These Notes are included for explanatory purposes only and do not form part of the requirements. The number that introduces each Note corresponds to the applicable requirement in this Part.

A-9.10.1.4.(1) Commercial Cooking Equipment.

Part 6 refers to NFPA 96, "Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations," which in turn references "Commercial Cooking Equipment." However, the deciding factor as to whether or not NFPA 96 applies is the potential for production of grease-laden vapours and smoke, rather than the type of equipment used. While NFPA 96 does not apply to domestic equipment for normal residential family use, it should apply to domestic equipment used in commercial, industrial, institutional and similar cooking applications where the potential for the production of smoke and grease-laden vapours exceeds that for normal residential family use.

A-9.10.3.1. Fire and Sound Resistance of Building Assemblies.

Tables 9.10.3.1.-A and 9.10.3.1.-B have been developed from information gathered from tests. While a large number of the assemblies listed were tested, the fire-resistance and acoustical ratings for others were assigned on the basis of extrapolation of information from tests of similar assemblies. Where there was enough confidence relative to the fire performance of an assembly, the fire-resistance ratings were assigned relative to the commonly used minimum ratings of 30 min, 45 min and 1 h, including a designation of "< 30 min" for assemblies that are known not to meet the minimum 30-minute rating. Where there was not enough comparative information on an assembly to assign to it a rating with confidence, its value in the tables has been left blank (hyphen), indicating that its rating remains to be assessed through another means. Future work is planned to develop much of this additional information.

These tables are provided only for the convenience of Code users and do not limit the number of assemblies permitted to those in the tables. Assemblies not listed or not given a rating in these tables are equally acceptable provided their fire and sound resistance can be demonstrated to meet the above-noted requirements either on the basis of tests referred to in Article 9.10.3.1. and Subsection 9.11.1. or by using the data in Appendix D, Fire-Performance Ratings. It should be noted, however, that Tables 9.10.3.1.-A and 9.10.3.1.-B are not based on the same assumptions as those used in Appendix D. Assemblies in Tables 9.10.3.1.-A and 9.10.3.1.-B are described through their generic descriptions and variants and include details given in the notes to the tables. Assumptions for Appendix D include different construction details that must be followed rigorously for the calculated ratings to be expected. These are two different methods of choosing assemblies that meet required fire ratings.

Table 9.10.3.1.-B presents fire-resistance and acoustical ratings for floor, ceiling and roof assemblies.

The fire-resistance ratings are appropriate for all assemblies conforming to the construction specifications given in Table 9.10.3.1.-B, including applicable table notes. Acoustical ratings for assemblies decrease with decreasing depth and decreasing separation of the structural members; the values listed for sound transmission class and impact insulation class are suitable for the minimum depth of structural members identified in the description, including applicable table notes, and for structural member spacing of 305 mm o.c., unless other values are explicitly listed for the assembly. Adjustments to the acoustical ratings to allow for the benefit of deeper or more widely spaced structural members are given in Table Notes (9) and (10).

Figure A-9.10.3.1.-A
Single layer butt joint details

Notes to Figure A-9.10.3.1.-A:
(1) Figure is for illustrative purposes only and is not to scale.
(2) The structural member can be any one of the types described in the Table.
(3) Adjacent gypsum board butt ends are attached to separate resilient channels using regular Type S screws, located a minimum of 38 mm from the butt end.

Figure A-9.10.3.1.-B
Double layer butt joint details

Notes to Figure A-9.10.3.1.-B:
(1) Figure is for illustrative purposes only and is not to scale.
(2) The structural member can be any one of the types described in the Table.
(3) Base layer butt ends can be attached to a single resilient channel using regular Type S screws.
(4) Type G screws measuring a minimum of 32 mm in length and located a minimum of 38 mm from the butt end are used to fasten the butt ends of the face layer to the base layer.

