Guidelines For Legalizing Existing Suites In Saskatoon

Guidelines For Legalizing Existing Suites In Saskatoon

These guidelines reflect minimum acceptable standards

For the purpose of this guideline an “existing suite” is one that was developed and occupied prior to January1 1999. A letter of verification regarding the age of the suite, signed by the current owner will be required. Further proof of the age of the suite may be requested.

1. Access to each suite must be gained without passage through a furnace room.

2. Dwelling units must be separated from each other (vertically and horizontally) by fire separation having a fire resistance rating of not less than 30 minutes.

3. The furnace room must be separated ( if the second dwelling unit is located in the basement ) from all adjacent areas by 30 min frie rating ( walls only ). A 45mm thick solid core door with 38mm solid wood jam complete with a latch and closer is required.

4. Interior exit stairs ( and exit corridor ) must be separated from the remainder of the building by a frie separation having a fire resistance rating of no less then 30 minutes.

5. Doors and door frames from the common exit into the dwelling units must have 20 minute frie resistance rating and be equipped with a latch and closer. (A 45mm thick solid core door with 38mm solid wood jam is acceptable).

6. Rise and run, width and headroom of stairs must reasonably conform to N.B.C and stairs must be provided with handrail/guardrail.

7. Ceiling height in exit corridor cannot be less then 1.95m. Projections or obstructions cannot reduce the headroom clearance beyond 1.80m

8.Ceiling height in all rooms of the second suite cannot be less then 1.95m over 75% of the ares. Projections or obstructions cannot reduce the headroom clearance beyond 1.80m.

9. Hard wired smoke alarms must be installed in each dwelling unit in accordance with the current National Building Code.

10. A smoke detector must be installed in the furance room ( if the second dwelling unit is located in the basement ) and must be interconnected with the smoke alarms on the main level.

11. The second dwelling unit must have at least two openable windows to the outside ( one must be in each bedroom ). Bedroom windows must have an unobstructed open protion having a min area of 0.35m2 (3.8ft2) with no dimension less then 380mm (15in).

12. All bathrooms must have mechanical or natural ventilation.

13. All bathrooms must be fully enclosed and have a lockable door.

14. Combustion air is requred into the furnace room.

Two sets of drawings will be required upon application for a building permit. All 14 items listed ubove must be included on the plan. The drawings must identify the size of new and existing windows and show the location of all cupboards, stoves, refrigerators and plumbing fixtures. Type and location of smoke alarms must be identified.

If you need more info got to The City Of Saskatoons Website http://www.saskatoon.ca/