TOPIC: TUBULAR CORE DOORS UNDER RETROFIT

This directive is issued under the provisions of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, (FPPA) S.O. 1997, c.4 clause 9(1)(b). It is the responsibility of every Assistant to the Fire Marshal to follow the Fire Marshal's directive as set out in subsection 11(1) of the FPPA.

Background

Further to the previous Communiqués issued on the subject matter (#96-006 and #96-043), results of door fire tests conducted at ULC, the results of a year long survey on door performance and considerable investigation experience, the Fire Marshal is issuing the following directive:

Directive:

"Existing wood tubular core doors having a minimum thickness of 45 mm and in good condition, shall be considered acceptable as equivalent under the provisions for existing closures in Sentences 9.5.2.8.(4) and 9.6.2.6.(5) of the Fire Code for the purpose of corridor/dwelling separation required in Articles 9.5.2.7. and 9.6.2.5."

Rationale:

OFM experience and research has shown that tubular core doors are capable of providing an acceptable level of protection (preventing significant smoke and fire spread to the means of egress) consistent with the underlying principles of retrofit, namely, providing an acceptable level of life safety for occupants in existing buildings.

The intent of the original requirement was to ensure that all hollow core doors be replaced in these corridor/dwelling separations.

Fire Marshal
February 3, 1998