25 108664 ALT

Project Description

Alternative Solution ProposalIt is proposed to demolish a portion of the existing north building on the west side of the building. In its place, a new building addition will be constructed. The building addition will be 2-storeys in height and will be contiguous with the existing floor levels of the school. The building addition will feature offices and lounge/study spaces on the lower level and a new cafeteria with a kitchen on the upper level. The building addition is proposed to interconnect floor spaces between Level 200 (the first storey) and Level 300 via an unenclosed communication stair within the main corridors of both levels. This opening for the feature stair is considered an interconnected floor space (ICFS) opening. The current edition of the OBC provides restrictions for ICFS within schools, specifically under OBC Article 3.2.8.1. This Article limits the provision of an ICFS within a school, except where the ICFS is located between the first storey and the next storey above/below it, the building is sprinklered, a vertical 30 min fire separation is provided at the upper level of the ICFS opening spanning from floor assembly to the underside of the roof above.However, the forthcoming edition of the OBC (noted as the 2024 edition, to be enforced on January 1, 2025) will adopt the requirements of the 2020 edition of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC), with Ontario amendments. Under the new edition of the OBC, the restrictions identified above for an ICFS within a school building will no longer apply. This alternative solution proposes to apply the 2024 OBC's ICFS requirements to the design. The letter prepared by CodeNext summarizes the application as well as the application/comparison of other fire protection and life safety requirements.

Permit Details