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Open-Air Deck Requirements

(FM-060-2000)

An open-air deck is an occupancy attached to or connected to a building in which occupants can experience an outdoors environment with a limited amount of enclosure. Conformance to the objectives of the Fire Prevention Act Fire Prevention Regulations of the NWT call for measures to be incorporated into the design and construction of open-air decks to deter the potential or threat of a fire from reaching flashover conditions or trapping unburned products of combustion to such an extent that a smoke explosion may occur.

An open-air deck shall, for all National Building Code of Canada (NBC) occupancy classifications, meet the requirements of the NBC for an open-air storey, and in addition, shall meet the following requirements:

  1. Shall conform to the requirements of the NBC for structural integrity, exiting, and class of combustibility for the occupancy and building to which it is attached;
  2. Shall be equipped with guards conforming to the latest edition of the National Building Code;
  3. Shall, when fitted with enclosing guards and an enclosing roof assembly, remain open and free of physical obstructions or visual screens such as windows, plywood or any other solid material between the guards and the roof; and
  4. The Local Assistant to the Fire Marshal may allow latticework to be used between the guards and the roof assembly.

Notwithstanding the above conditions, where an owner or occupant of an open-air deck wishes to enclose the deck area, requirements of the Fire Prevention Act and National Building Code of Canada for an addition to the existing structure shall apply.

Issue Date:  October 11, 2000