BCIN General legal/process Exam Syllabus (2024) – Ontario Building Code (OBC)
- Vijay Patel
- 4 days ago
- 10 min read
BCIN General legal/process Exam covers the following sections of the Ontario Building Code (OBC) 2024.
Division A – Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements, as follows:
Part 1 – General:
except 1.3.3.1A. Application of Part 2
except 1.3.3.5.(1)(b), (c), (d), (e), (i), (j) & (k) Designated Structures
Part 2 – Objectives
Part 3 – Functional Statements
Division B – Acceptable Solutions, as follows:
Part 1 – General
Part 3 – Fire Protection, Occupant Safety and Accessibility, only:
3.1. General, only:
3.1.4.7. Heavy Timber Construction
3.1.5.1. Noncombustible Materials
3.1.5.6. Combustible Components for Exterior Walls
3.1.5.15.(2)(e) Foamed Plastic Insulation
3.1.8.4. Determination of Ratings and Classifications
3.1.8.10. Installation of Fire Dampers
3.1.9.4.(4) Combustible Piping Penetrations
3.1.10. Firewalls
3.1.12.1. Determination of Ratings
3.1.13.4. Light Diffusers and Lenses
3.1.20.1. Clearance to Buildings
3.2. Building Fire Safety, only:
3.2.1.1.(1) Exceptions in Determining Building Height
3.2.1.1.(3) Exceptions in Determining Building Height
3.2.1.1.(4) Exceptions in Determining Building Height
3.2.1.1.(5) Exceptions in Determining Building Height
3.2.1.1.(7) Exceptions in Determining Building Height
3.2.1.2. Storage Garage Considered as a Separate Building
3.2.1.3. Roof Considered as a Wall
3.2.1.4. Floor Assembly over Basement
3.2.2.1. Application
3.2.2.3. Exceptions to Structural Fire Protection
3.2.2.5. Applicable Building Height and Area
3.2.2.9. Crawl Spaces
3.2.2.10. Streets
3.2.2.11. Exterior Balconies
3.2.2.12. Exterior Passageways
3.2.2.13. Occupancy on Roof
3.2.2.14. Rooftop Enclosure
3.2.2.18. Automatic Sprinkler System Required
3.2.2.54. Group C, up to 3 Storeys
3.2.3.1. Limiting Distance and Area of Unprotected Openings
3.2.3.2.(1) Area of Exposing Building Face
3.2.3.2.(2) Area of Exposing Building Face
3.2.3.3. Wall Enclosing Attic or Roof space
3.2.3.5. Wall with Limiting Distance Less Than 1.2m
3.2.3.6. Combustible Projections
3.2.3.7. Construction of Exposing Building Face
3.2.3.8. Protection of Exterior Building Face
3.2.3.9. Protection of Structural Members
3.2.3.10.(2) Unlimited Unprotected Openings
3.2.3.12. Area Increase for Unprotected Openings
3.2.3.19.(1) Walkway between Buildings
3.2.3.19.(5) Walkway between Buildings
3.2.3.20. Underground Walkway
3.2.4. Fire Alarm and Detection Systems:
except 3.2.4.1. Determination of Requirement for a Fire Alarm System
except 3.2.4.2.(2) Continuity of Fire Alarm System
except 3.2.4.2.(6) Continuity of Fire Alarm System
except 3.2.4.4.(2) Description of Fire Alarm Systems
except 3.2.4.4.(3) Description of Fire Alarm Systems
except 3.2.4.4.(4) Description of Fire Alarm Systems
except 3.2.4.6.(3) Silencing of Alarm Signals
except 3.2.4.7.(1) Signals to Fire Department
except 3.2.4.7.(2) Signals to Fire Department
except 3.2.4.7.(3) Signals to Fire Department
except 3.2.4.7.(4) Signals to Fire Department
except 3.2.4.8.(6) Annunciator and Zone Indication
except 3.2.4.8.(8) Annunciator and Zone Indication
except 3.2.4.8.(9) Annunciator and Zone Indication
except 3.2.4.9.(2) Electrical Supervision
except 3.2.4.9.(6) Electrical Supervision
except 3.2.4.10. Fire Detectors
except 3.2.4.11. Smoke and Heat Detectors
except 3.2.4.12. Prevention of Smoke Circulation
