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3.4.4.4.(1)
OS1OP1
ObjectiveOS1 Fire Safety
Attribution
Application
Application 1: 
Openings in fire separations that separate exits from the remainder of the building.
Exceptions: 
except for:
  • standpipe and sprinkler piping,
  • electrical wires and cables, totally enclosed noncombustible raceways and noncombustible piping that serve only the exit,
  • openings required by the provisions of Subsection 3.2.6.,
  • exit doorways, and
  • wired glass and glass block permitted by Article 3.1.8.14.
This applies to exits serving floor areas that are intended for occupancy, including mezzanines as stated in Sentence 3.4.2.2.(1), in buildings described in Sentence 1.3.3.2.(1) of Division A.
Application 2: 
This also applies to tents and air-supported structures, as stated in Sentences 3.1.6.1.(1) and 9.10.1.2.(1).
Exceptions: 
except as stated in:
  • Sentence 3.1.6.2.(1), which prohibits air-supported structures from being located above the first storey on any building,
  • Sentence 3.1.6.2.(2), which prohibits air-supported structures from being used for classrooms or for Groups B, C, or Group F, Division 1 major occupancies,
  • Sentence 3.1.6.2.(3), which requires air-supported structures to be designed as open floor spaces without interior walls, mezzanines, intermediate floors or similar construction,
  • Sentence 3.3.1.3.(5), which applies to rooftop enclosures,
  • Sentence 3.4.2.2.(2), which applies to mezzanines that:
    • are not required to terminate at a vertical fire separation [see Article 3.2.8.1.],
    • are not intended for an occupant load more than 60,
    • do not exceed the area limits for rooms and suites in Table 3.4.2.2., and
    • have limited travel distances to egress doors or stairs, and
  • Sentence 3.4.2.2.(3), which applies to at least half of the required means of egress from a mezzanine if the mezzanine is not required to terminate at a fire separation as permitted by Sentence 3.2.8.2.(1).
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Intent
Intent 1: 
To supersede the requirements of Subsections 3.1.8., 3.1.9. and 3.2.8., which would otherwise permit openings in exit fire separations, and limit the openings to only certain penetrations, on the basis of maintaining the integrity of exits.
This is to limit the probability that:
  • fire will spread into an exit, which could lead to delays in the evacuation or movement of persons to a safe place, which could lead to harm to persons,
  • fire will spread into an exit, which could lead to emergency responders being delayed in gaining access to floor areas, which could lead to delays or ineffectiveness in fire emergency response operations, which could lead to:
    • delays in the evacuation or movement of persons to a safe place, which could lead to harm to persons including emergency responders, and
    • the spread of fire to other parts of the building, which could lead to harm to persons, and
  • fire will spread from one floor area to another floor area by means of an exit, which could lead to harm to persons in the other floor area.
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