MODULE 8

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
 MODULE 8
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
3.7.1. Height and Area of Rooms
3.7.2. Windows
3.7.4. Plumbing Facilities
3.7.5. Health Care Facility
Systems
3.7.6. Food Premises
3.7.1. Height and Areas of Rooms

3.7.1.1. Room and Space Height

The height of every room and space shall be sufficient so that the ceiling or ceiling
fixtures do not obstruct movement or activities below.
The unobstructed height in dwelling units and sleeping rooms in Group C
occupancies shall conform to Subsection 9.5.3.
3.7.1.2. Residential Room Dimensions
The areas of rooms in dwelling units, dormitories, boarding and rooming houses
shall conform to Part 9.
3.7.1. Height and Areas of Rooms

3.7.1.3. Sleeping Areas in Group B and Child Care Facilities

Sleeping areas in a Group B occupancies shall provide not less than 4.7 m² per person in a
room having;
a) An area not less than 7 m²,
b) A horizontal dimension not less than 2000 mm, and
c) A ceiling height not less than 2300 mm.

Sleeping rooms for residents in long-term care homes shall have, exclusive of space
provided for washrooms and for built-in or portable clothes closets, a floor space not less
than;
a) 10.22 m² in a single-bed unit,
b) 16.72 m² in a two-bed unit,
c) 25.08 m² in a three-bed unit, and
d) 29.73 m² in a four-bed unit.

Child care facilities shall provide sleeping accommodation having not less than 0.93 m² of
floor surface area for each child, with not less than 2300 mm ceiling height.
3.7.2. Windows

3.7.2.1. Window Areas

Every room used for sleeping in any building and every principal room such as living room,
dining room or combination of them in dwelling units shall be provided with windows having
conforming to Part 9.

Long-term care homes shall have;

a) In an activity room, a sitting room or a lounge, one or more windows with a total
unobstructed glass area of not less than 10 % of the area of the room, and
In a residents’ sleeping room, one or more windows that;
i) have a total unobstructed glass area of not less than 10% of the area
of the room,
ii) open to the outdoors and have a total unobstructed glass area of not less than
5% of the area of the room, and
iii) are installed with the bottom edge of the glass of every window not more than
660 mm above the floor.

Play activity rooms in a child care facility and work areas in live/work units shall have one or
more windows that conform to the window requirements for nursing homes above.
3.7.4. Plumbing Facilities

3.7.4.1. Plumbing and Drainage Systems

Each building situated on a property that abuts on a street in which a public or
municipal water main is located shall be provided with a plumbing system including
a potable water supply, a sanitary drainage system and plumbing fixtures.

Plumbing fixtures need not be provided in a building that is not normally occupied
by persons ,such as automated switching stations, pumping stations etc., where
such installations are impractical and other fixtures are available in nearby
buildings.

3.7.4.2. Plumbing Fixtures, General

The occupant load of the building is used when determining the required plumbing
fixtures for a building. The occupant load of a building is determined from
Subsection 3.1.17. However, the OBC allows an exception to Group D occupancies,
to allow the occupant load to be calculated as 14 m² per person when determining
plumbing fixtures for a Group D occupancy.
3.7.4. Plumbing Facilities

3.7.4.2. Plumbing Fixtures, General (cont’d)

Water closets shall be provided for each sex assuming that the occupant load is equally divided
between males and females, unless the proportion of each sex expected in the building can be
determined with reasonable accuracy.

Urinals are permitted to be substituted for water closets required for males provided that the
number of urinals is not more than;
a) one fifth of the required number of water closets in hospitals and nursing homes, and
b) two thirds of the required number of water closets in any other occupancy.

If only 2 water closets are required for males, one urinal is permitted to be substituted for one of the
water closets.

At least one lavatory (sink) shall be provided in a room containing one or 2 water closets or urinals,
and at least one additional shall be provided for each additional 2 water closets or urinals.

