Division B
Acceptable Solutions
Part 3 — Fire Protection, Occupant Safety and Accessibility
Section 3.2. Building Fire Safety
(See Appendix A.)3.2.1. General
3.2.1.1. Exceptions in Determining Building Height
1) 
A roof-top enclosure shall not be considered as a
storey in calculating the
building height if the roof-top enclosure is
a) provided for elevator machinery, a stairway or a
service room, and
b) used for no purpose other than for service to the
building.


NC2010 2010-01-01 R1
1) 
A roof-top enclosure
provided for elevator machinery, a stairway or a service room used for no purpose other than for service to the building, shall not be considered as a
storey in calculating the
building height if the roof-top enclosure is. a) provided for elevator machinery, a stairway or a service room, and
b) used for no purpose other than for service to the building.
2) 
Space under tiers of seats in a
building of the arena type shall not be considered as adding to the
building height provided the space is used only for dressing rooms, concession stands and similar purposes incidental
to the
major occupancy of the
building.
3) Except as required by
Sentence (5), a
mezzanine need not be considered as a
storey in calculating the
building height, provided
a) not less than 60% of the horizontal plane separating the
mezzanine from the room or floor space in which it is located is open, and

NC2010 2010-01-01 R1
3) 
Except as required by Sentence (5),
the space above a
mezzanine need not be considered as a
storey in calculating the
building height, provided
a) not less than 60% of the horizontal plane separating the mezzanine from the room or floor space in which it is located is open, andthe aggregate area of mezzanines that are not superimposed does not exceed 40% of the open area of the room in which
they are located (see Appendix A), and
b) except as permitted in Sentences (7) and 3.3.2.12.(3), the space above the mezzanine is used as a visually an open area without partitions or subdividing walls higher than 1 070 mm above the mezzanine floor.(See Appendix A)
4) Except as required by
Sentence (5), the space above a
mezzanine need not be considered as a
storey in calculating the
building height, provided
a) the aggregate area of
mezzanines that are not superimposed and do not meet the conditions of
Sentence (3) does not exceed 10% of the
floor area in which they are located, and

NC2010 2010-01-01 R1
4) 
Except as required by Sentence (5), the space above a
mezzanine need not be considered as a
storey in calculating the
building height, provided
a) the aggregate area of mezzanines that are not
superimposed and do not meet the conditions of Sentence (3) does not exceed 10% of the floor area in which they are located, and
b) the area of a mezzanine in a suite does not exceed 10% of the area of that suite (see Appendix A).
6) 
Platforms intended solely for periodic inspection and elevated maintenance catwalks need not be considered as floor assemblies or
mezzanines for the purpose of calculating
building height, provided
a) they are not used for storage, and
7) The space above a
mezzanine conforming to
Sentence (3) is permitted to include an enclosed space whose area does not exceed 10% of the horizontal plane separating the
mezzanine from the room or floor space in which the
mezzanine is located provided the enclosed space does not obstruct visual communication between the open space above the
mezzanine and the room in which it is located.
(See A-3.2.1.1.(3) in Appendix A.)
NC2010 2010-01-01 R1
7) 
The space above a
mezzanine conforming to Sentence (3) is permitted to include an enclosed space whose area does not exceed 10% of the
horizontal plane separatingopen area of the
mezzanine from the room or floor space room in which the
mezzanine is located provided the enclosed space does
not obstruct visual communication between the open space above the
mezzanine and the room in which it is located.
(See A-3.2.1.1.(3) in Appendix
A.)
3.2.1.2. Storage Garage Considered as a Separate Building
2) 
The exterior wall of a
basement that is required to be a
fire separation with a
fire-resistance rating in accordance with
Sentence (1) is permitted to be penetrated by openings that are not protected by
closures provided
b) every opening in the exterior wall is separated from
storeys above the opening by a projection of the floor or roof assembly above the
basement, extending not less than
c) the exterior walls of any
storeys located above the floor or roof assembly referred to in
Sentence (1) are recessed behind the outer edge of the assembly by not less than
3.2.1.3. Roof Considered as a Wall
1) 
For the purposes of this Section any part of a roof that is pitched at an angle of 60° or more to the horizontal
and is adjacent to a space intended for
occupancy within a
building shall be considered as part of an exterior wall of the
building.
3.2.1.4. Floor Assembly over Basement
3.2.1.5. Fire Containment in Basements
3.2.1.6. Mezzanines
3.2.2. Building Size and Construction Relative to Occupancy
3.2.2.1. Application
3.2.2.2. Special and Unusual Structures
3.2.2.3. Exceptions to Structural Fire Protection
1) 
Fire protection is not required for
a) steel lintels above openings not more than 2 m wide in
loadbearing walls and not more than 3 m wide in non-
loadbearing walls,
b) steel lintels above openings more than 2 m wide in
loadbearing walls and more than 3 m wide in non-
loadbearing walls provided the lintels are supported at intervals of not more than 2 m by structural members
with the required
fire-resistance rating,
c) the bottom flanges of shelf angles and plates that are not a part of the
structural frame,
d) steel members for framework around elevator hoistway doorways, steel for the
support of elevator and dumbwaiter guides, counterweights and other similar
equipment, that are entirely enclosed in a hoistway and are not a part of the
structural frame of the
building,
e) steel members of stairways and escalators that are not a part of the
structural frame of a
building,
f) steel members of porches, exterior balconies, exterior stairways, fire
escapes, cornices, marquees and other similar appurtenances, provided they are
outside an exterior wall of a
building, and
g)
loadbearing steel or concrete members wholly or partly outside a
building face in a
building not more than 4
storeys in
building height and classified as Group A, B, C, D or F, Division 3
major occupancy provided the members are
ii) shielded from heat radiation in the event of a fire within the building by construction that will provide the same degree of protection that would be necessary if the member was located
inside the building, with the protection extending on either side of the member a distance equal to the projection of
the member from the face of the wall.
(See also Article 3.2.3.9.) 3.2.2.4. Buildings with Multiple Major Occupancies
3.2.2.5. Applicable Building Height and Area
3.2.2.6. Multiple Major Occupancies
3.2.2.7. Superimposed Major Occupancies
3.2.2.8. Exceptions for Major Occupancies
3.2.2.9. Crawl Spaces
3.2.2.10. Streets
5) 
Enclosed spaces, tunnels, bridges and similar structures, even though used for vehicular or pedestrian traffic, are not considered
as
streets for the purpose of this Part.
3.2.2.11. Exterior Balconies
3.2.2.12. Exterior Passageways
3.2.2.13. Occupancy on Roof
3.2.2.14. Roof-Top Enclosures
3.2.2.15. Storeys below Ground
2) 
If any portion of a
building is erected entirely below the adjoining finished ground level and extends more than one
storey below that ground level, the following minimum precautions against fire spread and collapse shall be taken:
3.2.2.16. Heavy Timber Roof Permitted
3.2.2.17. Arena-Type Building Roof Assembly
1) 
The requirements for a roof assembly to have a
fire-resistance rating are permitted to be waived for a gymnasium, a swimming pool, an arena, or a rink if no
part of the roof assembly is less than 6 m above the
main floor or balcony and the roof carries no loads other than normal
roof loads, including permanent access walks, and ventilating, sound
and lighting equipment, except that the restriction concerning minimum
distance shall not apply to
a) an inclined and stepped floor ascending from the main floor
which is used for seating purposes only, or
b) a balcony used for seating purposes only.
3.2.2.18. Automatic Sprinkler System Required
1) 
Except as permitted by
Sentence (2), an automatic sprinkler system conforming to the requirements of
Articles 3.2.4.8.,
3.2.4.9.,
3.2.4.10. and
3.2.5.12. shall be installed throughout a
building regulated by one or more of
Articles 3.2.2.20.,
3.2.2.21.,
3.2.2.22.,
3.2.2.23.,
3.2.2.24.,
3.2.2.26.,
3.2.2.27.,
3.2.2.29.,
3.2.2.31.,
3.2.2.33.,
3.2.2.36.,
3.2.2.37.,
3.2.2.38.,
3.2.2.39.,
3.2.2.40.,
3.2.2.41.,
3.2.2.42.,
3.2.2.43.,
3.2.2.44.,
3.2.2.45.,
3.2.2.46.,
3.2.2.47.,
3.2.2.48.,
3.2.2.50.,
3.2.2.53.,
3.2.2.54.,
3.2.2.56.,
3.2.2.57.,
3.2.2.59.,
3.2.2.61.,
3.2.2.62.,
3.2.2.63.,
3.2.2.65.,
3.2.2.67.,
3.2.2.68.,
3.2.2.69.,
3.2.2.70.,
3.2.2.72.,
3.2.2.73.,
3.2.2.75.,
3.2.2.77.,
3.2.2.78.,
3.2.2.80.,
3.2.2.82.,
3.2.2.84. and
3.2.2.86. 3.2.2.19. Buildings Containing Impeded Egress Zones
3.2.2.20. Group A, Division 1, Any Height, Any Area, Sprinklered
3.2.2.21. Group A, Division 1, One Storey, Limited Area, Sprinklered
1) 
A
building classified as Group A, Division 1 is permitted to conform to
Sentence (2) provided
c) it has less than 40% of the area of the
building as 2
storeys for the purpose of
i) development of productions, including preparation of scenery and costumes and rehearsal of performers,
ii) organization of performers, scenery and sound equipment,
iii) preparation by performers for a performance,
iv) managerial functions, or
v) toilets, rest rooms and similar public facilities,
d) it has no
occupancy above or below the auditorium other than one which serves it or is dependent on it,
3.2.2.22. Group A, Division 1, One Storey, Sprinklered
1) 
A
building classified as Group A, Division 1 is permitted to conform to
Sentence (2) provided
c) no part of an auditorium floor is more than 5 m above or below
grade,
d) no
occupancy is above or below the auditorium other than one which serves it or is dependent on it, and
e) the
occupant load of the auditorium floor is not more than 300.
3.2.2.23. Group A, Division 2, Any Height, Any Area, Sprinklered
3.2.2.24. Group A, Division 2, up to 6 Storeys, Any Area, Sprinklered
3.2.2.25. Group A, Division 2, up to 2 Storeys
3.2.2.26. Group A, Division 2, up to 2 Storeys, Increased Area, Sprinklered
3.2.2.27. Group A, Division 2, up to 2 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.28. Group A, Division 2, One Storey
3.2.2.29. Group A, Division 3, Any Height, Any Area, Sprinklered
3.2.2.30. Group A, Division 3, up to 2 Storeys
3.2.2.31. Group A, Division 3, up to 2 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.32. Group A, Division 3, One Storey, Increased Area
3.2.2.33. Group A, Division 3, One Storey, Sprinklered
3.2.2.34. Group A, Division 3, One Storey
3.2.2.35. Group A, Division 4
4) 
Sprinklers shall be installed in all spaces below tiers of seats in a
building classified as Group A, Division 4 if those spaces are used for
occupancy.
(See Appendix A.) 3.2.2.36. Group B, Division 1, Any Height, Any Area, Sprinklered
3.2.2.37. Group B, Division 1, up to 3 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.38. Group B, Division 2, Any Height, Any Area, Sprinklered
3.2.2.39. Group B, Division 2, up to 3 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.40. Group B, Division 2, up to 2 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.41. Group B, Division 2, One Storey, Sprinklered
3.2.2.42.
Group B, Division 3, Any Height, Any Area, Sprinklered
3.2.2.43. Group B, Division 3, up to 3 Storeys (Noncombustible), Sprinklered
3.2.2.44. Group B, Division 3, up to 3 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.45. Group B, Division 3, up to 2 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.46. Group B, Division 3, One Storey, Sprinklered
3.2.2.47. Group C, Any Height, Any Area, Sprinklered
3.2.2.48. Group C, up to 6 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.49. Group C, up to 3 Storeys, Noncombustible Construction
Table 3.2.2.49. Maximum Building Area, Group C, up to 3 Storeys Forming part of Sentence 3.2.2.49.(1) |
No. of Storeys |
Maximum Area, m2 |
Facing 1 Street |
Facing 2 Streets |
Facing 3 Streets |
1 |
not limited |
not limited |
not limited |
2 |
6 000 |
not limited |
not limited |
3 |
4 000 |
5 000 |
6 000 |
3.2.2.50. Group C, up to 6 Storeys, Sprinklered
1) 