except 3.2.4.13. Vacuum Cleaning System Shutdown
except 3.2.4.16.(6) Manual Stations
except 3.2.4.16.(7) Manual Stations
except 3.2.4.16.(9) Manual Stations
except 3.2.4.17.(1) Alert and Alarm Signals
except 3.2.4.18.(3) Audibility of Alarm Systems
except 3.2.4.18.(11) Audibility of Alarm Systems
except 3.2.4.18.(13) Audibility of Alarm Systems
except 3.2.4.19. Visible Signals
except 3.2.4.20. Smoke Alarms
except 3.2.4.22. Two-Way Voice Communication Systems
3.2.5.8.(1) Standpipe Systems
3.2.5.9. Standpipe System Design
3.2.5.10.(1) Hose Connections
3.2.5.11. Hose Stations
3.2.5.12. Automatic Sprinkler Systems
3.2.5.13. Combustible Sprinkler Piping
3.2.7.8. Emergency Power for Fire Alarm Systems
3.2.7.10. Protection of Electrical Conductors
3.2.8.1.(1) Application
3.2.8.1.(2) Application
3.3. Safety Within Floor Areas, only:
3.3.1.21. Exhaust Ventilation and Explosion Venting
3.3.1.26. Welding and Cutting
3.4. Exits, only:
3.4.1.6.(1) Restricted Use of Horizontal Exits
3.4.2.5. Location of Exits
3.4.6.10. Horizontal Exits
3.4.7. Fire Escapes
3.5. Vertical Transportation, only:
3.5.3. Fire Separations:
except 3.5.3.1.(2) Fire Separations for Elevator Hoistways
except 3.5.4.1. Elevator Car Dimensions
3.6. Service Facilities, only:
3.6.3. Vertical Service Spaces and Service Facilities:
except 3.6.3.4. Exhaust Duct Negative Pressure
3.7. Health Requirements, only:
3.7.2.1.(1) Window Areas
3.7.4.1. Plumbing and Drainage Systems
3.7.4.2. Plumbing Fixtures, General
3.7.4.5. Plumbing Facilities for Dwelling Units
3.7.4.10. Glazing
3.7.4.11. Surface Protection
3.7.4.12. Floor Drains
3.7.4.13. Grab Bar Installation
3.7.4.16. Water Temperature Control
3.7.4.19. Plumbing Fixtures for Mobile Home Facilities
3.8. Barrier-Free Design, only:
3.8.3.8.(1)(d) Water Closet Stalls and Enclosures
3.8.3.13.(2)(g) Showers and Bathtubs
Part 4 – Structural Design, only:
4.1. Structural Loads and Procedures, only:
4.1.2.1. Loads and Effects
4.1.5.3. Full and Partial Loading
4.1.5.14. Loads on Guards and Handrails
4.1.5.17. Firewalls
4.2. Foundations:
except 4.2.3.8. Steel Piles
except 4.2.3.9. High Strength Steel Tendons
except 4.2.4.2. Subsurface Investigation
except 4.2.4.4. Depth of Foundations
except 4.2.4.7. Dynamic Loading
except 4.2.4.9. Groundwater Level Change
except 4.2.5.1. Design of Excavations
except 4.2.5.2. Excavation Construction
except 4.2.5.3. Supported Excavations
except 4.2.5.4. Unsupported Excavations
except 4.2.5.5. Control of Water Around Excavations
except 4.2.5.6. Loss of Ground
except 4.2.7. Deep Foundations
except 4.2.8. Special Foundations
4.3. Design Requirements for Structural Materials
Part 5 – Environmental Separation:
except 5.4. Air Leakage
except 5.7. Surface and Ground Water
except 5.8. Sound Transmission
Part 6 – Heating, Ventilating and Air- Conditioning, only:
6.2. Design and Installation, only:
6.2.1.5.(1) Installation Standards
6.3. Ventilation Systems, only
6.3.2.9. Supply, Return, Intake and Exhaust Air Openings
6.3.2.10.(7) Exhaust Ducts and Outlets
Part 7 – Plumbing, only:
7.1. General, only:
7.1.2.1. Sanitary Drainage Systems
7.1.2.2. Storm Drainage Systems
7.2. Materials and Equipment, only:
7.2.10.7B. Showers
7.4. Drainage Systems, only:
7.4.10.4. Hydraulic Loads from Roofs or Paved Surfaces
7.6. Potable Water Systems, only:
7.6.1.7. Relief Valves
7.6.4. Water Efficiency
Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings, only:
