Wood Structure

and Fire
Fire
Assignment: 3

Tushar Jagdishbhai Chheta [101250453]

Date: November 16, 2022

Master of Engineering: Civil Engineering

Instructor: Dr. Sabah Ali, PhD, P. Eng, PMP

1
 Question 1

Given data
➢ Occupancy: Residential
➢ Number of stories: 8
➢ 48 Parking slots in a single level concrete basement
➢ Area: 1015 square meter
➢ Fire separation: 2 hours

Solution:
National Building code of Canada 2015 is used for this Assignment.
According to Table 3.1.2.1 of NBCC 2015, the given case study of 8-story building is classified as
Group C because it is residential building. Major Occupancy Classification of Part 3 of NBC 2015.

(a) Combustible or non-combustible construction?

From clause 3.2.2.47 of NBC 2015, given 8 stories structure must be made of Non-combustible
construction.
According to clause 3.1.5.2 of NBC 2015, following are minor combustible materials that canbe
used in non-combustible construction,
➢ Paint
➢ Self-adhesive tapes, mastics and caulking materials, including foamed plastic air
sealants, applied to provide a seal between the major components of exterior wall
construction
➢ Fire stops and fire blocks
➢ Tubing for pneumatic controls provided it has an outside diameter of not more than 10
mm
➢ Adhesives, vapour barriers and sheathing papers
➢ Electrical outlet and junction boxes,
➢ Wood blocking within wall assemblies intended for the attachment of handrails, fixtures,
and similar items mounted on the surface of the wall
➢ Similar minor components.

2
For details on more combustible material that can be use, refer following clauses of NBC 2015 division
B.
MATERIALS CLAUSE

Minor components such as paint, adhesive tape, caulking 3.1.5.2

materials and seals
Combustible Roofing Materials 3.1.5.3
Combustible Glazing and Skylights 3.1.5.4
Combustible Cladding on Exterior Walls 3.1.5.5
Combustible Components in Exterior Walls 3.1.5.6
Factory-Assembled Panels 3.1.5.7
Nailing Elements 3.1.5.8
Combustible Millwork 3.1.5.9
Combustible Flooring Elements 3.1.5.10
Combustible Stairs in Dwelling Units 3.1.5.11
Combustible Interior Finishes 3.1.5.12
Gypsum Board 3.1.5.13
Combustible Insulation 3.1.5.14
Foamed Plastic Insulation 3.1.5.15
Combustible Elements in Partitions 3.1.5.16
Storage Lockers in Residential Buildings 3.1.5.17
Combustible Ducts 3.1.5.18
Combustible Piping Materials 3.1.5.19
Combustible Plumbing Fixtures 3.1.5.20
Wires and Cables 3.1.5.21
Combustible Travelling Cables for Elevators 3.1.5.22
Non-metallic Raceways 3.1.5.23
Decorative Wood Cladding 3.1.5.24

(b) Requirement for Sprinklers?

From clause 3.2.2.47. and sentence 2 of NBC 2015, any height and any area residential
structure needs to be sprinklered throughout except following.
➢ Clause 3.2.2.47(2) of NBCC 2015 states that “except as permitted by Sentences
3.2.2.7. (1) and 3.2.2.18.(2), the building shall be sprinklered throughout.”
Therefore, the 8-storey building shall be sprinkled throughout.
➢ Clause 3.2.2.18(1) (2) of NBCC 2015 “If a storey in a building or a floor area is
required to have an automatic sprinkler system installed throughout in accordance
with one or more of Articles 3.2.2.20. to 3.2.2.90. or Section 3.3., the automatic
sprinkler system shall also be installed throughout all lower storeys in the building
notwithstanding permission in Articles 3.2.2.20. to 3.2.2.90. to construct one or
more of those storeys without installing automatic sprinkler protection.”
All in all, this structure needs to be sprinklered throughout.

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(c) Maximum area permitted?
There is no specified area limit for an 8-story building in NBC 2015. However, according to clause
3.2.2.48, the area of a 6-story building should not exceed 6000 square meters.
However, in our case study, the given structure is an 8-story building, so there is no representation
of area for structures more than 6 stories.

(d) What fire-resistance ratings are required between units, for columns and the
floor assembly?
This structure is not confronting with sentence 3.3.4.2.(3) hence, it needs following fire-resistance
rating according to clause 3.2.2.47(2).
➢ Clause 3.2.2.47(2)(b) of NBCC 2015 states that “except as permitted by Sentence
(3) (building containing dwelling units), floor assemblies shall be fire
separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h.”

