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Opinions & Applications for the Fire Code (1997 edition) (revoked November 21, 2007)

9.5.2.13. VERTICAL SERVICES SPACES

9.5.2.13. "(1) Vertical service spaces shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating equivalent to that required for the floor assemblies within the building in accordance with Articles 9.5.2.2. to 9.5.2.5.

(2) Where openings in the vertical service space, including the top and bottom, are sealed with non-combustible materials having the same fire-resistance rating as the existing construction, the vertical service space shall be deemed to be in compliance with Sentence (1)."

Intent:

Vertical service space means a shaft oriented essentially vertically that is provided in a building to facilitate the installation of building services including mechanical, electrical and plumbing installations and facilities such as elevators, refuse chutes and linen chutes.

Where vertical service spaces are not adequately sealed this may allow for rapid movement of fire and smoke through a building. This Article requires the shaft to be separated by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating equivalent to that required for the floor assembly through which it passes. There is also a provision to accept existing shaft construction where all openings are adequately sealed to prevent smoke movement.

Other Resources:

OBC 3.5.3., 9.10.1.11., 3.1.13.2.

Application:

Q1 In a residential building under review, the existing electrical closet in the hallway has a wood frame, hollow door and penetrations through the floor slab that are not fire stopped. Does the door have to be rated?

A1 Yes. The service penetrations through the floor assemblies are not fire stopped, thus the closets are considered to be part of a vertical service space and would have to be protected in accordance with this Article.

If the service penetrations had been fire stopped in accordance with the Building Code, the closets would not have to be treated as part of a vertical service space but would still require a rated fire separation from the corridor. Assuming that the closets only contain panelboards supplying branch circuits for the floor area, it should be sufficient to ensure that the doors are solid wood or metal and if kept locked at all times, self-closing devices are not required.

Q2 Is it the intent of Article 9.5.2.13. (regarding the fire separation of vertical service spaces) to require that vertical plumbing riser enclosures and electrical conduit chases meet the same fire resistance rating requirement as elevator shafts?

A2 No, this Article requires these vertical service spaces to be enclosed by a properly sealed fire separation, independent of the fire resistance rating of the elevator shaft.

9.5.3.1. ACCESS TO EXITS

9.5.3.1. "(1) Each dwelling unit or suite in a floor area shall have a doorway leading to

(a) the outside at or near grade,
(b) an outside passageway where it is possible to go in opposite directions to separate exits, or
(c) a public corridor where it is possible to go in opposite directions to separate exits.

(2) Access to exits through a dead end public corridor shall be deemed to be in compliance with Clause (1)(c) where

(a) the travel distance does not exceed 6 m plus the width of the corridor, measured from any door along the corridor to a point where a choice of two directions of exit travel is available, and

(b) self-closing devices are provided on suite entrance doors opening onto the dead end portion of the corridor.

(3) Existing dead end public corridors shall be deemed to be in compliance with Clause (2)(a) where additional fire protection measures are approved that, in the opinion of the Chief Fire Official, will provide protection for life safety similar to the protection provided by compliance with Clause (2)(a).

(4) Despite Sentence (1), a doorway from a dwelling unit or suite may open onto

(a) an exit stairway,
(b) a fire escape,
(c) a public corridor served by a single exit, or
(d) an outside passageway served by a single exit stairway

if the dwelling unit or suite has access to a second and separate exit or the building is in compliance with Sentence 9.5.3.2.(2) or (3)."

Intent:

This Article identifies acceptable access to exit facilities. An access to exit consisting of a short dead end public corridor (a maximum of 6 m plus the width of the corridor) is acceptable where self-closing devices are provided on the suite entrance doors opening onto that portion of the corridor. Longer dead end public corridors may be approved by the Chief Fire Official where additional fire protection measures are provided (eg. self-closers on all suite doors, enhanced detection, installed fire suppression systems, etc.).

Other Resources:

Commentary on Changes to the Ontario Fire Code, Retrofit Sections 9.5 and 9.6.; NFPA 101. See also opinion 9.6.3.1. Application:

Q1 With regard to dead end corridors of excessive length, what options may be used to achieve compliance?

A1 Where alternative measures are being considered each situation should be treated on its own merit. The risk to the occupants should be assessed with respect to various probable fire scenarios.

Examples of alternative measures that could be approved to compensate for dead-end corridors include additional exit facilities to be provided from the building to eliminate the dead end corridors. If additional exits cannot be provided then the floor area may be sprinklered to control the fire source. Another option is to provide an enhanced level of detection and compartmentalisation.

