24 246103 ALT

Project Description

The Ontario Building Code (OBC) requires that a standpipe system be installed in buildings exceeding three storeys or 14 meters in height. Specifically, for buildings over 4000 m2 area or 25 meter height, both 38 mm and 65 mm diameter hose connections must be provided on each floor. These systems must comply with NFPA 14 standards. Hose stations, equipped with fire hoses, nozzles, and extinguishers, must be located within 5 meters of every exit, ensuring full coverage so that every part of the building can be reached by a hose stream within 33 meters. The proposed alternative solution suggests a standpipe system will be provided in conformance with the requirements in the NBC 2020 and OBC 2024. For the subject building, hose stations will not be provided in the floor area; instead, 64 mm hose connections will be located in the exits. As specified in OBC 2024, Sentence 3.2.5.10(2), hose connections are not required within a floor area, and standpipe connections on the first storey will be installed in exit stairs that provide access to the floor area. The solution will ensure that to undertake firefighting activities, responding fire fighters carry their own 65-mm-diameter hoses and equipment when attending to a fire. The fire hoses carried by the firefighters are maintained and tested on a regular basis to ensure the hoses are functioning and available when required. The larger 65 mm hose will provide more coverage and flow rate, which in turn will enhance the firefighting capability and facilitate emergency response.  Thus, the omission of the 38 mm diameter fire hose hose, locating the 64 mm fire hose valve connections in exits, and excluding the additional hose connections in floor areas in accordance with the OBC 2024 and NBC 2020 is considered to meet the intent of the Objectives and Functional Statements and the required level of performance expected by the OBC.

Permit Details