A
building classified as Group C is permitted to conform to
Sentence (2) provided
c) it has a maximum height of less than 18 m measured between
grade and the uppermost floor level of the top
storey, and

BC2012 2012-01-01 R1NC2010 2010-01-01 R1
1 Group C, up to 6 Storeys, Sprinklered
1) A
building classified as Group C is permitted to conform to Sentence (2) provided
a) except as permitted by Sentences 3.2.2.7.(1) and 3.2.2.18.(2), the building is sprinklered throughout,
b) it is not more than 6 storeys in building height, and
c) it has a maximum height of less than 18 m measured between grade and the uppermost floor level of the top storey, and
d) it has a
building area not more than
i) 7 200 m2 if 1 storey in building height,
ii) 3 600 m2 if 2 storeys in building height,
iii) 2 400 m2 if 3 storeys in building height,
iv) 1 800 m2 if 4 storeys in building height,
v) 1 440 m2 if 5 storeys in building height, or
vi) 1 200 m2 if 6 storeys in building height.
2) The
building referred to in Sentence (1) is permitted to be of
combustible construction or
noncombustible construction used singly or in combination, and
a) except as permitted by Sentences (5) and (6), floor assemblies shall be fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h,
b) mezzanines shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, and
c) loadbearing walls, columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly.
3) Except as required in Sentence (4), a
building referred to
in Subclause (1) (d)(v)in or (d)(vi)
shall or (d)(vi) shall have an exterior wall assembly
a) protected by noncombustible cladding
b) protected by cladding of fire-retardant-treated wood that has been conditioned in conformance with ASTM D 2898, “Accelerated Weathering of Fire-Retardant-Treated
Wood for Fire Testing,” before being tested in accordance with CAN/ULC-S102, “Standard Method of Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of
Building Materials and Assemblies,” or
c) the interior surfaces of which are protected by a thermal barrier conforming to Sentence 3.1.5.12.(3) and that satisfies the criteria of Sentences 3.1.5.5.(3) and (4) when subjected to testing in conformance with CAN/ULC-S134, “Fire Test of Exterior Wall Assemblies.”
4) The solutions described in Clauses (3)(b) and Clause (c) are not permitted where an exposing building face is required by Article 3.2.3.7. to have noncombustible cladding.
5) In a building that contains dwelling units that have more than one storey, subject to the requirements of Sentence 3.3.4.2.(3), the floor assemblies, including floors over basements, which are entirely contained within these dwelling units, shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h but need not be constructed as fire separations.
6) In a building in which there is no dwelling unit above another dwelling unit, the fire-resistance rating for floor assemblies entirely within the dwelling unit is waived.
3.2.2.50. Group C, up to 64 Storeys, Sprinklered
1) 
A
building classified as Group C is permitted to conform to Sentence (2) provided
a) except as permitted by Sentences 3.2.2.7.(1) and 3.2.2.18.(2), the building is sprinklered throughout,
b) it is not more than 64storeys in building height, and
c) it has a maximum height of less than 18 m measured between grade and the uppermost floor level of the top storey, and
d) it has a
building area not more than
i) 7 200 m2 if 1 storey in building height,
ii) 3 600 m2 if 2 storeys in building height,
iii) 2 400 m2 if 3 storeys in building height, or
iv) 1 800 m2 if 4 storeys in building height,.
i) 1 440 m2 if 5 storeys in building height, or
ii) 1 200 m2 if 6 storeys in building height.
2) 
The
building referred to in Sentence (1) is permitted to be of
combustible construction or
noncombustible construction used singly or in combination, and
a) except as permitted by Sentences (5) and (6), floor assemblies shall be fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h,
b) mezzanines shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, and
c) loadbearing walls, columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly.
3) Except as required in Sentence (4), a
building referred to in Subclause (1) (d)(v) or (d)(vi) shall have an exterior wall assembly
a) protected by noncombustible cladding
b) protected by cladding of fire-retardant-treated wood that has been conditioned in conformance with ASTM D 2898, “Accelerated Weathering of Fire-Retardant-Treated
Wood for Fire Testing,” before being tested in accordance with CAN/ULC-S102, “Standard Method of Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of
Building Materials and Assemblies,” or
c) the interior surfaces of which are protected by a thermal barrier conforming to Sentence 3.1.5.12.(3) and that satisfies the criteria of Sentences 3.1.5.5.(3) and (4) when subjected to testing in conformance with CAN/ULC-S134, “Fire Test of Exterior Wall Assemblies.”
4) The solutions described in Clauses (3)(b) and Clause (c) are not permitted where an exposing building face is required by Article 3.2.3.7. to have noncombustible cladding.
5) 
In a
building that contains
dwelling units that have more than one
storey, subject to the requirements of Sentence 3.3.4.2.(3), the floor assemblies, including floors over
basements, which are entirely contained within these
dwelling units, shall have a
fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h but need not be constructed as
fire separations.
6) 
In a
building in which there is no
dwelling unit above another
dwelling unit, the
fire-resistance rating for floor assemblies entirely within the
dwelling unit is waived.
3.2.2.51. Group C, up to 3 Storeys, Increased Area
Table 3.2.2.51. Maximum Building Area, Group C, up to 3 Storeys, Increased
Area Forming part of Sentence 3.2.2.51.(1) |
No. of Storeys |
Maximum Area, m2 |
Facing 1 Street |
Facing 2 Streets |
Facing 3 Streets |
1 |
2 400 |
3 000 |
3 600 |
2 |
1 200 |
1 500 |
1 800 |
3 |
800 |
1 000 |
1 200 |
3.2.2.52. Group C, up to 3 Storeys
3.2.2.53. Group C, up to 3 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.54. Group D, Any Height, Any Area, Sprinklered
3.2.2.55. Group D, up to 6 Storeys
Table 3.2.2.55. Maximum Building Area, Group D, up to 6 Storeys Forming part of Sentence 3.2.2.55.(1) |
No. of Storeys |
Maximum Area, m2 |
Facing 1 Street |
Facing 2 Streets |
Facing 3 Streets |
1 |
not limited |
not limited |
not limited |
2 |
7 200 |
not limited |
not limited |
3 |
4 800 |
6 000 |
7 200 |
4 |
3 600 |
4 500 |
5 400 |
5 |
2 880 |
3 600 |
4 320 |
6 |
2 400 |
3 000 |
3 600 |
3.2.2.56. Group D, up to 6 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.57. Group D, up to 4 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.58. Group D, up to 3 Storeys
Table 3.2.2.58. Maximum Building Area, Group D, up to 3 Storeys Forming part of Sentence 3.2.2.58.(1) |
No. of Storeys |
Maximum Area, m2 |
Facing 1 Street |
Facing 2 Streets |
Facing 3 Streets |
1 |
4 800 |
6 000 |
7 200 |
2 |
2 400 |
3 000 |
3 600 |
3 |
1 600 |
2 000 |
2 400 |
3.2.2.59. Group D, up to 3 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.60. Group D, up to 2 Storeys
3.2.2.61. Group D, up to 2 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.62. Group E, Any Height, Any Area, Sprinklered
3.2.2.63. Group E, up to 4 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.64. Group E, up to 3 Storeys
3.2.2.65. Group E, up to 3 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.66. Group E, up to 2 Storeys
3.2.2.67. Group E, up to 2 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.68. Group F, Division 1, up to 4 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.69. Group F, Division 1, up to 3 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.70. Group F, Division 1, up to 2 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.71. Group F, Division 1, One Storey
3.2.2.72. Group F, Division 2, Any Height, Any Area, Sprinklered
3.2.2.73. Group F, Division 2, up to 4 Storeys, Increased Area, Sprinklered
3.2.2.74. Group F, Division 2, up to 3 Storeys
Table 3.2.2.74. Maximum Building Area, Group F, Division 2, up to 3 Storeys Forming part of Sentence 3.2.2.74.(1) |
No. of Storeys |
Maximum Area, m2 |
Facing 1 Street |
Facing 2 Streets |
Facing 3 Streets |
1 |
1 500 |
1 500 |
1 500 |
2 |
1 500 |
1 500 |
1 500 |
3 |
1 070 |
1 340 |
1 500 |
3.2.2.75. Group F, Division 2, up to 4 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.76. Group F, Division 2, up to 2 Storeys
3.2.2.77. Group F, Division 2, up to 2 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.78. Group F, Division 3, Any Height, Any Area, Sprinklered
3.2.2.79. Group F, Division 3, up to 6 Storeys
