div. A 1.5.1.2.OBC Div. A 1.5.1.2. Conflicting Requirements(1) In case of conflict between the provisions of this Code and those of a referenced document, the provisions of this Code shall govern.).
• The edition that applies is the one listed in Division B Subsection 1.3.1. (OBC Div. A 1.5.1.3.OBC Div. A 1.5.1.3. Applicable Editions(1) Where documents are referenced in this Code, they shall be the editions designated in Subsection 1.3.1. of Division B.).
• Abbreviations of organization names are explained in Division B 1.3.2.1. (OBC Div. A 1.5.2.1.OBC Div. A 1.5.2.1. Abbreviations of Proper Names(1) The abbreviations of proper names in this Code shall have the meanings assigned to them in Article 1.3.2.1. of Division B.).

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Farm buildings: scope, application and classification

Part 2 of Division B deals with the fire, structural, heating, ventilating and air-conditioning performance of farm buildings, and with farm processes that carry explosion or high flammability risks (OBC Div. B 2.1.1.1.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))). A "farm building" is a building or part that contains an agricultural occupancy (OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) Farm buildingFarm building means a building or part thereof that contains an agricultural occupancy. (See Note A-1.4.1.2.(1))).

Classification depends on occupant load (OBC Div. B 2.1.2.2.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…): an agricultural occupancy with no more than one person per 40 m² is classified in Group G; if more crowded, it is classified under the ordinary groups in Table 3.1.2.1. "Low human occupancy" uses the same one person per 40 m² test (OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) Low human occupancyLow 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.).

Group G has four divisions in Table 2.1.4.1.: G-1 covers high-hazard farm uses, G-3 greenhouses, G-4 farm buildings with no human occupants, and G-2 the remaining agricultural uses.

Application (OBC Div. B 2.1.2.1.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…): Part 2 applies in full to G-1, G-2 and G-3 farm buildings over 600 m² in building area or over 3 storeys, and to G-4 buildings. Smaller G-1 to G-3 farm buildings (3 storeys or less, 600 m² or less) follow the National Farm Building Code of Canada with Ontario modifications, using SB-1 climatic values, and a low human occupancy farm building within those limits may use SB-11 for structure (OBC Div. B 2.1.2.3.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…). A Group G farm building is assigned its division using Table 2.1.4.1. (OBC Div. B 2.1.4.1.OBC Div. B Table 2.1.4.1. Classification of Agricultural major occupanciesTable 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…).

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Radon and building in flood plains

In three designated areas, buildings must be designed and built so annual average radon 222 stays at or below 200 Bq/m³ of air, and short-lived radon daughters at or below 0.02 working levels (OBC Div. B 9.1.1.7.OBC Div. B 9.1.1.7. Radon(1) In addition to all other requirements, a building in the following designated areas shall be designed and constructed so that the annual average concentration of radon 222 does not exceed 200 Bq/m³ of air and the annual average concentration of the short lived daughters of radon 222 does not exceed 0.02 working…; the Part 3 version is 3.1.1.5.OBC Div. B 3.1.1.5. Radon(1) In addition to all other requirements, a building in the following designated areas shall be designed and constructed so that the annual average concentration of radon 222 does not exceed 200 Bq/m² of air and the annual average concentration of the short lived daughters of radon 222 does not exceed 0.02 working…). The areas:

• City of Elliot Lake (Algoma),
• Township of Faraday (Hastings),
• geographic Township of Hyman (Sudbury).

Buildings on flood plains must be designed to good engineering practice to resist vertical and horizontal hydrostatic pressures, and must include floodproofing that preserves exits and means of egress during floods (OBC Div. B 3.1.1.6.OBC Div. B 3.1.1.6. Building in Flood Plains(1) Buildings constructed on flood plains shall (a) be designed and constructed in accordance with good engineering practice to withstand anticipated vertical and horizontal hydrostatic pressures acting on the structure, and (b) incorporate floodproofing measures that will preserve the integrity of exits and means of…, 9.1.1.8.OBC Div. B 9.1.1.8. Building in Flood Plains(1) Buildings constructed on flood plains shall, (a) be designed and constructed in accordance with good engineering practice to withstand anticipated vertical and horizontal hydrostatic pressures acting on the structure, and (b) incorporate floodproofing measures that will preserve the integrity of exits and means of…).

