Division B
Acceptable Solutions

Part 9 — Housing and Small Buildings

Section 9.32. Ventilation

9.32.1. General

9.32.1.1. Application
1) This Section applies to the ventilation of rooms and spaces in residential occupancies change beginby natural ventilation and to self-contained mechanical ventilation systems serving only one dwelling unit.change end

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2) Mechanical ventilation systems other than self-contained systems serving single dwelling units shall conform to Part 6.

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3) A storage garage for more than 5 motor vehicles shall be ventilated in accordance with Part 6.

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4) change beginSystems used for ventilation shall conform to the energy efficiency requirements in Section 9.36.change end
9.32.1.2. Required Ventilation
1) Intent Statementchange beginEvery dwelling unit shall incorporate
a) provisions for non-heating-season ventilation in accordance with Subsection 9.32.2., and
b) if supplied with electrical power, provisions for heating season ventilation in accordance with Subsection 9.32.3.change end

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9.32.2. Non-Heating-Season Ventilation

9.32.2.1. Required Ventilation
1) Rooms or spaces in dwelling units shall be ventilated during the non-heating season by
a) natural ventilation in accordance with Article 9.32.2.2., or
b) a mechanical ventilation system conforming to change beginSubsection 9.32.3.change end

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2) Where a habitable room or space is not provided with natural ventilation as described in change beginClause (1)(a), mechanical ventilation shall be provided to exhaust inside air from, or to introduce outside air to,change end that room or space at the rate of
a) one-half air change per hour if the room or space is mechanically cooled during the non-heating season, or
b) one air change per hour if it is not mechanically cooled during the non-heating season.
9.32.2.2. Non-Heating-Season Natural Ventilation
1) Intent StatementThe unobstructed openable ventilation area to the outdoors for rooms and spaces in residential buildings ventilated by natural means shall conform to Table 9.32.2.2.
Table 9.32.2.2.
Natural Ventilation Area
Forming part of Sentence 9.32.2.2.(1)
Location Minimum Unobstructed Area

Within a dwelling unit

Bathrooms or water-closet rooms

0.09 m2

Unfinished basement space

0.2% of the floor area

Dining rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, combined rooms, dens, recreation rooms and all other finished rooms

0.28 m2 per room or combination room

Other than within a dwelling unit

Bathrooms or water-closet rooms

0.09 m2 per water closet

Sleeping areas

0.14 m2 per occupant

Laundry rooms, kitchens, recreation rooms

4% of the floor area

Corridors, storage rooms and other similar public rooms or spaces

2% of the floor area

Unfinished basement space not used on a shared basis

0.2% of the floor area

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2) Intent StatementWhere a vestibule opens directly off a living or dining room within a dwelling unit, ventilation to the outdoors for such rooms may be through the vestibule.
3) Intent StatementOpenings for natural ventilation other than windows shall provide protection from the weather and insects.
4) Intent StatementScreening shall be of corrosion-resistant material.
9.32.2.3. Reserved

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9.32.3. change beginHeating-Season (Mechanical) Ventilation

