CFAA Technical Seminar Ontario Building Code Updates to 2015 October 28, 2015
2015 Fire Alarm Updates Ontario Building Code Glenn Somerton P.Eng. Senior Code Specialist Morrison Hershfield Limited gsomerton@morrisonhershfield.com 613-739-3262 2
What s New in the OBC Applicable Codes O.Reg. 332/12 Ontario Building Code Issued November 2012; Applicable January 1, 2014 Lots of amendments! Including amendments applicable January 1, 2015 O.Reg. 361/13 O.Reg. 368/13 Accessibility O.Reg. 191/14 Mid-rise wood construction Accessibility Editorial Updated Supplementary Standards 3
Accessibility Significant increase in the areas requiring Barrier- Free access and performance standards, including: Almost all storeys of buildings require BF access Elevators only real option More dwelling units require BF access Increase in number of BF stalls in washrooms Ambulatory BF washroom requirements Increase in number of BF units in residential buildings. 4
Mid-Rise Wood Buildings Mid-Rise Wood Buildings: Permitted for Residential and Business and Personal Services (Office) Max 6 storeys high Other height limitations Mixed uses below the 3 rd floor Some non-combustible elements required 5
January 1, 2014 The 2012 OBC came into effect on January 1, 2014 Multiple changes to Fire Alarm and Detection Systems 6
January 1, 2014 Continuity of Fire Alarm Systems Buildings interconnected by certain walkways or vestibules can be treated as separate buildings for Fire Alarm installation 3.2.4.2.(6) 7
January 1, 2014 Commissioning of Life Safety and Fire Protection Systems Integrated life safety and fire protection systems to be commissioned to operate as a whole system 3.2.4.6.(1) 8
January 1, 2014 Signals to Fire Department A fire alarm system installed in a Retirement Home shall be designed to notify the fire department 3.2.4.8.(1) 9
January 1, 2014 Electrical Supervision Electrical supervision by the fire alarm system is required for: Fire pump Loss of power to heat tracing cables Standpipe risers Sprinkler lines Exits or means of egress (eliminate snow or ice) 3.2.4.10.(4) and (5) 10
January 1, 2014 Smoke and Heat Detectors If a fire alarm is required in a building: Smoke detectors required in elevator machine rooms Elevator required to recall if that smoke alarm activated Smoke detectors required near entrance to walkways and vestibules between buildings 3.2.4.12.(4) and (5) 11
January 1, 2014 Vacuum Cleaning System Shutdown If a fire alarm is required in a building: A central vacuum cleaning system is required to be designed to shut down IF the system serves more than one suite or storey 3.2.4.14. 12
January 1, 2014 Audibility of Fire Alarm Systems Revised to distinguish between alarm and alert signals: Alarm signal required to be clearly audible throughout the floor area Alert signal required to be clearly audible at a continuously staffed location OR throughout the floor area 3.2.4.20.(1) 13
January 1, 2014 Smoke Alarms Required within each sleeping room in a dwelling unit. Require a battery backup, providing power for: At least 7 days min normal condition Followed by 4 minutes of alarm 3.2.4.22.(3) and (5) 14
January 1, 2014 Smoke Alarms Smoke Detectors can replace Smoke Alarms if: They form part of the fire alarm system, Independently sound audible signals within individual suites, and Installed to CAN/ULC-S524 and verified to CAN/ULC-S537 3.2.4.22.(6) and (7) 15
January 1, 2014 Smoke Alarms Smoke alarms installed in dwelling units must have a manually operated silencing device incorporated in the circuitry Sound patterns required to meet temporal patterns of alarm signals or a combination of temporal patterns and voice relay 3.2.4.22.(10), (11) and (12) 16
January 1, 2014 Voice Communication Systems Required where: Fire Alarm System required, 2 stage Fire Alarm is installed, and Occupant load in the building exceeds 1000 Note: Not applicable to B1 and F1 Occupancies 3.2.4.23.(7) 17
January 1, 2014 Voice Communication Systems in High Rise Required where: Floor of top storey is more than 36 m above grade (existing) Floor area above 3 rd storey is used for B2 or B3 occupancies (existing) Floor of top storey is more than 18 m above grade in a retirement home regulated by the Retirement Homes Act as a Group C occupancy (new) 3.2.6.8.(1) 18
January 1, 2015 Multiple changes to the code with respect to increasing Accessibility Included only those that impact CFAA issues 19
January 1, 2015 Referenced Documents NFPA 72-2013 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code added Referenced to Smoke Alarms in 3.2.4.22.(13) and 9.10.19.1. 20
January 1, 2015 Alarm and Alert Signals Visual signal devices required in addition to audible signal devices in 2 new locations: in barrier-free washrooms for public use (See Sentence 3.8.2.3.(2), (3), (4) or (6)) in the living space in a suite of residential occupancy in a Group C major occupancy apartment building 21
January 1, 2015 Alarm and Alert Signals BF Washrooms Visual signal devices for barrier-free washrooms are required in: All Universal Washrooms All washrooms with barrier-free water closet stalls All ambulatory water closet stalls on floors on all storeys not required to have a barrier-free path of travel 22
January 1, 2015 Smoke Alarms Smoke alarms to have a visual signaling component conforming to the requirements in 18.5.3. (Light, Color and Pulse Characteristics) of NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code 3.2.4.22.(13) 23
January 1, 2015 Smoke Alarms Visual Signaling component for the Smoke Alarm is NOT required: To be integrated with the Smoke Alarm provided it is connected to it, To be on a battery backup, or Have synchronized flash rates when installed in a dwelling unit. 3.2.4.22.(14) 24
January 1, 2015 Smoke Alarms The luminous intensity for required visual signaling components that are installed in sleeping rooms shall be a minimum of 175 cd 3.2.4.22.(15) 25
Questions? 26
Thank You