9.1. General, only:
9.1.1.1. Application
9.1.1.5. Proximity to Existing Above Ground Electrical Conductors
9.1.1.7. Radon
9.1.1.8. Building in Flood Plains
9.1.1.9. Site Assembled and Factory-Built Buildings
9.3. Materials, Systems and Equipment
9.4. Structural Requirements
9.5. Design of Areas, and Spaces and Doorways:
except 9.5.2.2. Protection on Floor Areas with a Barrier- Free Path of Travel
except 9.5.3D.5. Recreational Camps
except 9.5.3D.6. Camps for Housing Workers
except 9.5.5.2. Doors to Public Water Closet Rooms
9.6. Glass:
except 9.6.1.4.(4) Types of Glass and Protection of Glass
except 9.6.1.4.(5) Types of Glass and Protection of Glass
9.7. Windows, Doors and Skylights
9.8. Stairs, Ramps, Handrails and Guards:
except 9.8.1.4. Escalators and Moving Walks
except 9.8.5.1.(2) Application
except 9.8.6.1.(2) Application
except 9.8.8.1.(8) Required Guards
except 9.8.8.4. Guards for Floors and Ramps in Garages
9.9. Means of Egress:
except 9.9.2.6. Exterior Exit Stairs that Serve a Hotel
except 9.9.4.7. Stairways in Group D or E Buildings
except 9.9.5.2. Occupancies in Corridors
except 9.9.6.4.(2) Door Action
except 9.9.6.4.(3) Door Action
except 9.9.6.4.(4) Door Action
except 9.9.6.5.(1.1) Direction of Door Swing
except 9.9.6.5.(2) Direction of Door Swing
except 9.9.6.5.(3) Direction of Door Swing
except 9.9.6.5.(4) Direction of Door Swing
except 9.9.8.2.(3) Number of Required Exits
except 9.9.8.5. Exiting through a Lobby
except 9.9.8.6. Mezzanine Means of Egress
except 9.9.11.3. Exit Signs
9.10 Fire Protection:
except 9.10.1.3.(2) Items Under Part 3 Jurisdiction
except 9.10.2.3. Major Occupancies above Other Major Occupancies
except 9.10.2.4. Buildings Containing More Than One Major Occupancy
except 9.10.8.8.(2) Floors of Exterior Passageways
except 9.10.9.5. Interconnected Floor Spaces
except 9.10.9.15. Separation of Suites
except 9.10.9.17.(2) Separation of Public Corridors
except 9.10.9.17.(3) Separation of Public Corridors
except 9.10.9.19.(2) Separation of Repair Garages
except 9.10.9.19.(4) Separation of Repair Garages
except 9.10.10.5. Incinerators
except 9.10.13.10.(2) Self- Closing Device
except 9.10.17.7. Corridors Containing an Occupancy
except 9.10.17.8. Light Diffusers and Lenses
except 9.10.18.4.(4) Rooms and Spaces Requiring Heat Detectors or Smoke Detectors
except 9.10.18.6. Portions of Buildings Considered as Separate Buildings
except 9.10.18.8. Open-Air Storage Garages
except 9.10.18.9. Fire Alarm System in a Hotel
except 9.10.20.4. Portable Extinguishers
except 9.10.20.5. Freeze Protection for Fire Protection Systems
except 9.10.21. Fire Protection for Construction Camps
9.11. Sound Transmission
9.12. Excavation
9.13. Dampproofing, Waterproofing and Soil Gas Control
9.14. Drainage
9.15. Footings and Foundations
9.16. Floors-On-Ground
9.17. Columns
9.18. Crawl Spaces
9.19. Roof Spaces
9.20. Masonry and Insulating Concrete Form Walls Not in Contact with the Ground
9.21. Masonry and Concrete Chimneys and Flues
9.22. Fireplaces
9.23. Wood- Frame Construction
9.24. Sheet Steel Stud Wall Framing
9.25. Heat transfer, Air Leakage and Condensation Control
9.26. Roofing
9.27. Cladding
9.28. Stucco
9.29. Interior Wall and Ceiling Finishes
9.30. Flooring
9.31. Plumbing Facilities:
except 9.31.1.1.(2) Application
except 9.31.1.1.(3) Application
9.33. Heating and Air-Conditioning, only:
9.33.6.14A.(3) Exhaust Ducts and Outlets
