I
SI%NDA'M
FIRE CODE RULING
I
92-FCR-012
Page 1 of 15
NOVEMBER 1996
APPROVED FIRE SAFETY GUIDELINES
for
APARTMENT BUILDINGS
CONSTRUCTED PRIOR TO APRIL 1,1974
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBCLAUSE 1.1.4.l.(l)(h)(ii) OF THE
ALBERTA FIRE CODE 1992
AND TJ3E SAFETY CODES ACT
ISSUE OF THJS RULING IS AUTHORIZED
UNDER ARTICLE 1.1.4.4. OF THE D E R T A
FIRE CODE 1992 BY THE SENIOR TECHNIC
OFFICER, FIRE STANDARDS.
LABOUR
C.M. TYE
Technical Services
-
"
705,10808 99 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5K 0 6 5
Professional and Technical
Services Division
Page 2 of 15
EXPLANATORY MATERIAL
This guideline has been prepared at the direction of the Fire Technical Council to assist owners in
understanding the technical requirements of the Fire and Building Codes. Normal technical
terminology used in Code and Standards writing has been replaced with a plain language format
throughout this document.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
L
ADMINISTRATION
A. SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
B. APPLICATION ................................. .
.
.. . . . . . . . . . 4
C. &TERNATIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
D. APPEALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
E. DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
IL FIRE ALARM AND DETECTION SYSTEMS
A.
B.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
GUIDELINE REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
IIL MEANS OF EGRESS AND EXITING SYSTEMS
A GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U1
B. GUIDELINE REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U1
-
IV. COMPARTMENTATION FIRE SEPARATIONS AND RATINGS
k GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : .11
B.
GUIDELINE REQUIREMENTS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,lZ
V. FIRE SUPPRESSION AND EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
k GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l3
B.
n
GUIDELINE REQUIREMENTS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..1;?
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR HIGH BUILDINGS
A. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,I4
B. MEASURES FOR FIRE SAFETY IN HIGH BUILDINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . k4
W. EMERGENCY PLANNING .
A.
B.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
GUIDELINE REQUIREMENTS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .l4
................................. I5
Page 3 of 15
I.
ADMINISTRATION
A.
SCOPE
This guideline is established as an qproved guideline under Subclause 1.1.4.1.(1)@)(i) of the
Alberta Fire Code 1992:
1.1.4.1. Acceptability
(1) Where a provision of this Code requires compliance with one or more requirements of the
Alberta Building Code, the provision is deemed to be satisfied if
(a)
the building or fire protection measure was constructed or installed after April
1, 1974, and conforms with regulations in force under the Uniform Building
Standards Act at the time of construction or installation, or
the
building or fire protection measure does not conform to Clause (a) but
@)
(i) meets the requirement of an approved guideline issued for a specific
occupancy, or
where
no approved guideline has been issued, the building or fire
(ii)
protection measure is comtmcted or installed in a manner that provides
a level of safety that is accepted
It is the responsibility of a Fire Safe9 Codes Officer having jurisdiction to determine when to
apply this guideline.
This guideline applies only to buildings that were built before April 1, 1974. Buildings
consttucted after April 1, 1974, should be in substantial compliance with the Building Code in
effect at the time of construction.
The intent of this guideline is to ensure that building occupants would be alerted to a fire or
emergency condition, have a reasonable opportunity to exit safely, and limit the spread of
smoke and fire. The guideline will not cover all situations likely to be encountered. Creative
and unique solutions may be necessary at times to ensure a safe environment.
This guideline is intended to provide Fire Safefy Codes O f f e r s and building owners with
reasonable measures when meeting safety standards in existing residential buildings. If a
building has met this guideline, there will be no need to meet each new edition of the Fire C&,
unless it can be determined that an unsafe condition exists.
It is recommended theFire Sa$ew Codes Oflcer issue a letter of compliance when the building
meets this guideline. The owner will still be required to maintain fire and l i e safety systems
such as fire alarms, sprinklers, etc., in accordance with current editions of the Fire Code.
Municipalities that have an established permit system requiring approvals must use this guideline
as a minimum when they are applied by a Fire Safefy Codes Officer in existing multi-family
rpwlment buildngs. This guideline is not intended to be used for major renovation or retrofit
projects where other Codes will apply.
