Ontario Building Code - Research Paper Example

 Ontario Building Code Introduction Fire safety in all buildings is determined several factors; the provisions of ways and means of escape in the event of fire, the building’s ability to resist fire effects and to reduce on the spread of smoke and fire and the provision of ways of access to allow firefighters to initiate rescue and fight the fire. Fire safety adequacy provisions in most buildings should be demonstrated by conforming to the performance requirement stipulated in the article. In addition as the owner of the building, one should ensure that fire safety measures are followed to the letter to ensure safety in case of fire for the people inside the building. In an effort to establish the need to have fire safety in modern buildings, this paper has tried to look at thechanges that have been made to Ontario building part 3 of 2012. The paper has particularly focused on Division B, 3.2.4.2 that talks about “continuity of fire alarm system”. The changes have been made to foster new techniques that can be used to combat fire related tragedies in Canada. This paper is not limited to Ontario only, in an attempt to justify the effects of the changes, the paper has touched on some locations outside Ontario that are comparable when it comes to handling the subject matter. The world is ever changing and new techniques are applied on a daily occasion, hence developers must also come with new ways to ensure that the new techniques are handled professionally. Architects are ever on the look to come up with new innovations that would easily bridge the gap that may be causing challenges in case of fire. Background information Since the year1976, the Ontario Building Code has established a set minimum standard for designing and constructing all new buildings and allowed for alterations, additions, and change of use of already existing structures in Ontario province (International Association of Fire Chiefs., National Fire Protection Association, and Jones & Bartlett Learning. 2012). The code is a binding document used by designers, architects, engineers, builders, manufacturers and suppliers with respect to construction which the code regulates. The aim of the code is to set specific minimum principles for construction in order to minimize risk exposed to the safety and health of the occupants of a given building and to provide for the hurdle-free accessibility into a given building and the energy efficiency of that particular building. Provincial Responsibility Ministry of Municipal affairs in conjunction with Housing of the province of Ontario are held accountable for the amendment to, and the development of, the building code and the act, which was effected as a regulation of that specific Act (International Association of Fire Chiefs., National Fire Protection Association, and Jones & Bartlett Learning. 2012). The ministry’s added responsibility encapsulate the Building Code Commission, mandated to rule on disputes linking interpretations of the code as well as permit issuance within specified timeframes, and the Building Materials Evaluation Commission responsible for adjudicating on systems and materials which are not encapsulated in the code. Municipal Responsibility Each municipality within Ontario is mandated with the responsibility for enforcing the building Code and the Act. It calls for them to appoint chief building officers to issue the permits and carry out inspections. The municipality may set sub laws that govern on how an individual obtain a permit. The municipality may decide to charge certain amount of fee in order to defray the Code enforcement cost and pass by laws which entail needed details for application, documentation and plan submission, inspection notification stages, classes of permits, and numerous other associated necessities. Building codes are not items of modern society, but have rather advanced from distant past. In the history of the bible, the code of Hammurabi (Babylon ruler) was ordered and one of the articles in the Code outlined that in case of the house collapse, whereby the house owner was killed or exterminated, “the builder shall remain a slain”. An example of further Code development was rather drastic found in England during the era of King Charles II in the seventeenth century, due to the impact of London’s great fire, which overwhelmed most of the city parts and resulted into considerable amount of life loss and caused major house destruction the in the city. In the Northern Part of America, the first building Codes were developed in the latter portion of 19th century due to fires in building structure which resulted to numerous fatalities. In early twentieth century, engineers came up with Codesthat placed the basis for testing policy, the various formats, and the specifications which can be identified in the current Codes. The main aim was to minimize fire hazards but other policies of a more humanitarian nature at the same time materialized and they were meant to protect the safety, welfare and health of the entire public. The Ontario building Code has enhanced and embraced the above philosophy. Additionally, Ontario government took a step further to come up with uniformity across the entire province, through making the Code mandatory across the province and formulating a process to reflect on the current technologies in the materials and methods used during construction process. Research methodology Due to the nature of this research paper, several academic journals and related scholarly articles have been used in deducing some of the facts that have been presented. Purpose of the Code The main tenacity of the Ontario Building Code, as has been pinpointed out, is people’s protection, to allow them to come in, occupy and leave buildings in a safe mode. The policies on which the Code’s standard are based on include, Safety, Accessibility, Health, and Energy efficiency. The Code remains an evolutionary document, updated regularly to respond to technological progressions and the ever changing society’s