(See Appendix A.)
9.32.3.1. Required Ventilation
1) Intent StatementEvery dwelling unit that is supplied with electrical power shall be provided with a mechanical ventilation system that conforms to
b) this Subsection.
9.32.3.2. Design and Installation
1) Intent StatementAspects of a mechanical ventilation system not specifically addressed in this Subsection shall be designed, constructed and installed in accordance with good practice such as that described in the ASHRAE Handbook and standards, the HRAI Digest, the HRAI Residential Mechanical Ventilation Manual, the TECA Ventilation Guidelines, the Hydronics Institute Manuals and the SMACNA manuals.
2) Exhaust fans and supply fans shall be installed in accordance with this Subsection and the manufacturer’s instructions.
3) The mechanical components of a mechanical ventilation system shall be installed so as to be accessible for inspection, maintenance, repair, and cleaning.
9.32.3.3. Mechanical Ventilation System Components
1) Intent StatementA mechanical ventilation system shall include
a) a principal ventilation system that
i) provides supply air in accordance with Article 9.32.3.4., and
ii) includes an exhaust fan that conforms with Article 9.32.3.5.,
b) the kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans that are required by Article 9.32.3.6., and
c) if the building includes a heated crawl space, the components that are required by Article 9.32.3.7.
9.32.3.4. Principal Ventilation System Supply Air
(See Appendix A.)
1) Except as provided in Sentence (6), a principal ventilation system shall mechanically provide supply air in accordance with Sentence (2), (3), (4) or (5).
2) Where the principal ventilation system is a ducted forced-air heating system, the ducted forced-air heating system shall
a) provide supply air through the ducting to
i) each bedroom, and
ii) each floor level without a bedroom,
b) change begindraw supply air from an outdoor inlet that is connected to the cabinet containing the furnace air circulating fan required by Clause (d) by ducting that measures, from that cabinet to the point at which the ducting intersects the return air plenum,
i) between 3 m and 4.5 m in length, or
ii) if a flow control device is used, not more than 4.5 m in length.change end
c) draw supply air through ducting that is
i) rigid ducting with an equivalent diameter of at least 100 mm, or
ii) flexible ducting with an equivalent diameter of at least 125 mm, and
d) have a furnace air circulating fan set to run continuously.
3) Where the principal ventilation system is a ducted forced-air heating system used in combination with a heat-recovery ventilator,
a) change beginthe ducted forced-air heating system shall conform to Clauses (2)(a), (c) and (d),change end
b) the heat-recovery ventilator shall draw supply air from an outdoor inlet into the return air plenum of the ducted forced-air heating system, and
c) the heat-recovery ventilator shall draw exhaust air, through dedicated ducting,
i) from one or more indoor inlets, at least one of which is located at least 2 m above the floor of the uppermost floor level, and
ii) at the capacity rating of the heat-recovery ventilator, which shall be no less than the air-flow rate specified in Table 9.32.3.5.
4) Where the principal ventilation system is a heat-recovery ventilator, the heat-recovery ventilator shall
a) provide supply air through dedicated ducting to
i) each bedroom, and
ii) each floor level without a bedroom, and
b) draw exhaust air, through dedicated ducting,
i) from one or more indoor inlets, at least one of which is located at least 2 m above the floor of the uppermost floor level, and
ii) at the capacity rating of the heat-recovery ventilator, which shall be no less than the air-flow rate specified in Table 9.32.3.5.
5) Where the principal ventilation system is a ducted central-recirculation ventilation system, the ducted central-recirculation ventilation system shall
a) draw supply air from an outdoor inlet connected upstream of the fan, and
b) draw air from
i) each bedroom and deliver it to a common area, or
ii) a common area and deliver it to each bedroom.
6) change beginA principal ventilation system need not conform to Sentence (1) if the principal ventilation system
a) services a dwelling unit that
i) is located where the January design temperature, on a 2.5% basis determined in conformance with Article 1.1.3.1., is greater than −20°C,
ii) has only 1 storey and a floor area of less than 168 m2 within the building envelope (see Appendix A),
iii) does not have a ducted forced-air heating system, and
iv) change beginexcept for a secondary suite,change end is not located in a building conforming to Subsection 9.36.6. or 10.2.3., andchange end
b) provides supply air passively from outdoors through dedicated inlets that
i) are located in each bedroom and at least one common area,
ii) are located at least 1 800 mm above the floor, and
iii) have an unobstructed vent area of not less than 25 cm2.
9.32.3.5. Principal Ventilation System Exhaust Fan
1) Intent StatementA principal ventilation system exhaust fan shall
a) run continuously, and
b) provide at least the air-flow rate specified in Table 9.32.3.5.
Table 9.32.3.5.
Principal Ventilation System Exhaust Fan Minimum Air-flow Rate
Forming part of Sentence 9.32.3.5.(1)
Floor Area, m2 Minimum Air-flow Rate, L/s
Number of Bedrooms
0–1 2–3 4–5 6–7 >7
< 140 14 21 28 35 42
140–280 21 28 35 42 49
281–420 28 35 42 49 56
421–560 35 42 49 56 64
561–700 42 49 56 64 71
> 700 49 56 64 71 78
2) For the purposes of Sentence (1), the capacity rating of the principal ventilation system exhaust fan shall be determined, based on air-flow performance at 50 pa of external static pressure, in accordance with
3) The principal ventilation system exhaust fan shall be
a) designed to run continuously, and
b) controlled by a dedicated switch that
i) has 2 settings, on and off,
ii) is located where it will be accessible for the purposes of servicing the exhaust fan but not likely to be turned off inadvertently, and
iii) is clearly marked “PRINCIPAL VENTILATION EXHAUST FAN.”
4) If the principal ventilation system exhaust fan is designed to run at multiple air-flow rates,
a) the air-flow rate of the fan shall be controlled by a switch other than the switch described in Clause (3)(b), and
b) the lowest air-flow rate shall not be less than the air-flow rate specified in Table 9.32.3.5.
5) The sound rating of the principal ventilation system exhaust fan shall not exceed 1.0 sone when running continuously at the air-flow rate specified in Table 9.32.3.5. as determined in accordance with
9.32.3.6. Kitchen and Bathroom Exhaust Fans
1) Intent StatementAn exhaust fan that provides at least the air-flow rate specified in Table 9.32.3.6. shall be installed in
a) every kitchen, and
b) every bathroom or water-closet room, unless the bathroom or water-closet room is served by the principal ventilation system exhaust fan that complies with Article 9.32.3.5.
2) Intent StatementFor the purposes of Sentence (1), the capacity rating of the exhaust fan shall be determined, based on air-flow performance at 50 pa of external static pressure, in accordance with
Table 9.32.3.6.
Kitchen/Bathroom Exhaust Fan Minimum Air-flow Rate
Forming part of Sentence 9.32.3.6.(1)
Room Minimum Exhaust Fan Air-flow Rate, L/s
Intermittent Continuous
Kitchen 47 N/A
Bathroom 23 9
9.32.3.7. Heated Crawl Space Ventilation
1) change beginWhere a crawl space is heated by a ducted forced-air heating system that does not draw air from the crawl space to the furnace through the return air plenum, the crawl space shall be connected to the floor space above the crawl space by at least one air-transfer grille.
2) Where a crawl space is heated other than by a ducted forced-air heating system, the crawl space shall
a) be connected to
i) the floor space above the crawl space by at least one air-transfer grille, and
ii) the principal ventilation system by a supply air outlet or an exhaust air inlet,
b) be connected to the floor space above the crawl space by at least 2 air-transfer grilles, or
c) be connected to
i) the floor space above the crawl space by at least one air-transfer grille, and
ii) the outdoors by a dedicated exhaust fan that complies with Sentence (4).
3) An air-transfer grille required by Sentence (1) or (2) shall have an unobstructed vent area of the greater of
a) 25 cm2, and
b) 0.83 cm2 for every m2 of crawl space area.change end
4) Where a dedicated exhaust fan is installed in accordance with Subclause (2)(c)(ii), the dedicated exhaust fan shall
a) provide an air-flow rate of at least 23 L/s, and
b) be controlled by
i) a humidity control device, or
ii) an adjustable time control device that is capable of providing not less than 8 total hours of ventilation per 24 hour period.
5) Where a crawl space is divided into 2 or more compartments, each heated compartment shall conform to Sentence (1) or (2).
9.32.3.8. Air Ducts
1) Exhaust ducts shall discharge to the outdoors.
2) Exhaust ducts that are downstream of an exhaust fan shall have no connections to other fans or ducts.
3) Exhaust ducts, and supply ducts that conduct heated or cooled air, shall
a) be sized in accordance with the requirements of the manufacturer of the fans to which they are connected, and
b) have an equivalent diameter not less than that specified by Table 9.32.3.8.(3).
Table 9.32.3.8.(3)
Maximum Equivalent Duct Length(1), m
Forming part of Sentence 9.32.3.8.(3)
Flexible Duct
Equivalent Diameter, mm (Cross Section Area for Rectangular Ducts, cm2) Fan Capacity, L/s
25 40 50 60 70 80
125 (123) 32 15
150 (177) 46 40 28 18 13
175 (240) 46 46 46 46 46 24
200 (314) 46 46 46 46 46 46
Rigid Duct
Equivalent Diameter, mm (Cross Section Area for Rectangular Ducts, cm2) Fan Capacity, L/s
25 40 50 60 70 80
100 (79) 32 15
125 (123) 46 40 28 18 13
150 (177) 46 46 46 42 34 24
175 (240) 46 46 46 46 46 46
Notes to Table 9.32.3.8.(3):