The Chief Fire Official should be satisfied that these measures will ensure effective evacuation of the occupants.

9.5.3.2. NUMBER OF EXITS

9.5.3.2. "(1) Each floor area shall be served by a minimum of two exits.

(2) A single exit from a basement, first or second floor shall be deemed to be in compliance with Sentence (1) where the exit does not serve more than four dwelling units, the exit does not serve more than ten persons and the building is not more than three storeys in building height and is not greater than 600 m2 in building area.

(3) Where a building is not more than three storeys in building height and not greater than 600 m2 in building area, alternative measures to Sentence (1) may be used if they are approved and, in the opinion of the Chief Fire Official, will provide protection for life safety similar to the protection provided by compliance with Sentence (1)."

Intent:

In general, at least 2 exits are required from each floor area in order to provide an alternate means of egress should one exit become blocked or contaminated by fire or smoke. Since measures are provided for the protection of exits and access to exits from the effects of fire originating in the occupied floor area, it is likely that contamination of the exits would not occur in the early stages of a fire occurrence. In small buildings with limited occupant load, complete evacuation of the building is possible before the exits are affected. On this basis, such buildings are permitted to have a single exit from basements, first and second floor levels.

Other Resources:

NFPA 101; O.B.C.3.4.2. and 9.9.8. Application:

Q1 How does Sentence (2) apply to an apartment building with a single exit, that contains 4 dwelling units, each having 2 or more bedrooms, where the total occupancy may exceed the 10 person criteria?

A1 It is intended that where a residential building has only dwelling units, such as an apartment building or a condominium, only the number of dwelling units is to be counted to determine if the alternatives may be accepted. If, on the other hand, a residential building does not have dwelling units but does have "rooms" for rent, such as a dormitory or a rooming, lodging, or boarding house, then the number of people for whom sleeping accommodations are available would be the criterion used to determine whether a single exit is acceptable. In buildings where there is a mix of dwelling units and rooms, the total occupant load should be the only criterion used to determine the number of exits required (please see A2 of 9.5.4.1.).

Q2 Does a third floor apartment exiting into an exit stair at the second floor level comply with the intent of Article 9.5.3.2.?

The building has three storeys with dwelling units located in the basement (with direct access to the exterior), the 1st floor (with direct access to the exterior), and the 2nd floor (with a shared exit stair to the exterior). The 3rd floor apartment has the majority of its layout on the 3rd floor with a walk-down to its main entrance door on the 2nd floor. This door opens into the exit stairway at the 2nd floor, which serves as the only exit from the 2nd and 3rd floor apartments. Is it satisfactory to have a single exit from the 3rd floor leading to the 2nd floor exit stair?

A2 Yes. Sentence (2) permits a single exit from a basement, first or second floor where the exit does not serve more than four dwelling units or ten persons and the building is not greater than three storeys in building height and 600 m2 in building area. The key point in this case is that the stair from the third floor to the second floor is contained within the suite that it serves. If the fire occurs within the suite, the occupants are not endangered any more than the occupants on the second storey of a typical single family dwelling which is served by only one interior stair. If the fire occurs outside the suite, then the occupants have the benefit of the protection offered by the suite separation until they enter the exit stair on the second floor level. At this point, they are in no more danger than if they were exiting from a suite on the second floor.

9.5.3.7. FIRE ESCAPES

9.5.3.7. "(1) Each fire escape used as an exit shall be in accordance with Articles 3.4.7.2., 3.4.7.3., 3.4.7.5. and 3.4.7.6. of the Building Code.

(2) Doorway openings located within 3m horizontally of, 3 storeys or 10 m below, or 1.8 m above, any balcony, platform or stairway of a fire escape, shall be protected by

(a) closures with a 20-min fire-protection rating and equipped with self-closing devices, or

(b) existing closures consisting of 45 mm (1 3/4-in) solid core wood doors installed in solid wood frames and equipped with self-closing devices."

Intent:

This Article specifies construction requirements for fire escapes and minimum protection from doorway openings that are on or near the fire escape to provide a safe and accessible path of exit travel.

Other Resources:

OBC 3.4.7., NFPA 101 Application:

Q1 In a building where access to a fire escape is via a sliding patio door, should this door be replaced with swing doors having a 20 minute rating, or can they be treated as a window opening that does not require protection?

A1 Since this door is part of the required means of egress, the probability of it being left open during a fire emergency is high. This could create a draft condition that would spread the fire quickly through the building. It should be made to swing on a vertical axis and be rated to protect the fire escape from fire exposure.