OBC DIVISION B · PART 9 — HOUSING AND SMALL BUILDINGSUpdated for the 2024 Ontario Building Code
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Section 9.17 — Columns
Full text of Section 9.17 (Columns) — Division B, Part 9 (Housing and Small Buildings) of the 2024 Ontario Building Code, with every article reproduced below.
On this page:
9.17.1.1.9.17.2.1.9.17.2.2.9.17.3.1.9.17.3.2.9.17.3.3.9.17.3.4.9.17.4.1.9.17.4.2.9.17.4.3.9.17.4.4.9.17.5.1.9.17.5.2.9.17.6.1.9.17.6.2.
9.17.1.1.9.17.2.1.9.17.2.2.9.17.3.1.9.17.3.2.9.17.3.3.9.17.3.4.9.17.4.1.9.17.4.2.9.17.4.3.9.17.4.4.9.17.5.1.9.17.5.2.9.17.6.1.9.17.6.2.
9.17.1.Scope
9.17.1.1.Application permalink →
(1) This Section applies to columns used to support
(a) beams carrying loads from not more than 2 wood-frame floors where
(i) the supported length of joists bearing on such beams does not exceed 5 m, and
(ii) the live load on any floor does not exceed 2.4 kPa, (See Table 4.1.5.3.)
(b) beams or header joists carrying loads from not more than 2 levels of wood-frame balconies, decks or other
accessible exterior platforms, or 1 level plus the roof, where
(i) the supported length of joists bearing on such beams or joists does not exceed 5 m,
(ii) the sum of the specified snow and occupancy loads does not exceed 4.8 kPa for the determination of load on
platform-type constructions, and (See Sentence 9.4.2.3.(1))
(iii) the platform serves only a single suite of residential occupancy, or
(c) carport roofs. (See Section 9.35.)
(2) Columns for applications other than as described in Sentence (1) shall be designed in accordance with Part 4.
This provision includes a table — formatting is preserved from the source; refer to the official code for the authoritative layout.
9.17.2.General
9.17.2.1.Location permalink →
(1) Columns shall be centrally located on a footing conforming to Section 9.15.
9.17.2.2.Lateral Support permalink →
(1) Columns shall be securely fastened to the supported member to reduce the likelihood of lateral differential
movement between the column and the supported member. (See also Article 9.23.6.2.)
(2) Except as permitted by Sentence (3), columns shall be laterally supported to resist racking
(a) directly, or
(b) by connection to the supported members.
(See Note A-9.17.2.2.(2))
(3) Columns need not be provided with lateral support as described in Sentence (2), where
(a) the length of the columns are not more than 600 mm measured from the finished ground to the underside of the
supported member, and
(b) the columns support a deck with no superstructure.
9.17.3.Steel Columns
9.17.3.1.Size and Thickness permalink →
(1) Except as permitted in Sentence (2), steel pipe columns shall have an outside diameter of not less than 73 mm and a
wall thickness of not less than 4.76 mm.
(2) Columns of sizes other than as specified in Sentence (1) are permitted to be used where the loadbearing capacities
are shown to be adequate.
9.17.3.2.End Bearing Plates permalink →
(1) Except as permitted in Sentence (2), steel columns shall be fitted with not less than 100 mm by 100 mm by 6.35 mm
thick steel plates at each end, and where the column supports a wooden beam, the top plate shall extend across the full
width of the beam.
(2) The top plate required in Sentence (1) need not be provided where a column supports a steel beam and provision is
made for the attachment of the column to the beam.
9.17.3.3.Paint permalink →
(1) Exterior steel columns susceptible to corrosion shall be treated on the outside surface with at least one coat of rust-
inhibitive paint.
9.17.3.4.Design of Adjustable Steel Columns (See Note A-9.17.3.4.) permalink →
(1) Where the imposed load does not exceed 36 kN, adjustable steel columns shall conform to CAN/CGSB-7.2,
“Adjustable Steel Columns.”
(2) Adjustable steel columns other than those described in Sentence (1) shall be designed in accordance with Part 4.
9.17.4.Wood Columns
9.17.4.1.Column Sizes permalink →
(1) The width or diameter of a wood column shall be not less than the width of the supported member.
(2) Except as provided in Article 9.35.4.2., columns shall be not less than 184 mm for round columns and 140 mm by
140 mm for rectangular columns, unless calculations are provided to show that lesser sizes are adequate.
9.17.4.2.Materials permalink →
(1) Wood columns shall be either solid, glued-laminated or built-up.
(2) Built-up columns shall consist of not less than 38 mm thick full-length members
(a) bolted together with not less than 9.52 mm diam bolts spaced not more than 450 mm o.c., or
(b) nailed together with not less than 76 mm nails spaced not more than 300 mm o.c.
(3) Glued-laminated columns shall conform to Section 4.3.
9.17.4.3.Columns in Contact With Concrete permalink →
(1) Wood columns shall be separated from concrete in contact with the ground by 0.05 mm polyethylene film or Type S
roll roofing.
9.17.4.4.Wood Column Termite Protection permalink →
(1) Where termites are known to exist, exterior wood columns, such as porch supports, shall be
(a) pressure-treated with a chemical that is toxic to such termites, in accordance with Article 9.3.2.9., or
(b) supported on non-cellulosic material extending not less than 150 mm above the finished ground and shall be located
not less than 50 mm from the exterior wall of an adjacent building.
9.17.5.Unit Masonry Columns
9.17.5.1.Materials permalink →
(1) Unit masonry columns shall be built of masonry units
(a) conforming to CSA A165.1, “Concrete block masonry units,” and
(b) having a compressive strength over the net area of the block of not less than 15 MPa.
9.17.5.2.Sizes permalink →
(1) Unit masonry columns shall be not less than 290 mm by 290 mm or 240 mm by 380 mm in size.
9.17.6.Solid Concrete Columns
9.17.6.1.Materials permalink →
(1) Concrete shall conform to Section 9.3.
9.17.6.2.Sizes permalink →
(1) Concrete columns shall be not less than 200 mm by 200 mm for rectangular columns and 230 mm diam for circular
columns.
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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.