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

3.3.5.3.Basements

(1) A basement shall not be used for the storage, manufacture or handling of volatile solids, liquids or gases that generate explosive air-vapour mixtures or for processes that involve explosive dusts. (2) Entrances and exits to a basement and to rooms containing building services shall be separate from the remainder of the building in a building in which (a) the storage, manufacture or handling of volatile materials can generate explosive air-vapour mixtures, or (b) processes occur that produce explosive dusts. (3) Basements and rooms referred to in Sentence (2) shall be separated from the remainder of the building with a vapour-tight separation.

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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.