The Ontario Building Code | Fire Blocks in Wall Assemblies

3.1.11.2. Fire Blocks in wall Assemblies

(1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2), fire blocks conforming to Article 3.1.11.7. shall be provided to block off concealed spaces within a wall assembly,

(a) at every floor level,

(b) at every ceiling level where the ceiling forms part of an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating, and

(c) so that the maximum horizontal dimension is not more than 20 m and the maximum vertical dimension is not more than 3 m.

(2) Fire blocksconforming to Sentence (1) are not required provided,

(a) the wall space is filled with insulationhttp://thehandyforce.com/insulation/" title ="Toronto home insulation">insulation,

(b) the exposed construction materials and any insulationhttp://thehandyforce.com/insulation/" title ="Toronto home insulation">insulation within the wall space are noncombustible,

(c) the exposed materials within the wall space, including insulationhttp://thehandyforce.com/insulation/" title ="Toronto home insulation">insulation but not including wiring, piping or similar services, have a flame-spread rating not more than 25 on any exposed surface, or on any surface that would be exposed by cutting through the material in any direction, and fire blocksare installed so that the vertical distance between them is not more than 10 m, or

(d) the insulated wall assembly contains not more than one concealed air space and the horizontal thickness of that air space is not more than 25 mm.

In Plain Language

Fire blocks must subdivide concealed wall spaces at every floor and rated-ceiling level, and so that no compartment exceeds 20 m horizontally or 3 m vertically, except where the wall cavity is filled with insulation and other listed conditions are met.

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.