SECTION 9.2  ASSEMBLY OCCUPANCIES

Subsection 9.2.1.  Application and General

Assembly occupancies

9.2.1.1.  (1)  This Section applies to

(a)   art galleries,
(b)   auditoria,
(c)   beverage establishments,
(d)   bingo halls,
(e)   clubs,
(f)   community halls,
(g)   dance halls,
(h)   enclosed arenas,
(i)   exhibition halls,
(j)   gymnasia,
(k)   halls in religious establishments (excluding areas of worship),
(l)   lecture halls,
(m)   lodge rooms,
(n)   movie theatres,
(o)   museums,
(p)   opera houses,
(q)   restaurants,
(r)   television studios, and
(s)   theatres.

(2)  Revoked: O. Reg. 256/14, s. 317.

Exemption for educational facilities and hotels

9.2.1.2.  (1)  This Section does not apply to assembly occupancies in buildings that are regulated under the Education Act or the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act.

(2)  This Section does not apply to a building or part of a building regulated under Section 9.9.

Definitions

9.2.1.3.  For the purposes of this Section,

“1986 Building Code” means Ontario Regulation 419/86, as it read on February 11, 1987;

“existing” means in existence on February 11, 1987.

Subsection 9.2.2.  Containment

Fire separations between major occupancies

9.2.2.1.  (1)  Fire separations shall be provided between assembly occupancies described in Subsection 9.2.1. and other major occupancies in compliance with Article 3.1.3.2. of the 1986 Building Code.

(2)  If Sentence (1) requires a fire separation having a 2 h fire-resistance rating, a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h is deemed to comply with Sentence (1) if

(a)   the building is sprinklered with a sprinkler system that complies with Article 9.2.5.2., or
(b)   the building has a detection system that is connected to the building fire alarm system.

(3)  If Sentence (1) requires a fire separation having a 1 h fire-resistance rating, a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 30 minutes is deemed to comply with Sentence (1) if

(a)   the building is sprinklered with a sprinkler system that complies with Article 9.2.5.2., or
(b)   the building has a detection system that is connected to the building fire alarm system.

Protection of openings in fire separations

9.2.2.2.  (1)  Closures that are in compliance with Sentences 3.1.6.4.(2) and 3.1.6.7.(1) of the 1986 Building Code shall be provided in fire separations.

(2)  Where Sentence (1) requires

(a)   a 1 h or a 45 min fire-protection rating, existing hollow metal or kalamein doors, with or without wired glass and equipped with self-closing devices, and existing hollow metal frames are deemed to be in compliance,
(b)   a 1 h or a 45 min fire-protection rating, existing wired glass screens set in fixed steel frames are deemed to be in compliance, or
(c)   a 20 min fire-protection rating, existing 45 mm solid core wood doors and existing solid wood frames are deemed to be in compliance.

(3)  Despite the requirements referred to in Sentence (1), fire dampers or fire-stop flaps are not required to be installed in existing noncombustible ducts at penetrations of a fire separation.

Fire separations for hazardous areas

9.2.2.3.  (1)  In high buildings classified in the 1986 Building Code under Subsection 3.2.6., fire separations that are in compliance with Subsection 3.5.2. of the 1986 Building Code shall be provided between service rooms and assembly occupancies.

(2)  In buildings not referred to in Sentence (1), fire separations that are in compliance with Subsection 3.5.2. of the 1986 Building Code shall be provided between service rooms and assembly occupancies.

(3)  A fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 30 minutes is deemed to comply with Sentence (2) if

(a)   the service room is sprinklered, or
(b)   a detection system is provided and connected to the building fire alarm system.

(4)  Fire separations shall be provided between theatrical stages and assembly occupancies in compliance with Sentences 3.3.2.14.(3) to (5) of the 1986 Building Code.

(5)  Despite Sentence (4), existing fire separations may be approved.

Interior finishes

9.2.2.4.  (1)  Interior finishes shall comply with the flame-spread rating requirements under Clauses 3.1.4.5.(3)(g) and (h) and Subsection 3.1.11. of the 1986 Building Code.

