| The Fire Code has been amended to accomodate | | | | July 14, 1996.The requirement for fire separations |
| recent changes to the Municipal Act and the | | | | and means of escape must be met by July 14, |
| Planning Act, allowing one apartment in most | | | | 1996.Bringing existing houses into compliance with |
| detached, semi-detached and row houses, as long | | | | this regulation may require repairs or alterations |
| as minimum health and safety standards can be | | | | for which a building permit is needed under the |
| met. The Fire Code amendments deal with | | | | Building Code Act.For additional information, or a |
| conformance of existing buildings. For new | | | | copy of Ontario Regulation 385/94, please |
| construction, see the Building Code. Fire Code, | | | | contact your local fire department or the regional |
| Section 9.8, Two Residential Occupancies, became | | | | Office of the Fire Marshall, at the phone number |
| law on July 14, 1994.For additional information | | | | listed under Ministry of the Solicitor General and |
| contact your local fire department or the regional | | | | Correctional Services, in the Blue Pages of your |
| Office of the Fire Marshall, at the phone number | | | | telephone directory.Ontario Fire Marshall's Office: |
| listed under Ministry of the Solicitor General and | | | | article is intended for discussion purposes only and |
| Correctional Services, in the Blue Pages of your | | | | not as a code interpretation. For specific articles |
| telephone directory. Ref: Ont. Regulation 385/94.IT | | | | and conformances, please consult the Ontario Fire |
| IS THE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO COMPLY | | | | Code, Retrofit Section 9.8 and/or the Ontario |
| WITH THIS REGULATION.To comply with this fire | | | | Building CodeCopyright Gil Strachan - All rights |
| safety regulation for existing houses with two | | | | reserved.Gil Strachan is a professional home |
| existing dwelling units, the owner must satisfy | | | | inspector, representing Electrospec Home |
| certain minimum requirements for fire separations, | | | | Inspection Services in east-central Ontario, Canada |
| means of escape, smoke alarms, and electrical | | | | since 1994. Visit to learn more about home |
| safety.Each dwelling unit must be provided with | | | | inspections."The Home Reference Book" |
| smoke alarms effective August 13, 1994. Battery | | | | You can probably find a home inspection for a |
| operated smoke alarms satisfy this requirement. | | | | little less than what we ask, but you probably |
| Owners are required to maintain smoke alarms in | | | | won't find the Home Reference Book. A $60 |
| operating condition.Each house containing two | | | | value, this solutions-oriented reference tool comes |
| dwelling units must be inspected by Ontario Hydro | | | | free with every inspection we perform.It's the |
| and all identified hazards must be corrected by | | | | first tool you should have around the house! |