SECTION 9.8 TWO UNIT RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES

Subsection 9.8.1.  Application and General

Application

9.8.1.1.  (1)  This Section applies to a detached house, semi-detached house or row house containing two existing residential units, if

(a)   the building is 3 storeys or less in building height,
(b)   the building area does not exceed 600 m², and
(c)   one residential unit or a portion of a residential unit is situated above another residential unit, or two residential units side by side share a common interior means of escape.

Definitions

9.8.1.2.  (1)  For the purposes of this Section,

“1994 Building Code” means Regulation 61 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990, as it read on July 14, 1994;

“existing” means in existence on July 14, 1994;

“row house” means a residential structure which

(a)   is one of a group of three or more horizontally attached residential structures, and
(b)   is separated vertically from one or two of the other structures by common walls which do not provide for internal access from the living space in one structure to another;

“semi-detached house” means a residential structure which

(a)   is one of two horizontally attached residential structures, and
(b)   is separated vertically from the other residential structure by a common wall which does not provide for internal access from the living space in one structure to the other.

Subsection 9.8.2.  Containment

General requirements for fire separations

9.8.2.1.  (1)  Fire separations required to have a fire-resistance rating by this Section shall comply with Article 9.10.3.1. of the 1994 Building Code or the corresponding compliance alternatives in Part 11 of the 1994 Building Code.

(2)  Except as permitted in Article 9.8.2.5., a wall or floor assembly required to be a fire separation shall be constructed as a continuous barrier against the spread of fire.

(3)  Where a 30 min fire-resistance rating is required, existing wall assemblies and floor assemblies consisting of membranes of lath and plaster or gypsum board are deemed to be in compliance with Sentence (1).

(4)  Where a 15 min fire-resistance rating is required, existing wall assemblies and floor assemblies consisting of membranes of plaster board with a plaster skim coat are deemed to be in compliance with Sentence (1).

Fire separations between residential units

9.8.2.2.  (1) Subject to Article 9.8.2.3., each residential unit shall be separated from other rooms and areas by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 30 min or shall comply with Sentence (2) or (3).

(2)  Subject to Article 9.8.2.3., each residential unit shall be separated from other rooms and areas by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 15 min and be equipped with interconnected smoke alarms that comply with Article 9.8.4.1.

(3)  Existing fire separations are deemed to be in compliance with Sentence (1) where the detached house, semi-detached house, or row house is sprinklered in accordance with Article 9.8.5.1.

Alternative protection for ceilings

9.8.2.3.  The fire-resistance rating of the fire separation above a room containing a fuel-fired appliance is not required where the room is sprinklered, providing a minimum average density of 6.5 L/min/m² over the room area.

Combustion air

9.8.2.4.  Where a room containing a fuel-fired appliance is enclosed to satisfy other provisions of this Section in a manner that restricts the supply of combustion air, sufficient combustion air shall be brought directly from the outside for the proper combustion and safe operation of the appliance.

Protection of openings in fire separations

9.8.2.5.  (1)  Openings in fire separations required by Sentences 9.8.2.2.(1) and (2) and 9.8.3.3.(1) shall be protected with closures conforming to Articles 9.10.13.2. and 9.10.13.10. of the 1994 Building Code.

(2)  Despite Sentence (1), existing 45 mm solid core wood, hollow metal or kalamein doors equipped with self-closing devices, installed in hollow metal or solid wood frames, are acceptable.

(3)  Despite Sentence (1), fire dampers or fire-stop flaps are not required in ducts at penetrations of a fire separation.

Subsection 9.8.3.  Means of Egress

Requirements for means of escape

9.8.3.1.  Each residential unit shall be provided with a means of escape conforming to Article 9.8.3.2., 9.8.3.3., 9.8.3.4. or 9.8.3.5.

One means of escape

9.8.3.2.  (1)  Each residential unit shall be served by at least one means of escape consisting of a door that

(a)   serves only that residential unit,
(b)   opens directly to the exterior from that residential unit, and
(c)   has direct access to ground level.

9.8.3.3.  (1)  Each residential unit shall have direct access to at least one means of escape that may be shared if

(a)   the means of escape is separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 30 min,
(b)   the flame-spread rating of interior wall and ceiling finishes within the means of escape does not exceed 150, and
(c)   the means of escape does not involve entering another residential unit or other occupancy and leads directly to the exterior with direct access to ground level.

