The Ontario Building Code | Emergency Power Installations

3.6.2.8. Emergency Power installations

(1) Where a generator intended to supply emergency power for lighting="http://thehandyforce.com/electrical/" title ="East York Electrician">lighting, fire safety and life safety systems is located in a building, it shall be located in a room that,

(a) is separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than,

(i) 2 h for buildings within the scope of Subsection 3.2.6., and

(ii) 1 h for other buildings, and

(b) contains only the generating set and equipment that is related to the emergency power supply system.

In Plain Language

A generator supplying emergency power for lighting and life safety systems must be located in a room separated from the rest of the building, protecting this critical backup equipment so it keeps functioning during a fire elsewhere.

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.