PART 10 — CHANGE OF USEUpdated for the 2024 Ontario Building Code

10.3.2.2.Reduction in Performance Level

(1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), the performance level of a building or part of a building is reduced where the existing structural floor and roof framing systems and their supporting members are not adequate to support the proposed dead loads and live loads of the new major occupancy that the building is to support. (2) The inadequacy of the existing structural floor or roof framing system and its supporting members to support the proposed dead loads and live loads does not reduce the performance level of the building if the portion of the floor affected by the proposed loads is restricted to the loading it will support and signs stating the restrictions are posted. (3) Except as provided in Section 10.4., the performance level of a building or part of a building is reduced where the early warning and evacuation systems requirements of the building do not meet the early warning and evacuation systems requirements set out in Table 10.3.2.2.-A for the new major occupancy that the building is to support. Table 10.3.2.2.-A For Evaluation of Early Warning/Evacuation Forming Part of Sentence 10.3.2.2.(3)(2) Early Warning / Evacuation Evaluation (2) Compliance Alternative(1) Early Warning and Evacuation to be evaluated against (a) access to exit widths based on occupant load in Subsection 3.3.1. or 9.9.3.; EARLY WARNING (b) exit widths based on occupant load in Subsection 3.4.3. or 9.9.3.; (c) exit signs in Subsection 3.4.5. or 9.9.11.; (a) Compliance alternatives as listed may be used. (d) lighting of exits, lighting of access to exits and emergency lighting in Subsection 3.2.7. or 9.9.12.; (e) fire alarm system in Subsection 3.2.4. or 9.10.18.; EVACUATION (f) smoke alarms in Subsection 9.10.19.; (g) travel distance and number of exits in other Parts of this Division; (b) Compliance alternatives as (h) smoke control measures, and at least one elevator to permit transport of firefighters to all floors in listed to access to exit and hotels whose floor level is more than 18 m high, measured between grade and floor level of the exit widths, number of exits, top storey as per Subsection 3.2.6.; and door release hardware, and (i) door release hardware requirements in Articles 3.3.1.13. and 3.4.6.16., travel distance may be used. and deficiencies shall be upgraded. Notes to Table 10.3.2.2.-A: (1) See Tables 11.5.1.1.-A, 11.5.1.1.-B, 11.5.1.1.-C, 11.5.1.1.-D/E and 11.5.1.1.-F for compliance alternatives that may be used. (2) In the case of farm buildings, Early Warning and Evacuation to be evaluated against the corresponding Part 2 requirements to items (a) to (e) and (g) and (j) in this Table. (4) Except as provided in Sentence (5), the performance level of an existing building is reduced where a change in use will result in a change of the major occupancy of all or part of an existing building to another major occupancy of a greater hazard index. (5) Except as provided in Sentence (6), if the hazard index of the new major occupancy is greater than the hazard index of the existing major occupancy, the performance level is not reduced where the hazard index of the new major occupancy is not greater than the construction index of the existing building. (6) Small or medium sized existing buildings as determined in Tables 11.2.1.1.-B to 11.2.1.1.-N facing multiple streets may be assigned a hazard index credit of 1, which may be subtracted from the hazard index of the new major occupancy provided, (a) the building does not contain a Group B, Division 1, a Group C, or a Group F, Division 1 occupancy, and (b) firefighting access complying with Articles 3.2.5.1. to 3.2.5.5. or Subsection 9.10.20. is provided. (7) Except as provided in Sentence (8), the performance level of a building or part of a building is reduced in an existing building of combustible construction where, (a) the occupancy is changed to a residential occupancy in all or part of the building, and (b) if the building was new, it would have been required to be of noncombustible construction or to be constructed in accordance with Article 3.2.2.51. or 3.2.2.60. (8) A change in the occupancy of a building or part of a building to a residential occupancy does not reduce the performance level of the building or part of the building where, (a) the building is sprinklered, and (b) the building does not exceed 6 storeys in building height. (9) The performance level of a building or part of a building is reduced where the new major occupancy in an existing building of multiple occupancy is not separated from adjoining major occupancies by fire separations having fire- resistance ratings conforming to Article 3.1.3.1., Subsection 9.10.9. or Table 10.3.2.2.-B. Table 10.3.2.2.-B(1) Additional Upgrading for Multiple Major Occupancies Forming Part of Sentence 10.3.2.2.(9) New Major Occupancy Code Requirements Compliance Alternative Table 3.1.3.1. and Subsection 9.10.9. For Existing Building If Sprinklered Where: Reduce to Reduce to All 1 h rating required 45 min 30 min 2 h rating required 1.5 h 1h 3 h rating required 2h 1.5 h Notes to Table 10.3.2.2.B: (1) For buildings with multiple major occupancies only, where there is a change in major occupancy. (10) The performance level of a building is reduced where the building after the change of major occupancy will not comply with Article 3.1.3.2. or 9.10.9.14. (11) The performance level of a building or part of a building is reduced where, after a change of major occupancy, (a) the total daily design sanitary sewage flow of the new major occupancy, calculated in accordance with Article 8.2.1.3., exceeds the capacity of any component of a sewage system serving the building, or (b) the type or amount of sanitary sewage that will, under the new major occupancy, be discharged to a sewage system serving the building is prohibited by Article 8.1.3.1. (12) The performance level of an existing building or part of an existing building is reduced where, (a) the use of the building or part of the building is changed to a retirement home, and (b) any of the following applies: (i) the retirement home is not sprinklered throughout, (ii) Clause 3.2.6.8.(1)(b) or (c), as applicable, requires that a voice communication system conforming to Article 3.2.4.22. be provided in the building and such a system is not provided in the building, or (iii) the retirement home contains one or more doors to suites or sleeping rooms not within suites, other than doors leading directly to the exterior, that are not equipped with self-closing devices.

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Code text is reproduced for reference from the Ontario Building Code (O. Reg. 163/24, 2024 Building Code Compendium). This page is provided for general information and is not an official copy. Always verify requirements against the official Ontario Building Code and confirm with your local building department.