(2)  Where

(a)   the finish is not an exposed expanded plastic, the assembly area is sprinklered and the sprinkler system complies with Article 9.2.5.2., the existing interior finish is deemed to be in compliance with Sentence (1), or
(b)   the finish is treated with a fire retardant surface coating listed by a recognized testing laboratory and applied in accordance with the listing conditions, the finish is deemed to be in compliance with Sentence (1).

(3)  Despite Sentence (1), existing interior finishes may be approved.

Subsection 9.2.3.  Means of Egress

Occupant load determination

9.2.3.1.  The occupant load for calculation of number and width of exits referred to in Articles 9.2.3.6. and 9.2.3.7. shall be in accordance with Article 2.7.1.4.

Access to exits; number and location

9.2.3.2.  (1)  Where the occupant load of a room exceeds 60 persons, at least two egress doorways shall be provided in such a manner that one doorway can provide egress if the other doorway becomes inaccessible to the occupants.

(2)  An existing room with one doorway is deemed to be in compliance with Sentence (1) where

(a)   the occupant load does not exceed 100 persons,
(b)   the floor area is sprinklered and the sprinkler system complies with Article 9.2.5.2., and
(c)   the travel distance does not exceed 23 m.

Access to exits

9.2.3.3.  (1)  Access to exits shall comply with Article 3.3.2.7. of the 1986 Building Code.

(2)  Existing access to exits through dead end corridors are deemed to be in compliance with Sentence (1) where

(a)   the occupant load does not exceed 20 persons, and
(b)   the travel distance does not exceed 6 m plus the width of the dead end corridor to a point where a choice of two directions of exit travel are available.

Minimum number of exits

9.2.3.4.  (1)  Each floor area shall be served by at least two exits.

(2)  Despite Sentence (1), floor areas in buildings not exceeding 2 storeys in building height may be served by one exit where

(a)   the occupant load for the floor area does not exceed 60 persons,
(b)   the floor area does not exceed 200 m², and
(c)   the travel distance from any point on the floor area does not exceed 15 m.

Door swing

9.2.3.5.  Each door serving as an access to exit from a room serving more than 60 persons shall open in the direction of exit travel and shall swing on its vertical axis.

Number of exits

9.2.3.6.  (1)  The minimum number of exits from a floor area shall be,

(a)   for an occupant load of 61 up to and including 600 persons, not less than two exits,
(b)   for an occupant load of 601 up to and including 1000 persons, not less than three exits, or
(c)   for an occupant load of more than 1000 persons, not less than four exits.

Total width

9.2.3.7.  (1)  The aggregate required width of exits shall be determined by multiplying the occupant load of the area served by

(a)   6.1 mm (1/4 in) per person for ramps with a gradient of not more than 1 in 8, doorways, corridors and passageways, or
(b)   9.2 mm (3/8 in) per person for ramps with a gradient of more than 1 in 8 and stairs.

9.2.3.8.  The width of an exit stair or of a corridor used as an access to exit or as an exit shall not be less than 900 mm.

9.2.3.9.  Where the total number of exits and the total width of exits comply with Articles 9.2.3.6. and 9.2.3.7., existing corridor and stair widths are deemed to be in compliance with Article 9.2.3.8.

Fire escapes permitted

9.2.3.10.  A fire escape may be erected on an existing building to provide one or more of the exit facilities described in Article 3.4.1.2. of the 1986 Building Code, provided that the fire escape does not serve floor areas above the fifth floor.

Fire escape construction

9.2.3.11.  (1)  Each fire escape shall be constructed to comply with Article 3.4.7.13. of the 1986 Building Code, except as permitted in Article 9.2.3.18.

(2)  Despite Sentence (1), an existing fire escape may be approved.

Emergency lighting

9.2.3.12.  Emergency lighting shall comply with Article 3.2.7.3. of the 1986 Building Code.

Exit signs

9.2.3.13.  (1)  Markings and signs for exits and access to exits shall comply with Subsection 3.4.5. of the 1986 Building Code.

