3.6.

(1) The provisions of this Section apply to horizontal service spaces, vertical service spaces, attic or roof spaces, ducts, crawl spaces, shaft spaces, service rooms, and mechanical penthouses, and facilities contained in any of them.

(2) Except for plenum requirements in 3.6.4.3., the fire safety characteristics of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems shall comply with Part 6.

(1) Service spaces shall not be designed to facilitate subsequent use as storage space.

(1) If a fixed ladder is installed to provide access to a roof of a building, the design and installation of the attachment and anchorage system for the ladder shall be as described in Supplementary Standard SB-8.

(1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2), (8), (9) and (10), fuel-fired appliances shall be installed in service rooms separated from the remainder of the building by fire separations having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.

(2) Except as required by Sentence (3), a fuel-fired appliance that serves only one room or suite is not required to be installed in a service room separated from the remainder of the building.

(3) A solid fuel fired appliance shall not be located in a repair garage, a storage garage, or any other location where it could be exposed to flammable vapours or gases unless,

(a) it is enclosed in a service room that is separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h,

(b) it is supplied with combustion air directly from outside the building, and

(c) the heat that it generates is supplied indirectly to the space served by means of ducts or piping.

(4) A service room containing an incinerator shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h.

(5) Equipment that uses a liquid having a flash point below 93.3°C shall be installed in a service room separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.

(6) Electrical equipment that is required to be located in a service room by a regulation made under the Electricity Act, 1998, shall be installed in a service room separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.

(7) Except as permitted by Sentence (8), in a storey that is not sprinklered, a service room that contains service equipment other than that addressed by Sentences (1) to (6), shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.

(8) If a service room referred to in Sentence (7) contains a limited quantity of service equipment, and the service equipment neither constitutes a fire hazard nor is essential to the operation of fire safety systems in the building, the requirements for a fire separation shall not apply.

(9) A fire separation is not required between a fireplace and the space it serves.

(10) A fire separation is not required between a roof-top appliance and the building it serves.

(11) The fire separation provisions for a fuel-fired appliance in a portable classroom shall conform to Article 3.9.3.7.

(1) A service room containing service equipment subject to possible explosion, such as boilers operating in excess of 100 kPa (gauge) and some types of refrigerating machinery and transformers, shall not be located directly under a required exit.

(1) A service room containing space heating, space cooling and service water heating appliances is permitted to contain other service equipment such as electrical service equipment.

(1) A service room containing an incinerator shall not contain other fuel-fired appliances.

(1) Except as required by Sentence 3.6.3.3.(9), a room for the storage of combustible refuse shall be,

(a) separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, and

(b) sprinklered.

(1) A swing-type door from a service room containing a boiler or incinerator shall swing outward from the room, except that the door shall swing inward if the door opens onto a corridor or any room used for an assembly occupancy.

(1) Where an electrical equipment vault is required by a regulation made under the Electricity Act, 1998, the electrical equipment vault shall be totally enclosed by a fire separation of solid masonry or concrete construction having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 3 h if the vault is not provided with an automatic fire extinguishing system and not less than 2 h if the vault is so protected.

(2) Where a building is required to be sprinklered, the electrical equipment vault described in Sentence (1) need not be sprinklered provided,

(a) the vault is designed for no purpose other than to contain the electrical equipment, and

(b) a smoke detector is provided in the vault that will actuate the building fire alarm system in the event of a fire in the vault.

(3) A vault, that is part of a building and houses electrical equipment indoors, shall have,

(a) roofs or ceilings consisting of reinforced concrete of adequate strength for the conditions and not less than 150 mm thick, and

(b) floors consisting of reinforced concrete of adequate strength for the conditions and not less than 150 mm thick, except that floors that are at excavation level are permitted to be of reinforced concrete not less than 100 mm thick.

(4) Walls, roofs or ceilings, and floors shall be adequately anchored together in a manner designed to resist dislodgement by explosion.

(5) Only pipes or ducts necessary for fire protection or the proper operation of the electrical installation shall penetrate the fire separations surrounding the electrical equipment vault.

(6) A ventilation duct or opening, that penetrates the fire separation to the outdoors, need not be protected by a closure at the penetration.

(7) Each door to an electrical equipment vault shall be provided with a substantial lock or padlock.

(8) Explosion-relief devices and vents or other protective measures shall be provided for every electrical equipment vault containing dielectric liquid filled electrical equipment in conformance with Sentence 3.3.1.19.(2).

