Ministry of Municipal Affairs
PROPOSED CHANGE TO THE 2012 BUILDING CODE
O. REG. 332/12 AS AMENDED
CHANGE NUMBER:
R-B-03-01-04
SOURCE:
Ontario
CODE REFERENCE:
Division B / 3.1.13.7.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT
This proposed change revises Article 3.1.13.7. to extend the appropriate flame-spread ratings and smoke
development classifications for retirement homes that are in high buildings.
EXISTING 2012 BUILDING CODE PROVISION(S)
3.1.13.7. High Buildings
(1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2) and (3), the interior wall, ceiling and floor finishes in a building regulated by
the provisions of Subsection 3.2.6. shall conform to the flame-spread rating requirements in Articles 3.1.13.2. to 3.1.13.6.
and to the flame-spread rating and smoke developed classification values in Table 3.1.13.7.
(2) Except for a building of Group B major occupancy and elevator cars, the flame-spread rating and smoke developed
classification of interior wall, floor and ceiling finishes need not conform to the values in Table 3.1.13.7., provided the
building is sprinklered and the sprinkler system is electrically supervised in conformance with Sentences 3.2.4.10.(3) and
3.2.4.17.(1).
(3) Trim, millwork and doors in an exit stairway, a vestibule to an exit stairway, a lobby described in Sentence
3.4.4.2.(2), or a corridor not within a suite need not conform to the flame-spread rating and smoke developed
classification requirements of Sentence (1), provided they have,
(a) a flame-spread rating not more than 150,
(b) a smoke developed classification not more than 300, and
(c) an aggregate area not more than 10% of the area of the wall or ceiling on which they occur.
(4) Except as permitted in Sentences (5) to (7), plumbing fixtures in a building regulated by the provisions of Subsection
3.2.6. shall have a smoke developed classification not more than 300.
(5) A plumbing fixture that is not located in a Group B occupancy need not comply with Sentence (4) if the building is
sprinklered.
(6) A plumbing fixture may have a smoke developed classification more than 300 but not more than 500 if,
(a) it is in a room where the wall surfaces have a smoke developed classification not more than 200, and
(b) it is located in,
(i) a Group C occupancy, or
(ii) a Group B occupancy and the building is sprinklered.
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(7) A therapeutic bathing system in a Group B occupancy need not comply with Sentence (4) if the room in which it is
located,
(a) does not open directly into patients’ or residents’ sleeping rooms, and
(b) is sprinklered.
Table 3.1.13.7.
Flame-Spread Rating and Smoke Developed Classification in a High Building
Forming Part of Sentences 3.1.13.7.(1) and (2)
Location or Element
Maximum Flame-Spread Rating
Maximum Smoke Developed
Classification
Wall
Ceiling
Floor
Surface Surface(1) Surface
Wall
Surface
Ceiling
Surface(1)
Floor
Surface
Exit stairways, vestibules to exit stairs and lobbies
described in Sentence 3.4.4.2.(2)
25
25
25
50
50
50
Corridors not within suites
(2)
(2)
300
100
50
500
Elevator cars
75
75
300
450
450
450
Elevator vestibules
25
25
300
100
100
300
Service spaces and service rooms
25
25
25
50
50
50
Other locations and elements
(2)
(2)
No limit
300
50
No limit
2
3
4
5
6
7
Column 1
Notes to Table 3.1.13.7.:
(1) See Sentence 3.1.13.4.(1) for lighting elements.
(2) Other requirements of this Part apply.
PROPOSED CODE CHANGE
Revise Article 3.1.13.7. as follows:
3.1.13.7. High Buildings
(1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2) and (3), the interior wall, ceiling and floor finishes in a building regulated by
the provisions of Subsection 3.2.6. shall conform to the flame-spread rating requirements in Articles 3.1.13.2. to 3.1.13.6.
and to the flame-spread rating and smoke developed classification values in Table 3.1.13.7.
