January 18, 2016 Applicant: Qun Liao Re: Building Permit #150685 Renovate Two Unit Dwelling 6299 Payzant Ave Halifax The above noted permit application has been reviewed for compliance to the 2010 Building Code. Below is a summary of those findings. 1- Require a scope of work and a scaled set of drawings showing each floor layout. Floors appear to be at different levels not shown on plans submitted. 2- Require a 1hr fire separation with a STC rating of 50 between units. 3- All load bearing walls, columns and arches shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than that required for the supported assembly. 4- Smoke alarms are required on every level and in every bedroom and in the hallway serving a bedroom, they are required to be hardwired and interconnected with a battery back-up. 5- A C.O. monitor is required in every bedroom or within 5m of a bedroom, when a fuel fired appliance is installed or there is an attached garage. Where a room contains a solid fuel burning appliance, a C.O. alarm (monitor) shall be mechanically fixed. 6- A separate HRV is required for each individual unit. 7- What type of heat? Is the house heated by a furnace or boiler? In a residential occupancy, air from one suite shall not be circulated to any other suite. A forced air furnace cannot be used to heat more than one unit. 8- If there is a boiler heating both units and not a furnace, than a service room (Boiler room) is required to have a 1 hr. fire separation with a fire rated door and an outside air supply for the burner. 9- Where a dwelling unit is located above another dwelling unit the upper dwelling unit shall be provided with a second and separate means of egress. 10- Any chases for the duct work for the HRV or bathroom /range hood exhaust fan is to be installed on the suite side of the fire separation. The Fire separation to be installed prior to the installation of duct chases. 11- All electrical boxes installed in the fire separation are to be metal. Pot lights are not permitted in the fire separation. (In the over and under area of the two units.) 12- Provide a detail drawing showing how the 1hr. fire resistance rating and STC rating of 50 will be obtained. 13- Minimum ceiling height of 2.1 m (6’-10”) and 2m (6’-6 ¾”) clear height under beams and in any location that would normally be used for passage shall be met. 14- At least one bedroom window is required to meet egress. 15- A door with a door closure c/w weather stripping meeting the required FRR will be required between the lower and upper units. 16- If reinsulating walls and ceiling than required to meet Section 9.36 Div. B Part 9 NBC Energy Efficiency Buildings shall comply with Prescriptive or trade off requirements, Performance requirements or NECB requirements. ***Note: In exterior wall assemblies were pipes, duct etc. are installed Article 9.36.2.5.6 applies which states “Where mechanical, plumbing or electrical system components, such as pipes, ducts, conduits, cabinets, chases, panels or recessed heaters, are placed within and parallel to a wall assembly required to be insulated, the effective thermal resistance of that wall at the projected area of the system component shall be not less than that required” ***. All Assemblies are required to meet the following Effective RSI values in a building with an HRV -Walls 2.97 Effective RSI (exterior) -Foundation Walls 2.98 RSI -Above ground portion of foundation wall to meet article 9.36.2.8. (3) -Windows/doors Max U-value 1.60 Min. Energy Rating of 25 -The effective thermal resistance of rim joists shall be not less than that required for above ground wall, 2.97 Effective RSI with an HRV -Floors over unheated space 4.67 Effective RSI Example: garage ceiling 2”x10” joist, 16” O.C.,R-32 fiberglass batt. insulation, strapping,½” drywall meets RSI requirement. - Ceilings below Attics 8.67 Effective RSI -Cathedral ceilings and flat Roofs 4.67 RSI Please submit the required information so that I may complete the review for approval. The above notes/questions require a response in order to proceed with this review. You may respond to this by email, or fax this information to my attention, or you may drop it off at the HRM Customer Service Centre. Please include your permit application number. If you have any questions, or if you wish to discuss this please call me. Kenneth Swinimer CBO1 Building Standards Municipal Compliance 902-476-1378 Halifax Regional Municipality PO Box 1749, Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada B3J 3A5 halifax.ca