I always use the Fire and Sound Resistance Tables in code for fire ratings, but recently had a municipality tell me I couldn’t for a Part 3 building. They told me because the Tables were titled 9.10.#.# that meant they were only for Part 9.
My questions are:
I am dealing with a system that is used to protect storage tanks at one of our industrial facilities, this system is an outdoor deluge
NBC 2015 Div B-9.8.9.5. Treads 1) Stair treads of lumber, plywood or O-2 grade OSB within dwelling units shall be not less than 25 mm
My question is: Is there ever a time that access needs to be provided around an entire building?
Disclaimer:
Kilo Lima Community (Blog and Forum) is a platform to share ideas, ask questions and to foster discussion. The perspectives and opinions expressed in blog posts and the daily forum are those of the individual commentator and/or contributor and may not reflect the opinions and view of other readers, authors, or Kilo Lima. The information in this community is intended for educational and thought provoking purposes only and must not be construed as advice. We encourage everyone requiring code advice to consult with a building or fire code expert or their local AHJ.
Kilo Lima Code is on a mission to demystify the Canadian Construction Codes so you can keep doing great work with faster access to better resources.
Subscribe to know when new posts, tools, and courses are released.
© Copyright 2020 Kilo Lima Code | Website Design by Toro Creative Co.
One Response
This is a good question that I see often.
1. Are the fire and sound tables in the code only for Part 9 buildings?
For Part 3 buildings, the acceptable methods for determining fire-resistance ratings are listed in Article 3.1.7.1.:
– Assemblies tested to CAN/ULC-S101 – this will usually be a listed assembly
– Appendix D – many different methods for determining ratings depending on the assembly
– The BC Building Code and Vancouver Building By-law have two additional sentences under Article 3.1.7.1., which allow the use of assemblies R1, M1 or M2 from Table A-9.10.3.1-B (the use of the Part 9 tables is limited to those specific assemblies).
The Part 9 tables can still be used for determining STC ratings, even in Part 3 buildings. This comes from Article 5.8.1.3.
Generally, the preferred approach is to use Appendix D or R1, M1 or M2 assemblies for fire-resistance ratings, since they are not product specific. Listings typically list specific products/manufacturers, and you are technically supposed to follow everything to the letter (can be difficult to do in practice).
2. If the tables are only for Part 9 buildings, why do so many municipalities allow the wall assemblies to be used in Part 3 buildings?
I can’t really say; technically they should not be. Many of the Part 9 assemblies will achieve a rating based on Appendix D, so maybe they are letting it slide if the reference is not done properly. Or maybe they have bigger fish to fry.