Figure A-9.10.3.1.-C
Example of steel furring channel

Note to Figure A-9.10.3.1.-C:
(1) Figure is for illustrative purposes only and is not to scale.

Figure A-9.10.3.1.-D
Example of resilient metal channel

Note to Figure A-9.10.3.1.-D:
(1) Figure is for illustrative purposes only and is not to scale.

A-9.10.4.1.(4) Mezzanines Not Considered as Storeys.

Mezzanines increase the occupant load and the fire load of the storey of which they are part. To take the added occupant load into account for the purpose of evaluating other requirements that are dependent on this criteria, their floor area is added to the floor area of the storey.

A-9.10.8.3.(2) Light-frame Construction.

Light-frame walls, columns, arches and beams do not include heavy timber elements or masonry or concrete construction.

A-9.10.9.2.(3) Continuity of Smoke-Tight Barrier.

The continuity of a smoke-tight barrier where it abuts another smoke-tight barrier, a floor, a ceiling or a wall assembly, is maintained by filling all openings at the juncture of the assemblies with amaterial that will ensure the integrity of the smoke-tight barrier at that location.

A-9.10.9.3.(2) Openings in Smoke-Tight Barriers to be Protected with Closures.

Doors described in Sentence 9.10.9.3.(2) are deemed to provide a minimum 20 min fire-protection rating, which is considered an acceptable level of protection against the spread of fire in a house with a secondary suite. They are not required to be marked to identify conformance to CAN/ULC-S113, "Wood Core Doors Meeting the Performance Required by CAN/ULC-S104 for Twenty Minute Fire Rated Closure Assemblies," as is the case for solid-core doors installed in fire separations.

A-9.10.9.6.(1) Penetration of Fire-Rated Assemblies by Service Equipment.

This Sentence, together with Article 3.1.9.1., is intended to ensure that the integrity of fire-rated assemblies is maintained where they are penetrated by various types of service equipment.

For buildings regulated by the requirements in Part 3, fire stop materials used to seal openings around building services, such as pipes, ducts and electrical outlet boxes, must meet a minimum level of performance demonstrated by standard test criteria.

This is different from the approach in Part 9. Because of the type of construction normally used for buildings regulated by the requirements in Part 9, it is assumed that this requirement is satisfied by the use of generic fire stop materials such as mineral wool, gypsum plaster or Portland cement mortar.

A-9.10.9.16.(4) Separation between Dwelling Units and Storage or Repair Garages.

The gas-tight barrier between a dwelling unit and an attached garage is intended to provide protection against the entry of carbon monoxide and gasoline fumes into the dwelling unit. Building assemblies incorporating an air barrier system will perform adequately with respect to gas tightness, provided all joints in the airtight material are sealed and reasonable care is exercised where the wall or ceiling is pierced by building services. Where a garage is open to the adjacent attic space above the dwelling unit it serves, a gas-tight barrier in the ceiling of the dwelling unit will also provide protection. Unit masonry walls forming the separation between a dwelling unit and an adjacent garage should be provided with two coats of sealer or plaster, or covered with gypsum board on the side of the wall exposed to the garage. All joints must be sealed to ensure continuity of the barrier. (See also Sentences 9.25.3.3.(3) to (8).)

A-9.10.12.4.(1) Protection of Overhang of Common Roof Space.

Figure A-9.10.12.4.(1)
Protection of overhang of common roof space

A-9.10.12.4.(3) Protection at Soffits.

The materials required by this Sentence to be used as protection for soffit spaces in certain locations do not necessarily have to be the finish materials. They can be installed either behind the finishes chosen for the soffits or in lieu of these.

A-9.10.13.2.(1) Wood Doors in Fire Separations.

CAN/ULC-S113, "Wood Core Doors Meeting the Performance Required by CAN/ULC-S104 for Twenty Minute Fire Rated Closure Assemblies," provides construction details to enable manufacturers to build wood core doors that will provide a 20 min fire-protection rating without the need for testing. The standard requires each door to be marked with

(1) the manufacturer's or vendor's name or identifying symbol,

(2) the words "Fire Door," and

(3) a reference to the fire-protection rating of 20 min.