(1) The equivalent length of a duct is the length of the duct plus 10 m for the exterior hood and 3 m for each 90° elbow.
4) Where an exhaust duct passes through or is located adjacent to a space that is not conditioned space, the duct shall conform to Article 9.32.3.2., except that in no case shall such a duct be insulated to less than RSI 0.75.
5) Where a principal ventilation system supply duct passes through or is located adjacent to a conditioned space, the duct shall be
a) insulated to not less than RSI 0.75, and
b) provided with an effective vapour barrier.
6) Where a kitchen exhaust fan grille is installed within 1.2 m horizontally of a cooktop, the exhaust fan duct shall
a) be constructed of a material that is noncombustible, corrosion-resistant, and cleanable, and
b) be equipped with a grease filter at the intake end.
7) change beginExcept for a supply air system described in Sentence 9.32.3.4.(2) or (3) , all joints in exhaust ducts, and in supply ducts that conduct conditioned air, shall be sealed against air leakage with
a) sealants or gaskets made from liquids, mastics or heat-applied materials,
b) mastic with embedded fabric,
c) foil-faced butyl tape, or
d) aluminum foil tape.change end
8) Supply ducts for a mechanical ventilation system shall not be used to provide combustion or dilution air to fuel-burning appliances.
9.32.3.9. Outdoor Inlets and Outlets
1) Outdoor air inlets and exhaust outlets shall be shielded from the weather, birds and rodents by using hoods incorporating a screen of corrosion-resistant material with openings of 6 to 12 mm.
9.32.3.10. Interior Distribution
1) Interior doors shall be undercut by a minimum of 12 mm above the finished floor or the rooms shall be provided with an air-transfer grille with an unobstructed vent area that is not less than 100 cm2.change end

