What fire separation is required between suites in Ontario?
In Part 3 buildings, suites must be separated from adjacent suites by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating, commonly 1 hour, determined by the building's construction requirements in Subsection 3.2.2.
A fire separation is a construction assembly — a wall or floor — that acts as a barrier against the spread of fire. It may or may not need a fire-resistance rating (FRR), which is the time in minutes or hours the assembly can withstand standard fire exposure. Between suites, the default in Part 3 is a 1-hour rated separation, though the required rating can change based on the building's construction article under Subsection 3.2.2. and the occupancies involved. Openings in the separation (doors, ducts, penetrations) must be protected with closures and fire stopping. Floor assemblies between storeys are typically required to be fire separations with ratings set by the construction requirements.
The wall between two units is not just a wall — it must hold back a fire, usually for at least an hour. Every hole through it (doors, ducts, pipes) has to be sealed or protected so fire cannot sneak through.
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This page is provided for general information. Building code requirements depend on your specific project, occupancy and municipality, and code editions change. Always verify requirements against the current Ontario Building Code and confirm with your local building department.