The Ontario Building Code | Basement Storage Garages
9.10.4.3. basement Storage garages
(1) Where a basement is used primarily as a storage garage, the basement is permitted to be considered as a separate buildingfor the purposes of this Section provided the floor above the basement and the exterior walls of the basement above the adjoining ground level are constructed as fire separations of masonry or concrete having a fire-resistance ratingof not less than 2 h.
In Plain Language
Basement storage garages have specific fire safety requirements set out in this article, addressing the fire load and ventilation concerns of vehicles stored below grade.
This is a plain-language summary of the 2012/2017 Ontario Building Code text above, for general understanding only and not a substitute for the Code. Always confirm current requirements against the 2024 edition (O.Reg. 163/24) or a qualified professional before construction.