(2)  Where a means of escape provided by Sentence (1) serves a residential unit situated entirely on the third storey, the detached house, semi-detached house or row house shall be equipped with interconnected smoke alarms conforming to Article 9.8.4.1.

Two means of escape

9.8.3.4.  (1)  Each residential unit shall be served by at least two means of escape arranged in such a manner that

(a)   one means of escape shall be through a door which may lead through another residential unit, and
(b)   the second means of escape shall be through a window if

(i)   the window conforms to Sentence (2) or (3), and
(ii)   the detached house, semi-detached house or row house is equipped with interconnected smoke alarms conforming to Article 9.8.4.1.

(2)  A window may serve as a second means of escape if

(a)   the sill is not more than 1 m above or below the adjacent ground level,
(b)   the window can be opened from the inside without the use of tools,
(c)   the window has an individual, unobstructed open portion having a minimum area of 0.38 m² with no dimension less than 460 mm,
(d)   the sill height does not exceed 900 mm above the floor or fixed steps,
(e)   where the window has a window-well, a clearance of at least 1 m is provided in the window-well in front of the window, and
(f)   where the window has a window-well, the window opens into the residential unit and does not interfere with escape.

(3)  A window may serve as a second means of escape if

(a)   the window is of a casement type,
(b)   the window is not less than 1060 mm high and 560 mm wide,
(c)   the sill of the window is not more than 900 mm above the inside floor, and
(d)   the sill of the window is not less than 1 m and not more than 5 m above the adjacent ground level.

Existing means of escape with sprinklers

9.8.3.5.  An existing means of escape, not conforming to Article 9.8.3.2., 9.8.3.3. or 9.8.3.4., is acceptable if the detached house, semi-detached house or row house is sprinklered in accordance with Article 9.8.5.1.

Subsection 9.8.4.  Fire Alarm and Detection

Interconnected smoke alarms

9.8.4.1.  (1)  Interconnected smoke alarms required in Sentences 9.8.2.2.(2) and 9.8.3.3.(2) and Clause 9.8.3.4.(1)(b) shall be installed on or near the ceiling in each

(a)   storey within a residential unit, including every basement, and
(b)   shared means of escape.

(2)  Smoke alarms referred to in Sentence (1) shall be

(a)   electrically interconnected so that the activation of any smoke alarm will sound a similar signal in each of the interconnected devices,
(b)   installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, and on floor levels containing bedrooms or sleeping areas, the required smoke alarms shall be installed between such bedrooms and the remainder of the residential unit, such as in a hallway or corridor serving such rooms or areas,
(c)   connected to an electrical circuit with no disconnect switch between the overcurrent device and the smoke alarms,
(d)   listed for use in an interconnected installation, and
(e)   audible in bedrooms when the intervening doors are closed.

Smoke alarms

9.8.4.2.  (1)  Smoke alarms shall be installed in each residential unit in accordance with Sentences 3.2.4.21.(1) to (4) of the 1994 Building Code.

(2)  Battery-operated smoke alarms are deemed to be in compliance with Sentence 3.2.4.21.(4) of the 1994 Building Code.

(3)  Smoke alarms shall meet the requirements of

(a)   CAN/ULC-S531, “Standard for Smoke Alarms”, and
(b)   CAN/ULC-S553, “Standard for the Installation of Smoke-Alarms”.

(4)  Revoked: O. Reg. 256/14, s. 405 (2).

(5)  When interconnected smoke alarms are installed in accordance with Article 9.8.4.1., the smoke alarms referred to in Sentence (1) of this Article are not required.

Subsection 9.8.5.  Suppression

Sprinkler systems

9.8.5.1.  Sprinkler protection required in this Section shall be designed and installed in conformance with NFPA 13D, “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes”.

Subsection 9.8.6.  Electrical

Electrical inspections required

9.8.6.1.  (1)  Each detached house, semi-detached house and row house regulated by this Section shall be subjected to a general inspection by the Electrical Safety Authority, as defined in the Electricity Act, 1998, and inspection fees shall be paid by the owner.

(2)  Electrical hazards identified during an inspection required by Sentence (1) shall be repaired in accordance with the Electrical Safety Code made under the Electricity Act, 1998.

(3)  The letter of compliance from the Electrical Safety Authority, as defined in the Electricity Act, 1998, shall be made available to the Chief Fire Official upon request.