Transcript Ontario Building and Fire Code Overview

Ontario Building and Fire Code
Overview
Presentation for the Downtown Revitalization Committee
May 4, 2016
Jack Tosta, Chief Building Official
Andrew McPherson, Fire Prevention Inspector
Agenda
•
•
•
•
Ontario Building Code
Ontario Fire Code
Building Permit Requirements
Fire Code Inspections
2012 Ontario Building Code
• Regulation made under the Building Code Act, 1992.
• Technical requirements for the construction, renovation and
demolition of buildings.
• Minimum provisions for life safety, public health, fire
protection, accessibility and structural sufficiency.
• Change of Use of existing buildings, and
• Maintenance of septic systems.
Renovation and Change of Use
• Technical requirements of the OBC do not apply to existing
buildings.
• Applicable to buildings where change of use will result in an
increase in hazard.
• Applicable to buildings being renovated where a building
permit is required.
Change of Use permits
• Required where existing use of a building is changed to
another use of higher hazard.
• No proposed construction.
• Change in Major occupancy of a building or part of a building.
• Qualified designer for small buildings or an Architect for large
buildings.
Common Examples of Change of Use
• From a Retail Store
• To a Restaurant
Change of Use
• From an Office space
• Into Retail Store
Building Permits for Small Businesses
• Projects that require a building permit:
• Adding a patio
• Removing or adding interior walls
• Installing a commercial cooking exhaust system
• Installing or modifying the sprinkler system
• Reconstructing or modifying the storefront window
• Installing exit signs and an emergency lighting system
• Installing plumbing
• Constructing a washroom or barrier-free washroom
• Installing a grease interceptor or backflow preventer
• Changing from one business use to a different business use
Projects that do not require a building permit:
•
•
•
•
•
Painting, floor tiling, or carpeting
Installation of minor millwork and cabinetry
Reroofing with the same materials as the existing roof
Replacement of existing plumbing and electrical fixtures
Replacement of existing windows to the same size and
location
• Furnace replacement
Checklists for Retail Stores and Restaurants
• When you prepare your building permit application for a retail
store or restaurant, make sure you:
• Retain a designer with Building Code Identification Number
(BCIN) qualifications for smaller buildings up to 600 m2 in
gross floor area and three storeys; and/or
• Retain a licensed professional engineer and/or architect for
large buildings and restaurants with seating for more than 30
persons.
Information for Building Permit Submission
•
•
•
•
•
•
Provide barrier-free washrooms and barrier-free entrance
Provide new or additional washrooms
Construct fire separations including rated doors and windows
Install or modify existing sprinklers
Install exit signs and/or emergency lighting
For restaurants you will need to use a licensed professional
engineer to install an oil or grease interceptor and a
commercial cooking exhaust
Fire Prevention Inspector Duties
•
•
•
•
•
Respond to complaints.
Prepare and deliver fire safety public education to the public.
Review fire safety plans for buildings/occupancies that require them.
Establish occupant loads for liquor license applications.
Review building permit drawings for new or renovated commercial
buildings in accordance with the Ontario Building Code (OBC).
• Conduct occupancy inspections for new buildings or renovated
buildings. Part or building permit process.
• Inspect existing buildings to determine if fire and life safety measures
comply with the Ontario Fire Code (OFC).
• Enforce the Ontario Fire Code to ensure that compliance is met
(Inspections/Inspection Orders).
What is the Ontario Fire Code
• The OFC is a regulation made
under the Fire Protection and
Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA)
consisting of a set of minimum
requirements respecting fire safety
within and around existing
buildings and facilities.
• Unless otherwise specified in the
code, the owner is responsible for
complying with the OFC.
• The OFC applies to all buildings
(farm building’s excluded) and
premises.
Minimum Requirements Respecting Fire Safety
The minimum requirements in the Ontario Fire Code address
the seven principles of life safety.
1. Means of egress.
2. Construction.
3. Fire protection systems.
4. Fire detection systems.
5. Building services.
6. Interior finish.
7. Compartmentation.
How are Fire Code inspections initiated?
• Respond to a complaint made by the public (i.e. blocked exit,
fire alarm trouble signal on panel).
• Follow-up on a fire occurrence. Responding firefighters may
have noticed a potential safety concern while responding to a
call.
• May coincide during a building code inspection (i.e. Change
of use – minimal or no construction. Ensure that existing
building.
• Liquor licensing.
• Random inspections.
Common Fire Code Violations
Common Fire Code Violations
OFC Part 9 - Retrofit
What is retrofit?
• Retrofit is legislation contained in the Ontario Fire Code to bring
existing buildings up to a reasonable level of life safety.
“existing” means in existence before a certain date.
See OFC for applicability.
• Retrofit legislation as described in Part 9 of the Fire Code
addresses the upgrade of existing buildings. Under Part 9 of the
Fire Code, alteration may require some construction,
renovations or additions. A building permit may be required for
some of this work.
Retrofit Application
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
OFC Section 9.2 “Assembly occupancies” (i.e. restaurants).
OFC Section 9.3 “Boarding, Lodging and Rooming Houses.
OFC Section 9.4 “Health Care Facilities”.
OFC Section 9.5 “Buildings up to and Including 6 Storeys in Building
Height with Residential Occupancies”.
OFC Section 9.6 “Buildings Higher than 6 Storeys in Building Height
with Residential Occupancies”.
OFC Section 9.7 “Buildings with a Care Occupancy or Retirement
Home”
OFC Section 9.8 “ Two Unit Residential Occupancies”
OFC Section 9.9 “Hotels”
Retrofit does not apply to mercantile or business and personal
services occupancies.
Retrofit Requirements
For mixed residential/commercial buildings, the regulation looks at four areas of
fire safety:
1. Containment: fire rated doors; construction fire rated wall/ceiling
assemblies.
2. Means of Escape: adequate number of exits per floor; emergency
lighting/exit signs
3. Alarms/Detection: fire alarm system required or existing fire alarm system
comply with OFC.
4. Fire Suppression: Existing sprinkler/standpipe system comply with OFC.
Fire Protection and Prevention Act
Enforcing Fire Safety
• Section 19.(1) An inspector may enter and inspect land and
premises for the purposes of assessing fire safety.
• Section 21.(1) An inspector who has carried out an inspection
may order the owner to take any measure to ensure fire
safety (i.e. to remedy any contravention of the fire code).
Inspection Process
Inspection of building or
premises
OFC Analysis
Issue inspection order
to Owner
Follow-up Inspection of
the building or premises