➢ According to the Clause 3.2.2.47(2)(c) of NBCC 2015, “mezzanines shall have a

fire resistance rating not less than 1 h.”
➢ According to the Clause 3.2.2.47(2)(d) of NBCC 2015, “load bearing walls,
columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required
for the supported assembly.”

(e) Maximum flame-spread ratings in the residential units, in the corridors, exit stairwells
andlobby?

➢ For corridors, according to sentence 3.1.13.6.(2), The flame-spread rating for

corridorsshould not be more than,
a) 25 on the upper half of the wall, and
b) 150 on the lower half of the wall.

➢ Clause 3.1.13.6(3) of NBCC 2015 states that “Where the floor area is sprinklered
throughout, the flame-spread ratings for corridors specified in Sentences (1) and
(2) shall be not more than 150.”

➢ Table 3.1.13.2 of NBCC 2015 states that “the maximum flame spread ratings for
exit stairwells and lobby shall not be more than 25.”

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Question: 2

According to NBC 2015, largest wood building permitted to the prescriptive requirement is 6
stories. In this question, I will consider6 story building with sprinklered throughout.

(a) Combustible or non-combustible construction?

From clause 3.2.2.47 of NBC 2015, given 8 stories structure must be made of Non-combustible
construction.
According to clause 3.1.5.2 of NBC 2015, following are minor combustible materials that canbe
used in non-combustible construction,
➢ Paint
➢ Self-adhesive tapes, mastics and caulking materials, including foamed plastic air
sealants, applied to provide a seal between the major components of exterior wall
construction
➢ Fire stops and fire blocks
➢ Tubing for pneumatic controls provided it has an outside diameter of not more than 10
mm
➢ Adhesives, vapour barriers and sheathing papers
➢ Electrical outlet and junction boxes,
➢ Wood blocking within wall assemblies intended for the attachment of handrails, fixtures,
and similar items mounted on the surface of the wall
➢ Similar minor components.

5
For details on more combustible material that can be use, refer following clauses of NBC 2015 division
B.

MATERIALS CLAUSE

Minor components such as paint, adhesive tape, caulking 3.1.5.2

materials and seals
Combustible Roofing Materials 3.1.5.3
Combustible Glazing and Skylights 3.1.5.4
Combustible Cladding on Exterior Walls 3.1.5.5
Combustible Components in Exterior Walls 3.1.5.6
Factory-Assembled Panels 3.1.5.7
Nailing Elements 3.1.5.8
Combustible Millwork 3.1.5.9
Combustible Flooring Elements 3.1.5.10
Combustible Stairs in Dwelling Units 3.1.5.11
Combustible Interior Finishes 3.1.5.12
Gypsum Board 3.1.5.13
Combustible Insulation 3.1.5.14
Foamed Plastic Insulation 3.1.5.15
Combustible Elements in Partitions 3.1.5.16
Storage Lockers in Residential Buildings 3.1.5.17
Combustible Ducts 3.1.5.18
Combustible Piping Materials 3.1.5.19
Combustible Plumbing Fixtures 3.1.5.20
Wires and Cables 3.1.5.21
Combustible Travelling Cables for Elevators 3.1.5.22
Non-metallic Raceways 3.1.5.23
Decorative Wood Cladding 3.1.5.24

(b) Requirement for Sprinklers?

From clause 3.2.2.47. and sentence 2 of NBC 2015, any height and any area residential
structure needs to be sprinklered throughout except following.
➢ Clause 3.2.2.47(2) of NBCC 2015 states that “except as permitted by Sentences
3.2.2.7. (1) and 3.2.2.18.(2), the building shall be sprinklered throughout.”
Therefore, the 8-storey building shall be sprinkled throughout
➢ Clause 3.2.2.18(1) (2) of NBCC 2015 “If a storey in a building or a floor area is
required to have an automatic sprinkler system installed throughout in accordance
with one or more of Articles 3.2.2.20. to 3.2.2.90. or Section 3.3., the automatic
sprinkler system shall also be installed throughout all lower storeys in the building
notwithstanding permission in Articles 3.2.2.20. to 3.2.2.90. to construct one or
more of those storeys without installing automatic sprinkler protection.”
All in all, this structure needs to be sprinklered throughout.

6
 (c) Maximum area permitted?
According to clause 3.2.2.48 of NBCC 2015, the area of a 6-story building should not exceed 6000
square meters.