Table 3.2.2.79. Maximum Building Area, Group F, Division 3, up to 6 Storeys Forming part of Sentence 3.2.2.79.(1) |
No. of Storeys |
Maximum Area, m2 |
Facing 1 Street |
Facing 2 Streets |
Facing 3 Streets |
1 |
not limited |
not limited |
not limited |
2 |
7 200 |
9 000 |
10 800 |
3 |
4 800 |
6 000 |
7 200 |
4 |
3 600 |
4 500 |
5 400 |
5 |
2 880 |
3 600 |
4 320 |
6 |
2 400 |
3 000 |
3 600 |
3.2.2.80. Group F, Division 3, up to 6 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.81. Group F, Division 3, up to 4 Storeys
Table 3.2.2.81. Maximum Building Area, Group F, Division 3, up to 4 Storeys Forming part of Sentence 3.2.2.81.(1) |
No. of Storeys |
Maximum Area, m2 |
Facing 1 Street |
Facing 2 Streets |
Facing 3 Streets |
1 |
4 800 |
6 000 |
7 200 |
2 |
2 400 |
3 000 |
3 600 |
3 |
1 600 |
2 000 |
2 400 |
4 |
1 200 |
1 500 |
1 800 |
3.2.2.82. Group F, Division 3, up to 4 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.83. Group F, Division 3, up to 2 Storeys
3.2.2.84. Group F, Division 3, up to 2 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.85. Group F, Division 3, One Storey
3.2.2.86. Group F, Division 3, One Storey, Sprinklered
3.2.2.87. Group F, Division 3, One Storey, Any Area, Low Fire Load Occupancy
1) 
A
building classified as Group F, Division 3 is permitted to conform to
Sentence (2) provided it is
3.2.2.88. Group F, Division 3, Storage Garages up to 22 m High
3.2.3. Spatial Separation and Exposure Protection
(See Appendix A.)
3.2.3.1. Limiting Distance and Area of Unprotected Openings
3) 
For the purpose of determining the type of construction and cladding and the
fire-resistance rating of an exterior wall,
7) 
For the purpose of
Sentence (6), “single room or space” shall mean
a) two or more adjacent spaces having a full-height separating
wall extending less than 1.5 m from the interior face
of the exterior wall, or
b) two or more stacked spaces that are on the same
storey.
9) 
If the surface temperature on the unexposed surface of a wall assembly exceeds the temperature limit of a standard fire test as permitted by
Article 3.1.7.2., an allowance shall be made for the radiation from the hot unexposed wall surface by
adding an equivalent area of
unprotected opening to the area of actual openings as follows:
where
AF= area of exterior surface of the exposing building face, exclusive of openings, on which the
temperature limit of the standard test is exceeded, and
FEO= an equivalent opening factor derived from the following
expression:
Tu= average temperature in degrees Celsius of the unexposed wall
surface at the time the required fire-resistance rating is reached under test conditions,
10) 
Unless a
closure used to protect an opening in an
exposing building face has a protective performance equivalent to that required for the wall assembly in which it is located, an equivalent area of
unprotected opening, determined in accordance with the procedures of
Sentence (9) shall be added to the greater of
Table 3.2.3.1.B Unprotected Opening Limits for a Building or Fire Compartment that is not
Sprinklered Throughout Forming part of Article 3.2.3.1. |
Exposing Building Face |
Area of Unprotected Opening for Groups A, C, D, and F, Division 3 Occupancies, % |
Max. Area, m2 |
Ratio (L/H or H/L)(1) |
Limiting Distance, m
|
0 |
1.2 |
1.5 |
2.0 |
2.5 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
16 |
18 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
35 |
40 |
45 |
50 |
10 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
8 |
10 |
18 |
29 |
46 |
91 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
8 |
12 |
21 |
33 |
50 |
96 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
11 |
18 |
32 |
48 |
68 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
9 |
14 |
22 |
33 |
63 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
8 |
10 |
17 |
25 |
37 |
67 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
10 |
15 |
26 |
39 |
53 |
87 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
9 |
12 |
18 |
26 |
49 |
81 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
8 |
10 |
15 |
21 |
30 |
53 |
85 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
9 |
14 |
23 |
33 |
45 |
72 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
8 |
11 |
16 |
23 |
41 |
66 |
98 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
8 |
9 |
13 |
19 |
26 |
45 |
70 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
9 |
13 |
21 |
30 |
39 |
62 |
90 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
8 |
11 |
15 |
20 |
35 |
56 |
83 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
9 |
12 |
17 |
23 |
39 |
61 |
88 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
8 |
12 |
19 |
27 |
36 |
56 |
79 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
8 |
10 |
13 |
17 |
28 |
44 |
64 |
89 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
8 |
11 |
15 |
20 |
32 |
48 |
69 |
93 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
8 |
11 |
17 |
24 |
31 |
47 |
66 |
88 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
12 |
15 |
24 |
37 |
53 |
72 |
96 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
8 |
10 |
14 |
18 |
28 |
41 |
57 |
77 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
8 |
10 |
15 |
21 |
28 |
41 |
57 |
76 |
97 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
14 |
21 |
32 |
45 |
62 |
81 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
8 |
10 |
13 |
16 |
25 |
36 |
49 |
66 |
85 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
8 |
10 |
14 |
20 |
25 |
38 |
51 |
67 |
85 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
18 |
26 |
36 |
48 |
62 |
79 |
98 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
14 |
21 |
29 |
40 |
52 |
67 |
84 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
8 |
9 |
13 |
17 |
22 |
32 |
44 |
56 |
70 |
86 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
16 |
22 |
30 |
40 |
51 |
65 |
80 |
97 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
13 |
18 |
25 |
34 |
44 |
56 |
69 |
84 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
9 |
12 |
16 |
20 |
29 |
39 |
49 |
61 |
74 |
89 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
13 |
17 |
22 |
29 |
37 |
46 |
56 |
67 |
79 |
93 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
10 |
11 |
15 |
20 |
26 |
33 |
41 |
50 |
60 |
71 |
84 |
97 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
8 |
11 |
13 |
17 |
24 |
31 |
39 |
48 |
57 |
68 |
79 |
91 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
250 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
13 |
16 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
36 |
43 |
51 |
59 |
68 |
87 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
12 |
15 |
19 |
24 |
28 |
34 |
40 |
47 |
55 |
63 |
72 |
92 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
14 |
19 |
24 |
30 |
36 |
43 |
50 |
57 |
65 |
73 |
82 |
92 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
350 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
14 |
16 |
20 |
24 |
28 |
33 |
38 |
44 |
50 |
64 |
81 |
99 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
13 |
16 |
19 |
23 |
27 |
32 |
37 |
42 |
48 |
55 |
69 |
85 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
12 |
16 |
21 |
25 |
30 |
36 |
41 |
47 |
53 |
59 |
66 |
73 |
88 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
500 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
16 |
19 |
22 |
25 |
29 |
33 |
37 |
47 |
59 |
71 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
16 |
19 |
22 |
25 |
29 |
33 |
37 |
41 |
52 |
63 |
76 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
14 |
18 |
22 |
25 |
30 |
34 |
38 |
43 |
48 |
53 |
58 |
70 |
82 |
96 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 000 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
9 |
10 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
16 |
18 |
20 |
22 |
27 |
33 |
39 |
58 |
82 |
100 |
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
14 |
15 |
17 |
19 |
21 |
23 |
26 |
31 |
37 |
43 |
63 |
86 |
100 |
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
13 |
16 |
19 |
21 |
24 |
27 |
30 |
33 |
36 |
39 |
46 |
53 |
60 |
82 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
2 000 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
17 |
20 |
23 |
33 |
44 |
58 |
74 |
93 |
100 |
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
20 |
23 |
27 |
37 |
49 |
63 |
79 |
97 |
100 |
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
12 |
14 |
16 |
18 |
19 |
21 |
23 |
25 |
27 |
32 |
36 |
40 |
53 |
66 |
82 |
99 |
100 |
|
Table 3.2.3.1.C Unprotected Opening Limits for a Building or Fire Compartment that is not
Sprinklered Throughout Forming part of Article 3.2.3.1. |
Exposing Building Face |
Area of Unprotected Openings for Groups E and F, Division 1 and 2 Occupancies, % |
