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

Regulation made under the Building Code Act, 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 Ontario Building Code

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. Renovation and Change of Use

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. Change of Use permits

Common Examples of Change of Use From a Retail StoreTo a Restaurant

Change of Use From an Office spaceInto Retail Store

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 Building Permits for Small Businesses

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 Projects that do not require a building permit:

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 m 2 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. Checklists for Retail Stores and Restaurants

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 Information for Building Permit Submission

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). Fire Prevention Inspector Duties

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.

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. Minimum Requirements Respecting Fire Safety

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. How are Fire Code inspections initiated?

Common Fire Code Violations

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. OFC Part 9 - Retrofit

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 Application

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. Retrofit Requirements

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). Fire Protection and Prevention Act

Inspection of building or premises OFC Analysis Issue inspection order to Owner Follow-up Inspection of the building or premises Inspection Process