The Ontario Building Code | Group B, Division 1, up to 3 Storeys, Sprinklered
3.2.2.37. Group B, Division 1, up to 3 Storeys, Sprinklered
(1) A building classified as Group B, Division 1 is permitted to conform to Sentence (2) provided,
(a) except as permitted by Sentence 3.2.2.7.(1) the building is sprinklered,
(b) it is not more than 3 storeys in building height, and
(c) it has a building area,
(i) that is not limited if the building is not more than 1 storey in building height,
(ii) not more than 12 000 m2 if 2 storeys in building height, or
(iii) not more than 8 000 m2 if 3 storeys in building height.
(2) Except as permitted by Article 3.2.2.16., the buildingreferred to in Sentence (1) shall be of noncombustible construction, and,
(a) floor assemblies shall be fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h,
(b) mezzaninesshall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, and
(c) loadbearingwalls, columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly.
In Plain Language
This article sets one of the specific size-and-construction packages available for a Group B, Division 1 buildings building: up to 3 storeys, sprinklered, with area unlimited (1 storey), up to 12,000 m² (2 storeys), or up to 8,000 m² (3 storeys), noncombustible construction. 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.