3.1.4.8 — Cladding

(1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (4), combustible components are permitted to be used for an exterior non-loadbearing wall assembly in a building required to be of noncombustible construction, provided that, (a) the building is, (i) not more than 3 storeys in building height, or (ii) not more than 6 storeys in building height if sprinklered, (b) when tested in accordance with CAN/ULC-S134, "Fire Test of Exterior Wall Assemblies", the wall assembly satisfies the following criteria for testing and conditions of acceptance: (i) flaming on or in the wall assembly does not spread more than 5 m above the opening, and (ii) the heat flux during the flame exposure on the wall assembly is not more than 35 kW/m2 measured at 3.5 m above the opening, and (c) the interior surfaces of the wall assembly are protected by a thermal barrier conforming to Sentence 3.1.5.12. (5). (2) Except as permitted by Articles 3.2.3.10. and 3.2.3.11., where the limiting distance in Tables 3.2.3.1.B. to 3.2.3.1.E. permits an area of unprotected openings of not more than 10% of the exposing building face, the construction requirements of Table 3.2.3.7. shall be met. (3) A wall assembly permitted by Sentence (1) that includes combustible cladding of fire-retardant treated wood shall be tested for fire exposure after the cladding has been subjected to an accelerated weathering test as specified in ASTM D2898, “Accelerated Weathering of Fire-Retardant-Treated Wood for Fire Testing”. (4) The requirements of this Article do not apply where foamed plastic insulation is used in an exterior wall assembly of a building and the insulation is protected in conformance with Sentences 3.2.3.8. (1) and (2).

(1) Every building shall face a street located in conformance with the requirements of Articles 3.2.5.4 and 3.2.5.5 for access routes. (2) For the purposes of Subsections 3.2.2. and 3.2.5. an access route conforming to Subsection 3.2.5. is permitted to be considered as a street. (3) A building within the scope of Article 3.2.2.43A. or 3.2.2.50A. is considered to face one street, where, (a) not less than 25% of the building perimeter is located within 15 m of a street or streets, or (b) not less than 10% of the building perimeter is located within 15 m of a street or streets, provided the exterior cladding conforms to Sentence 3.1.4.8. (2). (4) A building is considered to face two streets provided not less than 50% of the building perimeter is located within 15 m of a street or streets. (5) A building is considered to face three streets provided not less than 75% of the building perimeter is located within 15 m of a street or streets. (6) Enclosed spaces, tunnels, bridges and similar structures, even though used for vehicular or pedestrian traffic, are not considered as streets for the purpose of this Part.

(1) A building classified as Group C, other than a retirement home, is permitted to conform to Sentence (2) provided, (a) it is sprinklered, (b) it is not more than 6 storeys in building height, (c) it has a height of not more than 18 m, measured between the floor level of the first storey and the floor level of the uppermost storey or mezzanine that is not a rooftop enclosure provided for elevator machinery, a stairway or a service room used for no purpose other than for service to the building, and (d) it has a building area of not more than, (i) 9 000 m2 if 1 storey in building height, (ii) 4 500 m2 if 2 storeys in building height, (iii) 3 000 m2 if 3 storeys in building height, (iv) 2 250 m2 if 4 storeys in building height, (v) 1 800 m2 if 5 storeys in building height, or (vi) 1 500 m2 if 6 storeys in building height. (2) The building referred to in Sentence (1) is permitted to be of combustible construction or noncombustible construction, used singly or in combination, and, (a) except as permitted by Sentence (3), floor assemblies shall be fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, (b) roof assemblies shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, (c) except as provided by Sentence (4), where the roof assembly has a height greater than 25 m measured from the floor level of the first storey to the highest point of the roof assembly, the roof assembly shall, (i) be of noncombustible construction, or (ii) be constructed of fire-retardant treated wood conforming to Article 3.1.4.5., (d) mezzanines shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, (e) [[NO_FORMULA]] Revoked: O. Reg. 89/23, s. 7 (1). (f) loadbearing walls, columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly. (3) In a building that contains dwelling units that have more than 1 storey, subject to the requirements of Sentence 3.3.4.2. (3), the floor assemblies, including floors over basements, which are entirely contained within these dwelling units, shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h but need not be constructed as fire separations. (4) The construction of non-contiguous roof assemblies at different elevations is permitted to be evaluated separately to determine which roof assemblies are required to be constructed in accordance with Clause (2)(c). (5) Group A, Division 2 major occupancies, Group E major occupancies and storage garages located in a building or part of a building within the scope of this Article are permitted to be constructed in accordance with this Article, provided, (a) Group A, Division 2 major occupancies and Group E major occupancies are located below the third storey, and (b) storage garages are located below the fourth storey.

(1) A building classified as Group D is permitted to conform to Sentence (2) provided, (a) it is sprinklered, (b) it is not more than 6 storeys in building height, (c) it has a height of not more than 18 m, measured between the floor level of the first storey and the floor level of the uppermost storey or mezzanine that is not a rooftop enclosure provided for elevator machinery, a stairway or a service room used for no purpose other than for service to the building, and (d) it has a building area of not more than, (i) 18 000 m2 if 1 storey in building height, (ii) 9 000 m2 if 2 storeys in building height, (iii) 6 000 m2 if 3 storeys in building height, (iv) 4 500 m2 if 4 storeys in building height, (v) 3 600 m2 if 5 storeys in building height, or (vi) 3 000 m2 if 6 storeys in building height. (2) The building referred to in Sentence (1) is permitted to be of combustible construction or noncombustible construction used singly or in combination, and, (a) floor assemblies shall be fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, (b) roof assemblies shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, (c) except as provided by Sentence (3), where the roof assembly has a height greater than 25 m measured from the floor level of the first storey to the highest point of the roof assembly, the roof assembly shall, (i) be of noncombustible construction, or (ii) be constructed of fire-retardant treated wood conforming to Article 3.1.4.5., (d) mezzanines shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, (e) Revoked: O. Reg. 89/23, s. 8 (1). (f) loadbearing walls, columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly. (3) The construction of non-contiguous roof assemblies at different elevations is permitted to be evaluated separately to determine which roof assemblies are required to be constructed in accordance with Clause (2)(c). (4) Group A, Division 2 major occupancies, Group E major occupancies, Group F, Division 2 and 3 major occupancies and storage garages located in a building or part of a building within the scope of this Article are permitted to be constructed in accordance with this Article, provided, (a) Group A, Division 2 major occupancies, Group E major occupancies and Group F, Division 2 or 3 major occupancies are located below the third storey, and (b) storage garages are located below the fourth storey.