The Ontario Building Code | Fire Alarm Systems
3.9.3.3. Fire Alarm Systems
(1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), the fire alarm system in the main school building shall be extended to the portable classrooms with a separate zone indicator on the annunciator.
(2) The requirements in Sentence (1) need not be provided where there are not more than 12 portables on a site and where,
(a) Reserved
(b) the distance between portable classrooms is less than 6 m and the requirements of Subsection 3.2.3. are applied between the classrooms, or
(c) the portable classrooms are in groups where,
(i) the distance between the classrooms is less than 6 m,
(ii) the number of classrooms in a group does not exceed six,
(iii) within a group of classrooms, the facing walls have a fire-resistance ratingof 45 min, rated from inside the classroom, and
(iv) the distance between groups of classrooms is 12 m or more.
(3) The requirements in Sentence (1) need not be provided where the distance between portable classrooms is 6 m or more.
In Plain Language
The main school building's fire alarm system generally must extend to portable classrooms with a separate zone indicator, though this can be skipped for smaller groups of portables meeting specific conditions.
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.