(2)  Despite Sentence (1), existing markings and signs may be approved.

9.2.3.14.  In buildings over 2 storeys in building height, any part of an exit ramp or stair that continues past the exit door at ground level to a basement shall be clearly marked by a sign indicating that it does not lead to an exit.

Separation of exits

9.2.3.15.  (1)  Where an exit stairway, an escalator or a moving walkway serves as a required exit, it shall be separated from the remainder of the building in accordance with Sentence 3.4.4.1.(1) of the 1986 Building Code.

(2)  Doors in fire separations required in Sentence (1) shall be equipped with self-closing devices.

(3)  An existing fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min with closures having a fire-protection rating not less than 45 min is deemed to comply with Sentence (1).

(4)  Existing wired glass screens set in fixed steel frames are acceptable in fire separations required by this Article.

Exits through lobbies

9.2.3.16.  (1)  Exits through a lobby area shall comply with the requirements of Clauses 3.4.4.1.(7)(c) to (f) of the 1986 Building Code.

(2)  Despite Sentence (1), there may be more than one exit through a lobby area if there is at least one alternate exit not through the lobby or an occupied space that is capable of serving at least 50% of the occupant load and that leads directly to the outside.

Ancillary rooms

9.2.3.17.  (1)  Storage rooms, refuse storage rooms and laundry rooms that open directly into an exit stairway shall be sprinklered and separated from the exit stairway by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min.

(2)  Other rooms that open directly into an exit stairway shall be separated from the exit stairway by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min.

(3)  Despite Sentences (1) and (2), existing rooms opening directly into an exit stairway may be approved.

9.2.3.18.  (1)  Openings adjacent to fire escapes shall comply with Sentence 3.4.7.13.(5) of the 1986 Building Code.

(2)  Existing openings are deemed to comply with Sentence (1) if each opening is sprinklered and the sprinkler system complies with Article 9.2.5.2.

(3)  Despite Sentences (1) and (2), existing openings may be approved.

Subsection 9.2.4. Fire Alarm and Detection

Fire alarm systems

9.2.4.1.  (1)  Fire alarm and detection systems shall be installed in compliance with Subsection 3.2.4., excluding Article 3.2.4.7., of the 1986 Building Code.

(2)  Despite Sentence (1), existing fire alarm systems may be approved where the system reliability and performance will not increase the risk of life safety.

Subsection 9.2.5.  Suppression

Access for fire fighting

9.2.5.1.  (1)  Access routes for fire fighting shall comply with Sentence 3.2.5.2.(1) of the 1986 Building Code.

(2)  Sentence (1) does not apply where the building is sprinklered.

(3)  Access routes that do not comply with Sentence (1) may be approved where available fire department equipment has access to the building or alternative provisions are made under Subsection 2.8.2. for such access.

Sprinkler systems

9.2.5.2.  (1)  Except as permitted in Sentence (3), sprinkler systems shall comply with Article 3.2.5.5. of the 1986 Building Code.

(2)  An existing sprinkler system is deemed to be in compliance with Sentence (1) where the average sprinkler discharge density over the design area is at least equal to the minimum density corresponding to the area for the hazard classification as defined in Table 9.2.5.A.

(3)  Where buildings with a ceiling height in excess of 9 m are required to be sprinklered, the design of the system shall be approved prior to installation.

(4)  The water supply requirements for an existing sprinkler system shall be based on

(a)   the hazard classification, as determined in Table 9.2.5.A., and
(b)   the minimum sprinkler discharge density, area of application and sprinkler spacing, as determined in NFPA 13, “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems”, that corresponds to the hazard classification determined under Clause (a).

(5)  Clause (4)(b) does not apply to the water supply requirements for an existing sprinkler system in an arena or an exhibition hall.

(6)  The water supply requirements for an existing sprinkler system in an arena or an exhibition hall shall be based on the lesser area of

(a)   100% of the display area, or
(b)   280 m².

TABLE 9.2.5.A.
Forming Part of Article 9.2.5.2.

*Hazard Classification is defined as per NFPA 13, “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems”.