Section 3.9 — Portable Classrooms

(1) Except as provided in this Section, the requirements in this Division apply to portable classrooms.

(1) Heating systems and equipment in a portable classroom shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section 6.2.

(1) Interior finish material used on a wall or ceiling of a portable classroom shall have a flame-spread rating of 150 or less.

(1) A single portable classroom shall be not more than 100 m 2 in building area, and not more than 1 storey in building height. (2) For the purposes of Subsection 3.2.2., where the horizontal distance between portable classrooms is less than 6 m, a group of portable classrooms may be considered as a single building with a building area equal to the aggregate area of the portable classrooms.

(1) The requirements in Subsection 3.2.3. need not be provided between individual portable classrooms where the distance between the classrooms is 6 m or more. (2) The requirements in Subsection 3.2.3. need not be provided between individual portable classrooms within a group where (a) the portable classrooms are in groups where (i) the distance between the classrooms is less than 6 m, (ii) the number of classrooms in a group is not more than six, and (iii) the distance between groups of classrooms is 12 m or more, or (b) the portable classrooms are in groups where (i) the means of egress for each classroom within a group is by a common corridor or passageway, (ii) the number of portable classrooms in a group is not more than six, and (iii) the distance between groups of portable classrooms is 12 m or more.

(1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), the fire alarm system in the main school building shall be extended to the portable classrooms with a separate zone indicator on the annunciator. (2) The requirements in Sentence (1) need not be provided where there are not more than 12 portables on a site and where (a) the distance between portable classrooms is less than 6 m and the requirements of Subsection 3.2.3. are applied between the classrooms, or (b) the portable classrooms are in groups where (i) the distance between the classrooms is less than 6 m, (ii) the number of classrooms in a group does not exceed six, (iii) within a group of classrooms, the facing walls have a fire-resistance rating of 45 min, rated from inside the classroom, and (iv) the distance between groups of classrooms is 12 m or more. (3) The requirements in Sentence (1) need not be provided where the distance between portable classrooms is 6 m or more.

(1) The requirements in Articles 3.2.2.10. and 3.2.5.1. to 3.2.5.7. need not be provided where there are not more than 12 portable classrooms on a site and where (a) the distance between portable classrooms is 6 m or more, (b) the distance between portable classrooms is less than 6 m and the requirements of Subsection 3.2.3. are applied between the classrooms, or (c) the portable classrooms are in groups conforming with either Clause 3.9.3.2.(2)(a) or (b).

(1) A fire extinguisher, in accordance with Article 3.2.5.16., shall be installed in each portable classroom.

(1) Except as required in Sentence 3.9.3.7.(1), a portable classroom shall be provided with means of egress conforming to Sections 3.3. and 3.4.

(1) Where there is only one egress door from a portable classroom, a fuel-fired appliance shall be separated from the remainder of the classroom by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min. (2) Except as provided in Sentences (3) and (4), if a portable classroom contains a fuel-fired appliance, the appliance shall be separated from the remainder of the classroom by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than (a) 1.5 h where the horizontal distance between portable classrooms is 1.5 m or less, and (b) 45 min where the horizontal distance between portable classrooms is more than 1.5 m. (3) If the horizontal distance between portable classrooms is 6 m or more, a fuel-fired appliance need not be separated from the remainder of the classroom by a fire separation provided (a) there is not more than one appliance per portable classroom, and (b) the appliance is located not less than 4.5 m from an egress doorway or an exit from the portable classroom. (4) Fuel-fired appliances with sealed combustion located in a portable classroom are not required to be separated from the remainder of the classroom (a) if there are not more than four portable classrooms in a group, and (b) if the appliance is located not less than 4.5 m from an egress doorway or an exit from the portable classroom.

(1) Washroom facilities need not be provided in a portable classroom where the facilities in the main school building comply with the requirements of Subsection 3.7.4. for the total occupant load of the main school building and the portable classrooms.

(1) The requirements of Section 3.8. for barrier-free access need not be provided for a portable classroom provided that the main school building complies with the requirements of Section 3.8.