SECTION 8.1  GENERAL

Subsection 8.1.1.  Application

Application

8.1.1.1.  This Part applies to the prevention or control of fire during any demolition and the protection from fire of neighbouring occupied spaces and neighbouring properties.

Subsection 8.1.2.  Requirements

Building services

8.1.2.1.  (1)  Subject to Sentence (2), before demolition of a building or part of a building is commenced, building services other than water supply for fire fighting shall be terminated at a point located outside the building or part under demolition.

(2)  Instead of being terminated under Sentence (1), a service provider’s connection shall be relocated and protected from damage if it is determined that

(a)   terminating the service at a point outside the building or part under demolition would interfere with service to a part of the building that is not under demolition or service to another building that is not under demolition, or
(b)   maintaining the service is necessary for demolition purposes.

(3)  No steps shall be taken under Sentence (1) or (2) in respect of a service provider’s connection unless that service provider and all other service providers whose connections will be affected by the termination or relocation of that connection have been notified.

Firewatch

8.1.2.2.  (1)  During periods when demolition operations create a fire hazard to parts of the building not under demolition or to neighbouring occupied spaces or neighbouring properties, a firewatch shall be conducted.

(2)  If a firewatch is required, the demolition site shall be toured by firewatch personnel at least once each hour.

(3)  Facilities shall be provided to enable firewatch personnel to

(a)   ensure that a fire warning is sounded to notify occupants, and
(b)   communicate with the fire department.

(4)  Firewatch personnel shall be equipped with portable illumination and protective equipment.

(5)  Before demolition of a building or part of a building is commenced, a safety plan for the demolition site shall be prepared and implemented.

(6)  The demolition safety plan shall include

(a)   the designation and organization of site personnel to carry out fire safety duties, including a firewatch when required,
(b)   the emergency procedures to be followed in case of fire, including

(i)   ensuring that a fire warning is sounded to notify occupants,
(ii)   notifying the fire department, and
(iii)   confining, controlling and extinguishing the fire,

(c)   the requirement to train site personnel to carry out fire safety duties, including a firewatch and the emergency procedures referred to in Clause (b),
(d)   the procedures to control fire hazards in and around the demolition site, including procedures to mitigate risks to parts of the building not under demolition or to neighbouring occupied spaces or neighbouring properties, and
(e)   the maintenance of fire fighting facilities.

(7)  If a demolition involves a building that is required to have a fire safety plan that complies with Section 2.8, the fire safety plan shall take into account changes to the building arising from the demolition in accordance with Sentences 2.8.2.1.(4) and (5).

Storage of combustibles

8.1.2.3.  (1)  Combustible salvage, waste material and rubbish shall not be accumulated on site in such quantity or such location as to cause a fire hazard.

(2)  If temporary chutes are installed on the exterior of a building, the chutes shall

(a)   be of noncombustible material, or
(b)   be installed a distance of at least 3 m from any opening in the building face.

Burning of rubbish

8.1.2.4.  Rubbish shall not be burned on the premises unless permitted in accordance with Article 2.4.4.4.

Hot work equipment

8.1.2.5.  The installation, operation and maintenance of hot work equipment shall be carried out in accordance with Section 5.17.

Standpipe systems

8.1.2.6.  (1)  Where a building being demolished floor by floor is equipped with a standpipe system, the system, together with fire department connections, valves, couplings and hose, shall be maintained in operable condition on all storeys below the one being demolished, except for the storey immediately below it.

(2)  If no fire department standpipe connection exists in a building under demolition that is 4 storeys or more in building height, a temporary standpipe connection shall be provided.

(3)  If no standpipe system exists in a building under demolition that is 8 storeys or more in building height, a temporary standpipe shall be provided.

(4)  Standpipe systems shall be kept in such condition that they may be connected near street level, to a fire department pump, so as to supply water to every outlet on each floor.

(5)  In a building under demolition that is over 84 m in height, the primary water supply serving the standpipe system, including fire pumps, shall be maintained in operating condition.

Access for fire fighting

8.1.2.7.  (1)  During demolition, fire fighting access routes shall be maintained in accordance with Section 2.5.

(2)  Unobstructed access to fire hydrants, portable extinguishers and fire department connections for standpipe and sprinkler systems shall be maintained during demolition.

(3)  If a demolition site is fenced so as to prevent general entry, provision shall be made for access by fire department equipment and personnel.

(4)  Elevating devices shall be accessible for the use of firefighters for buildings under demolition that are more than 36 m in building height, measured between grade and the floor level of the top storey.

Portable extinguishers

8.1.2.8.  (1)  Portable extinguishers shall be provided in buildings under demolition in accordance with Subsection 6.2.6. as if the buildings were graded for ordinary hazard under Subsection 6.2.5.

(2)  In addition to the other requirements of this Code, if a building is under demolition, portable extinguishers shall be provided

(a)   adjacent to hot work operations,
(b)   in areas where combustibles are stored,
(c)   near or on any internal combustion engines,
(d)   adjacent to areas where flammable liquids, combustible liquids or gases are stored or handled,
(e)   adjacent to temporary oil-fired or gas-fired equipment, and
(f)   adjacent to bitumen heating equipment.

(3)  The extinguishers required by Sentence (2) shall have a minimum rating of

(a)   2A:10B:C on moveable equipment, and
(b)   4A:40B:C in all other locations.

(4)  Portable extinguishers required in Sentences (1), (2) and (3) shall be maintained in conformance with Section 6.2.

Smoking prohibited

8.1.2.9.  Smoking shall not take place in, on or near a building under demolition, except as provided in Subsection 2.4.3.

Ignition sources

8.1.2.10.  (1)  Internal combustion engines, other devices capable of producing ignition and devices associated with either of the foregoing shall be kept at sufficient distance from combustible material so as to prevent ignition.

(2)  The clearance between combustible material and temporary heating equipment, including flues, shall comply with

(a)   the minimum clearance, if any, shown on certified heating equipment, or
(b)   the minimum clearance specified in the Building Code, if no minimum clearance is shown on the heating equipment.

Temporary enclosures

8.1.2.11.  Fabrics and films used to temporarily enclose buildings shall be securely fastened to prevent them from being blown against heaters or other ignition sources.

Provisions for egress

8.1.2.12.  Unless otherwise approved, at least two exits shall be accessible and usable at all times.

Fire warning

8.1.2.13.  A means shall be provided that is capable of alerting persons throughout a building under demolition and the property on which the building is located of a fire emergency.

Safety of tanks, piping and machinery reservoirs at demolition sites

8.1.2.14.  (1)  Tanks, piping and machinery reservoirs at a demolition site that contain flammable liquids or combustible liquids or that are likely to contain flammable vapours shall be drained, purged with inert materials and then removed before demolition is commenced.

(2)  Despite Sentence (1), if it is impracticable to remove any tank, piping or machinery reservoir described in Sentence (1) from the building before demolition is commenced, such equipment shall be

(a)   drained and purged with inert materials before demolition is commenced,
(b)   clearly identified before demolition is commenced, and
(c)   removed from the building as soon as conditions permit.