Page 4 of 15
B. APPLICATION
This guideline defines the minimum safety requirements for older buildings. It may also be
exceeded by owners who wish to voluntarily improve the level of safety in their building(s).
This guideline applies to:
1.
Aparnnenf buildings only. Apartment type buildings are 1 storey or greater in
building height having 5 or more self-contained dwelling units that share a common
means of egress.
These buildings were originally designed and constructed for use as an apartment
building.
This guideline does not apply to:
2.
.
S i e family dwellings, semi-detached dwellings, town houses, row houses, motels,
hotels, boarding houses, rooming houses, dormitories, buildings or dwellings that
were not originally designed for use as an apartment building.
Aparfmeni buildings are classified as:
3.
Division A - Buildings of combustr'ble consfruction in which the floor assemblies are
required to provide afire separation with afire-resistance rating of not less than
45 minutes.
Comdorjre separations andfire separations between dwelling units are required
to provide afire-resistance rating of not less than 45 minutes.
These buildings are typically wood frame construction, 3 storeys or less in building
height and are commonly referred to as "walk-up" style uparmtent buildings.
4.
DivisionB -Buildings of combustible or noncombustible constnrction in which the
floor assemblies are required to provide afire separation with afire-resistance
rating of not less than 1 hour.
Comdorjre sepnrations andfire separations between dwelling units are required
to provide afire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour. These apartment
buildings range from 4 to 12 storeys in building height.
5.
Division C -Buildings of noi~combustibleconsfruction in which the floor assemblies
are required to provide afire separation with afire-resistance rating of not less
than 2 hours.
Comdorfire separations andfire separatioi~sbetween dwelling units are required
to provide afire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour.
These apartment buildings are typically greater than 12 storeys in building height
and are commonly referred to as "high-rise" apartment buildings.
Page 5 of 15
c.
ALTERNATIVES
AFire w e @Codes w e e r may, in special cases, accept existing conditions or modify or vary
any specified requirement within these guidelines, where the Officer is satisfied that such
modifications will substantially accomplish the intent of this guideline.
D.
APPEALS
Upon receipt of an inspection report from a Fire Safety Codes Ofleer, an owner has the right
to review/discuSs/negotiatethe contents of the inspection report. The owner also has the right
to appeal the decision of the Fire Safefy Codes Ofleer by use of a formal appeal procedure
when an order is written. Appeal procedures are:
1. AFire w e t y Codes Ofleer must issue an Order under the Safety Codes Act citing
Sentence 1.1.4.1.(1). ofthe Alberta F i e Code 1992.
Upon
receipt of an Order, the owner has the right of a review by an Administrator
2.
and a right of appeal to the Fire Technical Council.
3. A stay of the Order may be requested %om the Chair of the Fire Technical
Council.
PROCEDURES FOR REVlEW OR APPEAL OF AN ORDER
The person(s) served with an Order may request an Administrator to review the Order to ensure
the Order
(i) is proper, practical and reasonable,
(ii) contains correct references and no typographical errors, and
(iii) corrects or satisfies concerns about fire safety.
Arequest for the Administrator to review the Order must be made in writing and delivered in
d c i e n t time to allow the Administrator to review the Order within 21 days of the senice of
the Order.
A request for review of an order should be sent to:
Technical Administrator
#705, 10808 - 99 Avenue
Edmonton AB T5K OG5
Tel. (403) 427-8265 Fax (403) 422-7205
An appeal request should be sent to:
Coordinator of Appeals
Room 602,10808 99 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5K OG5
Tel. 1-888-413-0099 Fax 1-888-424-5134
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A person may appeal the Order to the Safety Codes Council within 30 days of the date the
Order was served. A request for an appeal must be accompanied by a cheque or money order
in the sum of $500.00 made payable to the Safety Codes Council.
Page 6 of 15
E.
DEFINITIONS
Accepted means acceptable to the Fire Safety Codes Oficer.
Act means the Safety Codes Act.
Apartment building means a residential building 1storey or greater in building height having
5 or more self-contained dwelling units that share a common means of egress.
Approved means acceptable to the Senior Technical Officer, Fire Standards.
Barrier-Free means that a building and its facilities can be approached, entered, and used by
persons with physical, mental or sensory disabilities.
Building Code means the Alberta Building Code 1990.
Combustible conshuctio?i means that type of construction that does not meet the requirements
for noncombustible construction.
