PART 3 — FIRE PROTECTION, OCCUPANT SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITYUpdated for the 2024 Ontario Building Code

3.2.2.56.Group D, Any Height, Any Area, Sprinklered

r1 (1) Except as permitted by Articles 3.2.2.57. to 3.2.2.65. and 3.2.2.93., a building classified as Group D shall conform to Sentence (2). (2) Except as permitted by Article 3.2.2.16., the building referred to in Sentence (1) shall be of noncombustible construction, and (a) except as permitted by Sentences 3.2.2.7.(1) and 3.2.2.18.(2), the building shall be sprinklered throughout, (b) floor assemblies shall be fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h, (c) mezzanines shall have a fire-resistance rating not less 1 h, and (d) loadbearing walls, columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly. r1 3.2.2.57. Group D, up to 12 Storeys, Sprinklered, Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction (1) A building classified as Group D is permitted to conform to Sentence (2), provided (a) it is sprinklered throughout, (b) it is not more than 12 storeys in building height, (c) it has a height of not more than 42 m measured between the floor of the first storey and the uppermost floor level that does not serve as a rooftop enclosure for elevator machinery, a stairway or a service room used only for service to the building, and (d) it has a building area not more than 7 200 m2. (2) Except as provided in Article 3.2.2.16., the building referred to in Sentence (1) is permitted to be of encapsulated mass timber construction or noncombustible construction used singly or in combination, and (a) floor assemblies shall be fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h, (b) mezzanines shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, and (c) loadbearing walls, columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly. (3) Group A, Division 2 major occupancies, Group E major occupancies, Group F, Division 2 and 3 major occupancies and storage garages located in a building or part thereof within the scope of this Article are permitted to be constructed in accordance with this Article, provided (a) the Group A, Division 2 major occupancy is located below the fourth storey, (b) the Group E major occupancy and Group F, Division 2 or 3 major occupancy are located below the third storey, and (c) the storage garage is located below the fifth storey. (See also Article 4.4.2.1.) e1 (See Note A-3.2.2.48.(4), 3.2.2.57.(3), and 3.2.2.93.(5) to (7))

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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.