The Ontario Building Code | Linen and Refuse Chutes

3.6.3.3. Linen and Refuse Chutes

(1) A linen chute or refuse chute shall,

(a) be impervious to moisture,

(b) have a smooth internal surface,

(c) be corrosion-resistant,

(d) be constructed of noncombustible material, and

(e) be located in a shaft in which there are no services other than noncombustibledrain, waste and vent piping or noncombustible water piping.

(2) A shaft containing a linen chute or refuse chute shall have a fire-resistance rating conforming to Sentence 3.6.3.1.(1), but not less than,

(a) 1 h if the chute outlet for the discharge room is protected by an automatic, self-latching closure held open by a fusible link, or

(b) 2 h if no closureis provided at the chute outlet into the discharge room.

(3) An interior linen chute or refuse chute shall extend not less than 1 m above the roof and shall be vented above the roof with a vent that,

(a) has an unobstructed area not less than the cross-sectional area of the chute, and

(b) is equipped with a cover that will open automatically, or that can be opened manually, in the event of a fire in the chute.

(4) Intake openings="http://thehandyforce.com/windows/" title ="Window installer in Toronto">openings for a linen chute or a refuse chute shall,

(a) have an area not more than 60% of the cross-sectional area of the chute, and

(b) be fitted with closures designed to close automatically and latch after use.

(5) Intake openings="http://thehandyforce.com/windows/" title ="Window installer in Toronto">openings for a linen chute or a refuse chute shall be located in rooms or compartments that,

(a) have no dimension less than 750 mm,

(b) are separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min,

(c) are designed for no other purpose, and

(d) do not open directly into an exit.

(6) Sprinklers shall be installed at the top of each linen chute or refuse chute, at alternate floor levels and in the room or bin into which the chute discharges.

(7) The room into which a linen chute discharges shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.

(8) A refuse chute shall be equipped at the top with spray equipment for washing-down purposes.

(9) A refuse chute shall discharge only into a room or bin separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h.

(10) The room or bin into which a refuse chute discharges shall be of sufficient size to contain the refuse between normal intervals of emptying, be impervious to moisture and be equipped with a water connection and floor drain for washing-down purposes.

(11) A room into which a refuse chute discharges shall contain no service equipment that is not related to refuse handling and disposal.