A-9.10.14.5.(1) Minor Combustible Cladding Elements.

Minor elements of cladding that is required to be noncombustible are permitted to be of combustible material, provided they are distributed over the building face and not concentrated in one area. Examples of minor combustible cladding elements include door and window trim and some decorative elements.

A-9.10.14.5.(7) Permitted Projections.

The definition of exposing building face provided in Sentence 1.4.1.2.(1) of Division A refers to "that part of the exterior wall of a building … or, where a building is divided into fire compartments, the exterior wall of a fire compartment …" Because the exposing building face is defined with respect to the exterior wall, projections from exposing building faces are elements that do not incorporate exterior walls. Depending on their specific configurations, examples of constructions that would normally be permitted by Sentence 9.10.14.5.(7) are balconies, platforms, canopies, eave projections and stairs. However, if a balcony, platform or stair is enclosed, its exterior wall would become part of an exposing building face and the construction could not be considered to be a projection from the exposing building face.

A-9.10.14.5.(8) Protection at Projections.

Sentence 9.10.14.5.(7) permits certain projections from exposing building faces where the projections do not have exterior walls and thus clearly do not constitute part of the exposing building face. Sentence 9.10.14.5.(8) refers to other types of projections from the exposing building face, such as those for fireplaces and chimneys. It is recognized that these types present more vertical surface area compared to platforms, canopies and eave projections, and may be enclosed by constructions that are essentially the same as exterior walls. These constructions, however, do not enclose habitable space, are of limited width and may not extend a full storey in height. Consequently, Sentence (8) allows these projections beyond the exposing building face of buildings identified in Sentence (6), provided additional fire protection is installed on the projection.

Figure A-9.10.14.5.(8) illustrates projections that extend within 1.2 m of the property line where additional protection must be provided. Where a projection extends within 0.6 m of the property line, it must be protected to the same degree as an exposing building face that has a limiting distance of less than 0.6m.Where a projection extends to less than 1.2 m but not less than 0.6 m of the property line, it must be protected to the same degree as an exposing building face that has a limiting distance of less than 1.2 m. Protection is also required on the underside of the projection where the projection is more than 0.6 m above finished ground level, measured at the exposing building face.

Figure A-9.10.14.5.(8)
Protection at projections

A-9.10.14.5.(11) and 9.10.15.5.(10) Roof Soffit Projections.

Figure A-9.10.14.5.(11) and 9.10.15.5.(10)
Roof soffit projections

Notes to Figure A-9.10.14.5.(11) and 9.10.15.5.(10):
(1) See Sentences 3.2.3.6.(2), 9.10.14.5.(9) and 9.10.15.5.(8).
(2) See Sentences 3.2.3.6.(3), 9.10.14.5.(10) and 9.10.15.5.(9).
(3) See Sentences 3.2.3.6.(4), 9.10.14.5.(11) and 9.10.15.5.(10).

A-9.10.15.1.(1) Application of Subsection 9.10.15.

The buildings to which Subsection 9.10.15. applies include:

• traditional individual detached houses with or without a secondary suite,
• semi-detached houses (doubles) where each house may contain a secondary suite,
• row houses, where any house may contain a secondary suite (see Sentence 9.10.11.2.(1)), and
• stacked dwelling units where one of them is a secondary suite.

Subsection 9.10.15. does not apply to stacked townhouses, stacked duplexes or stacked dwelling units that are not within a house with a secondary suite.

A-9.10.15.4.(2) Staggered or Skewed Exposing Building Faces of Houses.