Circular wash fountains and trough type fountains are permitted to be provided in lieu of required
lavatories provided each 500 mm of circumference or trough length is considered to be the
equivalent of one lavatory.
3.7.4. Plumbing Facilities

3.7.4.2. Plumbing Fixtures, General (cont’d)

If only one universal toilet room (formerly a barrier-free washroom) is required by Section
3.8. the water closet in the universal toilet room is not permitted to be considered in
determining the number of water closets required by Subsection 3.7.4.

Both sexes are permitted to be served by a single water closet if the occupant load is not
more than 10 persons in;
a) an assembly occupancy, except
i) elementary and secondary schools,
ii) child care facilities,
iii) places of worship,
iv) undertaking premises
v) dining rooms , restaurants cafeterias etc..

Other than in dwelling units, faucets to lavatories shall be;

a) Of the automatic type, or
b) have lever type handles that do not close under spring action.
Roman Aqueduct in Segovia, Spain
3.7.4. Plumbing Facilities
3.7.4.3. Plumbing Fixtures for Assembly Occupancies
In general, the number of water closets for assembly occupancies shall conform to
Table 3.7.4.3.A.
Except that;
a) For Group A1 occupancies the number of water closets required shall
conform to Table 3.7.4.3.B.
b) For motion picture theatres, Group A3, Group A4 and outdoor pools, the
number of water closets required shall conform to Table 3.7.4.3.C.
c) For dining rooms, restaurants and cafeterias, the number of water closets
required shall conform to Table 3.7.4.3.D.
d) For establishments used primarily for the consumption of alcoholic
beverages that provide limited or no food service, the required number of
water closets shall conform to Table 3.7.3.4.E.
e) For dining rooms, restaurants, cafeteria and alcoholic beverage
establishments having an occupant load more than 40 persons, sanitary facilities
shall be provided for employees , in addition to those for patrons in accordance
with Table 3.7.4.3.F.
f) For dining rooms, restaurants, cafeteria and alcoholic beverage
establishments having an occupant load not more than 40 persons, sanitary
facilities for patrons can be used by the employees of the establishment and
the number of water closets can be in accordance with Table 3.7.4.3.D.
3.7.4. Plumbing Facilities
3.7.4.3. Plumbing Fixtures for Assembly Occupancies (cont’d)
g) For parking lots that are part of a restaurant where patrons are intended to eat in
vehicles parked on the lot the minimum number of water closets shall conform
to;
i) Table 3.7.4.3.G. where food is not served by employees on the parking
lot, and,
ii) Table 3.7.4.3.H where employees serve food on the parking lot.
h) For drive-in theatres the minimum number of water closets shall conform to Table
3.7.4.3.H
i) For dance halls and recreational establishments the minimum number of water
closets shall be one for every 100 males and one for every 75 females.
j) For child care facilities the maximum number of children per water closet shall
conform to table 3.7.4.3.I.
k) For elementary and secondary schools the number of water closets shall be at least
one for each 30 males and one for every 26 females.
l) For non-residential college buildings the minimum required water closets shall be
one for each 100 males and one for every 75 females.
m) For places of worship and undertaking premises the minimum required water
closets shall be at least one for every 150 persons of each sex.
3.7.4. Plumbing Facilities
3.7.4.4. Plumbing Fixtures for Care or Detention Occupancies

The number of water closets for Group B1 occupancies shall be based on the
special needs of these types of occupancies. (usually one in each individual cell)

For group B2 and B3 occupancies washroom shall be provided so that each

washroom;
a) Serves not more than four patients or residents,
b) Is accessible from patients’ or residents sleeping rooms,
c) Contains one water closet, and
d) Contains one lavatory

The number of water closets for employees in Group B2 and B3 occupancies shall
conform to table 3.7.4.4.
3.7.4. Plumbing Facilities

3.7.4.5. Plumbing Facilities for Dwelling Units

A kitchen sink, lavatory, water closet and bathtub or shower shall be provided in
every dwelling unit.

3.7.4.6. Plumbing Fixtures for other Residential Occupancies

The number of water closets for residential occupancies, other than dwelling units,
shall conform to Table 3.7.4.6.

