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Fire Code Commission Decision Summary

DECISION NO.:91A001-071
DATE:June 20, 1991

SUBJECT MATTER:

Accumulation of combustible materials:

1a)  Remove all newspapers and books from the kitchen area
 b) Discontinue use of "octopus" type extension cord outlets. Remove other sources of ignition from within one metre (three feet) of combustible material
 c)  Reduce the amount of combustible newspaper and books to 15,000 kg or 70 kg/m² (15psf). The combustible loading in any one room shall not exceed 100 kg/m² (20psf).

2.  Repair of the self-closing devices on the suite entrance doors so that the doors return to the fully closed position upon release.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PREMISES:

The unit is located on the 17th floor of a 23 storey condominium apartment building and is slightly over 200m² in floor area. The unit is separated from the remainder of the floor area with concrete shear walls having at least one hour fire-resistance rating. The floor and ceiling construction is reinforced concrete having at least two hour fire-resistance rating. There are two egress doors, of least twenty minute rating, from the unit leading into the public corridor, however, one of these doors is blocked. Both doors are equipped with self-closing closing that do not work properly. Approximately 75% of the floor area is used for storage of newspapers, books, magazines, periodicals and other printed material as well as for full and empty cardboard boxes. They are arranged in stacks with an average height of 1.8m along the corridor walls and within the rooms with an average width of the corridors between the stacks being 0.5m. There are stacks of paper found in the kitchen adjacent to the stove, resting on electrical wires throughout the unit and table lamps resting on stacks, all of which could cause heat buildup and lead to a fire. There is one smoke alarm located in the corridor serving the bedrooms. The rest of the building conforms to the Ontario Building Code with respect to fire safety.

REASON FOR APPEAL:

The order does not adequately define the obligations of the appellant nor is the time allotted for compliance adequate.

APPELLANT'S POSITION:

The appellant is a 79 year old man who, when he purchased the unit, advised the developer of his intention to maintain a substantial home library. The appellant feels that since he is a non-smoker, he does not keep any explosive materials in the unit, other than ones found in any other residence, and he does not use candles or heaters that his unit is not especially liable to fire. Also, the order states that all newspapers, magazines, periodicals and other combustible printed matter more than six months old be removed from the premises. The appellant feels this is an onerous requirement and it cannot be considered reasonable.

RESPONDENT'S POSITION:

The considerable amount of combustible materials stored at the premises causes the property to be especially liable to fire, prevents adequate or proper use of exits and endangers the safety of the building and its occupants.

COMMISSION RULING:

  1. Items 1a) and b) were upheld
  2. Item 1c) was modified to: "Reduce the amount of combustible materials within the unit to an average of 15psf and to a maximum in any one room of 20psf, primarily through the removal of newspapers and periodicals."
  3. Item 2 was upheld
  4. Clear access to a width of three feet from each room to both exits from the unit shall be provided and maintained.

REASONS:

It is the opinion of the Fire Code Commission that this work is required to protect the life safety of the occupant of the unit, the residents of the building and firefighters.