Studies at the National Fire Laboratory of the National Research Council have shown that, where an exposing building face is stepped back from the property line or is at an angle to the property line, it is possible to increase the percentage of glazing in those portions of the exposing building face further from the property line without increasing the amount of radiated energy that would reach the property line in the event of a fire in such a building. Figures A-9.10.15.4.(2)-A, A-9.10.15.4.(2)-B and A-9.10.15.4.(2)-C show how Sentences 9.10.15.4.(1) and (2), and 9.10.15.5.(2) and (3) can be applied to exposing building faces that are stepped back from or not parallel to the property line. The following procedure can be used to establish the maximum permitted area of glazed openings for such facades:

1. Calculate the total area of the exposing building face, i.e. facade of the fire compartment, as described in the definition of exposing building face.

2. Identify the portions into which the exposing building face is to be divided. It can be divided in any number of portions, not necessarily of equal size.

3. Measure the limiting distance for each portion. The limiting distance is measured along a line perpendicular to the wall surface from the point closest to the property line.

4. Establish the line in Table 9.10.15.4. from which the maximum permitted percentage area of glazed openings will be read. The selection of the line depends on the maximum area of exposing building face for the whole fire compartment, including all portions, as determined in Step 1.

5. On that line, read the maximum percentage area of glazed openings permitted in each portion of the exposing building face according to the limiting distance for that portion.

6. Calculate the maximum area of glazed openings permitted in each portion. The area is calculated from the percentage found applied to the area of that portion.

Table 9.10.15.4. is used to read the maximum area of glazed openings: this means that the opaque portion of doors does not have to be counted as for other types of buildings.

Note that this Note and the Figures do not describe or illustrate maximum permitted concentrated area or spacing of individual glazed openings, or limits on the location of dividing lines between portions of the exposing building face depending on the location of these openings with respect to interior rooms or spaces. See Sentences 9.10.15.2.(2) and 9.10.15.4.(2) to (4) for the applicable requirements.

Figure A-9.10.15.4.(2)-A
Example of determination of criteria for the exposing building face of a staggered wall of a house

Notes to Figure A-9.10.15.4.(2)-A:
(1) See Sentence 9.10.15.5.(2).
(2) See Sentence 9.10.15.5.(3).
(3) See Table 9.10.15.4., Subclause 9.10.15.2.(1)(b)(iii) and Sentence 9.10.15.4.(2).

Figure A-9.10.15.4.(2)-B
Example of determination of criteria for the exposing building face of a skewed wall of a house with some arbitrary division of the wall

Notes to Figure A-9.10.15.4.(2)-B:
(1) See Sentence 9.10.15.5.(2).
(2) See Sentence 9.10.15.5.(3).
(3) See Table 9.10.15.4., Subclause 9.10.15.2.(1)(b)(iii) and Sentence 9.10.15.4.(2).
(4) To simplify the calculations, choose the column for the lesser limiting distance nearest to the actual limiting distance. Interpolation for limiting distance is also acceptable and may result in a slightly larger permitted area of glazed openings. Interpolation can only be used for limiting distances greater than 1.2 m.

Figure A-9.10.15.4.(2)-C
Example of determination of criteria for the exposing building face of a skewed wall of a house with a different arbitrary division of the wall

Notes to Figure A-9.10.15.4.(2)-C:
(1) See Sentence 9.10.15.5.(2).
(2) See Sentence 9.10.15.5.(3).
(3) See Table 9.10.15.4., Subclause 9.10.15.2.(1)(b)(iii) and Sentence 9.10.15.4.(2).
(4) To simplify the calculations, choose the column for the lesser limiting distance nearest to the actual limiting distance. Interpolation for limiting distance is also acceptable and may result in a slightly larger permitted area of glazed openings. Interpolation can only be used for limiting distances greater than 1.2 m.

A-9.10.19.3.(1) Location of Smoke Alarms.

There are two important points to bear in mind when considering where to locate smoke alarms in dwelling units:

• The most frequent point of origin for fires in dwelling units is the living area.
• The main concern in locating smoke alarms is to provide warning to people asleep in bedrooms.