Dwelling unit means a room or suite of rooms operated as a housekeeping unit, used or
intended to be used as a domicile by one or more persons and usually containing cooking,
eating, living, sleeping and sanitary facilities.
f i t means that part of a means ofegress, including doorways, that lead from the floor area it
serves, to a separate building, an open public thoroughfare, or an exterior open space
protected from fire exposure from the building and having access to an open public
thoroughfare.
Fire Code means the AlbertaFire Code 1992.
Fire compurtment means an enclosed space in a building that is separated from all other parts
of the building by enclosing construction providing afire separation having a required
fire- resistance rating.
Fire-resistance rating means the time in hours or fraction thereof that a material or assembly
of materials will withstand the passage of flame and the transmission of heat when
exposed to fire under specified conditions of test and performance criteria, or as
determined by extension or interpretation of information derived therefrom as prescribed
in this Code.
Fire Safety C&s O f f e r means a person certified and designated under the Safety Codes Act
to perform inspection and enforcement of the Act and the Alberta Fire Code 1992.
Fire separation means a construction assembly that acts as a barrier against the spread of fue.
Flame-spread rating means an index or classification indicating the extent of spread-of-flame
on the surface of a material or an assembly of materials as determined in a standard fire
test as prescribed in the Alberta Building Code.
Page 7 of 15
Listedmeans equipment or materials included in a list published by an accredited Certification
Organization or Standards Writing Organization under the National Standards System of
Canada.
Me-
of egres means a continuous path oftravel provided for the escape of persons from any
point in a building or contained open space to a separate building, an open public
thoroughfare, or an exterior open space protected from fire exposure from the building
and having access to an open public thoroughfare. Means of egress includes exits and
access to exib.
Nmombusiible construction means that type of construction in which a degree of fire safety
is attained by the use of noncombustible materials for structural members and other
building assemblies.
Owner includes a lessee, a person in charge, a person who has care and control and a person
who holds himself out as having the powers and authority of ownership or who for the
time being exercises the powers and authority of ownership.
Residential o c ~ p o n c ymeans the occupancy or use of a building or part thereof by persons for
whom sleeping accommodation is provided but who are not harboured or detained to
receive medical care or treatment or who are not involuntarily detained.
h o k e alarm means a combined smoke detector and audible alarm device designed to sound
an alarm within the room or suite in which it is located upon the detection of smoke
within that room or suite.
Smoke detector means a fire detector designed to operate a building fire alarm system when the
concentration of airborne combustion products exceeds a pre-determined level.
Sprinkler system (as applying to a building or part thereof) means that the building or part
thereof is equipped with a system of automatic fire sprinklers.
Storey means that portion of a building which is situated between the top of any floor andthe
top of the floor next above it, and if there is no floor above it, that portion between the
top of such floor and the ceiling above it.
Unsafe condition means any condition that, in the opinion of a Fire Safety Codes Officer, there
is reasonable or probable grounds that there is an imminent or serious danger to persons
or property because of a fire hazard or risk of an explosion, or in the opinion of a Fire
Safe@ Codes Officer, a thing, process or activity will likely cause or contribute to the
injury of a person or property damage.
Page 8 of 15
IJ. =.ALARM
A.
AND DETECTION SYSTEMS
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
A fire alarm system containing automatic fire detection equipment is essential for the safety of
persons in residential buildings. Existing buildings have in most cases been upgraded as a result
of retroactive smoke detector regulation introduced in Alberta in 1979. At that time the
regulations established the criteria needed to evaluate safety features and help ensure the
systems were safe, operable and performed as intended.
The primary intent ofthis section is to ensure the occupants will be notified in the early stages
of a tire to permit safe evacuation of the building.
B.
GUIDELINE REQUIREMENTS
1.
Where a fire alarm system is not installed correctly, is not in safe operable working
condition or is not in repairable condition, then the entire system must be replaced
and the new system must be installed in conformance with the current Alberta
Building Code and the appropriate referenced Underwriters' Laboratories of
Canada (ULC) standards for the installation and verification of fire alarm systems.
A fire alarm system that has not been verified when it was initially installed is subject
to an audit at the request of aFire Safely Codes Officer especially if the system is
not operational or malfunctioning or there are no maintenance records showing the
system is being properly serviced.
2.
