National Building Code of Canada - Section 197

3.2.2.39. Division B 3.2.2.39. Group B, Division 2, up to 3 Storeys, Sprinklered 1) A building classified as Group B, Division 2 is permitted to conform to Sentence (2) provided a) except as permitted by Sentences 3. 2.2.7.(1) and 3.2.2.18.(2), the building is sprinklered , b) it is not more than 3 storeys in building height,and c) it has a building area i) that is not limited if the building is not more than 1 storey in building height , ii) not more than 12 000 m 2 if 2 storeys in building height ,or iii) not more than 8 000 m 2 if 3 storeys in building height . 2) Except as permitted by Article 3.2.2.16., the building referred to in Sentence (1) shall be of noncombustible construction,and a) floor assemblies shall be fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, b) mezzanines shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, and c) loadbearing walls, columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly. 3.2.2.40. Group B, Division 2, up to 2 Storeys, Sprinklered 1) A building classified as Group B, Division 2 is permitted to conform to Sentence (2) provided a) except as permitted by Sentences 3. 2.2.7.(1) and 3.2.2.18.(2), the building is sprinklered , b) it is not more than 2 storeys in building height,and c) it has a building area not more than i) 2 400 m 2 if 1 storey in building height ,or ii) 1 600 m 2 if 2 storeys in building height . 2) The building referred to in Sentence (1) is permitted to be of combustible construction or noncombustible construction used singly or in combination, and a) floor assemblies shall be fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min, b) mezzanines shall have, if of combustible construction ,a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min, and c) loadbearing walls, columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly. 3.2.2.41. Group B, Division 2, One Storey, Sprinklered 1) A building classified as Group B, Division 2 is permitted to be of combustible construction or noncombustible construction, used singly or in combination, provided a) except as permitted by Sentences 3. 2.2.7.(1) and 3.2.2.18.(2), the building is sprinklered , b) it is not more than 1 storey in building height,and c) it has a building area not more than 500 m 2 . 3.2.2.42. Group B, Division 3, Any Height, Any Area, Sprinklered 1) Except as permitted by Articles 3.2.2.43. to 3.2.2.46., a building classified as Group B, Division 3 shall conform to Sentence (2). 2) Except as permitted by Article 3.2.2.16., the building referred to in Sentence (1) shall be of noncombustible construction,and a) except as permitted by Sentences 3. 2.2.7.(1) and 3.2.2.18.(2), the building shall be sprinklered, b) floor assemblies shall be fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h, c) mezzanines shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, and d) loadbearing walls, columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly. 3-58 Division B National Building Code of Canada 2025 Volume 1