24 197490 ALT

Project Description

This Alternative Solution is proposed as a means of providing timely movement of persons to a safe place in an emergency (OBC Functional Statement 10) and To notify persons, in a timely manner, of the need to take action in an emergency (F11) in a Multitenant House within the constraints of an existing structure in an urban setting. This proposal drawings on provisions in Part 3 of the building code to provide alternative design solutions, including calculations of occupancy, number of required exits andrequirement of fire alarm system.Under Part 9 sleeping rooms within dwelling units are assumed to be designed for 2 occupants, however in Part 3 there is room to define the occupancy differently based on the design of the space ¿ allowing for a greater range of building uses that are covered under Part 3. Single Occupancy Rooms are only be rented to one individual and are designed and furnished as such. The Occupancy designation will persist in the event of sale of the property, thus a change in owner would not affect this performance level. To increase the performance level to account for the occasional guest, a sign posted near the entrance with the occupant load is proposed. Following on these provisions, the design of the space has been based on an Occupancy of 6 (1 per sleeping room). Assuming this Occupant load, the existing building does not require a secondary exit on the third floor per OBC 9.9.8.2 (3). However, in acknowledgment of Ontario Fire Code 9.3.3.1. (1) Each floor area shall be served by at least two exits.(2) Where sleeping accommodation is not provided for more than 10 persons, one exit from each of the first and second floor floor areas is deemed to be in compliance with Sentence (1). An alternative solution borrowing a design provision from 3.3.4.4 (7) for a fire protected balcony in multi-level dwelling units is proposed to provide an area of refuge for the occupants on the 2nd and 3rd floors in the case that the main egress path is blocked. The proposed balcony is adjacent to a public Right of Way and could provide access to rescue if necessary. Finally, based on the proposed occupant load, and the provisions in the Ontario Fire Code below, it is argued that the existing interconnected smoke alarms, along with additional detectors for new sleeping rooms proposed are sufficient to provide warning to residents. All other proposed changes presented in the drawing set comply with Part 9 of the Ontario Building Code, and/or the compliance alternatives in Part 11

Permit Details