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The Ontario Building Code | Separation of Major Occupancies

3.1.3.1. Separation of Major Occupancies

(1) Except as provided by Sentences (2) to (5), major occupancies shall be separated from adjoining major occupancies by fire separations having fire-resistance ratings conforming to Table 3.1.3.1.

Table 3.1.3.1.
Major Occupancy Fire Separations(1)

Forming Part of Sentence 3.1.3.1.(1)

Item

Column 1

Col. 2

Col. 3

Col. 4

Col. 5

Col. 6

Col. 7

Col. 8

Col. 9

Col. 10

Col. 11

Col. 12

Col. 13

Col. 14

Major Occupancy

Minimum Fire-Resistance Rating of Fire Separation, h (1)

Adjoining Major Occupancy

A-1

A-2

A-3

A-4

B-1

B-2

B-3

C

D

E

F-1

F-2

F-3

1.

A-1

N/A

1

1

1

2

2

2

1

1

2

N/A

2

1

2.

A-2

1

N/A

1

1

2

2

2

1(2)

1(3)

2

N/A

2

1

3.

A-3

1

1

N/A

1

2

2

2

1

1

2

N/A

2

1

4.

A-4

1

1

1

N/A

2

2

2

1

1

2

N/A

2

1

5.

B-1

2

2

2

2

N/A

2

2

2

2

2

N/A

2

2

6.

B-2

2

2

2

2

2

N/A

1

2

2

2

N/A

2

2

7.

B-3

2

2

2

2

2

1

N/A

2

2

2

N/A

2

2

8.

C

1

1(2)

1

1

2

2

2

N/A

1

2(4)

N/A

2

1

9.

D

1

1(3)

1

1

2

2

2

1

N/A

N/A

3

N/A

N/A

10.

E

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2(4)

N/A

N/A

3

N/A

N/A

11.

F-1

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

3

3

N/A

2

2

12.

F-2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

N/A

N/A

2

N/A

N/A

13.

F-3

1

1

1

1

2

2

2

1

N/A

N/A

2

N/A

N/A

Notes to Table 3.1.3.1.:

(1) Section 3.3. contains requirements for the separation of occupanciesand tenancies that are in addition to the requirements for the separation of major occupancies.

(2) See Sentence 3.1.3.1.(3).

(3) See Sentence 3.1.3.1.(4).

(4) See Sentence 3.1.3.1.(2).

(2) In a building not more than 3 storeys in building height, if not more than two dwelling units are contained together with a Group E major occupancy, the fire-resistance rating of the fire separation between the two major occupanciesneed not be more than 1 h.

(3) In a building within the scope of Article 3.2.2.43A., a fire separation with a 2 h fire-resistance rating is required between the Group C and Group A, Division 2 major occupancies.

(4) In a building within the scope of Article 3.2.2.50A., a fire separation with a 2 h fire-resistance rating is required between the Group D and Group A, Division 2 major occupancies.

(5) The fire separations required between major occupancies in Sentence (1) are permitted to be penetrated by floor openings protected in conformance with Subsection 3.2.8., except for fire separations for Group F, Division 1 major occupancies and for mezzaninesdescribed in Sentence 3.2.8.2.(1).

In Plain Language

Except in the specific circumstances listed in Sentences (2) through (5), this clause requires different major occupancies within the same building to be separated from one another, typically by fire separations, so that a fire or other emergency in one occupancy doesn't freely spread to another.

This is a plain-language summary of the 2012/2017 Ontario Building Code text above, for general understanding only and not a substitute for the Code. Always confirm current requirements against the 2024 edition (O.Reg. 163/24) or a qualified professional before construction.