9.34. Electrical Facilities:
except 9.34.1.5. Wiring and Cables
9.35. Garages and Carports
9.37. Cottages
9.38. Log Construction
9.39. Park Model Trailers
9.40. Reinforced Concrete Slabs
9.41. Additional requirements for Change of Use
Part 11 – Renovation, only:
11.5. Compliance Alternatives, including Compliance Alternatives listed in Tables
Tables 11.5.1.1.C which cross-reference requirements in the remainder of the “House” syllabus
Part 12 – Resource Conservation and Environmental Integrity, only:
12.1. General
12.2. Energy Efficiency, Carbon Dioxide Equivalents and Peak Electric Demand:
except 12.2.1.2.(2) Energy Efficiency Design
except 12.2.1.2.(4) Energy Efficiency Design
except 12.2.2.1.(1) Carbon Dioxide Equivalents
except 12.2.3.1.(1) Peak Electric Demand
12.3. Energy Efficiency for Buildings of Residential Occupancy Within the Scope of Part 9
12.4. Water Efficiency
Division C – Administrative Provisions, only:
Part 1 – General, only:
1.1.1.2. Conformance with Administrative Requirements
1.2.1.1.(1) Application
1.3. Permits and Inspections, only:
1.3.1.5. Conditional Permits
1.3.2.1. Permit Posting
1.3.2.2. Documentation on Site
1.3.3.2. Conditions for Residential Occupancy
1.3.3.3. Notification
1.3.3.4. Occupancy Permit – Certain Buildings of Residential Occupancy
1.3.5.1.(1) Prescribed Notices
1.3.5.1.(2)(a) to (i), (o) and (p) Prescribed Notices
1.3.5.2. Additional Notices
1.3.6.1. Application
Part 2 – Alternative Solutions, Disputes, Rulings and Interpretations, only:
2.1. Alternative Solutions
2.4. Rulings and Interpretations
Supplementary Standards
The following Supplementary Standards may be covered in the exam:
Supplementary Standard SA-1 – Objectives and Functional Statements Attributed to the Acceptable Solutions
Supplementary Standard SB-1 – Climatic and Seismic Data
Supplementary Standard SB-2 – Fire Performance Ratings
Supplementary Standard SB-3 – Fire and Sound Resistance Tables
Supplementary Standard SB-7 – Guards for Housing and Small Buildings
Supplementary Standard SB-9 – Requirements for Soil Gas Control
Supplementary Standard SB-12 – Energy Efficiency for Housing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Using "Alternative Solutions" vs. Strict Code Compliance
The Real-World Issue: You are designing a modern layout, and standard code prescriptions (Acceptable Solutions) do not fit your architectural vision or specific site constraints.
The Code Answer: Under Division B, Part 1 and Division C, Part 2, you can propose an Alternative Solution. To get it approved, you must prove to the Chief Building Official (CBO) that your proposed material, system, or design matches or exceeds the safety, fire performance, and accessibility baselines established by the code's core objectives and functional statements (Division A, Parts 2 and 3).
2. Locating Local Climate and Structural Load Parameters
The Real-World Issue: You are designing a house in a northern region and need to determine how deep the footings must go to avoid frost heaves, or how much snow load the roof must withstand.
The Code Answer: Structural design rules in Division B, Part 4 (Structural) and Part 9 (Housing and Small Buildings) rely entirely on geographic data. You must use Supplementary Standard SB-1 (Climatic and Seismic Data) to pull local metrics for ground snow loads, wind pressures, rainfall rates, and seismic hazards unique to that specific municipality.
