Construction Requirements and the Ontario Building Code Thomas Pepper, P. Eng. October 20, 2017 OSBIE Toronto
The Evolution of Construction Laws Building Regulations date back as far as 1900 B.C. to Babylonian times Code of Hammurabi (King Hammurabi approx. 1955 to 1913 B.C.) Poor or improper construction was penalized based on an eye for an eye. -30- Forensic Engineering 2
The Evolution of Building Codes Building Regulations in London, UK date back prior to 1200 A.D. New construction of thatched roofs was banned in London -30- Forensic Engineering 3
The Evolution of Building Codes? Wood Chimneys were banned in parts of the UK going back to the late 1300s Great fire of London in 1666 burned 80% of the city Resulted in the London Building Code Act of 1667-30- Forensic Engineering 4
The Evolution of Building Codes Great Chicago Fire of 1871 burned for 3 days Over 17,000 buildings over 3 square miles 1/3 of the city was left homeless Over $3.8 M damage In 1875: codified construction, alteration and maintenance of buildings -30- Forensic Engineering 5
The Evolution of Building Codes National Electrical Code of 1897 Evolved from the invention of Electricity National Fire Protection Association 1897 Standardize the installation of Sprinkler systems Intended to provide standardization -30- Forensic Engineering 6
The Evolution of Building Codes Great Fire of Toronto April 19, 1904, destroys downtown. Over 100 buildings destroyed 5000 people out of work Over $10 M damage By-law 4408 Regulating the Erection and to Provide for the Safety of Buildings, July 6, 1904. -30- Forensic Engineering 7
National Building Code of Canada Developed by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes and published by the National Research Council of Canada. Intended to provide standardization across Canada. The first National Building Code of Canada (NBC) was published in 1941. Subsequent editions were published in 1953, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2005, 2010, 2015. -30- Forensic Engineering 8
National Fire Code of Canada Canadian Fire Codes specify the minimum provisions regarding the fire safety of within and around existing buildings and facilities. First National Fire Code of Canada published in 1963. Subsequent editions were published in 1975, 1977, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2005, 2010 and 2015. -30- Forensic Engineering 9
Codes and Construction -30- Forensic Engineering 10
Ontario Building Code -30- Forensic Engineering 11
Ontario Building Code Date of Application -30- Forensic Engineering 12
Ontario Fire Code The first Ontario Fire Code was published in 1980 subsequent editions were published in 1981, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2007 and 2015. Canadian Fire Codes specify the minimum provisions regarding the fire safety of within and around existing buildings and facilities. Operation, Testing and Maintenance of the Building s fire related features. -30- Forensic Engineering 13
Ontario Fire Code Retrofit Requirements O. Reg. 251/83 Introduced retrofit legislation under Part 9 of the Ontario Fire Code. Upgrades to existing buildings to improve life safety. Building permits often required for this work. Subsequent revisions applicable to various building occupancies Compliance of existing buildings with newer versions of fire codes is retroactively required, unless otherwise stated. -30- Forensic Engineering 14
Building Design Larger (OBC Parts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 >600 m²) and high hazard buildings must be designed by architects and engineers. Inspections are conducted by the architects, engineers and authority having jurisdiction. -30- Forensic Engineering 15
Building Design -30- Forensic Engineering 16
Methods of Fire Protection Active Fire Protection (AFP) Passive Fire Protection (PFP) -30- Forensic Engineering 17
Active Fire Protection (AFP) Fire alarms, smoke and heat detectors, sprinklers, and smoke management systems. Activate in the presence of heat, fire or smoke. OBC mandates the installation, testing, and maintenance in accordance with strict guidelines to maintain compliance with the local building and fire codes. OFC mandates that testing and maintenance of these systems be conducted at regular intervals to ensure their functionality; records of testing and maintenance must be kept. -30- Forensic Engineering 18
