The Ontario Building Code | Firewalls Not Required
9.10.11.2. Firewalls Not Required
(1) In a building of residential occupancy in which there is no dwelling unitabove another dwelling unit, a party wall on a property line between dwelling units need not be constructed as a firewall provided it is constructed as a fire separation having not less than a 1 h fire-resistance rating.
Note: On July 1, 2017, Sentence 9.10.11.2.(1) of Division B of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted: (See: O. Reg. 139/17, s. 106)
(1) A party wall on a property line need not be constructed as a firewall provided it is constructed as a fire separation having not less than a 1 h fire-resistance rating if,
(a) the property line is between houses, or
(b) the property line is between dwelling units in a buildingof residential occupancy, other than a house, in which there is no dwelling unit above another dwelling unit.
(2) The wall described in Sentence (1) shall provide continuous protection from the top of the footings to the underside of the roof deck.
(3) Any space between the top of the wall described in Sentence (1) and the roof deck shall be tightly filled with mineral wool or noncombustiblematerial.
In Plain Language
Firewalls aren't required under the specific conditions set out in this article, identifying situations where a lesser fire separation is considered adequate.
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.