needs (Avery, & Soo, 2003). The most current Code edition takes a further step to incorporate objectives inside the Code and letting a process to allow enhanced flexibility in attaining code requirements. The owner of the building is responsible for life safety of the occupants in the building. Basically, the owner engages others to assist in meeting this obligation. In case the owner of the building assumes to ensure that the requirements are met, it may end up in a jail or paying fine or even both. Other individuals who opt for contracting to provide services as well may be held responsible, just in case they fail to undertake the services for which they contracted. Improved fire alarm system Fire alarm Systems Fire codes may apply into the following areas for existing buildings; firefighting and life safety in buildings, fire prevention, activities, uses, limitations, service and maintenance, and emergency plans that are reviewed yearly and updated as required. Continuity of fire alarm systems Non-high rise building structures interconnected by walkways may have independent fire alarm allowing for walkways, every building must have a forty-five minutes fire separation from walkways. For the tunnels, each building must have one hour fire separation from tunnel. Permits high rise building structure interconnected by tunnels or walkways to have independent fire alarm providing the following; For walkways, each building structure must have a forty-five minute fire separation from walkway. For tunnels, every building must have one hour fire separation from tunnel. Vestibules must have a design that limits smoke movement. (Section 3.2.6) Innovations have further taken the field to an extent of coming up with fire alarm input devices such as (based on CSA B44); smoke detectors that are needed in elevator lobbies – or in locale if no lobby – on entire floors. Not required by OBC; this recalls all the elevators in that particular bank. Other reflex fire detection enabled to recall elevators but not required (floor detectors and sprinklers). There are no manual stations to initiate recall. Smoke detector to be installed in elevator machine rooms within the building. OBC requires that Fire Detectors be installed in Shaft (International Association of Fire Chiefs., National Fire Protection Association, and Jones & Bartlett Learning. 2012). For fire alarm control, in case the building is not required to have a fire alarm system by OBC, a dedicated panel is required to serve for recall requirements and elevator detection. Even though it has been covered in CSA B44, as one of the fire alarm panel, in a building structure, other requirements such as sprinkler supervision manual stations, annual test, verification, annunciation and alarm signaling are now necessary. In order to comply using the existing fire alarm systems, addressable system format should have smoke detectors in elevator lobby, a bit of programming in order to initiate elevator recall from the floor devices excluding manual stations, and addressable relays for the purpose of elevator recall. For compatibility purposes to most authorities, fire alarms must be integrated into the system of the building to avail floor annunciation for alarms. Fire alarms should provide signaling throughout the building and release fan control and maglocks among others (Avery, & Soo, 2003). Where is needed by the OBC, initiate fire service response. The newly innovated alarm system to follow good fire and life safety practices that are stipulated in the code; this makes it simpler for developers to have uniformity while constructing buildings. Multiple points currently required from fire alarm system to elevator controllers to: initiate the primary recall from the elevator lobby smoke detectors, elevator machine room and top of shaft. In case alternate recall provided alarm is set from detector at base of shaft or primary recall level. If alarm is from floor device, an indication labeled “Available for emergency service” is placed in elevator cab (Hirschler, 1992). If alarm is from elevator shaft or machine room, it is to be indicated “Not to be used for emergency service” inside the elevator cab. The impact of new innovation elevator changes in large buildings such as hospitals will permit distributed elevator banks to continue operation, provide a safer means of egress for persons having impaired mobility, recall/interface applies to all elevators and not just high rise, smoke detectors are now required in every elevator lobbies, in case primary recall level is not sprinkle-red optional recall is needed – no longer just for the high rise, and finally manual stations not permitted to initiate recall, so the floor zone cannot be utilized. New innovations require fire alarm alert signals to be clearly audible in continuous stuffed locations, and in case there is no provision for continuously staffed locations, in the entire floor area. New innovations require that that the fire alarm system clarifies previous intent to ensure that supervisory staff members are well aware f fire alarm system operation and that the alert signals do not require operating throughout the building of which provided supervisory staff are alerted. New format display for exit signs is also in use as shown in the below diagram; The new innovation exit sign is a green pictogram adhering to ISO standards. It is language independent in nature and recognized internationally and meets the universal sign format. It could end up in mixed signage in most of the existing buildings where additions should conform to pictorial symbols. Use of new tech for exit sign continues to function after emergency power fails and avails easier cost friendly installation. The new system lowers maintenance and for it to be acceptable then it must be listed. Types of fire alarms Fire alarm systems are normally needed by building codes. For new buildings, this is usually accomplished through the adoption of building rules and regulations. The fire alarm systems are often associated specifically with alarm