3.3.4.11 — Retirement Homes

(1) A voice communication system required by Subsection 3.2.6., Clause 3.3.2.4. (14)(f) or Sentence 3.3.4.11. (12) shall, (a) consist of a two-way means of communication with the central alarm and control facility and with the mechanical control centre from each floor area, and (b) be capable of broadcasting pre-recorded, synthesized or live messages from the central alarm and control facility that are audible and intelligible in all parts of the building, except in elevator cars. (2) The voice communication system referred to in Sentence (1) shall include a means to silence the alarm signal in a single-stage fire alarm system while voice messages are being transmitted, but only after the alarm signal has initially sounded for not less than 30 s. (3) The voice communication system referred to in Sentence (1) shall include a means to silence the alert signal and the alarm signal in a two-stage fire alarm system while voice messages are being transmitted, but only after the alert signal has initially sounded for not less than, (a) 10 s in hospitals that have supervisory personnel on duty for twenty-four hours each day, or (b) 30 s for all other occupancies. (4) The voice communication system referred to in Sentence (1) shall be designed so that the alarm signal in a two-stage fire alarm system can be selectively transmitted to any zone or zones while maintaining an alert signal or selectively transmitting voice instructions to any other zone or zones in the building. (5) The voice communication system referred to in Sentence (1) shall be designed so that visual signal devices are not interrupted while voice instructions are being transmitted. (6) The voice communication system referred to in Sentence (1) shall be installed so that emergency communication devices are located in each floor area near exit stair shafts. (7) A voice communication system referred to in Sentence (1) that is installed in a building that is not intended to be staffed, at times when the building will be occupied, with persons trained to provide instructions over the system shall include a pre-recorded message.

(1) A repair garage and any ancillary spaces serving it, including waiting rooms, reception rooms, tool and parts storage areas and supervisory office space, shall be separated from other occupancies by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h.

(1) Except in an elementary or secondary school that is subdivided by a firewall, the floor area on each side of a horizontal exit shall be sufficient to accommodate the occupants of both floor areas, allowing not less than 0.5 m2 of clear floor space per person, except that 1.5 m2 shall be provided for each person in a wheelchair and 2.5 m2 for each patient in bed. (2) If vestibules, enclosed balconies or bridges are used as parts of a horizontal exit, their clear width shall be not less than that of the exit doorways opening into them, except that handrails are not permitted to project into this clear width more than 100 mm. (3) In a horizontal exit where there is a difference in level between the connected floor areas, slopes not more than those specified for ramps in Article 3.4.6.7. are permitted to be used. (4) No stairs or steps shall be used at a horizontal exit. (5) If two doors are provided in a horizontal exit that comprises a part of the required number of exits from the floor areas on both sides of the exit, (a) the doors shall be mounted adjacent to each other with the door on the right side in the direction of travel through the horizontal exit swinging in the direction of travel through the horizontal exit, and (b) signs shall be provided on each side of the horizontal exit to indicate the door that swings in the direction of travel from that side. (6) If a horizontal exit utilizes bridges between buildings or outside balconies, the bridges or balconies shall conform to Article 3.2.3.19. (7) Any change in floor level from one side of a horizontal exit to the other side shall not exceed 2 000 mm.