Apartment

This article is intended for discussion and is not an interpretation of the code. For specific items, compliance and can be secured in the Ontario Fire Code, section 9.8 connects Ontario Building Code

This article examines some of the things you should look first, if you shop for a house with a separate apartment. The regulatory information is updated in 1996, be modified at any time. Consult your localBuilding code official or Fire Department for up-to-date rules.

What's the big deal?

Most existing houses in two units (built before November 16, 1995) will be "grandfathered" (not yet admitted) under the new law, provided that they comply with existing municipal planning. Both houses have two units Fire code requirements by 14 July 1996. In general, new homes meet the building code and existing apartments must comply with the FireCode.

Both new and existing apartments must comply with certain properties and municipal zoning (planning) standard.

There is a certificate of conformity? It seems that the best protection is to ensure that the supplier provide a certificate of compliance with local municipal fire brigade of any property which might fall under the jurisdiction of the Fire Code, section 9.8. If the provider is not willing or able to provide a certificate of compliance, the deviceis non-compliance, and therefore illegal.

Municipalities also have the right to decide where they will allow for additional housing units, and can designate areas where they will allow for additional housing is not. Units for November 16, 1995 has been installed without permission is not protected (even if they conform to fire and electrical safety standards), and the municipality can request removal of the device.

What to look for:

*Walls / floors / ceilings covered with material with a rating of 30 minutes fire (eg gypsum) or a material with a rating of 15 minutes fire and smoke detectors interconnected through all the residences in the house.

* New! Mpumalanga, 1998: All owners of homes have smoke detectors, maintaining at each step, even when the house is not rented or sub-lease. Ask the local, regional or state hospital authority, the requirements for smoke detectors in your area to confirm.

* Material not ratedthe fire, but with a sprinkler system installed throughout the home in the house.

* A private entrance and the path does not involve the transfer of a second dwelling is not. Another way to finish, which can be another door or window, easily accessible and unobstructed.

What to ask:

* When was the skyscraper?

* If the block of flats after Nov.16, 1995, the vendor has a permit?

* If the seller has ancertificate of compliance with Ontario Hydro? The local fire brigade?

* There is a mutual fire alarms?

* What is the size of electrical service? There is enough "ampacity" (capacity) to support two separate entities?

Note

* There are few private inspection firms who are trying to exploit this opportunity by advertising themselves as a basement flat or a code of specialists in the fire. Do not be fooled. MunicipalBuilding & Fire are the organizations that only the power to determine the forms of conformity of the code.

What is cost?

* Ontario Hydro Inspection $ 72.00

* Fire Dept Code Inspection $ 142.00 (typical / average)

* The estimated cost to update or correct an existing basement apartment can be as high as $ 15,000.00

Legislative information in this article are updated 1996, is subject toto change at any time. Consult your local Building Code Official or Fire Department for the up-to-date rules.

Office of the Ontario Fire Marshall www.ofm.gov.on.ca