(9) Every electrical equipment vault shall be provided with a ventilation system designed in conformance with Part 6 to prevent the ambient temperature in the vault from exceeding 40°C.

(10) Where the vault ventilation system in Sentence (9) is directly from an outdoor area by natural ventilation without the use of ducts, and where the electrical equipment is the principal source of heat, the combined net area of inlet and outlet openings shall be not less than 0.002 m²/kVa of electrical equipment capacity with a minimum of 0.093 m², except that,

(a) where equipment in the power class as described in CAN3-C88, “Power Transformers and Reactors” is installed, ventilation requirements are permitted to be based on the actual full-load losses, or

(b) where the equipment is installed for emergency purposes only and is not normally energized, it need not be considered in determining the ventilation requirements.

(11) In the vault ventilation system in Sentence (10), the inlet for fresh air shall lead from an outdoor area and shall terminate at a point not more than 1 000 mm above the floor level of the vault.

(12) Where the vault ventilation system in Sentence (9) is a mechanical system, it shall be separate from the system for the remainder of the building and shall be designed so that,

(a) the vault temperature is thermostatically controlled,

(b) the fan is located so that it may be serviced without danger to personnel,

(c) a high temperature alarm is provided in the vault,

(d) the system is automatically shut off in the event of a fire in the vault, and

(e) a filter is provided in the air inlet if there is a possibility of dirt being drawn in.

(13) All ventilation openings shall be protected in conformance with Sentences 6.2.3.12.(3) and (4) and the protection shall be installed in such a manner that it cannot be removed from the outside by the use of common tools and it is tamperproof.

(14) Except as permitted in Sentence (15), the floor of the electrical equipment vault described in Sentences (1) and (2) shall be liquid tight and surrounded by liquid tight walls and sills of sufficient height to confine within the vault all of the liquid from the largest item of electrical equipment, but to a height of not less than 100 mm.

(15) The floor of the electrical equipment vault described in Sentences (1) and (2) may be provided with a floor drain connected to a covered sump capable of holding all of the liquid from the largest item of electrical equipment, and the connection shall have a noncombustible trap to prevent the spread of fire from the vault to the sump.

(1) A generator to supply emergency power for lighting, fire safety and life safety systems shall be located in a room that,

(a) is separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than ,

(i) 2 h for buildings within the scope of Subsection 3.2.6.v1, and

(ii) 1h for other buildings, and

(b) contains only the generating set and equipment that is related to the emergency power supply system.

(1) In a Group B, Division 2 or 3 occupancy, a room for the storage of oxygen containers shall be,

(a) separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h,

(b) designed for the storage of oxygen containers only,

(c) vapour tight,

(d) lined with noncombustible finish,

(e) separately exhausted to the exterior, and

(f) equipped with racks to store the containers.

(1) Except as required by Section 3.5., a vertical service space shall be separated from all other portions of each adjacent storey by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating conforming to Table 3.6.3.1. for the fire-resistance rating required by Subsection 3.2.2. for,

(a) the floor assembly above the storey, or

(b) the floor assembly below the storey, if there is no floor assembly above.

(2) A vertical service space that does not extend through the roof of a building shall be enclosed at the top with construction having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the vertical service space walls.

(3) A vertical service space that does not extend to the bottom of a building shall be enclosed at the lowest level with construction having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the vertical service space walls.

(4) A vent from a vertical service space not extending to the roof shall be enclosed within the building with construction having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the vertical service space walls.

(5) Only openings that are necessary for the use of the vertical service space shall be permitted through a vertical service space enclosure.

(1) Foamed plastic insulation in a vertical service space shall be protected in conformance with Article 3.1.5.12.v1v2

(1) A linen chute or refuse chute shall,

(a) be impervious to moisture,

(b) have a smooth internal surface,

(c) be corrosion-resistant,

(d) be constructed of noncombustible material, and

(e) be located in a shaft in which there are no services other than noncombustible drain, waste and vent piping or noncombustible water piping.

(2) A shaft containing a linen chute or refuse chute shall have a fire-resistance rating conforming to Sentence 3.6.3.1.(1), but not less than,

(a) 1 h if the chute outlet for the discharge room is protected by an automatic, self-latching closure held open by a fusible link, or

(b) 2 h if no closure is provided at the chute outlet into the discharge room.

(3) An interior linen chute or refuse chute shall extend not less than 1 000 mm above the roof and shall be vented above the roof with a vent that,

(a) has an unobstructed area not less than the cross-sectional area of the chute, and

(b) is equipped with a cover that will open automatically, or that can be opened manually, in the event of a fire in the chute.