3. Building Height Restrictions and Part 9 Classification
The Real-World Issue: You assume a small, two-storey commercial project can automatically be designed using simpler Part 9 rules instead of complex Part 3 engineering requirements.
The Code Answer: Not necessarily. Division A, Part 1 (Application) states that code classification depends on both size and occupancy type. For example, if a 2- or 3-storey building contains a high-hazard industrial occupancy or a care facility, it is immediately pushed into Part 3 (Fire Protection, Occupant Safety and Accessibility) rules for structural protection, fire separations, and fire suppression systems.
4. Legal Requirements for Requesting a "Conditional Permit"
The Real-World Issue: Construction timelines are tight. The excavation team is ready to dig, but full architectural and mechanical approvals are still pending review at city hall.
The Code Answer: Per Division C, Section 1.3.1.5, you can request a Conditional Permit from the municipality to start initial site work (like shoring or footings) before the full permit is issued. However, the owner must sign an official agreement, assume all financial risks, comply with zoning bylaws, and show that delays would cause unreasonable architectural or financial hardship.
5. Posting Permits and Managing Paperwork On-Site
The Real-World Issue: A municipal inspector walks onto a chaotic job site and wants to confirm the project is legally authorized and building according to the latest stamped plans.
The Code Answer: Under Division C, Section 1.3.2, the building permit must be prominently posted on the construction site in a visible location. Furthermore, a complete copy of the reviewed, stamped construction documents and plans must be kept on-site at all times for the inspector to review during site visits.
6. Knowing When to Call the City for Inspections
The Real-World Issue: You want to avoid backfilling a foundation or closing up drywall only to find out you have to tear it down because the city inspector didn't see the underlying work.
The Code Answer: Division C, Section 1.3.5 mandates Prescribed Notices. The person in charge of construction must notify the Chief Building Official at specific milestones—such as readiness for inspection of footings, foundation drainage (tile), structural framing, insulation/vapor barriers, and rough-in plumbing—before covering the work.
7. Moving Into a New Home Before Final Occupancy Approvals
The Real-World Issue: The house is 95% finished, the drywall and paint are done, and the owner's current lease is up, but a few minor exterior finishes or landscaping items are incomplete.
The Code Answer: Under Division C, Sections 1.3.3.2 and 1.3.3.4, nobody can occupy a residential building until an inspection is completed and an occupancy permit is granted. To move in early, core safety systems must be fully functional—including operational plumbing facilities, heating, electrical systems, secure handrails/guards, and completed fire separations.
8. Determining Fire-Resistance Ratings for Specific Wall Assemblies
The Real-World Issue: You need to build a 1-hour fire-rated wall separation between two semi-detached homes using standard wood studs and drywall, and you need a legally certified design.
The Code Answer: While Division B, Part 3 and Part 9 tell you where fire separations are required, you must look to Supplementary Standard SB-2 (Fire Performance Ratings) and Supplementary Standard SB-3 (Fire and Sound Resistance Tables) to find the pre-approved, tested material combinations and assembly designs that legally satisfy those hourly rating requirements.
9. Radon Mitigation and Soil Gas Requirements for Additions
The Real-World Issue: You are building an extension with a basement crawl space or slab-on-ground, and you need to protect the occupants from carcinogenic soil gasses like radon.
The Code Answer: Division B, Sections 3.1.1.5 and 9.1.1.7 mandate sub-floor gas control in geographic areas prone to gas migration. You must reference Supplementary Standard SB-9 (Requirements for Soil Gas Control) to implement correct air-barrier configurations, granular gas-permeable layers, and rough-in pipes for sub-slab depressurization systems.
10. Energy Efficiency Codes for Historic Building Renovations
The Real-World Issue: Upgrading a 100-year-old brick building to meet modern, ultra-insulated energy targets (Division B, Part 12) might damage the historic fabric or be structurally impossible.
The Code Answer: Division B, Part 11 (Renovation) recognizes that existing buildings cannot always meet new construction standards. Instead of forcing full compliance, you can use Section 11.5 (Compliance Alternatives). By utilizing Tables 11.5.1.1.C, you can find approved substitute methods to achieve a safe, functional upgrade without destroying the building's historic architecture.
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