2015 Update to OBC
September 17, 2014
2014 Update package
Minor changes to the code:
 occupancy to occupancy
 Regulation to regulation
 Missing words
 Updated fees for BMEC submissions
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Building Code Act
 Issuance of permits
 8. (2) The chief building official shall issue a
permit referred to in subsection (1) unless,
 (b.1) the Architects Act or the Professional
Engineers Act requires that the proposed
construction of the building be designed by an
architect or a professional engineer or a
combination of both and the proposed
construction is not so designed;
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Voice Communication
 Housekeeping change to 3.2.4.23.(10)
 (10) The voice communication system
required by Sentence (7) shall meet the
silencing and transmission requirements
of Sentences (3) to (5).
 Previously referenced (6)
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January 1, 2015
 Multiple changes to the code with
respect to increasing Accessibility
 I have included only those that impact
CFAA issues
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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.
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3.2.4.19.(4)
Alert and Alarm Signals
 Two new additions:
 (4) … visual signal devices shall be installed
in addition to audible signal devices,
 (e) in a washroom for public use described in
Sentence 3.8.2.3.(2), (3), (4) or (6), and
 (f) in the living space in a suite of residential
occupancy in a Group C major occupancy
apartment building.
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3.2.4.22.(13) Smoke Alarms
 New sentence:
 13) Smoke alarms described in Sentence (1)
shall 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”.
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3.8.1.5 Controls
 Manual pull stations in a Barrier-Free path of
travel:
 Accessible by a person in a wheelchair
 Operate with a closed fist, max 22.2.N force
 Mounted a 1200 mm above finished floor
 Note: Thermostats at 1200 mm and other
building controls min 900 mm / max 1100mm
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9.10.19.1 Smoke Alarms
 New sentence:
 2) Smoke alarms described in
Sentence (1) shall 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”.
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Other Accessibility Changes
 These items may not directly impact F/A
systems
 For information to clarify why you may
see design changes
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Areas Requiring Access
3.8.2.1.
 Old:
• Entrance storey and all floor areas
accessed by an elevator, escalator or lift
 New:
• Entrance storey and all floor areas
accessed by an elevator, escalator or lift
• All office and residential buildings
exceeding 3 storeys OR 600 m2
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Rooftop Amenity Space
 External rooftop spaces are common
amenity areas on new buildings.
 These must be made accessible.
 Rooftop spaces for building services are
not included.
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Residential Suites 3.8.2.1.
 Old
• 10% of units to BF requirements
• Can be located anywhere in the building
 New
• 15% of units to BF requirements
• Proportioned to 1, 2 and 3+ bedrooms
• Distributed among storeys
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Washrooms 3.8.2.3.
 Old
• BF washrooms OR stalls, only 1/floor
 New
• # BF washrooms based on height of
building
• # BF stalls as a ration of the # WC
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Hotels 3.8.2.4.
 10% of suites to be BF (existing)
 Controls and safety devices in the suite
to 3.8.1.5. (new)
 Suite entrances doors to BF suites have
power door operators (new)
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Hotels 3.8.2.4.
 If the hotel has a generator for
emergency power
• Minimum 1 receptacle to be supplied with
emergency power
• The receptacle to be signed EMERGENCY
POWER OUTLET
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Doors 3.8.3.3.
 Principle entrance doors to buildings
to have power door operators.
 If a Vestibule occurs, both doors
require power door operators
 Exception for Detention occupancies
and Industrial Occupancies (Previously
more exceptions)
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Doors 3.8.3.3.
 Power door operators required on:
• BF washrooms
• Assembly occupancies within residential
buildings
 Where proximity scanners are used,
they must detect a person in a
wheelchair
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3.8.3.12
Universal Washroom
 An emergency call system with audible
and visual signal devices inside the
Barrier-Free washroom
 Must be different from the building fire
alarm (both visual and audible)
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-
21
-
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Sliding Door
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Doors in series
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Washroom Stalls
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Ambulatory Washroom
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Universal Washroom
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Grab Bars
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Accessible Urinal
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Fire Code Changes
 Amendments to the Fire Code Retrofit
requirements will also have impact on
your work.
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Permit Requirements
Fire Alarm Systems
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Scope of Work





Maintenance – No Permit Required
Repair – Permit Required
Upgrade – Permit Required
Replace – Permit Required
Emergency Repairs – Permit required
as above
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Maintenance – No Permit
 To keep the system functioning to
original design and installation
standards
 Replacement of defective components
with compatible components
 Defective control panels may be
replaced only if the exact replacement
panel is available
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Repair - Permit
 Substantial replacement of equipment
that will improve the fire alarm
performance
 Replacement of older panels that are no
longer available
 New panels to accommodate newer
technology
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Repair - Permit
 Panel from a different manufacturer
 New components that incorporate
newer technology
 Installation to CAN/ULC-S524 and
Verification to CAN/ULC-S537
 Professional involvement is necessary
where required by the OBC or PEO
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Upgrade - Permit
 Involves changes to the design of the
original system
 Upgrading may be voluntary by the
owner
 Upgrading may be as a result of a Fire
Code order
 May include the addition of new
devices, components, panels, zones
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Upgrade - Permit
 May include upgrades necessary for
compliance with barrier-free
accessibility requirements
 Installation to CAN/ULC-S524 and
Verification to CAN/ULC-S537
 Professional involvement is necessary
where required by the OBC or PEO
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Replace - Permit
 The complete replacement of a fire
alarm system
 Replacement of a substantial portion of
the system
 Replacement may be voluntary, as a
result of a building renovation program
or as a result of a Fire Code order
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Replace - Permit
 Installation to CAN/ULC-S524 and
Verification to CAN/ULC-S537
 Professional involvement is necessary
where required by the OBC or PEO
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Emergency Repairs
 Fire alarm systems in occupied
buildings that cease to be operational
must be repaired immediately.
 If the scope of work falls under Repair,
Upgrade or Replace from above, a
permit should be obtained and after the
work is completed.
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Emergency Repairs
 Installation to CAN/ULC-S524 and
Verification to CAN/ULC-S537
 Professional involvement is necessary
where required by the OBC or PEO
 Note: Is notification to the Fire
Department required or recommended?
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