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Applicable standards for environmental separation

Part 5 requires materials in environmental separators or exterior assemblies to meet the standards in Table 5.9.1.1. A useful exception: flame-spread requirements inside thermal insulation standards apply only as Part 3 requires (OBC Div. B 5.9.1.1.OBC Div. B 5.9.1.1. Compliance with Applicable Standards(1) Except as provided in Sentence (2) and elsewhere in this Part, materials and components, and their installation, shall conform to the requirements of the applicable standards in Table 5.9.1.1. where those materials or components are (a) incorporated into environmental separators or assemblies exposed to the…).

Windows, doors and skylights must meet the North American Fenestration Standard (AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440) and the Canadian Supplement CSA A440S1. Performance grades are chosen from the Canadian Supplement to suit the conditions and location, then verified by testing to the Harmonized Standard (OBC Div. B 5.9.2.2.OBC Div. B 5.9.2.2. Applicable Standards(1) Windows, doors and skylights shall conform to the requirements in (a) AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, "North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for windows, doors, and skylights" (Harmonized Standard), and (b) CSA A440S1, "Canadian Supplement to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440-17, North American Fenestration…).

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Plumbing and sewage system definitions

Parts 7 and 8 each give one local definition that overrides the general one.

• Part 7 "storey": the interval between two floor levels, counting mezzanines that contain plumbing fixtures, or between a floor and the roof (OBC Div. B 7.1.1A.1.OBC Div. B 7.1.1A.1. Definitions(1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), words that appear in italics are defined in Article 1.4.1.2. of Division A and in the Building Code Act, 1992. (2) In this Part, Storey means the interval between two successive floor levels including mezzanine floors that contain plumbing fixtures or between a floor level and…). A mezzanine with a washroom therefore counts as a storey for plumbing purposes.
• Part 8 "soil": naturally occurring, unconsolidated mineral or organic material at the surface, at least 100 mm thick and able to support plant growth; it excludes displaced material such as gravel dumps and mine spoils (OBC Div. B 8.1.1.2.OBC Div. B 8.1.1.2. Definitions(1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), words that appear in italics are defined in Article 1.4.1.2. of Division A and in the Building Code Act, 1992. (2) In this Part, Soil means in-situ, naturally occurring, unconsolidated mineral or organic material, at the earth's surface that is at least 100 mm thick and capable…).

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Part 9 application, sloped roofs and residential suites in industrial buildings

Part 9 applies as Division A 1.3.3.3. describes (OBC Div. B 9.1.1.1.OBC Div. B 9.1.1.1. Application(1) The application of this Part shall be as described in Subsection 1.3.3. of Division A.): buildings of 3 storeys or less and 600 m² or less in building area used for Group C (other than retirement homes), D, E, or F-2 and F-3 occupancies (OBC Div. A 1.3.3.3.OBC Div. A 1.3.3.3. Application of Part 9(1) Subject to Article 1.3.3.3B., Part 9 of Division B applies to all buildings described in Article 1.1.1.1. of 3 storeys or less in building height, having a building area not exceeding 600 m², and used for major occupancies classified as (a) reserved (b) Group C, residential occupancies other than buildings used…). Section 9.1. then sends some special buildings to Part 3: signs to 3.15., self-service storage to 3.10., tents and air-supported structures to 3.14., food premises to 3.7.6., public pools and public spas to 3.11. and 3.12., shelf and rack storage to 3.16. A manufactured building is deemed to comply if built to CSA Z240.2.1 (sections not wider than 4.88 m) or CSA A277, but site installation and components built off the factory floor still follow the code (OBC Div. B 9.1.1.9.OBC Div. B 9.1.1.9. Site Assembled and Factory-Built Buildings(1) Except as provided in Sentence (2) and in Sentence 12.2.1.2.(2), a manufactured building is deemed to comply with this Code if it is designed and constructed in compliance with, (a) CSA Z240.2.1, "Structural requirements for manufactured homes," if the building is constructed in sections not wider than 4.88 m, or…).

For fire protection in Section 9.10., a roof sloped 60° or more from horizontal and next to an occupied room or space is treated as a wall (OBC Div. B 9.10.1.1.OBC Div. B 9.10.1.1. Sloped Roofs(1) For the purposes of this Section, roofs with slopes of 60° or more to the horizontal and that are adjacent to a room or space intended for occupancy shall be considered as a wall.). A Group F-2 building may contain only one residential suite, except where the F-2 occupancy is directly related to live/work units (OBC Div. B 9.10.9.14.OBC Div. B 9.10.9.14. Residential Suites in Industrial Buildings(1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), not more than one suite of residential occupancy shall be contained within a building classified as a Group F, Division 2 major occupancy. (2) Except where a Group F Division 2 major occupancy is directly related to live/work units, not more than one suite of residential…).

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