The Ontario Building Code | Applicable Building Height and Area
3.2.2.5. Applicable building Height and Area
(1) In determining the fire safety requirements of a building in relation to each of the major occupancies contained in it, the building heightand building area of the entire building shall be used.
Note: On July 1, 2017, Article 3.2.2.5. of Division B of the Regulation is amended by adding the following Sentence: (See: O. Reg. 139/17, s. 14)
(2) For the purposes of Sentence (1), a retirement home is deemed to be a separate major occupancy.
In Plain Language
When figuring out fire-safety requirements for any major occupancy within a mixed-use building, the building height and area used in the calculation is that of the entire building, not just the portion housing that occupancy; a 2017 amendment also specifies a retirement home counts as its own separate major occupancy for this purpose.
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.