Fire Alarm Systems (AFP) Strict guidelines regarding the installation, testing, and maintenance. Testing and maintenance must be conducted at regular intervals. Records of testing and maintenance must be kept. -30- Forensic Engineering 19
Fire Alarm Systems CAN/ULC S524: Installation of a Fire Alarm Systems CAN/ULC S536: Inspection and Testing of a Fire Alarm Systems CAN/ULC s537: Verification of a Fire Alarm Systems -30- Forensic Engineering 20
FA Inspection and Maintenance Daily: Power and lamps Weekly: Power Supply FA power and lamps Exit door operation Exit sign illumination Monthly: Emergency lighting Batteries Lamps Annually: System testing by a qualified person -30- Forensic Engineering 21
Sprinkler Systems National Fire Protection Association NFPA 13: Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems -30- Forensic Engineering 22
Sprinkler Systems Weekly Manual sprinkler water supply control valves sealed in the open position Water pressure Monthly Electrotonically supervised sprinkler water supply valves sealed in the open position Annually Sprinkler heads: free from damage, corrosion, grease, dust, paint Water flow alarm tests of the most hydraulically remote test connection on wet systems Sprinkler piping hangers -30- Forensic Engineering 23
Fire Extinguishers OBC mandates locations as per OFC 6.2 NFPA 10: Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers Corridors and hazardous locations (i.e.-service rooms, shops, labs) Monthly Inspections Annual: Maintenance and Inspection Tagged identifying date, the servicing agency and the signature of the person who performed the service. -30- Forensic Engineering 24
Passive Fire Protection (PFP) PFP systems remain dormant during normal conditions and become active in a fire situation to prevent the spread of fire or smoke. The building materials designed to remain in place between 0 minutes to 4 hours. Compartmentalize a building into smaller areas. Protect the structural elements of a building -30- Forensic Engineering 25
Fire Separations (PFP) Act as a barrier to against the spread of fire. Typical fire-protection ratings of (0 hr, 3/4 hr, 1 hr, 1.5, 2 hr) Wall Assemblies Floor Assemblies Roof Assemblies Doors Windows -30- Forensic Engineering 26
Fire-rated Assemblies (PFP) Typical fire-protection ratings: Corridors 1 hr or 30 min. depending on building size Rooms with an Occupant Load of more than 200 persons (Gym, Cafeteria, Theatre) 1 hr if unsprinklered 30 hr if unsprinklered Service Rooms Typically 1 hr Hazardous Classrooms (Labs, Shops) 2 hr if unsprinklered 1 hr if unsprinklered -30- Forensic Engineering 27
Fire Stopping/Blocking (PFP) -30- Forensic Engineering 28
Fire Stopping/Blocking (PFP) -30- Forensic Engineering 29
Fire-rated Door Assemblies NFPA 80, Fire Doors and Other Protective Openings Labelling Opening sizes Hardware -30- Forensic Engineering 30
NFPA 80 Door Clearances 1959 3/8 in maximum clearance between door and sill Circa 1966 3/8 in maximum clearance above flush or raised doors 1999 1/2 in. maximum clearance over carpet 5/8 in. maximum clearance over vinyl tile 3/4 in. maximum clearance over unfinished floors 3/8 in. maximum clearance over raised sills 2007-2016 3/4 in. maximum clearance under swinging fire doors 3/8 in. maximum clearance over raised sills -30- Forensic Engineering 31
OFC 2.2.3.4. Checked as frequently as is necessary to ensure they remain closed. Monthly Testing: Damage Opening force Closing speed Latching mechanism -30- Forensic Engineering 32
Common Door Deficiencies Painted or missing fire door labels Poor clearance dimensions around the perimeter of the closed door Fire doors blocked in open position Kick down door holders -30- Forensic Engineering 33
Common Door Deficiencies Areas surrounding the fire door are blocked Broken, defective, or missing hardware Missing or incorrect fasteners -30- Forensic Engineering 34
Wired Glass vs Safety Glass Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) CSGB CAN/CGSB- 12.11 M90, Wired Safety Glass Recently released CAN/CGSB 12.1-2017, Safety Glazing -30- Forensic Engineering 35
Wired Glass vs Safety Glass -30- Forensic Engineering 36
Wired Glass vs Safety Glass -30- Forensic Engineering 37
