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Understanding how to navigate the Ontario Fire Code (OFC) will assist the user in determining the application and sections that apply to the occupancy being addressed<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"},"subContentId":"894b97a6-2f30-41df-930b-41fbede42a2a"},"useSeparator":"auto"},{"content":{"params":{"panels":[{"content":{"params":{"text":"

When we see an article in the code, what does it mean?<\/p>\n\n

Let's look at an example:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Buildings up to 3 storeys: 9.5.2.2. (3)(b)(i) - Where sleeping accomodation, recreation rooms, meeting rooms, are not provided in the basement<\/strong>, an existing fire seperation between the first storey<\/strong> and basement<\/strong> is deemed to be in compliance with sentence (2) where:<\/p>\n\n

(b) the building<\/strong> contains not more than four dwelling units<\/strong> and provides sleeping accomodations for not more than 10 persons, and<\/p>\n\n

(i) interconnected smoke alarms<\/strong> are installed in accordanc with 9.5.4.4<\/p>\n\n

How this is illustrated:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

9 = Part<\/p>\n\n

9.5. = Section<\/p>\n\n

9.5.2. = Subsection<\/p>\n\n

9.5.2.2. = Article<\/p>\n\n

9.5.2.2.(3) = Sentence<\/p>\n\n

9.5.2.2.(3)(b) = Clause<\/p>\n\n

9.5.2.2.(3)(b)(i) = Subclause<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"fd7b2565-a097-4a23-bd8e-735efee579aa","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Part, section, subsection..."},{"content":{"params":{"text":"

Using the same example from part, sections, subsection:<\/p>\n\n

(b) the building<\/strong> contains not more than four dwelling units<\/strong> and provides sleeping accomodations for not more than 10 persons, and<\/p>\n\n

(i) interconnected smoke alarms<\/strong> are installed in accordanc with 9.5.4.4<\/p>\n\n

All words highlighted or in bold in this case are classified as defined terms. The Definition of these terms is located under: <\/p>\n\n

Defined terms<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

1.4.1.2. The words and terms used in this Code that are in bold face, and either in upper and lower case or in lower case, have the following meanings:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Looking at our above noted example, the following words are bolded:<\/p>\n\n

Basement<\/span><\/strong> means a storey<\/span> or storeys<\/span> of a building <\/span>located below the first<\/span> storey<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

First storey<\/span><\/strong> means the storey<\/span> with its floor closest to grade<\/span> and having its ceiling more than 1.8 m above grade<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Building<\/span><\/strong> means any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Dwelling unit <\/strong>means a suite operated as a housekeeping unit, used or intended to be used by one or more persons and usually containing cooking, eating, living, sleeping and sanitary facilities, and includes a residential unit.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Smoke alarm<\/span><\/strong> means a combined smoke detector<\/span> and audible alarm device that is designed to sound an alarm within the room or suite<\/span> in which it is located when there is smoke within the room or suite<\/span>. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Sometimes it is necessary to look up defined terms within the definition itself.<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"dbf4a8e5-0e1d-4215-85be-9da21a43e17c","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Defined Terms"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"

The OFC using abbreviations and symbols in replace of the proper name. For example:<\/p>\n\n

Smoke Alarms<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n

9.5.4.5.(3)(a) - Smoke alarms shall meet the requirements of CAN\/ULC-S531, \"Standard for Smoke Alarms\", and<\/p>\n\n

(b) CAN\/ULC-CS553, \"Standard for the Installation of Smoke-Alarms'.<\/p>\n\n

SECTION 1.2 referenced documents and organizations<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Subsection 1.2.1. Referenced Documents<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Applicable editions<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

1.2.1.1. (1) A reference in this Code to a document set out in Table 1.2.1.A. is to the edition designated in the table.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

ULC - <\/span><\/span><\/span>CAN\/ULC-S553-02 - <\/span><\/span><\/span>Standard for the Installation of Smoke-Alarms: located in sentences:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

9.5.4.5.(3)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

9.6.4.10.(3)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

9.7.4.3.(5)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

9.8.4.2.(3)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

9.9.4.13.(2)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"e0e399f3-4ca8-4a69-a162-a85e99ebaf40","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Abbreviations and Symbols"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"

The word \"and<\/strong>\" found at the end of the second last clause of a sentence with multiple clauses means the requirements of every<\/strong> clause applys to the sentence. For example:<\/p>\n\n

