PART 3 — FIRE PROTECTION, OCCUPANT SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITYUpdated for the 2024 Ontario Building Code
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3.2.6.5.Elevator for Use by Firefighters
(1) At least one elevator shall be provided for use by firefighters in conformance with Sentences (2) to (6).
(2) The elevator referred to in Sentence (1) shall have a useable platform area not less than 2.2 m 2 and shall be capable
of carrying a load of 900 kg to the top floor that it serves from a landing on the storey containing the entrance for
firefighter access referred to in Articles 3.2.5.4. and 3.2.5.5. within 1 min.
(3) Except where Measure K of MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-4, “Measures for Fire Safety in High Buildings,”
is used, each elevator for use by firefighters shall
(a) be provided with a closure at each shaft opening so that the interlock mechanism remains mechanically engaged and
electrical continuity is maintained in the interlock circuits and associated wiring for a period of not less than 1 h
when the assembly is subjected to the standard fire exposure described in CAN/ULC-S104, “Standard Method for
Fire Tests of Door Assemblies,”
(b) be protected with a vestibule containing no occupancy and separated from the remainder of the floor area by a fire
separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min, or
(c) be protected with a corridor containing no occupancy and separated from the remainder of the building by a fire
separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.
(4) Except as permitted by Sentence (5), an elevator referred to in Sentence (1) shall be capable of providing
transportation from the storey containing the entrance for firefighter access referred to in Articles 3.2.5.4. and 3.2.5.5. to
every floor that is above grade in the building and that is normally served by the elevator system.
(5) If it is necessary to change elevators to reach any floor referred to in Sentence (4), the system shall be designed so
that not more than one change of elevator is required when travelling to any floor in the building from the storey
containing the entrance for firefighter access referred to in Articles 3.2.5.4. and 3.2.5.5.
(6) Electrical conductors for the operation of the elevator referred to in Sentence (1) shall
(a) be installed in service spaces conforming to Section 3.6. that do not contain other combustible material, or
(b) conform to CAN/ULC-S139, “Standard for Fire Test for Circuit Integrity of Fire-Resistive Power, Instrumentation,
Control and Data Cables,” including the hose stream application, to provide a circuit integrity rating of not less than
1 h. (See Note A-3.2.6.5.(6)(b))
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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.