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The Code contains an extensive glossary of terms, some of which are defined as:
Access to exit is that part of a means of egress, such as an aisle, hallways or corridor, which occupants must use to reach an exit.
Alarm Signal is an audible signal transmitted throughout a building to advise occupants that a fire emergency exists.
Alert Signal is an audible signal to advise designated persons of a fire emergency.
Alternatives are those provisions that are employed in lieu of a strict adherence to the Code which are deemed acceptable by the chief building inspector.
Annunciator Panel is the lighted panel that provides information about the location of an activated fire alarm in a building.
Assembly occupancy is the use or occupancy of a building, or part thereof, by a gathering of persons.
Barrier-free is a building and its facilities can be approached, entered, and used by persons with physical or sensory disabilities.
Chief Building Official is the local enforcer of the Code. The City or Town Council of each municipality shall appoint a chief building official and such inspectors as are necessary for the enforcement of Building Code.
Canopy is a roof-like structure projecting more than 300 millimeters or 11 ¾ inches form the exterior face of the building.
Closure is a device for closing an opening through a fire separation or an exterior wall, such as a door, a shutter, wired glass or glass block.
Containment is the provision of fire separations between different kinds of occupancies (such as a non-combustible wall between a theatre and a neighbouring building) and the protection of openings in fire separations (such as a fire curtain between a stage and an auditorium, or wire-glass in a window).
Construct has to do anything in the erection, installation, extension or material alteration or repair of a building.
Corridor is a narrow hallway, passageway, or gallery, often with rooms or apartments opening onto it.
Dead load is the weight of all permanent structural and nonstructural components of a building.
Dumb Waiter Shaft is an elevator used for transporting food from one level to another.
Exit is that part of a means of egress, such as a door, stair or ramp that leads from the floor it serves through a continuous, enclosed passage to the outside at ground level or a separate building.
Exposing building face is that part of the exterior wall of a building which faces one direction and is located between ground level and the ceiling of the top story.
Fire damper is a closure that is installed in a duct, floor or wall and is normally open, but in the event of a fire closes automatically to maintain the integrity of the fire separation.
Fire detector is a device that detects a fire condition and automatically sends an electrical signal to initiate an alert or alarm signal. A combination of heat and smoke detectors are usually used in theatre spaces.
Fire-protection rating is the time in hours that a closure will withstand the passage of flame when exposed to fire.
Fire-resistance rating is the time in hours that a material or assembly of materials will withstand the passage of flame and the transmission of heat when exposed to fire.
Fire separation is a wall or floor assembly that acts as a barrier against the spread of fire.
Firewall is a type of fire separation that subdivides a building or separates adjoining buildings to resist the spread of fire.
Flame-spread rating is a comparative index indicating the speed at which flame spreads along the surface of a material. The higher the index, the faster the flame will spread.
Floor area is the space on any storey of a building between exterior walls and required firewalls including the space occupied by interior walls and partitions, but not including exits, vertical service spaces, and their enclosing assemblies.
Guard is a protective barrier used to prevent accidental falls from one level to another. Some examples of places that a guard would be used include, open sides of stairs, landings, balconies, mezzanines etc.
Hazardous room is a room containing sufficient quantities of a substance that, because of its chemical nature, may create an atmosphere or condition of imminent hazard to human health.
Hazardous substances are potentially volatile or combustible solids, liquids or gases that represent a hazard to human health (cited in the OBC, Appendix A 3.3.1.2. (1). Hazardous substances may not be stored in basements or rooms other than those designed to accommodate them.
Heritage building is a building that is certified to be of significant architectural or historical value by a recognized, non profit public organization. Certification for these organizations must by accepted by the chief building official.
Janitors’ room is a room that is likely to have hazardous materials such as cleaning solvents stored within.
Lavatory is a wash basin.
Life safety study is a report prepared by a Code specialist (usually an engineer) that proposes alternative safety measures to a strict adherence to the letter of the Code in an existing building.
Live load is the load other than the dead load. It includes the loads resulting from snow, rain, wind, earthquake and those resulting from occupancy.
Load bearing as applied to a building element means that the element is subjected to or designed to carry loads in addition to its own dead load.
Major occupancy is the principal occupancy for which a building is used or intended to be used.
Marquee is a canopy over an entrance to a building.
Means of egress is a continuous path of travel provided for the escape of persons from any point in a building or contained open space. This includes exits and access to exits.
Mezzanine is an intermediate floor assembly between the floor and ceiling of any room. This includes an interior balcony.
Noncombustible is the condition of a material that can not be readily burned and has met the criteria of the “Standard method of Test for Determination of Non-Combustibility in Building Materials” (CAN4-S114).
Noncombustible construction is that type of construction in which a degree of fire safety is attained by using noncombustible materials.
Occupancy is the use or intended use of a building or part thereof for the shelter of persons, animals or property.
Occupant Load is the number of persons for which the building or part thereof is designed.
Plumb Line is a line (as of cord) that has at one end a weight (as a plumb bob) and is used especially to determine verticality.
Public Corridor is a corridor that provides access to exit from more than one suite.
Room is an area separated by walls or partitions from other similar parts of the structure or building in which it is located.
Stage is a space designed primarily for theatrical performances that is traditionally, but not necessarily, separated from the audience by a proscenium wall.
Standpipe is a vertical pipe for the conveyance of water, gas, etc. to a higher level.
Suite is a single room or a series of rooms of complementary use, operated under a single tenancy.
Theatre is a place of public assembly intended for production and viewing of the performing arts or the screening and viewing of motion pictures, as well as an auditorium with permanently fixed seats intended solely for a viewing audience.
Unprotected opening is a doorway, window or any other opening on the exposing building face other than the one equipped with the required fire-protection rating.
Walkway is a covered or roofed pedestrian thoroughfare used to connect two or more buildings.
Water Closet is a private stall that houses a flush toilet.
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