9.5.4.5.(3)(a) - Smoke alarms shall meet the requirements of CAN\/ULC-S531, \"Standard for Smoke Alarms\", and<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

(b) CAN\/ULC-S553, \"Standard for the Installation of Smoke-Alarms'.<\/p>\n\n

This indicates the smoke alarms shall meet the requirement described (CAN\/ULC-S531) and<\/strong> the standard for the installation of smoke alarms (CAN\/ULC-S553). Both standards apply in this example and must be met.<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"2c9418b7-538f-4291-8625-eb0e22e8268e","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Dealing with 'And'"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"

The word \"or<\/strong>' found at the end of the second last clause of a sentence with multiple clauses means that requirements of the sentence are satisfied by any<\/strong> clause as applied individually.<\/p>\n\n

Example:<\/p>\n\n

Smoke control measures<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

9.6.2.16. (1) Buildings<\/span> where the vertical distance between the floor of the top storey<\/span> and grade<\/span> exceeds 18 m shall have smoke control measures in accordance with Article 3.2.6.2. of the 1990 Building Code<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

(2) Buildings<\/span> are deemed to be in compliance with Sentence (1) where<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

(a) all dwelling units<\/span> have access to an exterior balcony,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

(b) the length of public corridors<\/span> does not exceed 30 m between exits<\/span>,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

(c) public corridors<\/span> on each floor area<\/span> are equipped with smoke detectors<\/span> connected to the fire alarm system,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

(d) public corridors<\/span> on each floor area<\/span> are subdivided in accordance with Sentence (3), or<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

(e) the building<\/span> is fully sprinklered<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"ef95bfc2-df57-4b68-b12d-0a98737736f8","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Dealing with 'Or'"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"

Footnotes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

If a sentence or cluse references a footnote, ensure the footnote is read and understood.<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

Tables<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The OFC has a number of tables that are referenced based on specific requirements. Generally they follow shortly after the sentence or claue. Ensure you are reading the corresponding table related to the sentence.<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

Appendices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The OFC often referes to the Appendices, which is reference to a previous Ontario Building Code. <\/p>\n\n

Appendix A - 1986 Building Code Reference<\/p>\n\n

Appendix B - 1990 Building Code Reference<\/p>\n\n

Appendix C - 1994 Building Code Reference<\/p>\n\n

Ensure<\/strong> you are looking at the appropriate appencix when directed to these sections.<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"2ed05ec7-e88c-476e-997e-5fc457edea50","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Footnotes, Tables and Appendices"}],"hTag":"h2"},"library":"H5P.Accordion 1.0","metadata":{"contentType":"Accordion","license":"U","title":"Navigation of the OFC"},"subContentId":"c277cf1e-aff7-4589-9f66-2dafe6f98241"},"useSeparator":"auto"}]},"library":"H5P.Column 1.16","subContentId":"0e0b3aa9-ecfd-491d-8f38-60a978ed4184","metadata":{"contentType":"Column","license":"U","title":"Introduction to Reading the Ontario Fire Code (OFC)"}}],"behaviour":{"defaultTableOfContents":true,"progressIndicators":true,"progressAuto":true,"displaySummary":true},"read":"Read","displayTOC":"Display 'Table of contents'","hideTOC":"Hide 'Table of contents'","nextPage":"Next page","previousPage":"Previous page","chapterCompleted":"Page completed!","partCompleted":"@pages of @total completed","incompleteChapter":"Incomplete page","navigateToTop":"Navigate to the top","markAsFinished":"I have finished this page","fullscreen":"Fullscreen","exitFullscreen":"Exit fullscreen","bookProgressSubtext":"@count of @total pages","interactionsProgressSubtext":"@count of @total interactions","submitReport":"Submit Report","restartLabel":"Restart","summaryHeader":"Summary","allInteractions":"All interactions","unansweredInteractions":"Unanswered interactions","scoreText":"@score \/ @maxscore","leftOutOfTotalCompleted":"@left of @max interactions completed","noInteractions":"No interactions","score":"Score","summaryAndSubmit":"Summary & submit","noChapterInteractionBoldText":"You have not interacted with any pages.","noChapterInteractionText":"You have to interact with at least one page before you can see the summary.","yourAnswersAreSubmittedForReview":"Your answers are submitted for review!","bookProgress":"Book progress","interactionsProgress":"Interactions progress","totalScoreLabel":"Total score","a11y":{"progress":"Page @page of @total.","menu":"Toggle navigation menu"}}

OFC - Introduction to the Code (213/07)

Karen Borne