3.7.4.7. Plumbing Fixtures for Business and Personal Services

Occupancies
The number of water closets for business and personal services occupancies shall
conform to Table 3.7.4.7.

Not more than one water closet to serve both sexes need be provided in a Group D
occupancy having an occupant load of not more than 10 persons.
3.7.4. Plumbing Facilities
3.7.4.8. Plumbing Fixtures for Mercantile Occupancies
The number of water closets required for employees in mercantile occupancies
shall conform to Table 3.7.4.8.

The number of water closets for the public in mercantile occupancies shall be at
least one for every 300 males and one for every 150 females.

Not more than one water closet to serve both sexes need be provided in Group E
occupancies where;
a) The occupant load is not more than 9 persons,
b) Where the total area of the occupancy is not more than 300 m²

For a restaurant classified as an mercantile occupancy, the number of water closets

and lavatories required shall conform to Article 3.7.4.3.
3.7.4. Plumbing Facilities
3.7.4.9. Plumbing Fixtures for Industrial Occupancies
The number of water closets required for industrial occupancies shall be in
accordance with Table 3.7.4.9.

Not more than one water closet needs to be provided for both sexes in a Group F
occupancy if;
a) The occupant load is not more than 10 persons, or
b) The total area of the occupancy is not more than 300 m².

3.7.4.11. Safety Glass

Where glass is used for shower or bathtub enclosures it shall be safety glass only.
3.7.4. Plumbing Facilities
3.7.4.12. Surface Protection
Walls and floor finishes below the uppermost surfaces of urinals shall be protected
with impervious and durable material for a distance from the urinal to a point not
less than 900 mm from the projected outline of the urinal on to wall or floor.

Floor surfaces around a water closet shall be protected by impervious and durable
material for a distance not less than 900 mm from the projected outline of the
water closet on to the floor.

3.7.4.13. Floor Drains

Floor drains are required to be installed in a washroom containing urinals
equipped with automatic flushing devices.
3.7.4. Plumbing Facilities

3.7.4.14. Grab Bar Installation

Where grab bars are installed they shall be installed to resist a minimum load of
1.3 kN applied vertically and horizontally.

3.7.4.16. Privacy
A washroom that contains only one water closet shall have a full height door that is
capable of being locked from the inside.

A washroom that contains two or more water closets or urinals shall be designed
so that the water closets, urinals and lavatories are not visible from the entrance
to the room.

3.7.4.17. Water Temperature Control

Water temperature of the water to a plumbing fixture shall conform to Subsection
7.6.5. (49ºC)
Total lack of privacy to this public
washroom
3.7.4. Plumbing Facilities
3.7.4.18. Drinking Water
Every floor where work will be performed shall be provided with potable water
from a fountain, tap or tap from a covered vessel within 100 m from any point
within the work area.

3.7.4.19. Pharmacies
Pharmacies shall be provided with a sink with hot and cold potable water for
washing utensils used in the preparation, service or storage of drugs.
3.7.5. Health Care Facilities
Systems

3.7.5.1. Electrical Systems

In anaesthetizing locations, electrical systems shall be designed, constructed,
installed and testes in accordance with CSA Z32, “Essential Electrical Systems in
Health Care Facilities”.

3.7.5.2. Medical Gas Piping

All medical gas piping systems shall be designed, constructed, installed and tested
in accordance with CAN/CSA-Z305.1, “Nonflammable Medical Gas Piping Systems”.

3.7.5.3. Shielding of X-Ray Equipment

X-ray machines and equipment shall be shielded to protect any person who could
be exposed to radiation inside and outside of a building.
3.7.6. Food Premises

3.7.6.3. Location of Plumbing Fixtures

Water closets shall not be located where;
a) It opens directly into any room or area where food or drink for human
consumption, or an ingredient of food or drink for human consumption,
is intended to be stored, prepared, processed, distributed, served, sold or
offered for sale, and
b) It is not necessary for the public to go through the food preparation
areas to gain access to the plumbing fixtures.