(2) Except for a building of Group B major occupancy or a retirement home and elevator cars, the flame-spread rating
and smoke developed classification of interior wall, floor and ceiling finishes need not conform to the values in Table
3.1.13.7., provided the building is sprinklered and the sprinkler system is electrically supervised in conformance with
Sentences 3.2.4.10.(3) and 3.2.4.17.(1).
(3) Trim, millwork and doors in an exit stairway, a vestibule to an exit stairway, a lobby described in Sentence
3.4.4.2.(2), or a corridor not within a suite need not conform to the flame-spread rating and smoke developed
classification requirements of Sentence (1), provided they have,
(a) a flame-spread rating not more than 150,
(b) a smoke developed classification not more than 300, and
(c) an aggregate area not more than 10% of the area of the wall or ceiling on which they occur.
Building and Development Branch
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Table 3.1.13.7.
Flame-Spread Rating and Smoke Developed Classification in a High Building
Forming Part of Sentences 3.1.13.7.(1) and (2)
Location or Element
Maximum Flame-Spread Rating
Maximum Smoke Developed
Classification
Wall
Ceiling
Floor
Surface Surface(1) Surface
Wall
Surface
Ceiling
Surface(1)
Floor
Surface
Exit stairways, vestibules to exit stairs and lobbies
described in Sentence 3.4.4.2.(2)
25
25
25
50
50
50
Corridors not within suites
(2)
(2)
300
100
50
500
Elevator cars
75
75
300
450
450
450
Elevator vestibules
25
25
300
100
100
300
Service spaces and service rooms
25
25
25
50
50
50
Other locations and elements
(2)
(2)
No limit
300
50
No limit
2
3
4
5
6
7
Column 1
Notes to Table 3.1.13.7.:
(1) See Sentence 3.1.13.4.(1) for lighting elements.
(2) Other requirements of this Part apply.
(4) Except as permitted in Sentences (5) to (7), plumbing fixtures in a building regulated by the provisions of Subsection
3.2.6. shall have a smoke developed classification not more than 300.
(5) A plumbing fixture that is not located in a Group B occupancy or a retirement home need not comply with Sentence
(4) if the building is sprinklered.
(6) A plumbing fixture may have a smoke developed classification more than 300 but not more than 500 if,
(a) it is in a room where the wall surfaces have a smoke developed classification not more than 200, and
(b) it is located in,
(i) a Group C occupancy, or
(ii) a Group B occupancy or a retirement home and the building is sprinklered.
(7) A therapeutic bathing system in a Group B occupancy or a retirement home need not comply with Sentence (4) if
the room in which it is located,
(a) does not open directly into patients’ or residents’ sleeping rooms, and
(b) is sprinklered.
RATIONALE FOR CHANGE
Problem/General Background
Under the 2012 Building Code, licensed retirement homes can potentially be considered either residential
(Group C) or care occupancies (Group B, Division 3), based on the level of care required for the residents.
Enforcement of construction requirements appears to vary across municipalities due to inconsistent interpretation
of the level of care required by retirement home occupants.
Building and Development Branch
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Justification/Explanation
In order to provide the clarity needed to limit issues of interpretation, to streamline the permit application process,
and advance safety for occupants of retirement homes the Ministry proposes to amend the Building Code to
identify retirement homes licensed under the Retirement Homes Act as residential occupancies. In addition,
specific construction standards are proposed for retirement homes licensed under the Retirement Homes Act are
proposed that would provide requirements that recognize the nature of the Retirement Home clientele.
This proposed change maintains current restrictions with respect to the flame spread and smoke development
classification in retirement homes that are high buildings.
Cost/Benefit Implications
None anticipated.
Enforcement Implications
None anticipated.
Who is Affected
Builders, building officials, and designers.
Objective Based Analysis
Provision
Objective/Functional Statement
Division B / 3.1.13.7.
(1)
[F02-OP1.2]
[F02-OS1.2]
(2)
N/A
(3)
N/A
(4)
[F02-OP1.2]
[F02-OS1.2]
(5)
N/A
(6)
N/A
(7)
N/A
OTHER SUPPORTING MATERIALS
Building and Development Branch
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