CAN/CGSB 12.11-M90 Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) CSGB CAN/CGSB-12.11 M90, Wired Safety Glass Wired safety glass to meet the impact tests Testing of four test specimens of wired safety glass with a length of 76 in. (1930 mm.) and a width of 34 in. (865 mm) to be tested. 45.4 kg (100 lb) bag of lead shot supported by a steel cable and dropped through an arch to simulate human contact. The wired safety glass not break/crack, or, if a break/crack does occur, the opening created by the impact does not allow the free passage of a 75 mm diameter sphere through the glass. Any cracks in the glass on the opposite side extending from the impact location must be held in place by the reinforcing wires. -30- Forensic Engineering 38
Safety Glass Testing Category I Safety glass subjected to impact at drop height of 460 mm (205 J kinetic energy) having glass area of 0.8 m². Category II Safety glass subjected to impact at drop height of 1220 mm (540 J kinetic energy) having glass area of 0.8 m². -30- Forensic Engineering 39
Costs Comparisons Wired glass: average cost of approximately $10/sq. Glass-ceramic: non-impact resistant fire-rated glass average cost of approximately $80/sq. ft. impact resistant fire-rated glass average cost of approximately $120/sq. ft. Fire-rated Glass impact resistant fire-rated glass is approximately $170/sq. ft. -30- Forensic Engineering 40
Records OFC 1.1.2.1. (1) records shall be made and retained at the building for examination by the Chief Fire Official. (2) Records of tests and corrective measures must be retained so that at least the current and the immediately preceding reports are available. (3) Records must be retained for a period of at least two years after being prepared. -30- Forensic Engineering 41
Access and Egress OBC Subsection 3.4.6. Types of Exit Facilities Surface Finish of Ramps and Stairs Demarcation Dimensions of Landings Treads and Risers Height and tread depth Tolerances -30- Forensic Engineering 42
Barrier-Free Design OBC Section 3.8.3. Barrier-Free Ramps Ramp Slope 1 in 10 for Assembly, Care and Residential Occupancies 1 in 6 for Mercantile and industrial 1 in 8 in any other floor area. Handrails Number Height Design Demarcation -30- Forensic Engineering 43
Barrier Free Access to Buildings OBC Section 3.8. Barrier-Free Design Access to Parking Areas Exterior Walks Ramps -30- Forensic Engineering 44
Barrier Free Accessible? -30- Forensic Engineering 45
Access and Egress Photoluminescent markings (PLM) aid in the safe evacuation of buildings in the event of failure of power and back-up power for lighting and illuminated exit signs. -30- Forensic Engineering 46
Renovations to Existing Buildings? Basic Renovations: the work area is limited in size within a room or suite, the performance level of the building not adversely affected and access to exits, corridor fire separations and other life safety systems are intact Extensive Renovations: Where interior walls, ceiling, roof or floor assemblies are replaced, the structural and fire resistance elements must be upgraded -30- Forensic Engineering 47
Fire Safety Plans -30- Forensic Engineering 48
Administration of the OBC The Ontario Building Code is administered by the Building and Development Branch of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing responsible for the regulatory framework for the construction of buildings developing technical standards and policy analysis qualifying and registering building practitioners developing Code training materials and providing Code interpretation advice. Building and Development Branch Ministry of Municipal Affairs 23rd Floor, 777 Bay Street Toronto, Ontario M5G 2E5 phone: 416.585.6666 email: codeinfo@ontario.ca -30- Forensic Engineering 49
Where to get an Interpretation General Inquiry: 416-585-6666 Web Site: www.ontario.ca/buildingcode Cengiz Kahramanoglu [Coordinator Code Advisor] [416-585-7354] cengiz.kahramanoglu@ontario.ca Danny Hui [Code Advisor (Mechanical/Plumbing) Pools] [416-585-7368] danny.hui@ontario.ca Mike Mihajlovic [Code Advisor (Sewage Systems)] [416-585-6457] Mike.Mihajlovic@ontario.ca Leonard Uku [Code Advisor (Part 3) ] [416-585-6453] Leonard.Uku@ontario.ca Vanessa Odaimi [Code Advisor (Fire Protection)] [416-585-6654] Vanessa.Odaimi@ontario.ca Glenn Middlebrook [Code Advisor (Parts 3 and 9)] [416-585-6658] Glenn.Middlebrook@ontario.ca Mohamed El Semelawy [Code Advisor (Structural)] [416-585-6253] Mohamed.ElSemelawy@ontario.ca Dheerish Rambaruth [Code Advisor] [416-585-6376] Dheerish.Rambaruth@ontario.ca -30- Forensic Engineering 50
Dispute Resolutions -30- Forensic Engineering 51
October 20, 2017 OSBIE Toronto Discussion and Questions