bells and pull boxes. Nevertheless, they are normally much complex. The primary function of the fire alarm system is to alert the building occupants in case of fire. New innovations have also been designed not only to alert building occupants, but the system can be designed to concurrently alert the fire department by ways of direct or relayed signal where a rapid response by the fire department is necessary (Avery, & Soo, 2003). This is specifically vital in some industrial occupancy having large quantities of highly explosive or combustible materials where fire can possibly develop rapidly, and in high building structures, nursing homes and hospitals where evacuation assistance maybe needed. In some cases, due to the building occupancy nature, new innovations allow for the alarm system to alert initially only the building staff before the general alarm is activated. New innovations as well allow the fire system to be designed to manage the operation of the building service equipment in order to minimize the spread of smoke and fire. The signals from the system may automatically involve equipment to pressurize stairwells or shut down recirculating the air system. This technique helps confine smoke to the fire floor and reduces danger to life and property destruction. The new techniques allow for the alarm system to be designed to activate smoke exhaust systems to ventilate a fire and minimize heat buildup (Hirschler, 1992). The controls that are connected to the fire alarm system may recall elevators automatically to the ground floor and exit them from public use. The new innovation allows fire alarm systems to be designed to activate fire suppression systems, release hold open devices on fire doors and indicate the location of fire within the building. Types of systems The basic types of fire alarm systems currently used in buildings are single and two stage systems. A single stage system is designed in such a way that when activated the alarm signal is instantly transmitted throughout the building to warn the occupants that there is fire emergency. In a two staged alarm system, a distinct alert signal firstly advises the staff of the fire emergency. Normally, this signal is coded to ensure that its meaning is only apparent to designated building staff. The staff is required to immediately investigate the source of the alarm and if there is fire, to activate the alarm signal. The alarm system is then automatically set off after a set period of time – usually 5 minutes in case the staff have not activated it already or reset the alarm system. In case on the other hand, after investigation it is established that the alert is a false alarm, staff can silence the coded alert signal and as well reset the system. The two staged alarm systems are normally used if programmed evacuation is needed or in case a general alarm would cause undue distress to the occupants, for instance in health facilities (Hirschler, 2012). In these facilities the clearing of the occupants is a bit difficult and could physically or psychologically be harmful. Hence, two stage alarm systems are applied to reduce the possibility of false alarms. In certain industrial occupancies having significant quantities of combustible, explosive or flammable materials, a fire can extremely develop in a rapid manner; therefore, it is necessary that there be no delay when it comes to evacuating the area. Accordingly, the only alarm system allowed in such areas is the single stage alarm. Design The fire alarm system should be designed to provide early warning and detection of fire. The designer should consider the complexity, size, and use of the building, and the degree of detection and the desired warning (Cavanaugh, Tocci, & Wilkes, 2010). While the design of fire alarm is usually regulated by the building Codes, the protection level specified is normally a minimum and the designer should consider availing higher protection levels where circumstance indicates the need. In order to achieve the desired protection level, most fire alarm systems will always have a combination of heat detectors, manual pull boxes and smoke detectors. The type of the detector to be applied depends on the nature of the fire expected, the desired response time, and the service conditions in which the detector operates (Avery & Soo, 2003). Smoke detectors may be used to initiate signals to shut down fast or close the dampers. For this case, they are installed in the return air ducts of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, to prevent smoke contaminated air from circulating. Smoke detectors are normally provide an early warning in case of fire as compared to others like heat detectors and therefore are used I key positions such as exits, corridors,, patients room, or the room where the occupants may be sleeping. Conclusion Fire alarm system are needed by law through building Codes, fire Codes and special acts or bylaws; this is basically the main reason that drew my attention to investigate more concerning fire alarms and the new techniques that are in use. The choice of a given type of equipment to be used in fire alarm systems depends on the nature of occupancy, the size of the building, the number of occupants and the level of protection that is needed (Avery, & Soo, 2003). New technologies are also emerging making the codes as well to be modified to suit the trends and ensure safety. References Avery, W. H., & Soo, J. (2003).Emergency/disaster guidelines and procedures for employees. Toronto: CCH Canadian. Cavanaugh, W. J., Tocci, G. C., & Wilkes, J. A. (2010).Architectural acoustics: Principles and practice. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons. Hirschler, M. M. (2012). Fire hazard and fire risk assessment: [papers presented at the symposium held in San Antonio, Tx. on 3 Dec. 1990]. Philadelphia, Pa. International Association of Fire Chiefs., National Fire Protection Association., & Jones & Bartlett Learning. (2012). Fire inspector: Principles and practice. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Read More