The Ontario Building Code | Group C, up to 3 Storeys, Sprinklered

3.2.2.48. Group C, up to 3 Storeys, Sprinklered

(1) A building classified as Group C is permitted to conform to Sentence (2) provided,

Note: On July 1, 2017, Sentence 3.2.2.48.(1) of Division B of the Regulation is amended by adding "other than a retirement home" after "Group C" in the portion before Clause (a). (See: O. Reg. 139/17, s. 23)

(a) except as permitted by Sentence 3.2.2.7.(1), the building is sprinklered,

(b) it is not more than 3 storeys in building height, and

(c) it has a building area not more than,

(i) 5 400 m2if 1 storey in building height,

(ii) 2 700 m2if 2 storeys in building height, or

(iii) 1 800 m2if 3 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 (3) and (4), floor assemblies shall be fire separationswith a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min,

(b) mezzaninesshall have, if of combustible construction a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min, and

(c) loadbearingwalls, columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly.

(3) In a building that contains dwelling units that have more than 1 storey, subject to the requirements of Sentence 3.3.4.2.(3), the floor assemblies, including floors over basements, that are entirely contained within these dwelling units, shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min but need not be constructed as fire separations.

(4) 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.

Note: On July 1, 2017, Subsection 3.2.2. of Division B of the Regulation is amended by adding the following Articles: (See: O. Reg. 139/17, s. 24)

3.2.2.48A. Group C, Retirement Home, Any Height, Any Area, Sprinklered

(1) Except as permitted by Articles 3.2.2.48B. to 3.2.2.48E., a retirement home shall conform to Sentence (2).

(2) Except as permitted by Article 3.2.2.16., the buildingreferred to in Sentence (1) shall be of noncombustible construction, and,

(a) except as permitted by Sentence 3.2.2.7.(1), the building shall be sprinklered,

(b) floor assemblies shall be fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h,

(c) mezzaninesshall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, and

(d) loadbearingwalls, columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly.

3.2.2.48B. Group C, Retirement Home, up to 4 Storeys, Sprinklered, Increased Area

(1) A retirement home is permitted to conform to Sentence (2) provided,

(a) except as permitted by Sentence 3.2.2.7.(1), the building is sprinklered,

(b) it is not more than 4 storeys in building height, and

(c) it has a building area not more than,

(i) 12 000 m2if 1 storey in building height,

(ii) 6 000 m2if 2 storeys in building height,

(iii) 4 000 m2if 3 storeys in building height, or

(iv) 3 000 m2if 4 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) floor assemblies shall be fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h,

(b) mezzaninesshall have, if of combustible construction, a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, and

(c) loadbearingwalls, columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly.

3.2.2.48C. Group C, Retirement Home, up to 4 Storeys, Sprinklered

(1) A retirement home is permitted to conform to Sentence (2) provided,

(a) except as permitted by Sentence 3.2.2.7.(1), the building is sprinklered,

(b) it is not more than 4 storeys in building height, and

(c) it has a building area not more than,

(i) 6 600 m2if 1 storey in building height,

(ii) 3 300 m2if 2 storeys in building height,

(iii) 2 200 m2if 3 storeys in building height, or

(iv) 1 650 m2if 4 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) floor assemblies shall be fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h,

(b) mezzaninesshall have, if of combustible construction, a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, and

(c) loadbearingwalls, columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly.

3.2.2.48D. Group C, Retirement Home, up to 3 Storeys, Sprinklered, Noncombustible Construction

(1) A retirement home is permitted to conform to Sentence (2) provided,

(a) except as permitted by Sentence 3.2.2.7.(1), the building is sprinklered,

(b) it is not more than 3 storeys in building height, and

(c) it has a building area that is,

(i) not limited if the building is not more than 1 storeyin building height,

(ii) not more than 12 000 m2 if 2 storeys in building height, or

(iii) not more than 8 000 m2 if 3 storeys in building height.

(2) Except as permitted by Article 3.2.2.16., the buildingreferred to in Sentence (1) is permitted to be of noncombustible construction, and,

(a) floor assemblies shall be fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h,

(b) mezzaninesshall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, and

(c) loadbearingwalls, columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly.

3.2.2.48E. Group C, Retirement Home, up to 3 Storeys, Sprinklered, Combustible Construction

(1) A retirement home is permitted to conform to Sentence (2) provided,

(a) except as permitted by Sentence 3.2.2.7.(1), the building is sprinklered,

(b) it is not more than 3 storeys in building height, and

(c) it has a building area not more than,

(i) 4 800 m2if 1 storey in building height,

(ii) 2 400 m2if 2 storeys in building height, or

(iii) 1 600 m2if 3 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) floor assemblies shall be fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min,

(b) mezzaninesshall have, if of combustible construction, a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min, and

(c) loadbearingwalls, columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly.