Proposed Changes to the

2014 Fire Code +

Gord Yoshida, P.Eng.Office of the Fire Marshal

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WHAT

Proposed Changes O. Reg. 150/13 New Inspection Regulation On the Go

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Code Change Proposals Approximately 42 proposals were based on

NFC revisions, but excludes changes that: • are inconsistent with scope of OFC• conflict with established practice in OFC• take a different approach than OFC• are already in OFC• do not apply to conditions in Ontario Note: [NFC] refers to harmonization driven changes

originating from the NFC

• Approximately 82 proposals were Ontario driven

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Division A New definitions:

‘Class K fire’ – to specifically address fires in cooking appliances that involve combustible cooking media such as vegetable oils, or animal oils and fats

‘Refuse storage room’ – to clarify that the storage of combustible refuse includes all solid waste materials and recyclables

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Division A Revised definitions:

‘Dwelling unit’ – elimination of phrase “as a domicile” [NFC]Dwelling unit means a suite 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.

Clarity for ‘Care or detention occupancy’: New Article to clarify that term includes ‘care,

care and treatment’ and ‘detention occupancies’

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Div. B, Part 1 Referenced Standards -

Table 1.2.1.A has 81 changes to add or update standards, or delete obsolete standards [NFC]

Effective date for existing referenced standards would include amendments up to December 31, 2013

Amendment to ULC-S561-03, recognizes two levels of fire alarm monitoring stations (lower tier equivalent to ULC/ORD-C693)

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Div. B, Part 2 Heating, Ventilating and

Air-conditioning New application statement

provided Clarification that Subsection 2.6.1.

does not apply to exhaust and ventilation systems serving a ‘single dwelling unit’

e.g. kitchen stove and bathroom exhausts and dryer vents

defective appliance requirements still apply to dwelling units

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Div. B, Part 2Cooking Operations – Replacement of phrase

“commercial cooking equipment” with “cooking operations”, to harmonize with new OBC

Introduction of exemption for ‘individual dwelling units’

Discretionary approval where insignificant quantities of grease laden vapours produced and controlled by other means

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Div. B, Part 2 Open-air burning – additional

clarification on size of permissible small confined cooking fires

“commensurate to type and quantity of food being cooked”

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Div. B, Part 2 Motion sensors – new

allowance for lighting to be controlled by motion sensors per OBC

Locking devices – revision of wording to harmonize with OBC e.g. adds “…from the inside with not more than one releasing operation…”

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Div. B, Part 2 Fire Safety Plan –

new requirement for buildings with ‘contained use areas’ and ‘impeded egress zones’ to have a FSP

new requirement to review FSP where demolition or new construction (including hot surface applications) occurs in occupied building [NFC]

incorporate temporary fire safety measures

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Div. B, Part 2 Abandoned optical fibre

cables and electrical wiring – may be left in sprinklered plenum spaces [NFC]

Photoluminescent exit signs – new requirement for maintenance of signs per manufacturer’s instructions and authorizations under OBC

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Div. B, Part 2 Smoke alarms –

new requirement to have smoke alarms in “sleeping rooms not in dwelling units”

currently only applies to ‘dwelling units’

not applicable to buildings regulated by Part 9

updating of standard for acceptable ‘existing’ smoke alarms (from 1978 to 1987 edition)

some older smoke alarms will need to be replaced

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Div. B, Part 3Indoor General Storage

(Subsection 3.3.1.) – Removal of 6.4 m height

application limit of Subsection Clarifies that Subsection

includes storage in “bin boxes, shelves and racks”;

“Individual storage pile” replaced with defined term individual storage area

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Div. B, Part 3

Indoor General Storage

New requirement for storages higher than 6.4m to be sprinklered in accordance with NFPA 13 discretionary approval of

‘existing’ sprinkler protection of ‘existing’ storage

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Div. B, Part 4 Container Storage and Handling

exemption from Section 4.2 for alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispensers ( 1.2 L capacity)

Assembly and Residential Occupancies

max. quantity limits stored “per building” changed to “per building or 1-hr fire compartment” [NFC]

Mercantile Occupancies tinting operations involving paint

containers 25L no longer confined to designated storage room [NFC]

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Div. B, Part 4Storage Tanks – [NFC] Section 4.3 revised to require

new underground tanks to be double-walled

‘positive shut-off overfill protection device’ on tanks with tight-filled connections

not applicable to ‘existing’ tanks with tight-filled connections

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Div. B, Part 4Piping – [NFC] New U/G piping systems to be

double-walled U/G piping that is being removed,

abandoned in place or temporarily out of service to be done in conformance with ‘good engineering practice’

Require materials used to cover indoor piping trenches to be noncombustible

i.e., insulation, grating, etc.

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Div. B, Part 4Fuel Dispending Stations Section 4.5 revised to –

reiterate that fuel dispensing operations fall within the TSSA

replace all previous prescriptive requirements with a reference to NFC Section 4.6

only needed in the possible event of a fuel dispensing operation that falls outside the TSSA

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Div. B, Part 5Explosives – Explosives Act Canada defines

what ‘explosives’ are covered removes list in Fire Code (i.e. blasting

agents, detonators etc.) Revision now requires fireworks

vendors to establish emergency procedures

previously applied only to persons “using, storing and handling explosives”

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Div. B, Part 5Compressed Gases – New permission to use NFPA 55

as compliance alternative to specified storage provisions

Exempted quantities of compressed gases now applies to each ‘fire compartment’ (previously

applied to each building), and each ‘outdoor location’

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Div. B, Part 5Spray Coating Applications – Consolidation of spray coating

operations Section 5.12 will now include

electrostatic and dry powder spraying (from 5.14)

Recognition of NFPA 33 as compliance alternative to design, operation and maintenance provisions

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Div. B, Part 5Spray Coating Applications – Minimum exhaust air velocity

needs to be provided at all openings to spray booth previously limited to the “face

of the spray booth” Sprinkler heads in spray

booths need to be covered with ‘paper or cellophane bags’ polyethylene bags no longer

acceptable

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Div. B, Part 5Spray Coating Applications

– Most current requirements

for ‘spray booths’ now extends to ‘spray rooms’

Permission to use strippable coatings or thin removable combustible coverings on walls and floors of spray booths

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Div. B, Part 5Combustible Fibres – New requirement for

sprinklers to conform to NFPA 13 for all new storage areas

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Div. B, Part 5Hot Works Requirements for ‘welding

and cutting’ now extends to all ‘hot works’

Required separation of ‘hot works’ from combustibles and flammables is increased from 11m to 15m unless otherwise protected

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Div. B, Part 5Hot Surface Applications

(i.e. roofs) – New Section 5.19 to:

protect combustibles and roof openings from sparks or flames

restrict hot torch use provide fire watch coverage

and training provide portable extinguishers

(size and location) ensure safe bitumen kettle use

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Div. B, Part 6Portable Extinguishers - New requirement for Class K

rated extinguishers to protect commercial cooking operations may retain existing dry chemical

type until due for internal examination or hydrostatic test

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Div. B, Part 6Interconnected Smoke Alarm

Systems – New requirement for owner to

ensure maintenance/repairs are completed by ‘qualified’ technician applies to residential occupancies

and care occupancies excludes individual dwelling units

and OFC 9.8 buildings ‘qualified’ means in compliance

with Article 1.2.2.2. of Division C

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Div. B, Part 6Smoke Alarms – Clarification that both

primary and secondary power sources, as applicable, must be maintained

Smoke alarms in other occupancies (where required by OBC) are also required to be maintained i.e. B-3, D and E occupancies

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Div. B, Part 6Smoke Alarms – Tenants of dwelling units required

to notify landlord of non-functioning S. A.

Deletion of word ‘intentionally’ from disabling prohibition (6.3.3.4.)

Enhanced landlord testing requirements in rental dwelling units (using test button feature), e.g.

annually, when battery replaced, after changes to electrical circuitry, and after each change of tenancy

“No person shall intentionally disable a smoke alarm…”

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Div. B, Part 6Standpipe Hose – Clarification that hose must

be “unracked, unreeled or unrolled” to do physical inspection

Decommissioning – New requirement to prohibit

‘removing from service’ of fire protection or life safety equipment unless approved by CFO

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Div. B, Part 7Fire Emergency Systems in High

Buildings – Scope expanded to also apply to

inspection, test and maintenance of systems required by Part 9, Retrofit previously only applied to fire

emergency systems required by OBC

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Div. B, Part 8Demolition – [NFC] New requirement for termination

of services to building service companies need to be

contacted termination must be outside area

of demolition Clarification of requirements to

notify site personnel of fire emergency

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Div. B, Part 8Demolition – [NFC] Clarification of firewatch

requirements New requirement to safely

manage existing tanks, piping and machinery that used flammable and combustible liquids

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Div. B, Part 9Fuel-fired Appliances – Clarification in Sections 9.5

and 9.6 that fire separation requirements do not apply to appliances serving a single room or suite

Refuse Storage Rooms – Clarification in Sections 9.5

and 9.6 that refuse storage rooms include rooms used for storage of recyclable materials

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Div. B, Part 9Protection of Fire Escapes – Increased flexibility to allow

for protection of openings using closures held-open by a fusible link i.e. self-closing fire-rated

windows

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OtherRelocation – Various provisions between Parts 3 and 5 to

harmonize closer with the NFC storage in Part 3 hazardous processes in Part 5

Provisions for existing basement laboratories from Section 4.1 to Section 4.12

Fire Code Supplement – Many attribution changes

to more accurately reflect areas of performance that must be addressed by alternative solutions

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Next Edition of the Fire Code

Public consultation: Spring, 2012 (closed June 30, 2012)

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings occurred July 24 and 31, 2012 revisions ongoing to reflect TAC

recommendations Approval of regulations anticipated early

2014 Target Date of July 1, 2014

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Vulnerable Occupancies

Ontario Regulation 150/13

• Filed - May 9, 2013

• In Force - January 1, 2014

• Amends O. Reg. 213/07 (Fire

Code)

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Ontario Regulation 150/13

Affects

• Retirement Homes regulated under

the Retirement Homes Act, 2010

• Care Occupancies

• Care and Treatment Occupancies

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Fire safety plan required for each retirement home

2.8.1.1.

Fire Safety Planning

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Fire Safety Planning• Training of supervisory staff must be

recorded for staff in buildings containing care occupancies, care and treatment occupancies and retirement homes

• Retain records of training

2.8.2.1.

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Fire Safety Planning

Sufficient supervisory staff required in retirement homes to carry out the duties outlined in the fire safety plan

Note: currently required for care occupancies and care and treatment occupancies

2.8.2.2.

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Fire Drills

One drill per year for an approved scenario depicting the lowest staffing level complement for• Care occupancies• Care and treatment occupancies• Retirement homes

2.8.3.2.

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Chief Fire Official to be notified of fire drill depicting the lowest staffing level complement

2.8.3.3.

Fire Drills

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New FPPA Regulation Inspections of vulnerable occupancies Inspection required on notification of

approved scenario fire drill Inspection procedures in Directive Responsibility on Fire Chief, or

Community Fire Safety Officer Fire Marshal

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New FPPA Regulation (cont’d)

Information forwarded to Fire Marshal after inspection (Registry) Operating name Street address Classification Date of inspection Property type

In force date: Jan 1, 2014

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On The Go

Advisory Committee - Training

Guide development and delivery of training programs for: owners/operators and supervisory staff

of vulnerable occupancies, and Chief Fire Officials who approve Fire

Safety Plans for vulnerable occupancies

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Also On The Go

Working Group – Registry and Inspections

Will assist with implementation of: registry of vulnerable occupancies inspections of vulnerable occupancies

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WHAT ELSE

Work underway Updating and development of

guidelines, fact sheets and other explanatory notes

Development of a web portal to provide one site access to all of the key information and resources

Development of various Q’s & A’s on vulnerable occupancy issues

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Source Law O. Reg. 150/13 (OFC)http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/

source/regs/english/2013/elaws_src_regs_r13150_e.htm

O. Reg. 151/13 (OBC)http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/

source/regs/english/2013/elaws_src_regs_r13151_e.htm

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One More Thing

Proposed regulation on inspections of buildings Complaint Approval Process

That’s It, Nothing Else