Max. Area,
m2 |
Ratio
(L/H or H/L)(1) |
Limiting Distance, m
|
0 |
1.2 |
1.5 |
2.0 |
2.5 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
16 |
18 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
35 |
40 |
45 |
50 |
55 |
60 |
65 |
70 |
10 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
9 |
15 |
23 |
46 |
77 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
6 |
10 |
17 |
25 |
48 |
79 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
5 |
9 |
16 |
24 |
34 |
58 |
91 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
11 |
16 |
32 |
53 |
79 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
8 |
13 |
18 |
34 |
55 |
82 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
5 |
8 |
13 |
19 |
26 |
43 |
66 |
93 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
6 |
9 |
13 |
25 |
40 |
61 |
85 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
11 |
15 |
27 |
43 |
63 |
87 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
5 |
7 |
11 |
17 |
22 |
36 |
53 |
74 |
99 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
11 |
20 |
33 |
49 |
69 |
92 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
9 |
13 |
22 |
35 |
51 |
71 |
94 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
6 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
31 |
45 |
62 |
82 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
10 |
18 |
28 |
42 |
58 |
77 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
6 |
9 |
12 |
20 |
30 |
44 |
60 |
80 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
6 |
10 |
14 |
18 |
28 |
40 |
54 |
71 |
91 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
8 |
14 |
22 |
32 |
44 |
59 |
76 |
94 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
16 |
24 |
34 |
47 |
61 |
78 |
97 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
8 |
12 |
15 |
23 |
33 |
44 |
57 |
72 |
89 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
12 |
18 |
26 |
36 |
48 |
61 |
76 |
93 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
9 |
14 |
20 |
29 |
38 |
50 |
63 |
79 |
95 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
8 |
11 |
14 |
21 |
29 |
38 |
48 |
61 |
74 |
90 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
11 |
16 |
23 |
31 |
40 |
52 |
64 |
78 |
94 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
8 |
12 |
18 |
25 |
33 |
43 |
54 |
66 |
81 |
96 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
10 |
13 |
19 |
26 |
34 |
43 |
53 |
64 |
77 |
92 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
9 |
13 |
18 |
24 |
31 |
40 |
49 |
60 |
71 |
84 |
98 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
26 |
33 |
42 |
51 |
62 |
74 |
86 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
9 |
11 |
16 |
22 |
28 |
35 |
43 |
52 |
62 |
73 |
85 |
98 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
8 |
11 |
15 |
20 |
26 |
32 |
40 |
48 |
58 |
68 |
79 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
9 |
13 |
17 |
22 |
28 |
35 |
42 |
51 |
60 |
70 |
81 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
14 |
19 |
25 |
31 |
37 |
44 |
52 |
61 |
71 |
81 |
92 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
8 |
11 |
14 |
18 |
23 |
28 |
33 |
40 |
46 |
54 |
70 |
89 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
13 |
16 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
36 |
42 |
49 |
56 |
73 |
92 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
8 |
12 |
16 |
20 |
24 |
29 |
34 |
39 |
46 |
52 |
59 |
67 |
84 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
250 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
15 |
18 |
22 |
25 |
29 |
34 |
44 |
55 |
68 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
17 |
20 |
24 |
27 |
32 |
36 |
46 |
57 |
70 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
9 |
12 |
15 |
18 |
21 |
25 |
28 |
32 |
37 |
41 |
46 |
56 |
68 |
81 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
350 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
16 |
19 |
22 |
25 |
32 |
40 |
49 |
77 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
16 |
18 |
21 |
24 |
27 |
34 |
43 |
52 |
79 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
13 |
15 |
18 |
21 |
23 |
26 |
30 |
33 |
36 |
44 |
53 |
62 |
90 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
500 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
13 |
14 |
16 |
19 |
24 |
29 |
36 |
55 |
78 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
13 |
14 |
16 |
18 |
21 |
26 |
31 |
38 |
57 |
80 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
7 |
9 |
11 |
13 |
15 |
17 |
19 |
21 |
24 |
26 |
29 |
35 |
41 |
48 |
68 |
92 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 000 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
14 |
16 |
20 |
29 |
41 |
55 |
71 |
89 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
15 |
18 |
22 |
31 |
43 |
57 |
73 |
91 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
15 |
16 |
18 |
20 |
23 |
26 |
30 |
41 |
53 |
68 |
84 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 000 |
Less than 3 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
9 |
10 |
12 |
16 |
22 |
29 |
37 |
46 |
56 |
68 |
80 |
94 |
100 |
3 : 1 to 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
12 |
13 |
18 |
24 |
31 |
39 |
49 |
59 |
70 |
83 |
96 |
100 |
over 10 : 1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
16 |
18 |
20 |
26 |
33 |
41 |
50 |
59 |
70 |
81 |
94 |
100 |
|
Table 3.2.3.1.D Unprotected Opening Limits for a Building or Fire Compartment
that is Sprinklered Throughout Forming part of Article 3.2.3.1. |
Exposing Building Face |
Area of Unprotected Opening for Groups A, B, C, D and F, Division 3 Occupancies, % |
Max. Area, m2 |
Limiting Distance, m |
0 |
1.2 |
1.5 |
2.0 |
2.5 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
0 |
16 |
24 |
42 |
66 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
15 |
0 |
16 |
20 |
34 |
50 |
74 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
20 |
0 |
16 |
20 |
30 |
42 |
60 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
25 |
0 |
16 |
18 |
26 |
38 |
52 |
90 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
30 |
0 |
14 |
18 |
24 |
34 |
46 |
78 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
40 |
0 |
14 |
16 |
22 |
30 |
40 |
64 |
96 |
100 |
|
|
|
50 |
0 |
14 |
16 |
20 |
28 |
36 |
56 |
82 |
100 |
|
|
|
60 |
0 |
14 |
16 |
20 |
26 |
32 |
50 |
72 |
98 |
100 |
|
|
80 |
0 |
14 |
16 |
18 |
22 |
28 |
42 |
58 |
80 |
100 |
|
|
100 |
0 |
14 |
16 |
18 |
22 |
26 |
36 |
50 |
68 |
88 |
100 |
|
150 or more |
0 |
14 |
14 |
16 |
20 |
22 |
30 |
40 |
52 |
66 |
82 |
100 |
Table 3.2.3.1.E Unprotected Opening Limits for a Building or Fire Compartment
that is Sprinklered Throughout Forming part of Article 3.2.3.1. |
Exposing Building Face |
Area of Unprotected Opening for Groups E and F, Division 1 and 2 Occupancies, %
|
Max. Area, m2 |
Limiting Distance, m |
0 |
1.2 |
1.5 |
2.0 |
2.5 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
10 |
0 |
8 |
12 |
20 |
34 |
50 |
96 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15 |
0 |
8 |
10 |
16 |
26 |
36 |
68 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20 |
0 |
8 |
10 |
14 |
22 |
30 |
54 |
86 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25 |
0 |
8 |
10 |
14 |
18 |
26 |
44 |
70 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30 |
0 |
8 |
8 |
12 |
18 |
24 |
40 |
60 |
88 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40 |
0 |
8 |
8 |
12 |
16 |
20 |
32 |
48 |
68 |
94 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50 |
0 |
8 |
8 |
10 |
14 |
18 |
28 |
40 |
58 |
76 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60 |
0 |
8 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
16 |
24 |
36 |
50 |
66 |
86 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
80 |
0 |
8 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
20 |
30 |
40 |
52 |
66 |
84 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
100 |
0 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
18 |
26 |
34 |
44 |
56 |
70 |
84 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
150 |
0 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
16 |
20 |
26 |
32 |
40 |
50 |
60 |
72 |
84 |
98 |
100 |
|
200 or more |
0 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
10 |
14 |
18 |
22 |
28 |
34 |
42 |
50 |
60 |
68 |
80 |
92 |
100 |
3.2.3.2. Area of Exposing Building Face
1) 
Except as permitted by
Sentences (2) and (3), the area of an
exposing building face shall be calculated as the total area of an exterior wall
facing in one direction on any side of a
building measured from the finished ground level to the uppermost ceiling.
3.2.3.3. Wall Enclosing Attic or Roof Space
3.2.3.4. Party Wall
1) A
party wall shall be constructed as a
firewall.