(4) Intake openings for a linen chute or a refuse chute shall,

(a) have an area not more than 60% of the cross-sectional area of the chute, and

(b) be fitted with closures designed to close automatically and latch after use.

(5) Intake openings for a linen chute or a refuse chute shall be located in rooms or compartments that,

(a) have no dimension less than 750 mm,

(b) are separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min,

(c) are designed for no other purpose, and

(d) do not open directly into an exit.

(6) Sprinklers shall be installed at the top of each linen chute or refuse chute, at alternate floor levels and in the room or bin into which the chute discharges.

(7) The room into which a linen chute discharges shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.

(8) A refuse chute shall be equipped at the top with spray equipment for washing-down purposes.

(9) A refuse chute shall discharge only into a room or bin separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h.

(10) The room or bin into which a refuse chute discharges shall be of sufficient size to contain the refuse between normal intervals of emptying, be impervious to moisture and be equipped with a water connection and floor drain for washing-down purposes.

(11) A room into which a refuse chute discharges shall contain no service equipment that is not related to refuse handling and disposal.

(1) If a vertical service space contains an exhaust duct that serves more than one fire compartment, the duct shall have a fan located at or near the exhaust outlet to ensure that the duct is under negative pressure.

(1) This Subsection applies to horizontal service spaces and service facilities, including ceiling spaces, duct spaces, crawl spaces and attic or roof spaces.

(1) A horizontal service space that penetrates a required vertical fire separation shall be separated from the remainder of the building it serves in conformance with Sentence (2).

(2) If a horizontal service space or other concealed space is located above a required vertical fire separation other than a vertical shaft, this space need not be divided at the fire separation as required by Article 3.1.8.3. provided the construction between this space and the space below is a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating equivalent to that required for the vertical fire separation, except that the fire-resistance rating is permitted to be not less than 30 min if the vertical fire separation is not required to have a fire-resistance rating more than 45 min.

(1) A concealed space used as a plenum within a floor assembly or within a roof assembly need not conform to Sentence 3.1.5.15.(1) and Article 6.2.3.2. provided,

(a) all materials within the concealed space have a flame-spread rating not more than 25 and a smoke developed classification not more than 50, except for,

(i) tubing for pneumatic controls,

(ii) optical fibre cables and electrical wires and cables that exhibit a flame spread not more than 1.5 m, a smoke density not more than 0.5 at peak optical density and a smoke density not more than 0.15 at average optical density when tested in conformance with the Flame and Smoke Test in the Appendix to CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 0.3, “Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables” (FT6 Rating),

(iii) optical fibre cables and electrical wires and cables that are located in totally enclosed noncombustible raceways,

(iv) totally enclosed nonmetallic raceways that exhibit a horizontal flame distance of not more than 1.5 m, an average optical smoke density of not more than 0.15, and a peak optical smoke density of not more than 0.5 when tested in conformance with the Test for Flame Propagation and Smoke Density Values in Section 3.3 of the ULC/ORD-C2024, “Fire Tests for Optical Fibre Cable Raceway” (FT-6 Rating), and

(v) single conductor electrical wires and cables that exhibit a vertical char of not more than 1.5 m when tested in conformance with the Vertical Flame Test —Cables in Cabletrough in Clause 4.11.4. of CSA C22.2 No. 0.3, “Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables” (FT4 Rating), and

(b) the supports for the ceiling membrane are of noncombustible material having a melting point not below 760°C.

(2) If a concealed space referred to in Sentence (1) is used as a return-air plenum and incorporates a ceiling membrane that forms part of the required fire-resistance rating of the assembly, every opening through the membrane shall be protected by a fire stop flap that shall,

(a) stop the flow of air into the concealed space in the event of a fire,

(b) be supported in a manner that will maintain the integrity of the ceiling membrane for the duration of time required to provide the required fire-resistance rating, and

(c) conform to CAN4-S112.2-M, “Fire Test of Ceiling Firestop Flap Assemblies”.

(3) Asbestos paper shall not be exposed in supply and return-air systems.

(1) An attic or roof space more than 600 mm high shall be provided with access from the floor immediately below by a hatchway not less than 550 mm by 900 mm or by a stairway.

(1) A horizontal service space, consisting of ceiling and duct spaces, that is more than 1 200 mm high and 600 mm wide shall have inspection doors not less than 300 mm in both horizontal and vertical dimensions placed so that the entire interior of the duct or space can be viewed.

(1) A crawl space shall have at least one access opening not less than 550 mm by 900 mm.