The Ontario Building Code | Fire Separations

3.3.2.2. Fire Separations

(1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2), the seating area of a Group A, Division 1 occupancy shall be separated from adjacent occupancies in the floor area by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h if the occupant load in the seating area exceeds 200.

(2) The fire-resistance rating of the fire separation required by Sentence (1) is permitted to be less than 1 h but not less than 45 min provided the fire-resistance rating required by Subsection 3.2.2. is permitted to be less than 1 h for,

(a) the floor assembly above the floor area, or

(b) the floor assembly below the floor area, if there is no floor assembly above.

(3) If usable space exists under tiers of seats in arena type buildings, a fire separationwith a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min shall be provided between the space and the seats or the space shall be sprinklered.

(4) Except as required in Sentences (5) to (7), in an elementary or secondary school, a hazardous classroom shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire-separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than,

(a) 1 h where the building is not sprinklered, or

(b) 30 min where the building is sprinklered.

(5) Except as provided in Sentence (6), in an elementary or secondary school, a hazardous classroom containing an auto repair shop shall be separated from the remainder of the buildingby a fire-separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than,

(a) 2 h where the building is not sprinklered, or

(b) 1 h where the building is sprinklered.

(6) In an elementary or secondary school, if there is a group of hazardous classrooms or a group of hazardous classrooms and ancillary rooms of a complementary use, the fire separation required by Sentence (4) or (5) need not be provided within the group but the fire separationis required between the group and the remainder of the building.

(7) In an elementary or secondary school, a hazardous classroom containing a spray painting operation shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than,

(a) 2 h, or

(b) 1 h where the spray painting operation is separated from the classroom by a fire-separationhaving a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.

(8) Except as required in Sentence (9), in an elementary or secondary school, where the occupant load of a room exceeds 200 persons, the room and any ancillary rooms of a complementary use shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than,

(a) 1 h where the building is not sprinklered, or

(b) 30 min where the building is sprinklered.

(9) A kitchen shall not be located within the fire compartment required in Sentence (8).