A fire alarm system is required for all aparhnent buildings regulated by this
guideline. A fire alarm system consists of a signal processor, automatic fire
detectors (smoke and heat actuated), manual pull stations, bells or other audible
devices and visual signalling appliances. Visual signal appliances need not be added
to an upgraded existing fire alarm system unless the building is designated as being
barrier-free.
3.
Fire detectors connected to the building fire alarm system are required to be
installed in
a. storage rooms not within dwelling units,
b. service rooms not within dwelling units,
c. janitors' rooms,
d. elevator and dumbwaiter shafts,
e. rooms where hazardous products are to be used or stored,
E
laundry rooms not within dwelling units, and
g. lounges and common rooms.
4.
Smoke detectors connected to the building fire alarm system are required to be
installed in
a, every public corridor in aparhnent buildings, and
b.
every exit stairwell.
Page 9 of 15
Duct-type smoke detectors connected to the building fire alarm system and to a
recirculating air handling system are required where the air handling system serves
more than one storey or more than one suite on a slorey.
Smoke alarms not connected to the building fire alarm system are required to be
installed in
a. each dwelling unit located between each area containing sleeping rooms and
the remainder of the dwelling unit, and
b. hallways of dwelling units that serve sleeping rooms.
Smoke a
h are to be installed on or near the ceiling. In existing buildings which
have not been upgraded previously to Alberta Regulation 129177, "Smoke detector
Regulation" &th battdry opeited smoke alarms, the smoke alarms must be
installed with permanent connections to an electrical circuit and must not have any
disconnect switch between the over current device and the smoke alarm.
(Owners may wish to consider installing smoke alarms that have a silence feature
to reduce nuisance alarms.)
Existing 110 volt three wire fire alarm systems in Division A buildings may be
accepted provided all necessary detectors and devices can be added to the system
and the system meets applicable standards.
Fire alarm systems in Division B buildings must be equipped with a zoned
annunciator panel.
F i e alann systems in Division C buildings must be electrically supervised complete
with an electrically supervised emergency power supply and be equipped with a
zoned annunciator panel.
Where a fire alarm system does not have all the required automatic detection
components these are to be added providing the system can accept additional
compatible components and operate safely. Systems not capable of being added to
must be replaced in accordance with II.B.l. of this guideline.
F i e alarm systems that do not transmit a signal to the fire department are required
to have a legible, permanently-mounted notice posted at each manual pull station
indicating the fuedepartments emergency telephone number and requesting the fire
department be notified when the alarm system has been activated.
The fire alarm system in all Division C buildings must be capable of notifying the
fire department by way of
a. the municipal tire alarm system, or
b. a listed independent central station or a proprietary control centre conforming
to NFPA-72, "National Fire Alarm Code", 1993.
Page 10 of 15
14. Some Division C buildings are equipped with non-supervised voice communication
systems or systems that are not fklly integrated with the building fire alarm system.
In these cases, owners are required to establish procedures in their fire safety plan
for the complete evacuation of the building each time the fire alarm system is
activated.
15. Buildings protected by sprinkler systems must have listed waterflow detection
devices installed that will activate the building fire system.
16. Buildings protected by a standpipe and hose system may have listed water flow
detection devices installed that will activate the building fire alarm system.
17. In Division B and C buildings, use of a professional electrical engineer is required
where new automatic fire alarm systems are installed and where modifications are
made to large or complex systems.
18. In Division A buildings, the owner may rely on using approved fire alarm
maintenance persons where the complexity of the modifications are within the
working knowledge of the contractor.
IIL MEANS OF EGRESS AND EXITING SYSTEMS
A.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
A safe means ofegress is vital to all occupants of an aparhnent building. Existing buildings
not meeting current Code requirements will require evaluation of the egress system on an
individual building basis. What is not acceptable in one structure may be the only safe egress
in another, therefore some judgement must be exercised. The evaluation of the egress system
is to be performed by the Fire Safety Codes Ofjicer.
Exterior exit doors must open from the inside without the use of keys, specialized knowledge
or devices that would otherwise prohibit an individual from exifing the building. Most building
exit doors should be accepted ifthey are equipped with thumb turn or lever - w e latches.
B.
GUIDELINE REQUIREMENTS
1.
Where a required exit does not open directly to the outside, it must be upgraded by
a. installing a door that opens directly to the outdoors, or
b. constructing an enclosed passageway having a 1 hourfire-resistance rating
that leads to an exterior doorway, or
c. passing through a sprinkleredlobby.
2.