(See
Appendix A.)


NC2010 2010-01-01 R1
1) 
A
party wall shall be constructed as a
firewall. (See Appendix A.)
3.2.3.5. Wall with Limiting Distance Less Than 1.2 m
3.2.3.6. Combustible Projections
1) 
Except for a
building containing one or 2
dwelling units only,
combustible projections on the exterior of a wall that could expose an adjacent
building to fire spread and are more than 1 m above ground level, including balconies, platforms, canopies and stairs, shall not be
permitted within
a) 1.2 m of a property line or the centreline of a
public way, or
4) 
Where roof soffits project to less than 1.2 m from the centre line of a lane or public thoroughfare, or from an imaginary
line between two
buildings or
fire compartments on the same property, they shall
a) have no openings, and
b) be protected by
i) not less than 0.38 mm thick sheet steel,
iv) not less than 11 mm thick plywood,
v) not less than 12.5 mm thick OSB or waferboard, or
vi) not less than 11 mm thick lumber.
3.2.3.7. Construction of Exposing Building Face
4) 
Cladding for
buildings or
fire compartments where the maximum permitted area of
unprotected openings is more than 25% but not more than 50% of the
exposing building face need not be
noncombustible where
c) the cladding
ii) is installed without furring members, or on furring not more than 25 mm
thick, over gypsum sheathing at least 12.7 mm thick or over
masonry, and
iii) after conditioning in conformance with ASTM D 2898, “Accelerated Weathering of Fire-Retardant-Treated Wood for Fire Testing,” has a flame-spread rating not greater than 25 on the exterior face when tested in accordance with Sentence 3.1.12.1.(1), or d) the cladding
ii) is installed with or without furring members over gypsum sheathing at
least 12.7 mm thick or over masonry,
iv) does not exceed 2 mm in thickness exclusive of fasteners, joints and local reinforcements.
3.2.3.8. Protection of Exterior Building Face
2) 
The criteria for testing and the conditions of acceptance for a wall assembly to satisfy the requirements of
Clause (1)(b) are that
a) the fire exposed area of the wall assembly shall be not less than 9.3 m2 and have no dimension less
than 2.75 m,
b) the exposed surface shall include typical vertical and horizontal
joints,
c) the test shall be continued for not less than 15 min and the standard time/temperature curve of the referenced standard
shall be followed,
d) the
noncombustible protective material must remain in place and no through openings should develop that are
visible when viewed normal to the face of the material, and
e) the
noncombustible protective material should not disintegrate in a manner that would permit fire to propagate
along the surface of the test assembly.
3.2.3.9. Protection of Structural Members
1) 
Structural members, including beams, columns and arches, that are placed wholly or partly outside the exterior face of a
building and are less than 3 m from the property line or the centre line of a public thoroughfare shall
be protected from exterior fire exposure by fire protection having
a
fire-resistance rating not less than that required for their protection from interior fire exposure, as
stated in
Articles 3.2.2.20. to 3.2.2.88., but not less than 1 h.
2) 
Structural members of
heavy timber construction, including beams, columns and arches, that are placed wholly or partly outside the exterior face of a
building and are 3 m or more from the property line or the centre line of a public thoroughfare need not be covered with
noncombustible cladding.
3.2.3.10. Unlimited Unprotected Openings
3.2.3.11. Low Fire Load, One Storey Building
3.2.3.12. Area Increase for Unprotected Openings
3.2.3.13. Protection of Exit Facilities
1) 
Except as required by
Sentence (3) and as permitted by
Sentence 3.4.4.3.(1), if the plane of an exterior wall of an
exit enclosure forms an angle less than 135° with the plane of an exterior
wall of the
building it serves, and an opening in the exterior wall of the
exit enclosure could be exposed to fire from an opening in the exterior wall of the
building, the opening in either the exterior wall of the
exit or the exterior wall of the
building shall be protected in conformance with the requirements of
Sentence (4) where the opening in the exterior wall of the
building is within 3 m horizontally and
a) less than 10 m below an opening in the exterior wall of the
exit, or
b) less than 2 m above an opening in the exterior
wall of the
exit.
(See A-3.2.3.14.(1) in Appendix A.) 2) 
If an unenclosed exterior
exit stair or ramp could be exposed to fire from an opening in the exterior wall of the
building it serves, the opening in the exterior wall of the
building shall be protected in conformance with the requirements of
Sentence (4) where the opening in the exterior wall of the
building is within 3 m horizontally and
a) less than 10 m below the
exit stair or ramp, or
b) less than 5 m above the
exit stair or ramp.
3.2.3.14. Wall Exposed to Another Wall
3.2.3.15. Wall Exposed to Adjoining Roof
1) 
Except as permitted by
Sentence 3.2.3.19.(4), if a wall in a
building is exposed to a fire hazard from an adjoining roof of a separate
fire compartment that is not
sprinklered in the same
building, and the exposed wall contains windows within 3
storeys vertically and 5 m horizontally of the roof, the roof shall contain no skylights within 5 m of the exposed wall.
3.2.3.16. Protection of Soffits
1) 
Except as permitted by
Sentences (3) and (4), where there is a common
attic or roof space above more than 2
suites of
residential occupancy or above more than 2 patients’ sleeping rooms, and the common
attic or roof space projects beyond the exterior wall of the
building, the soffit, and any opening in the soffit or other surface of the projection located within 2 500 mm of a window or door opening, shall be protected by
a)
noncombustible material
i) not less than 0.38 mm thick, and
ii) having a melting point not below 650°C,
b) plywood not less than 11 mm thick,
c) strandboard or waferboard not less than 12.5 mm thick, or
d) lumber not less than 11 mm thick.
2) 
The soffit protection required by
Sentence (1) shall extend the full width of the opening and to not less than 1 200 mm on either side of it, and shall apply
to all openings through the soffit within this limit.
4) 
The protection required by
Sentence (1) for projections is permitted to be omitted if
b) all rooms, including closets and bathrooms, having openings in the wall
beneath the soffit are
sprinklered, notwithstanding exceptions permitted in the standards referenced in
Article 3.2.5.12. for the installation of automatic sprinkler systems.
3.2.3.17. Canopy Protection for Vertically Separated Openings
1) 
Except as permitted by
Sentences (2) and (3), if a
storey classified as a Group E or Group F, Division 1 or 2
major occupancy is required to be separated from the
storey above by a
fire separation,
a) every opening in the exterior wall of the lower
storey that is located vertically below an opening in the
storey above shall be separated from the
storey above by a canopy projecting not less than 1 m from the face of the
building at the intervening floor level, and
b) the canopy required by
Clause (a) shall have a
fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the floor assembly but need not be more than 1 h,
except as required elsewhere in this Subsection.
2) 
Except as permitted by
Sentence (3), the canopy required by
Sentence (1) is permitted to be omitted if the exterior wall of the upper
storey is recessed not less than 1 m behind the exterior wall containing the opening in the lower
storey.
3.2.3.18. Covered Vehicular Passageway
3.2.3.19. Walkway between Buildings
3.2.3.20. Underground Walkway
1) 
An underground
walkway shall not be designed or used for any purpose other than pedestrian travel unless
b) sprinklers are installed in any space in the
walkway containing an
occupancy.
4) 
In an underground
walkwaya) smoke barrier doors shall be installed at intervals of not more than 100 m, or
b) the travel distance from the door of an adjacent room or space
to the nearest
exit shall be not more than one and a half times the least allowable travel distance to an
exit for any of the adjacent
occupancies as permitted by
Sentence 3.4.2.5.(1).
3.2.3.21. Storage and Process Equipment Located Outdoors
1) Location of outdoor storage and outdoor process equipment in relation to
buildings shall conform to Parts 3 and 4 of Division B of the British Columbia Fire Code.

NC2010 2010-01-01 R1
1) 
Location of outdoor storage and outdoor process equipment in relation to
buildings shall conform to Parts 3 and 4 of Division B of the
British Columbia Fire CodeNFC.
3.2.3.22.
Installation of Service Lines Under Buildings
1) 
When a
building is erected over existing buried flammable gas mains, such service lines shall be encased in
gas-tight conduits in conformance with CSA Z662, “Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems.”

3.2.4. Fire Alarm and Detection Systems
(See Appendix A.)3.2.4.1. Determination of Requirement for a Fire Alarm System
1) 
Except as permitted in
Sentences (2) and (3), a fire alarm system shall be installed in
buildings in which an automatic sprinkler system is required by this Part.

2) 
Buildings in which a sprinkler system is installed in accordance with NFPA 13D, “Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and
Manufactured Homes,” need not comply with
Sentence (1).
4) Except as permitted by
Sentences (5) to (7) and
Sentence 3.2.4.2.(4), a fire alarm system shall be installed in a
building that is not
sprinklered throughout and that contains
d) a total
occupant load more than 300, other than in open air seating areas,
f) a school, college, or child care facility, including a

daycare facility for children,

with an
occupant load more than 40,
g) a licensed beverage establishment or a licensed restaurant, with an
occupant load more than 150,
k) an
occupant load more than 300 below an open air seating area.

NC2010 2010-01-01 R1
4) 
Except as permitted by Sentences (5) to (7) and Sentence 3.2.4.2.(4), a fire alarm system shall be installed in a
building that is not
sprinklered throughout and that contains
a) a contained use area,
b) an impeded egress zone,
c) more than 3 storeys, including the storeys below the first storey,
d) a total occupant load more than 300, other than in open air seating areas,
e) an occupant load more than 150 above or below the first storey, other than in open air seating areas,
f) a school, college, or child care facility, including a daycare facility for children, with an occupant load more than 40,
g) a licensed beverage establishment or a licensed restaurant, with an occupant load more than 150,
h) a medium-hazard industrial occupancy or a low-hazard industrial occupancy with an occupant load more than 75 above or below the first storey,
i) a residential occupancy with sleeping accommodation for more than 10 persons,
j) a high-hazard industrial occupancy with an occupant load more than 25, or
k) an occupant load more than 300 below an open air seating area.
5) 
Where each
dwelling unit in an apartment
building that is not
sprinklered has direct access to an exterior
exit facility leading to ground level, a fire alarm system is not required if
3.2.4.2. Continuity of Fire Alarm System
1) 

Except as permitted by
Sentence (6),

if there are openings through a
firewall, other than those for piping, tubing, wiring and totally enclosed
noncombustible raceways, the requirements in this Subsection shall apply to the
floor areas on both sides of the
firewall as if they were in the same
building.
3) 
Except as permitted by
Sentence (4), if a fire alarm system is required in any portion of a
building, it shall be installed throughout the
building.
3.2.4.3. Types of Fire Alarm Systems
1) 
A fire alarm system shall be
a) a single-stage system in a Group F, Division 1
occupancy,
d) a single- or 2-stage system in all other cases.
3.2.4.4. Description of Fire Alarm Systems
1) 
A single stage fire alarm system shall, upon the operation of any manual station, waterflow detecting device, or
fire detector, cause an
alarm signal to sound on all audible signal devices in the system.
(See Appendix A.) 2) 
A 2-stage fire alarm system shall
b) automatically cause an
alarm signal to sound if the
alert signal is not acknowledged within 5 min of its initiation, and
c) have manual stations, each of which is equipped so that the
use of a key or other similar device causes an
alarm signal to sound that continues to sound upon removal of the key or similar device from the manual station (see
Appendix A).
(See Appendix A.) 3) 
A 2-stage fire alarm system is permitted to be zone coded so that, upon the operation of any manual station, waterflow detecting
device, or
fire detector,
a) a coded
alert signal is sounded indicating the zone of alarm initiation,
b) the coded
alert signal is repeated in its entirety not less than 4 times, and
4) 
If a second manual station, waterflow detecting device, or
fire detector is operated in a fire alarm system with zone coding as permitted by
Sentence (3), in a zone other than that for which the first
alert signal was sounded, the coded
alert signal for the first zone shall be completed before the coded
alert signal for the second zone is repeated not less than 4 times.
3.2.4.5. Installation and Verification of Fire Alarm Systems
3.2.4.6.
Commissioning of Life Safety and Fire Protection Systems
1) Where life safety and fire protection systems are installed to comply with the
provisions of this Code or the British Columbia Fire Code, the commissioning of
these integrated systems must be performed as a whole to ensure the proper operation
and inter-relationship between the systems. (See
Appendix A.)