(d) What fire-resistance ratings are required between units, for columns and the floor
assembly?
This structure is not confronting with sentence 3.3.4.2.(3) hence, it needs following fire-resistance
rating according to clause 3.2.2.47(2).
➢ Clause 3.2.2.47(2)(b) of NBCC 2015 states that “except as permitted by Sentence
(3) (building containing dwelling units), floor assemblies shall be fire
separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h.”

➢ According to the Clause 3.2.2.47(2)(c) of NBCC 2015, “mezzanines shall have a

fire resistance rating not less than 1 h.”
➢ According to the Clause 3.2.2.47(2)(d) of NBCC 2015, “load bearing walls,
columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required
for the supported assembly.”

(e) Maximum flame-spread ratings in the residential units, in the corridors, exit stairwells
andlobby?

➢ For corridors, according to sentence 3.1.13.6.(2), The flame-spread rating for

corridorsshould not be more than,
a) 25 on the upper half of the wall, and

b) 150 on the lower half of the wall.

➢ Clause 3.1.13.6(3) of NBCC 2015 states that “Where the floor area is sprinklered
throughout, the flame-spread ratings for corridors specified in Sentences (1) and
(2) shall be not more than 150.”

➢ Table 3.1.13.2 of NBCC 2015 states that “the maximum flame spread ratings for
exit stairwells and lobby shall not be more than 25.”

7
 Question: 3

Different In clauses between NBCC 2015 and OBC 2010 are shown in below table,

NBCC 2015 OBC 2010

Occupancies is decided based on the type of the Occupancies is decided on the basis on the
structure. (Division B, part 3, table.:3.1.2.1, pg. number of people using the structure. (Division
no.:116) B part 3, cl.:3.1.2.5, pg. no.:4)
For heavy timber construction it is same as the Ontario For heavy timber construction section size need
building code in every aspect and have same section to be taken into consideration. (Division B, part
as well. (Division B, part 3, cl.:3.1.4.6, pg. no.:120) 3, cl.:3.1.4.6/3.1.4.7, pg. no.: 7) table.:3.1.4.7
table.: - 3.1.4.7
No heat factor is to be satisfied by and no values For non-combustible construction, the heat
given by the code, just area is taken into consideration, factors are considered which should not be
and it is different for different occupancies more than 3 MJ/m2. (Division B, Part 3,
cl.:3.1.5, pg. no.: -9)
Mostly, Sprinkler system design is based on type of Sprinkler system is designed and evaluated based
the construction material and area of floors. on the no. of occupants and no. of the storeys.
(Division B, part 3, cl.: 3.2.2.47, 3.2.2.16, pg. (Division B, part 3, cl.:3.2.5.13, page no.: -95)
no.:165/156)
Highest 6 storeys of structure is permitted with not In this code it is depended on the kind of room and
more than the 1500 sq. meter for residential therefore in group C, maximum permitted is 200
structure. (Division B, Part 3, cl.:3.2.2.50, pg. no.:166) sq. meter. (Division B, part 3, section 3.3 and
table 3.3.1.5 A and B, pg. no.:114)

In NBCC 2015 the fire resistance rating is directly
given for the different cases and that is mentioned
in Ontario building code. (Division B, Part 3,
cl.:3.3.4.2, pg. no.:236)
Fire resistance rating is determined based on the
test confirmed by the CAN/ULC-S101 and have
some limiting distance for the exterior walls
around 1.2m while testing and correction is made
accordingly. In some cases, it is same as NBCC
2015 like members under the floor should not be
less than the minimum requirement. (Division B,
part 3, cl.:3.1.7, pg. no.:18)

In NBCC 2015 code there is no change in table and Flame spread rating and values is taken from the
values of the flame spread rating as it is same as clauses and tables given. (Division B, part 3,
Ontario building code (Division B, part 3, cl.3.1.13.2, cl.3.1.13.2 and table 3.1.13.2, pg. no.:31)
table.:3.1.13.2, pg. no.:146)

Different In clauses between NBCC 2015 and OBC 2012 are mentioned below:
• Article 3.1.5.5 for combustible Cladding on Exterior walls available in NBCC (2015) not in OBC
(2012)
• Computer room floors wires are mentioned in OBC (2012) as article 3.1.5.21
• Article 3.1.5.22 for Combustible fitting and components in a public pool or spa is available in
OBC (2012) not in NBCC (2015)
• Combustible Solar collectors’ system, mention in OBC (2012) as article 3.1.5.26