The Ontario Building Code | Group A, Division 1, 1 Storey, Limited Area
3.2.2.21. Group A, Division 1, 1 Storey, Limited Area
(1) A building classified as Group A, Division 1 is permitted to conform to Sentence (2) provided,
(a) it is not more than 1 storey in building height,
(b) it has less than 40% of the area of the building as 2 storeysfor the purpose of,
(i) development of productions including preparation of scenery and costumes and rehearsal of performers,
(ii) organization of performers, scenery and sound equipment,
(iii) preparation by performers for a performance,
(iv) managerial functions, or
(v) toilets, rest rooms and similar public facilities,
(c) it has no occupancyabove or below the auditorium other than one that serves it or is dependent on it,
(d) it is not more than 600 m2in building area, and
(e) the occupant load is not more than 600.
(2) The building referred to in Sentence (1) is permitted to be of heavy timber construction or noncombustible construction used singly or in combination, and,
(a) floor assemblies shall be fire separations,
(i) with a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min, or
(ii) ofheavy timber construction, and
(b) loadbearingwalls, columns and arches shall,
(i) have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly, or
(ii) be of heavy timber construction.
In Plain Language
This article sets one of the specific size-and-construction packages available for a Group A, Division 1 buildings building: 1 storey with limited secondary-use area (under 40% as 2 storeys) for backstage/support functions, with no dependent occupancy above or below the auditorium. Designers can choose whichever of the several packages in this Subsection best fits the building being planned, trading height and area against construction type, sprinklering, and fire-resistance rating requirements.
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.