NC2010 2010-01-01 R1
1) 
Where life safety and fire protection systems are installed to comply with the provisions of this Code or the
British Columbia Fire CodeNFC, the commissioning of
these integrated systems must be performed as a whole to ensure the proper operation
and inter-relationship between the systems. (See Appendix A.)
3.2.4.7. Silencing of Alarm Signals
1) 
A fire alarm system shall be designed so that when an
alarm signal is actuated, it cannot be silenced automatically before a period of time has elapsed that is not less
than
a) 5 min for a
building not required to be equipped with an annunciator, and
3.2.4.8. Signals to Fire Department
2) 
A fire alarm system that includes waterflow-indicating devices shall be designed to notify the fire department in conformance with
Sentence (4) when an alarm is initiated.
3) 
A 2-stage fire alarm system shall be designed to notify the fire department, in conformance with
Sentence (4), that an
alert signal has been initiated.
5) 
Where a single stage fire alarm system is installed in a
building that is not
sprinklered throughout and
Sentence (1) does not apply, a legible notice that is not easily removed shall be affixed
to the wall near each manual station stating
a) that the fire department is to be notified in the event of a
fire emergency, and
b) the emergency telephone number for the municipality or for the
fire department (see
Appendix A).
3.2.4.9. Annunciator and Zone Indication
2) 
Except as permitted by
Sentence (6), the annunciator required by
Sentence (1) shall have separate zone indication of the actuation of the alarm initiating devices in each
b)
floor area so that the area of coverage for each zone is neither
ii) more than the system area limits specified in NFPA 13, “Installation of Sprinkler Systems,”
e)

fire extinguishing system required by NFPA 96, “Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations,”

(See Appendix A.) 3) 
An annunciator need not be provided for a fire alarm system if not more than one zone indicator is required by
Sentence (2).
4) 
If an annunciator is not installed as part of a fire alarm system in conformance with
Sentence (1), a visual and audible trouble signal device shall be provided inside the main
entrance of the
building.
5) 
The requirements of
Sentence (1) are waived in a
buildinga) in which an automatic sprinkler system is not installed,
b) that has an aggregate area for all
storeys of not more than 2 000 m
2, and
6) 
The area limits of
Clause (2)(a) are waived for an interior undivided open space used as an arena, a rink, or a swimming pool provided that other spaces in the
building that are separated from the open space are individually zoned in accordance with the requirements of
Sentence (2).
7) 
A fire alarm control unit installed in close proximity to a
building entrance that faces a
street or an access route for fire department vehicles that complies with
Sentence 3.2.5.5.(1) is deemed to satisfy the requirement for an annunciator, provided all indicators required for
an annunciator or trouble signal device are included on the control
unit.
3.2.4.10. Electrical Supervision
1) 
Electrical supervision shall be provided for a fire alarm system.
2) 
If a fire alarm system in a
building is required to have an annunciator by
Sentence 3.2.4.9.(1), except for hose valves, all valves controlling water supplies in a standpipe system shall be equipped with
an electrically supervised switch for transmitting a trouble signal to the
annunciator in the event of movement of the valve handle.


NC2010 2010-01-01 R1
2) 
If a fire alarm system in a
building is required to have an annunciator by Sentence 3.2.4.9.(1), except for hose valves,
all valves controlling water supplies in a standpipe system shall be equipped with
an electrically supervised switch for transmitting a trouble signal to the
annunciator in the event of movement of the valve handle.
3) 
An automatic sprinkler system shall be electrically supervised to indicate a supervisory signal on the
building fire alarm system annunciator for each of the following:
a) movement of a valve handle that controls the supply of water to
sprinklers,
b) loss of excess water pressure required to prevent false alarms in a wet pipe
system,
c) loss of air pressure in a dry pipe system,
d) loss of air pressure in a pressure tank,
e) a significant change in water level in any water storage container used for
firefighting purposes,
f) loss of power to any automatically starting fire pump
(see Appendix A), and
g) a temperature approaching the freezing point in any dry pipe valve enclosure
or water storage container used for firefighting purposes.
3.2.4.11. Fire Detectors
1)
Fire detectors required by this Code shall be connected to the fire alarm system.
2) 
Except as permitted by
Sentence (3), if a fire alarm system is required in a
building that is not
sprinklered,
fire detectors shall be installed in the following spaces:
c) janitors’ rooms,
d) rooms in which hazardous substances are to be used or stored (see
A-3.3.1.2.(1) in Appendix A),
e) elevator hoistways and dumbwaiter shafts, and
4) 
Fire detectors required by
Sentence (2) shall be installed in elevator hoistways and dumbwaiter shafts where a sprinkler system is not installed
within the hoistway or shaft.

3.2.4.12. Smoke Detectors
3.2.4.13. Prevention of Smoke Circulation
1) 
If a fire alarm system is installed, an air-handling system shall be designed to prevent the circulation of smoke upon a signal
from a duct-type
smoke detector if the air-handling system
a) serves more than one
storey,
3.2.4.14. Vacuum Cleaning System Shutdown
1) 
A central vacuum cleaning system in a
building equipped with a fire alarm system shall be designed to shut down upon actuation of the fire alarm system.
3.2.4.15. Elevator Emergency Return
1) 
Except as permitted by
Sentence (3), in a
building having elevators that serve
storeys above the
first storey and that are equipped with an automatic emergency recall feature,
smoke detectors shall be installed in the elevator lobbies on the recall level so that when these
smoke detectors are actuated, the elevators will automatically return directly to an alternate floor level.
3.2.4.16. System Monitoring
1) 
An automatic sprinkler system shall be equipped with waterflow detecting devices and, if an annunciator is required by
Article 3.2.4.9., shall be installed so that each device serves
a) not more than one
storey, and
b) an area on each
storey that is not more than the system area limits as specified in NFPA 13, “Installation of Sprinkler Systems.”
3) 
The actuation of each waterflow detecting device required by
Sentence (1) shall be indicated separately on the fire alarm system annunciator.
3.2.4.17. Manual Stations
1) Except as permitted by
Sentences (2) and (3), where a fire alarm system is installed, a manual station shall be installed in every
floor area near
a) every principal entrance to the
building,
b) every required
exit
, and
c) every other egress facility that has been designed and identified as an
exit and has all the features of a required
exit.

(See Appendix A.)
NC2010 2010-01-01 R1
1) 
Except as permitted by Sentences (2) and (3), where a fire alarm system is installed, a manual station shall be installed in every
floor
area near
a) every principal entrance to the building, and
b) every required exit, and
c) every other egress facility that has been designed and identified as an exit and has all the features of a required exit.
(See Appendix A.)
4) 
In a
building referred to in
Sentences (2) or (3), manual stations shall be installed near doorways leading from shared interior corridors to the exterior.
5) 

Where a fire alarm system is installed, a manually operated fire alarm station shall be installed on the roof at each
exit from a helicopter landing area.

3.2.4.18. Alert and Alarm Signals
2) 
If audible signal devices with voice reproduction capabilities are intended for paging and similar voice message use, other than
during a fire emergency, they shall be installed so that
alert signals and
alarm signals take priority over all other signals.
3) 
Audible signal devices forming part of a fire alarm or voice communication system shall not be used for playing music or background
noise.
3.2.4.19. Audibility of Alarm Systems
(See Appendix A.)1) 
Audible signal devices forming part of a fire alarm system shall be installed in a
building so that
b)
alert signals are clearly audible in continuously staffed locations, and where there
are no continuously staffed locations, throughout the
floor area.

(See Appendix A.) 4) 
The fire
alarm signal sound pressure level shall be not more than 110 dBA in any normally
occupied area.
(See Appendix A.) 5) 
The sound pressure level in a sleeping room from a fire alarm audible signal device shall be not less than 75 dBA in
a
building of
residential 
or
care occupancy
when any intervening doors between the device and the sleeping room are closed. (See
Appendix A.)
6) 
Except as required by
Sentence (5), the sound pressure level from a fire alarm system’s audible signal device within a
floor area shall be not less than 10 dBA above the ambient noise level without being less than 65 dBA.
7) 
Except as permitted by
Sentence (11), audible signal devices located within a
dwelling unit shall include a means for them to be manually silenced for a period of not more than 10 min, after
which time the devices shall restore themselves to normal operation.
(See
Appendix A.)
11) 
Audible signal devices within
dwelling units that are wired on separate signal circuits need not include
a means for silencing as required by
Sentence (7) provided the fire alarm system includes a provision for an automatic signal silence within
dwelling units, where
a) the automatic signal silence cannot occur within the first 60 s of operation or within the zone of initiation,
b) a subsequent alarm elsewhere in the
building will reactuate the silenced audible signal devices within
dwelling units,
c) after a period of not more than 10 min, the silenced
audible signal devices will be restored to continuous audible signal
if the alarm is not acknowledged, and
d) the voice communication system referred to in
Article 3.2.4.22. has a provision to override the automatic signal silence to allow the transmission of voice messages through silenced
audible signal device circuits that serve the
dwelling units.
(See A-3.2.4.19.(7) in Appendix A.) 12) 
If a 2-stage fire alarm system has been installed with an automatic signal silence as described in
Sentence (11), the system shall be designed so that any silenced audible signal devices serving
dwelling units are reactuated whenever an
alarm signal is required to be transmitted as part of the second stage.
(See A-3.2.4.19.(7) in Appendix A.) 3.2.4.20. Visual Signals
1) 

