The Ontario Building Code | Fire Separations

3.3.4.2. Fire Separations

(1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2) and 3.2.2.9.(2), suites of residential occupancyshall be separated from each other and the remainder of the building by a fire separationhaving a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.

(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) floor assemblies within a dwelling unitneed not be constructed as fire separationsprovided,

(a) the distance between the lowest floor level and the uppermost floor level within the dwelling unit is not more than 6 m, and

(b) the dwelling unit is separated from the remainder of the buildingby a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than,

(i) 45 min if the building is sprinklered and is not more than 3 storeys in building height,

(ii) 1 h if the building is sprinklered and is more than 3 storeys in building height,

(iii) 1 h if the building is not sprinkleredand is not more than 6 storeys in building height, or

(iv) 2 h if the building is not sprinkleredand is more than 6 storeys in building height.

(4) The fire-resistance rating of the fire separation located between a dwelling unit and an attached storage garage need not conform to that required by Sentence 3.3.5.6.(1) provided,

Note: On July 1, 2017, Sentence 3.3.4.2.(4) of Division B of the Regulation is amended by adding "Except in a retirement home" at the beginning in the portion before Clause (a). (See: O. Reg. 139/17, s. 39)

(a) the storage garage contains not more than five vehicles,

(b) the dwelling unit and the attached storage garage are sprinklered,

(c) the dwelling unit is separated from the remainder of the buildingin conformance with Sentences (1) to (3),

(d) there are no air duct systems connecting the storage garage and the dwelling unit,

(e) the construction between the storage garage and the dwelling unitprovides an effective barrier to gas and exhaust fumes, and

(f) every door between the storage garage and the dwelling unitis,

(i) tight fitting and weather-stripped to provide an effective barrier against the passage of gas and exhaust fumes,

(ii) fitted with a self-closing device, and

(iii) not located in a room intended for sleeping.

(5) The fire separation required by Sentence 3.3.5.6.(1) is not required between a dwelling unitand an attached storage garage, serving that dwelling unit only, provided,

Note: On July 1, 2017, Sentence 3.3.4.2.(5) of Division B of the Regulation is amended by adding "Except in a retirement home" at the beginning in the portion before Clause (a). (See: O. Reg. 139/17, s. 39)

(a) the dwelling unit and its attached storage garage are separated from the remainder of the building in conformance with Sentences (1) to (3),

(b) there are no air duct systems connecting the storage garage and the dwelling unit,

(c) the construction between the storage garage and the dwelling unitprovides an effective barrier to gas and exhaust fumes, and

(d) every door between the storage garage and the dwelling unitis,

(i) tight fitting and weather-stripped to provide an effective barrier against the passage of gas and exhaust fumes,

(ii) fitted with a self-closing device, and

(iii) not located in a room intended for sleeping.