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OBC DIVISION B · PART 3 · SECTION 3.2 — FUNCTIONAL STATEMENTS / BUILDING FIRE SAFETY

When is a standpipe system required under the Ontario Building Code?

A standpipe and hose system is generally required in buildings more than three storeys in building height, buildings more than 14 m high measured to the roof, and certain larger low buildings that are not sprinklered throughout.

Code reference
Standpipe systems are required based on building height in storeys and metres and on building area for unsprinklered buildings. Systems must conform to NFPA 14, with hose connections located in exit stair shafts and positioned so all parts of each floor area are within hose reach, and fire department connections provided for tall buildings.
OBC Division B, Subsection 3.2.9.

Paraphrased for clarity — open this provision in the BUILDAiD Library for the exact wording.

What this means in practice

Standpipes are how firefighters move water vertically, so riser locations inside exit stairs must be settled when the core is laid out. Coordinate 65 mm firefighter valves versus any 38 mm hose stations with the local fire service, confirm water supply pressures and whether a fire pump is needed, and locate the siamese connection to suit access routes. In mid-rise residential projects the 14 m trigger often arrives before designers expect it.

Plain language

Once a building gets more than about three or four storeys tall, it needs built-in water pipes with hose valves in the stairwells, so firefighters can plug in on any floor instead of dragging hoses up from the street.

Related questions

When is noncombustible construction required under the Ontario Building Code?When are automatic sprinklers required in a building in Ontario?What are the fire department access route requirements under the Ontario Building Code?

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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.