Visual signal devices shall be installed in addition to audible signal devices
a) in
buildings or portions thereof intended for use primarily by persons with a hearing impairment,
b) in
assembly occupancies in which music and other sounds associated with performances could exceed 100 dBA,
c) in any
floor area in which the ambient noise level is more than 87 dBA, and
d) in any
floor area in which the occupants
i) use ear protection devices,
ii) are located in an audiometric booth, or
iii) are located in sound-insulating enclosures.
2) 
Visual signal devices required by
Sentence (1)
shall be installed so that the signal from at least one device is visible throughout the
floor area or portion thereof in which they are installed. (See
Appendix A.)
4) The visual warning system required by
Sentence (6) and
Sentences (4) and (5) shall consist of strobe lights supervised, activated and powered by means of the
fire alarm system (supervised by the fire alarm system means up to, but not including,
the strobe lights), and be connected to, activated by, and powered by, the sounding
of the
smoke alarm and
a) have a luminous intensity of not less than 2 candelas and produce between 1 and 3 flashes per second,
b) have a clear or white translucent lens,
c) have the word “FIRE” clearly visible on the lens or attached nameplate,
d) be installed in each
i) bedroom,
ii) room closed off from the living area by a door except a bathroom, and
iii) living area or hallway serving the living area, and
5) When the strobe lights described in
Sentences (4) and (7) are activated by the
smoke alarm, a separate small indicator light shall be activated and shall be
located
a) immediately adjacent to the strobe lights and clearly identified as
“SMOKE,” or
6) When a fire alarm system is not provided in
occupancies required by
Subsection 3.8.2. to have a warning system,
smoke alarms required by
Sentence 3.2.4.21.(1) and
Article 9.10.19.1. in such
occupancies shall be provided with strobe lights, in locations described in
Articles 3.8.2.27. to 3.8.2.31.,

that

a)

are

connected to, and activated by, the sounding of the smoke alarm,
b) have a luminous intensity of not less than 2 candelas and produce between 1
and 3 flashes per second,
c) have a clear or white translucent lens,
d) have the word “SMOKE” clearly visible on the lens or attached
nameplate,
e)

are

installed in each
i) bedroom,
ii) room closed off from the living area by a door except a bathroom, and
iii) living area or hallway serving the living area, and
f) be located not less than 2 100 mm above the floor on a wall or ceiling in a
location that will maximize effectiveness.
7) The special outlet boxes

and

cover plates required by
Sentence 3.8.2.27.(3)
shall

be

a) designed and wired specifically to allow strobe lights conforming to
Clause (6)(a) above
i) to operate as required by Sentence (4) for a fire alarm system where a fire alarm
system is provided, and
b) permanently identified as “FIRE — Strobe Light Connection Only,”
c)

installed in each
i) bedroom,
ii) room closed off from the living area by a door except a bathroom, and
iii) living area or hallway serving the living area, and
d) be located not less than 2 100 mm above the floor, on a wall or
ceiling, in a location that will maximize effectiveness.

8) For the purpose of providing power to the strobe lights that may be connected to
the outlets described in
Sentence (7), it shall be assumed that
the total special outlets for at least

20 per cent of the
dwelling units in the
building
are in use.
3.2.4.21. Smoke Alarms
1) 
Except as required by
Sentence (4) and permitted by
Sentence (7),
smoke alarms conforming to
CAN/ULC-S531, “Standard for Smoke-Alarms,”
shall be installed in each
dwelling unit and, except for
care,
treatment or
detention occupancies
required to have a fire alarm system, in each sleeping room not within a
dwelling unit 
or
suite of
care occupancy
.

NC2010 2010-01-01 R1
1) 
Except as required by Sentence (4) and permitted by Sentence (7),
smoke alarms conforming to CAN/ULC-S531, “Standard for Smoke-Alarms,” shall be installed in each
dwelling unit and, except for
care,
treatment or
detention occupancies required to have a fire alarm system, in each sleeping room not within a
dwelling unit or
suite of
care occupancy.
3) 
On any
storey of a
dwelling unit containing sleeping rooms, a
smoke alarm shall be installed
a)

in each sleeping room, and

b) in a location between the sleeping rooms and the remainder of the
storey, and if the sleeping rooms are served by a hallway, the
smoke alarm shall be located in the hallway.
4) 

Where a
care occupancy has individual
suites for residents, a
smoke alarm shall be installed
a) in each sleeping room, and
b) in a location between the sleeping rooms and the remainder of
the
suite, and if the sleeping rooms are served by a corridor within the
suite, the
smoke alarm shall be located in the corridor.

5) 
A
smoke alarm shall be installed on or near the ceiling.
6) 

Except as permitted in
Sentence (7),
smoke alarms referred in
Sentence (1) shall

a) be installed with permanent connections to an electrical circuit (see
Appendix A),
b) have no disconnect switch between the overcurrent device and
the
smoke alarm, and
c)

in case the regular power supply to the
smoke alarm is interrupted, be provided with a battery as an alternative power source that can continue to provide
power to the
smoke alarm for a period of no less than 7 days in the normal condition, followed by 4 minutes of alarm.

7) 
A
suite of
residential occupancy is permitted to be equipped with
smoke detectors in lieu of
smoke alarms, provided the
smoke detectorsa) sound audible signals only within the individual
suite they serve,
c) form part of the fire alarm system.
(See Appendix A.)
NC2010 2010-01-01 R1
7) 
ASuitessuiteof
residential occupancyisare permitted to be equipped with
smoke detectors in lieu of
smoke alarms, provided the
smoke detectorsa) sound are capable of independently sounding audible signals only within the individual suite they servesuites,
b) except as permitted byinSentence (8), are installed in conformance with CAN/ULC-S524, “Installation of Fire Alarm Systems,” and
c) form part of the fire alarm system.
(See Appendix A.)
8) Reserved.


NC2010 2010-01-01 R1
8) Reserved.
Smoke detectors permitted to be installed in lieu of smoke alarms as stated in Sentence (7) are permitted to sound localized alarms within individual suites, and need not sound an alarm throughout the rest of the building.
11) 

Except as permitted in
Sentence (12), a

manually operated silencing device shall be incorporated within the circuitry of a
smoke alarm installed in a
dwelling unit so that it will silence the signal emitted by the
smoke alarm for a period of not more than 10 min, after which the
smoke alarm will reset and again sound the alarm if the level of smoke in the vicinity is sufficient to reactuate the
smoke alarm.
13) 
The sound patterns of
smoke alarms shall
b)

be a combination temporal pattern and voice relay.

3.2.4.22. Voice Communication Systems
1) 
A voice communication system required by
Subsection 3.2.6. 
and
Sentences (7) to (10)
shall consist of
a) a two-way means of communication with the central alarm and control facility
and to the mechanical control centre

from each
floor area
, and
b) loudspeakers operated from the central alarm and control facility that are
designed and located so that transmitted messages are audible and intelligible
as stated in
Sentence (2) in all parts of the
building, except that this requirement does not apply to elevator cars
(see Appendix A). 2) 

The voice communication system described in
Clause (1)(b) shall be capable of broadcasting prerecorded, synthesized, or live messages with voice intelligibility
meeting or exceeding the equivalent of a common intelligibility scale
score of 0.70. (See
Appendix A.)

3) 
The voice communication system referred to in
Sentence (1) shall include a means to silence the
alarm signal in a single stage fire alarm system while voice instructions are being transmitted, but only after the
alarm signal has initially sounded for not less than 30 s.
4) 
The voice communication system referred to in
Sentence (1) shall include a means to silence the
alert signal and the
alarm signal in a 2-stage fire alarm system while voice instructions are being transmitted, but only after the
alert signal has initially sounded for not less than
a) 10 s in hospitals that have supervisory personnel
on duty for twenty-four hours each day, or
5) 
The voice communication system referred to in
Clause (1)(b) shall be designed so that the
alarm signal in a 2-stage fire alarm system can be selectively transmitted to
any zone or zones while maintaining an
alert signal or selectively transmitting voice instructions to any other zone or zones in the
building.
6) 
The 2-way communication system referred to in
Clause (1)(a) shall be installed so that emergency telephones are located in each
floor area near
exit stair shafts.
7) 

Except for Group B, Division 1 and Group F, Division 1
major occupancies, where a fire alarm system is required under
Subsection 3.2.4., a voice communication
system shall be installed in
buildings where a 2-stage fire alarm system is installed and whose
occupant load exceeds 1 000.
8) 
A voice communication system required by
Sentence (7) shall consist of loudspeakers that are
a) operated from the central alarm and control facility or, in the absence of such a facility, from a designated area, and
b) except in elevator cars, designed and located so that transmitted
messages are audible and intelligible in all parts of the
building.
(See A-3.2.4.22.(1)(b) in Appendix A.) 9) 
Where the facility is not equipped with staff trained to provide instructions over the loudspeakers, a pre-recorded message shall be
provided.
10) The voice communication system required by
Sentence (7) shall meet the silencing and transmission requirements of
Sentences (3) to (5).


