The Ontario Building Code | Automatic Sprinkler Systems

3.2.5.13. Automatic Sprinkler Systems

(1) Except as provided by Sentences (2) to (4), an automatic sprinkler system shall be designed, constructed, installed and tested in conformance with nfpa 13, "installation of Sprinkler Systems".

(2) nfpa 13R, "installation of Sprinkler Systems in residential Occupancies up to and Including Four Stories in Height", is permitted to be used for the design, construction, installation and testing of an automatic sprinkler system installed in a building,

(a) of residential occupancy that is not more than 4 storeys inbuilding height, or

Note: On July 1, 2017, Clause 3.2.5.13.(2)(a) of Division B of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted: (See: O. Reg. 139/17, s. 31 (1))

(a) of residential occupancy that does not contain a retirement home and that is not more than 4 storeys in building height,

(b) of Group B, Division 3 occupancy that contains sleeping accommodation for not more than 10 persons and not more than six occupants require assistance in evacuation in case of an emergency.

Note: On July 1, 2017, Sentence 3.2.5.13.(2) of Division B of the Regulation is amended by adding the following Clauses: (See: O. Reg. 139/17, s. 31 (2))

(c) that contains a retirement home constructed in accordance with Article 3.2.2.48D., or

(d) that contains a retirement home constructed in accordance with Article 3.2.2.48E., where the fire separation required by Sentence 3.3.4.11.(2) on the storey immediately below the roof assembly is continuous to the underside of the roof deck.

(3) Except as required by Sentence (9), NFPA 13D, "Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes", is permitted to be used for the design, construction, installation and testing of an automatic sprinkler system installed in a buildingof residential occupancy that contains not more than two dwelling units.

(4) If a building contains fewer than nine sprinklers, the water supply for these sprinklers is permitted to be supplied from the domestic water system for the buildingprovided the required flow for the sprinklers can be met by the domestic system.

(5) If a water supply serves both an automatic sprinkler system and a system serving other equipment, control valves shall be provided so that either system can be shut off independently.

(6) Despite the requirements of the standards referenced in Sentences (1) and (2) for the installation of automatic sprinkler systems, sprinklers shall not be omitted in any room or closet in the storey immediately below a roof assembly if the fire-resistance rating of the roof assembly is waived as permitted by Article 3.2.2.17.

(7) Despite the requirements of the standards referenced in Sentences (1) and (2) for the installation of automatic sprinkler systems, sprinklers shall be provided for all balconies and decks forming part of a buildingwithin the scope of Article 3.2.2.43A. or 3.2.2.50A., other than,

(a) balconies or decks that are not more than 610 mm in depth measured perpendicular to the exterior wall of the building, or

(b) decks on the uppermost roof of thebuilding.

(8) Sprinklers in elevator machine rooms shall have a temperature rating not less than that required for an intermediate temperature classification and shall be protected against physical damage.

(9) The sprinkler system described in Sentence (3) shall be provided with a minimum 20 min water supply when installed in a retirement home regulated under the Retirement Homes Act, 2010.

Note: On July 1, 2017, Sentence 3.2.5.13.(9) of Division B of the Regulation is amended by striking out "a retirement home regulated under the Retirement Homes Act, 2010" at the end and substituting "a retirement home". (See: O. Reg. 139/17, s. 31 (3))