The Ontario Building Code | Hold-Open Devices

3.1.8.12. Hold-Open Devices

(1) A hold-open device is permitted on a door in a required fire separation, other than an exitstair door in a building more than 3 storeys in building height, and on a door for a vestibule required by Article 3.3.5.7., provided the device is designed to release the door in conformance with Sentences (2) to (7).

(2) Except as required by Sentences (3), (5), (6) and (7), a hold-open device permitted by Sentence (1) shall be designed to release by a signal from,

(a) an automatic sprinkler system,

(b) a heat-actuated device,

(c) fusible link, or

(d) a smoke detector located as described in CAN/ULC-S524, "Installation of Fire Alarm Systems".

(3) Except as required by Sentences (4), (5), (6) and (7), a hold-open device permitted by Sentence (1) shall be designed to release upon a signal from a smoke detector located as described in CAN/ULC-S524, "Installation of Fire Alarm Systems", if used on,

(a) an exitdoor,

(b) a door opening into a public corridor,

(c) an egress door referred to in Sentence 3.4.2.4.(2),

(d) a door serving,

(i) an assembly occupancy,

(ii) a care occupancy,

(iii) a care and treatment occupancy,

(iv) a detention occupancy, or

(v) a residential occupancy, or

(e) a door required to function as part of a smoke control system.

(4) Except as required by Sentences (5), (6) and (7), a hold-open device permitted by Sentence (1) shall be designed to release upon a signal from the building fire alarm system if a fire alarm system is provided, except that this requirement does not apply to,

(a) a hold-open device on a door located between a corridor used by the public and an adjacent sleeping room in a hospital or long-term care home, or

(b) a hold-open device that is designed to release by a heat-actuated device or a fusible link in conformance with Sentence (2).

(5) Sentences (2) and (3) do not apply in a hospital or long-term care home to,

(a) a door located between a corridor used by the public and an adjacent sleeping room, or

(b) paired doors described in Sentence 3.3.3.3.(4).

(6) A hold-open device on a door in Clause (5)(a) shall be designed to release the door upon a signal from,

(a) a smoke detector as required by Sentence 3.2.4.12.(1) for sleeping rooms in Group B occupancies, and

(b) the fire alarm system when an alert signal is initiated within the same fire compartment in Sentence 3.3.3.5.(2).

(7) A hold-open device on a door in Clause (5)(b) shall be designed to release the door upon a signal from the fire alarm system when an alert signal is initiated within the same fire compartment in Sentence 3.3.3.5.(2).

(8) A rolling steel fire door installed as a closurein a fire separation shall be equipped with a hold-open device designed to release the shutter as described in Sentence (2).