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9.32.4. Additional Protection Against Depressurization

9.32.4.1. Protection Requirements
1) change beginAdditional make-up air for the actual appliance exhaust rate shall be provided for any appliance that discharges air to the exterior at an installed rate exceeding 0.5 air change per hour when it is located within a dwelling unit that contains a vented appliance that is subject to back drafting (Naturally Aspirating Fuel-Fired Vented Appliance). (See Appendix A.)change end

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2) change beginWhere additional make-up air is required for appliances described in Sentence (1), it shall be provided by a supply fan rated to deliver outdoor air at the rate of the installed exhaust appliance.change end

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3) The supply fan as required in change beginSentence (2)change end shall be interconnected with the exhaust fan for which make-up air is required.
4) The outdoor air required by Sentence (3) shall be
a) tempered to at least 1°C before being introduced to a normally unoccupied area of the dwelling unit, or
b) tempered to at least 12°C before being introduced to occupied areas either by passive transfer grille or directly from outside.
9.32.4.2. Carbon Monoxide Alarms
(See Appendix A.)
1) This Article applies to every building that contains a residential occupancy and that also contains
a) a fuel-burning appliance, or
2) Carbon monoxide (CO) alarms required by this Article shall
b) be equipped with an integral alarm that satisfies the audibility requirements of CAN/CSA-6.19, “Residential Carbon Monoxide Alarming Devices,”
c) have no disconnect switch between the overcurrent device and the CO alarm, where the CO alarm is powered by the dwelling unit's electrical system, and
d) be mechanically fixed at a height recommended by the change beginmanufacturer's instructionschange end.
3) change beginWhere a room contains a solid-fuel-burning appliance,change end a CO alarm conforming to CAN/CSA-6.19, “Residential Carbon Monoxide Alarming Devices,” shall be mechanically fixed
a) change beginat a height recommended by the manufacturer’s instructions where those instructions specifically mention solid-fuel-burning appliances, orchange end
b) change beginin the absence of specific instructions related to solid-fuel-burning appliances, on or near the ceiling.change end
4) Where a fuel-burning appliance is installed in a suite of residential occupancy, a CO alarm shall be installed
a) inside each bedroom, or
b) outside each bedroom, within 5 m of each bedroom door, measured following corridors and doorways.
5) Where a fuel-burning appliance is installed in a service room that is not in a suite of residential occupancy, a CO alarm shall be installed
a) in the service room, and
b) for every suite of residential occupancy that shares a wall or floor/ceiling assembly with that service room, either
i) inside each bedroom, or
ii) outside each bedroom, within 5 m of each bedroom door, measured following corridors and doorways.
6) For each suite of residential occupancy that shares a wall or floor/ceiling assembly with a storage garage or that is adjacent to an attic or crawl space to which the storage garage is also adjacent, a CO alarm shall be installed
a) inside each bedroom, or
b) outside each bedroom, within 5 m of each bedroom door, measured following corridors and doorways.