A smoke alarm located in the living area and wired so as to sound another smoke alarm located near the bedrooms is the ideal solution. However, it is difficult to define exactly what is meant by "living area." It is felt to be too stringent to require a smoke alarm in every part of a dwelling unit that could conceivably be considered a "living area" (living room, family room, study, etc.). Sentence 9.10.19.3.(1) addresses these issues by requiring at least one smoke alarm on every storey containing a sleeping room. Thus, in a dwelling unit complying with Sentence 9.10.19.3.(1), every living area will probably be located within a reasonable distance of a smoke alarm. Nevertheless, where a choice arises as to where on a storey to locate the required smoke alarm or alarms, one should be located as close as possible to a living area, provided the requirements related to proximity to bedrooms are also satisfied.

A smoke alarm is not required on each level in a split-level dwelling unit as each level does not count as a separate storey. Determine the number of storeys in a split-level dwelling unit and which levels are part of which storey as follows:

1. establish grade, which is the lowest of the average levels of finished ground adjoining each exterior wall of a building;

2. identify the first storey, which is the uppermost storey having its floor level not more than 2 mabove grade;

3. identify the basement, which is the storey or storeys located below the first storey;

4. identify the second storey and, where applicable, the third storey.

As a minimum, one smoke alarm is required to be installed in each storey, preferably on the upper level of each one. As noted above, however, when the dwelling unit contains more than one sleeping area, an alarm must be installed to serve each area.Where the sleeping areas are on two levels of a single storey in a split-level dwelling unit, an additional smoke alarm must be installed so that both areas are protected. See Figure A-9.10.19.3.(1).

Figure A-9.10.19.3.(1)
Two-storey split-level building

Notes to Figure A-9.10.19.3.(1):
(1) One smoke alarm required for each of the basement, first storey and second storey.
(2) An additional smoke alarm is required on the lower level of the second storey outside the sleeping rooms.

A-9.10.19.5.(2) Interconnection of Smoke Alarms.

Electrical regulations may require that separate power sources be provided for smoke alarms in the main dwelling unit and the secondary suite where the units have separate electrical services. In these situations, interconnection of smoke alarms between the units can be achieved through wireless communication.

A-9.10.20.3.(1) Fire Department Access Route Modification.

In addition to other considerations taken into account in the planning of fire department access routes, special variations could be permitted for a house or residential building that is protected with an automatic sprinkler system. The sprinkler system must be designed in accordance with the appropriate NFPA standard and there must be assurance that water supply pressure and quantity are unlikely to fail. These considerations could apply to buildings that are located on the sides of hills and are not conveniently accessible by roads designed for firefighting equipment and also to infill housing units that are located behind other buildings on a given property.

A-9.10.22. Clearances from Gas, Propane and Electric Cooktops.

CSA C22.1, "Canadian Electrical Code, Part I," referenced in Article 9.34.1.1., and CSA B149.1, "Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code," referenced in Article 9.10.22.1., address clearances directly above, in front of, behind and beside the appliance. Where side clearances are zero, the standards do not address clearances to building elements located both above the level of the cooktop elements or burners and to the side of the appliance. Through reference to the "Canadian Electrical Code, Part I" and the "Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code" and the requirements in Articles 9.10.22.2. and 9.10.22.3., the NBC addresses all clearances. Where clearances are addressed by the NBC and the "Canadian Electrical Code, Part I" or "Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code," conformance with all relevant criteria is achieved by compliance with the most stringent criteria. Installation of Microwave Ovens Over Cooktops

The minimum vertical clearances stated in Article 9.10.22.2. apply only to combustible framing, finishes and cabinets. They do not apply to microwave ovens installed over cooktops nor to range hoods. The "Canadian Electrical Code, Part I" requires that microwave ovens comply with CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 150, "Microwave Ovens." This standard includes tests to confirm that the appliance will not present a hazard when installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Figure A-9.10.22.
Clearances from cooktops to walls and cabinetry