No exit door shall be locked or seared in any fashion to prohibit an individual from
opening the door from the inside.
3.
The location and direction of exits must be indicated with clearly visible exit signs.
Erit signs are permitted to be listed luminescent exit signs provided an emergency
light is used to illuminate both the door and the sign.
Page 11 of 15
4.
Emergency lighting is required to illuminate all means ojegress.
5.
Division B and C buildings require numerals indicating the assigned floor number
in the stairwell and shall
a. be mounted or painted permanently on the stair side of the wall at the latch
side of doors to exit stair shafts,
b. be not less than 60 mm high,
c. be located 1 350 mm from the finished floor and beginning not more than
150 mm from the door, and
d. be contrasting in colour with the surface on which they are applied.
6.
Aflame-yreadratingwill apply to the interior 6nish material that forms part of the
interior surface of a floor, wall, partition or ceiling.
7.
Theme-spreadrating of finish materials shall be not more than
a. 25 on the walls and ceilings of exits stairs,
b. 25 on the ceiling of comdors forming part of the means of egress, and
c. 75 on the walls of comdors forming part of the means of egress, or
d. 25 on the upper half of the walls of a corridor and 150 on the lower half of the
wall.
8.
Where the building is sprinklered, theflameqread rating of finish materials is
permitted to be not more than 150, except in exit stairs where the rating is 25.
9.
A dead-end public corridor is permitted provided the dead-end portion of the
comdor does not exceed 4.6 m in length measured from the end of the dead-end
portion to the nearest exit, or 3 m in length measured from the end of the dead-end
portion to a point where it shall be possible to go in opposite directions to one of
two exits.
10. Unless a variance has been issued by a Fire Wety Codes Offer, at least 2 separate
and independent ways out of the building shall be provided, so that if one should
become unusable in a fire an alternate way out is available.
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IV. COMPARTMENTATION FIRE SEPARATIONS AND RATINGS
A.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Fire separations havingfire-resistance ratings are required in the following areas of a building
but not within dwelling units:
1. service rooms, horizontal and vertical service spaces,
2. storage rooms and spaces where materials may be stored,
3. janitors' closets containing solvents and large quantities of supplies,
4.
public and exit conidors and eril stairshafts,
5. elevator shafts, laundry and garbage chutes,
6. dwelling units, and
7. floor to floor separations.
Page 12 of 15
In general, the fire-resistance rating of construction materials in existing buildings will be
accepted 'as is' wherefire separations exist. It is not the intent of this guideline to have
existing construction materials replaced or added to the existing construction to increase the
fire-resistance rating. Where separations are breached with holes, the openings must be
patched and sealed with materials that will maintain thefire-resistance rating.
It is the intent ofthis guideline to ensure that where afire separation presently does not exist,
and is required as identified above, that appropriate construction materials and assemblies be
used to provide the required ratings.
Existing buildings are required to have exit stairwells that are physically separated fiom floor
areas. It may be impractical to construct a new stairwell enclosure to satisfy current Code
concepts. It is the intent of this guideline to permit the Fire Safety Codes Officer to use
judgement in evaluating this condition in existing buildings.
In these cases, it is appropriate to use alternatives such as installing sprinkler protection,
increased 6re detection and alarm capability, mechanical pressurization of the means of egress,
etc. Up to nine (9) sprinklers are permitted to be used from the buildings domestic water
supply provided the appropriate water flow and pressure is available.
B.
GUIDELINE REQUIREMENTS
1.
Fire-resistance ratings for requiredfire separations are
a. 45 minutes for Division A buildings,
b.
1 hour for Division B and C buildings, and
c.
2 hours for floor assemblies in Division C buildings.
It is the intent of this guideline to ensure the means of egress, public and exit
corridors and stairs, provides the appropriatefire-resistance rating for Division A,
B and C buildings.
2.
Generally, fire doors located in requiredfire separafions must be equipped with
self-closing and latching devices that will return the door to a closedmd latched
position after each use.- he following hardware conditions are acceptable:
a. all service rooms require self-closing and latching hardware unless the Fire
Safefy Codes Officer agrees to permit having the doors locked at all times
restricting tenant accessibility,
b. janitors' closets, storage rooms, rehse discharge rooms and spaces where
materials may be stored require self-closing and latching hardware unless the
Fire Safety Codes Offer agrees to permit having the doors locked at all
times restricting tenant accessibility,
c. doors to dwelling units in Division A buildings do not require self-closing
devices.