A room containing plumbing fixtures for the public and employees in a restaurant
shall be located in the restaurant.

A washroom for the public need not be located in a restaurant if;

a) The washroom is located in the building containing the restaurant, and
b) The distance of travel between the restaurant and the washroom is not
more than 45 m.
Take-out Restaurant – Pompeii, Italy
Circa 79 A.D.
3.7.6. Food Premises
3.7.6.4. Lavatories, Appliances and Sinks
A separate lavatory for the handwashing of employees shall be constructed in a location convenient
for employees in each manufacturing, processing and preparation area.
Equipment and facilities for the cleaning and sanitizing of utensils are provided, they shall consist
of;
a) Mechanical equipment,
b) Drainage racks of corrosion-resistant materials and,
i) a three compartment sink or three sinks,
ii) a two-compartment sink or two sinks
A retail food premise is not required to comply with the above if;
a) It is designed to sell only cold drinks in or from the original container,
b) It is designed to sell only frozen confections in the original package or wrapper,
c) It is designed to prepare and sell only hot beverages,
d) It is designed to prepare and sell only popped corn, roasted nuts or french-fried
potatoes,
It is designed to sell only food or drink for human consumption that,
i) is pre-packaged at a premise other than the food premise at which it is
being offered for sale, and
ii) is not capable of supporting the growth of pathogenic organisms or the
production of toxins of such organisms.
3.7.6. Food Premises
3.7.6.5. Hot and Cold Water Supply
A hot and cold water supply shall be provided to;
a) Every plumbing appliance and fixture required by Article 3.7.6.4.
b) Every area where food or drink for human consumption , or an ingredient of food
or drink for human consumption, is manufactured, processed or prepared, and
c) Every area where utensils are washed.

3.7.6.6. Employees Facilities

Where dressing rooms are provided for employees there shall be separate dressing rooms for
males and females that,
a) Are large enough for the employees to change and store their clothing, and
b) Are equipped with lockers or other facilities suitable for storing their clothes.

Every washroom for employees shall be at least 2.3 m² in floor area.

3.7.6.7. Sleeping Quarters

A room intended for sleeping shall not open directly into any room where food or drink is
manufactured, processed, prepared, stored, displayed, handled, served, distributed, sold or
offered for sale.
 Study Questions - Part 3 – Module 8 – 3.7.
Circle the most correct answer.

1. Sleeping rooms in nursing homes shall have a floor space of;

a) 10.22 m² in a double-bed room.

b) 16.72 m² in a single-bed room
c) 25.08 m² in a three-bed unit
d) 25.08 m² in four-bed unit

2. If a building has an occupant load of 250 persons, what is the number of females
that is to be used to determine the number water closets required for the females
in the building?

a) 150
b) 125
c) 250
d) none of the above

3. In Group D occupancies the occupant load for determining the minimum required
number of water closets can be base on;

a) Table 3.7.4.7.
b) Table 3.1.17.1
c) 9.3 m² per person
d) 14 m² per person

4. Urinals can be substituted for water closets as long as;

a) they don’t amount to more than one third of the required water closets
b) they don’t amount to more than one fifth of the required water closets in a
nursing home
c) they don’t amount to more than two thirds of the required water closets in
all occupancies other than Group B2
d) b) and c)

5. In an assembly occupancy with an occupant load of 78 persons, what would be

the minimum number of water closets required for males?

a) 2
b) 3
c) 1
d) 4
6. What would be the minimum number of water closets per sex for a bar with
limited food service if the occupant load was 85 persons?

a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) none of the above

7. A floor drain is required;

a) in all public washrooms

b) in public washrooms containing urinals of the automatic type
c) in washrooms with more than 3 water closets
d) in only barrier-free washrooms

8. A room with a water closet shall not be located;

a) where it opens directly into a dining room

b) where it opens directly into a commercial kitchen
c) where the public would have to go through the kitchen to get to it
d) all of the above

Answers:

1. c) 2. b) 3. d) 4. b) 5. c) 6. a)

7. b) 8. d)