NC2010 2010-01-01 R1
10) 
The voice communication system required by Sentence (7) shall meet the silencing and transmission requirements of Sentences (3) to (5).
3.2.5. Provisions for Firefighting
(See A-3 in Appendix A.)3.2.5.1. Access to Above-grade Storeys
1) 
Except for
storeys below the
first storey, direct access for firefighting shall be provided from the outdoors to every
storey that is not
sprinklered throughout and whose floor level is less than 25 m above
grade, by at least one unobstructed window or access panel for each 15 m of wall in each wall required
to face a
street by
Subsection 3.2.2. 2) 
An opening for access required by
Sentence (1) shall
a) have a sill no higher than 900 mm above the inside floor, and
b) be not less than 1 100 mm high by not less than
3) 
Access panels above the
first storey shall be readily openable from both inside and outside, or the opening shall be glazed with plain glass.
3.2.5.2. Access to Basements
1) 
Direct access from at least one
street shall be provided from the outdoors in a
building that is not
sprinklered to each
basement having a horizontal dimension more than 25 m.
2) 
The access required by
Sentence (1) is permitted to be provided by
a) doors, windows or other means that provide an opening not less than 1 100 mm high and 550 mm wide, with
a sill no higher than 900 mm above the inside floor,
or
b) an interior stairway immediately accessible from the outdoors.
3.2.5.3. Roof Access
1) 
On a
building more than 3
storeys in
building height where the slope of the roof is less than 1 in 4, all main roof areas shall be provided with direct access from the
floor areas immediately below, either by
a) a stairway, or
b) a hatch not less than 550 mm by 900 mm with a fixed ladder.
3.2.5.4. Access Routes
3.2.5.5. Location of Access Routes
1) 
Access routes required by
Article 3.2.5.4. shall be located so that the principal entrance and every access opening required by
Articles 3.2.5.1. and 3.2.5.2. are located not less than 3 m and not more than 15 m from the closest portion
of the access route required for fire department use, measured horizontally from the
face of the
building.
2) 
Access routes shall be provided to a
building so that
a) for a
building provided with a fire department connection, a fire department pumper vehicle can be located adjacent to the
hydrants referred to in
Article 3.2.5.15.,
b) for a
building not provided with a fire department connection, a fire department pumper vehicle can be located so that the length
of the access route from a hydrant to the vehicle plus the unobstructed path of
travel for the firefighter from the vehicle to the
building is not more than 90 m, and
c) the unobstructed path of travel for the firefighter from the vehicle to the
building is not more than 45 m.
3) 
The unobstructed path of travel for the firefighter required by
Sentence (2) from the vehicle to the
building shall be measured from the vehicle to the fire department connection provided for the
building, except that if no fire department connection is provided, the path of travel shall be measured to the principal entrance of the
building.
4) 
If a portion of a
building is completely cut off from the remainder of the
building so that there is no access to the remainder of the
building, the access routes required by
Sentence (2) shall be located so that the unobstructed path of travel from the vehicle to one entrance of each portion of
the
building is not more than 45 m.
3.2.5.6. Access Route Design
1) 
A portion of a roadway or yard provided as a required access route for fire department use shall
a) have a clear width not less than 6 m, unless it can be shown that
lesser widths are satisfactory,
b) have a centreline radius not less than 12 m,
c) have an overhead clearance not less than 5 m,
d) have a change of gradient not more than 1 in 12.5 over a minimum distance of
15 m,
e) be designed to support the expected loads imposed by firefighting equipment
and be surfaced with concrete, asphalt or other material designed to permit
accessibility under all climatic conditions,
f) have turnaround facilities for any dead-end portion of the access route more
than 90 m long, and
g) be connected with a public thoroughfare.
(See Appendix A.) 3.2.5.7. Water Supply
1) 
Every
building shall be provided with an adequate water supply for firefighting. (See
Appendix A.)
3.2.5.8. Standpipe Systems
Table 3.2.5.8. Building Limits without Standpipe Systems Forming part of Sentence 3.2.5.8.(1) |
Occupancy Classification |
Building Area, m2 |
1 storey |
2 storeys |
3 storeys |
Group A |
2 500 |
2 000 |
1 500 |
Group C |
2 000 |
1 500 |
1 000 |
Group D |
4 000 |
3 000 |
2 000 |
Group F, Division 2 |
1 500 |
1 500 |
1 000 |
Group F, Division 3 |
3 000 |
2 000 |
1 000 |
3.2.5.9. Standpipe System Design
2) 
A dry standpipe that is not connected to a water supply shall not be considered as fulfilling the requirements of this Article.
3) 
If more than one standpipe is provided, the total water supply need not be more than 30 L/s.
5) 
The residual water pressure at the design flow rate at the topmost hose connection of a standpipe system that is required to be installed in a
building is permitted to be less than 690 kPa
provided
b) the water supply at the base of the sprinkler riser is capable of meeting,
without a fire pump, the design flow rate and pressure demand of the sprinkler system, including the inside and outside
hose allowance, and
c) fire protection equipment is available to deliver, by means of the fire
department connection, the full demand flow rate at a residual water pressure of
690 kPa at the topmost hose connection of the standpipe system.
(See Appendix A.) 6) 
A fire department connection shall be provided for every standpipe system.
3.2.5.10. Hose Connections
1) 
Hose connections shall be located in
exits, in accordance with NFPA 14, “Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems.”
2) 
Hose connections are not required within a
floor area.
3) 
Hose connections shall be provided with sufficient clearance to permit the use of a standard fire department hose key.
4) 
Except as permitted by
Sentence (5), 64 mm diam hose connections shall be installed in a standpipe system.
5) 
Hose connections for 64 mm diam hose are not required in a
building that is not more than 25 m high, measured between
grade and the ceiling level of the top
storey and in which an automatic
sprinkler system is not installed.
3.2.5.11. Hose Stations
1) 
Hose stations for 38 mm diam hose shall be installed for a standpipe system in a
building that is not
sprinklered throughout.
2) 
Hose stations for a 38 mm diam hose shall be installed for a standpipe system within every
floor area that is not
sprinklered throughout. (See
Appendix A.)
3) 
Hose stations shall be located in the
floor area within 5 m of
exits and at other locations to provide coverage of the entire
floor area.
5) 
A hose cabinet shall be located so that its door, when fully opened, will not obstruct the required width of a
means of egress.
7) 
Where a hose station is provided in grain handling and storage facilities in which
combustible dusts are produced in quantities or concentrations that create an explosion or fire hazard, fog and fine spray nozzles shall be used instead of
nozzles that discharge a solid stream of water to prevent
combustible dusts from being raised into suspension.

3.2.5.12. Automatic Sprinkler Systems
1) 
Except as permitted by
Sentences (2), (3) and (4), an automatic sprinkler system shall be designed, constructed, installed and tested in conformance with NFPA 13, “Installation of Sprinkler Systems.”
(See Appendix A.) 2) Instead of the requirements of
Sentence (1),
NFPA 13R, “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Low-Rise Residential Occupancies,” is permitted to be used for the design, construction and installation of an automatic
sprinkler system installed
a) in a
building of

Group C
major occupancy containing no other
major occupancies, that

NC2010 2010-01-01 R1
2) 
Instead of the requirements of Sentence (1), NFPA 13R, “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Low-Rise Residential Occupancies,” is permitted to be used for the design, construction and installation of an automatic
sprinkler system sprinkler systeminstalled
a) in a
building of
Group C majorresidential occupancycontaining no other major occupancies, throughout that
i) is not more than 4 storeys in building height and conforms to Articles 3.2.2.47., 3.2.2.48., 3.2.2.50. or 3.2.2.53., or
ii) is not more than 3 storeys in building height and conforms to Article 9.10.1.3., or
b) in a building of care occupancy with not more than 10 occupants that is not more than 3 storeys in building height and conforms to Articles 3.2.2.42. to 3.2.2.46.
3) 
Instead of the requirements of
Sentence (1), NFPA 13D, “Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes,” is permitted to be used for the design, construction and installation of an automatic
sprinkler system installed
b)

in a
building of
care occupancy, provided

ii)
it has not more than 5 residents throughout, and
iii)
a 30-minute water supply demand can be met.
4) 
If a
building contains fewer than 9 sprinklers, the water supply for these sprinklers is permitted to
be supplied from the domestic water system for the
building provided the required flow for the sprinklers can be met by the domestic system.
5) 
If a water supply serves both an automatic sprinkler system and a system serving other equipment, control valves shall be
provided so that either system can be shut off independently.
6) 
Notwithstanding the requirements of the standards referenced in
Sentences (1) and (2) regarding the installation of automatic sprinkler systems, sprinklers shall not
be omitted in any room or closet in the
storey immediately below a roof assembly.
(See Appendix A.) 8) Sprinklers in elevator machine rooms shall have a temperature rating not less than that required for an intermediate temperature classification and shall be protected
against physical damage.
(See Appendix A.)
NC2010 2010-01-01 R1
7) 
Sprinklers in elevator machine rooms shall have a temperature rating not less than that required for an intermediate temperature classification and shall be protected
against physical damage.
(See Appendix A.)
3.2.5.13. Combustible Sprinkler Piping
3) 
Except as permitted by
Sentence (5),
combustible sprinkler piping shall be separated from the area served by the sprinkler system, and from any other
fire compartment, by ceilings, walls, or soffits consisting of, as a minimum,
a) lath and plaster,
b) gypsum board not less than 9.5 mm thick,
c) plywood not less than 13 mm thick, or
d) a suspended membrane ceiling with
i) steel suspension grids, and
ii) lay-in panels or tiles having a mass not less than 1.7
kg/m2.
4) 
Except as permitted by
Sentence (5),
combustible sprinkler piping may be located above a ceiling provided that the distance between the edge
of any ceiling opening that is not protected in conformance with
Sentence (3) and the nearest sprinkler is not more than 300 mm.
3.2.5.14. Sprinklered Service Space
2) 
The sprinkler system required by
Sentence (1) shall be equipped with waterflow detecting devices, with each device serving not
more than one
storey.
3) 
The waterflow detecting devices required by
Sentence (2) shall be connected to the fire alarm system, to
b) indicate separately on the fire alarm system annunciator the
actuation of each device.
3.2.5.15. Fire Department Connections
1) 
The fire department connection for a standpipe system shall be located so that the distance from the fire department connection to a hydrant is not more than
45 m and is unobstructed.
2) 
The fire department connection for an automatic sprinkler system shall be located so that the distance from the fire department connection to a hydrant is not more
than 45 m and is unobstructed.
3.2.5.16. Portable Fire Extinguishers
1) Portable extinguishers shall be provided and installed in accordance with the
British Columbia Fire Code.

NC2010 2010-01-01 R1
1) 
Portable extinguishers shall be provided and installed in accordance with
the British Columbia Fire Code.
a) provincial or territorial regulations or municipal bylaws, or
b) the NFC, in the absence of the regulations or bylaws referred to in Clause (a).
2) 
In a Group B, Division 1
major occupancy, portable fire extinguishers are permitted to be located in secure areas, or in lockable cabinets provided
a) identical keys for all cabinets are located at all supervisory
or security stations, or
b) electrical remote release devices are provided and are connected
to an emergency power supply.
3.2.5.17. Protection from Freezing
1) 
Equipment forming part of a fire protection system shall be protected from freezing if
a) it could be adversely affected by freezing temperatures, and
b) it is located in an unheated area.
3.2.5.18. Fire Pumps
1) 
If a fire pump is installed, it shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 20, “Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection.”
(See Appendix A.) 3.2.6. Additional Requirements for High Buildings
(See Appendix B.)3.2.6.1. Application
1) 
This Subsection applies to a
buildinga) of Group A, D, E or F
major occupancy classification that is more than
i) 36 m high, measured between grade and the floor level of the top storey, or
3.2.6.2. Limits to Smoke Movement
2) 
A
building referred to in
Sentence (1) shall be designed so that, during a period of 2 h after the start of a fire, each
exit stair serving
storeys below the lowest
exit level will not contain more than 1% by volume of contaminated air from
the fire floor, assuming an outdoor temperature equal to the January design
temperature on a 2.5% basis determined in accordance with
Subsection 1.1.3. (See
Appendix B.)
3) 
Each stairway that serves
storeys above