3.
Openings infire separations that are protected by doors to maintain the integrity
of the fire separation and have self-closing and latching devices, must be
maintained in operating condition and are not permitted to be removed.
Page 13 of 15
Installation of door closers and latches on exit stairs in buildings is required where
such buildings are currently not equipped with self-closing and latching devices on
the doors. &it stair doors on Division A buildings are permitted to have listed
magnetic hold-open devices that will close the doors upon activation of the building
fire alarm system.
4.
Where continuous metal ducts penetrate $re separations, fire dampers are not
required, except where the ducts penetrate afire separation with afire-resistance
rating greater than 1 hour.
V. FTRE SUPPRESSION AND EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
A.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
There are a large number of existing residential occupancy buildings that are not protected by
an automatic sprinkler system. Sprinklering of existing residential buildings is not a retrofit
requirement.
The owner may use sprinklering as an alternative to other upgrading requirements such as
deficiencies in compartmentation, exiting, or fire alarm systems.
Standpipe and hose systems are not required to be installed in an existing Division A and B
building if the building is not equipped with one. Where the building is protected with a
standpipe and hose system then the system must be operable and safe for use.
B.
GUIDELINE REQUIREMENTS
1.
Where a building is protected with an automatic sprinkler system or a standpipe and
hose system, the water supply to the systems must be tested and maintained to
ensure proper flow rates and pressures are available.
2.
All valves controlling water supplies to sprinkler and standpipe and hose systems
must be
a. electrically supervised to indicate a trouble signal at the fire alarm control
panel, or
b. be locked or sealed in the proper position to prevent unauthorized closure of
the valve(s).
3.
Use of a professional mechanical engineer is mandatory where new automatic
sprinkler systems are installed and where modifications are made to large or
complex projects.
4.
Portable fire extinguishers are required to be installed for the protection of the
building structure and occupancy hazard. There must be at least one, 2A:lOBC
rated multi-purpose portable extinguisher on each floor. Travel distance is to be not
more than 15 m to an extinguisher.
Page 14 of 15
VI. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR HIGH BUILDINGS
A.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Additional measures are needed to ensure safety in high buildings. These may include
sprinklering, smoke control measures, vestibules, areas of rekge, etc. It is not intended that
existing high bui1diings meet current Code standards, however, special safety requiremtns in
Division C buildings may need to be addressed.
Where a high building does not have adequate safety measures, some appropriate measures
must be incorporated for the protection of occupants and emergency responders. Acceptable
supplement to
measures are-those identified in "Measures for Fire Safety in High ~uildin~s",
the National Building Code of Canada.
The specific details of each high building safety measure must be evaluated on an individual
basis. Engineering involvement is required for any additions or modifications to an existing
safety measure for high buildings. The evaluation should be performed by a registered
professional engineer licensed to practice in Alberta.
Existing smoke control systems used in safety measures for Division C buildings must be
maintained to operate properly.
B.
MEASURES FOR FIRE SAFETY IN HIGH BUILDINGS
1.
2.
Measure A
Measures B & C
3. Measures D & E
4. Measures F & G
5. MeasureH
6. Measures I & J
7. Measure K
8. MeasureL
9. MeasureM
10. MeasureN
Fully Sprinklered Building
Open Conidor Access to Stairs and Elevators
Protected Vestibule Access to Stairs and Elevators
Pressurized Stair and Elevator Shafts
Fully Pressurized Building
Building Core Pressurization
Vertically Divided Buildings
Areas of Rehge
Residential Buildings With Balconies
Connected Buildings
VIL EMERGENCY PLANNING
A.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that proper fire safety plans are established and
accepted where required.
The emergency plan must address all appropriate fire and life safety systems, their operation and
continuous maintenance.
Page 15 of 15
B. GUIDELINE REQUlREmNTS
1.
Prior to a tenant occupying a dwelling unit and once annually, the owner/manager
shall:
a. inspect, test and maintain the suite smoke a l m s and maintain written records
of such testing, and
b. ensure the operation of each smoke alann in each mite and provide each
tennant with written instructions of the evacuation procedures and emergency
instructions for the building.
2.
Each floor area is to have posted a floor plan showing the exits, emergency
evacuation routes and the location of fire and life safety equipment and general
evacuation procedures.