3.1.5.1.Noncombustible Materials (See Note A-3.1.4.1.(1))

(1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2) to (4) and Articles 3.1.5.2. to 3.1.5.29., 3.1.13.4. and 3.2.2.16., a building or part of a building required to be of noncombustible construction, shall be constructed with noncombustible materials. (See also Subsection 3.1.13. for the requirements regarding the flame-spread rating of interior finishes.) (2) Notwithstanding the definition of noncombustible materials stated in Article 1.4.1.2. of Division A, a material is permitted to be used in noncombustible construction provided that, when tested in accordance with ULC S135, “Standard Test Method for the Determination of Combustibility Parameters of Building Materials Using an Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter (Cone Calorimeter)”, at a heat flux of 50 kW/m 2, (a) its average total heat release is not more than 3 MJ/m2, (b) its average total smoke extinction area is not more than 1.0 m 2, and (c) the test duration is extended beyond the time stipulated in the referenced standard until it is clear that there is no further release of heat or smoke. (3) If a material referred to in Sentence (2) consists of a number of discrete layers and testing reveals that the surface layer or layers protect the underlying layers such that complete combustion of the underlying layers does not occur, the test shall be repeated by removing the outer layers sequentially until all layers have been exposed during testing, or until complete combustion has occurred. (4) The acceptance criteria for a material tested in accordance with Sentence (3) shall be based on the cumulative emissions from all layers, which must not exceed the criteria stated in Clauses (2)(a) and (b).