SECTION 5                                     STANDARDS OF FITNESS FOR OCCUPANCY

5.1   PLUMBING AND PLUMBING FIXTURES

a)         All installed plumbing, including plumbing fixtures, drains, vents, water pipes, water closets and connecting lines to the water and sewer systems, shall be maintained in good working order and repair, free from leaks or other defects.

b)         Every dwelling shall be provided with an adequate supply of portable running water from a source approved by the Medical Officer of Health.

c)         All dwellings shall have the sanitary facilities connected to a sewage system approved by the Medical Officer of Health.

d)         Within the exterior walls of a dwelling unit there shall be provided, accessible and available for all occupants, a bathroom and a toilet room with provision for privacy, having at least:

            i)  one toilet;

            ii)  one bathtub or shower or combination bathtub and shower;

           iii)  one wash basin located in or immediately adjacent to every room containing a water

                closet or urinal, that are

           iv)  in good working order;

            v)  served with hot and cold running water (only cold water connecting to water closets

                and urinals)

           vi)  connected to the drainage system.

e)         The hot water serving the wash basin and bathtub or shower required by subsection d) shall be served at such a temperature that it may be drawn from the tap at a temperature of not less than forty-four degrees centigrade.

f)          No facilities for the preparation, cooking, storage, or consumption of food, or for sleeping, shall be contained within a room that contains a toilet.

g)         Non-residential buildings, where people work, shall have a minimum of one water closet and one wash basin supplied with running water, located in a closet room, and conveniently accessible to all employees.

5.2  HEATING SYSTEM

a)         Every dwelling unit shall be provided with a heating system capable of maintaining a room temperature of twenty-one degrees Centigrade in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms.

b)         The heating system required by subsection a) shall be maintained in a good working condition so as to be capable of heating the dwelling safely.

c)         Permanently sealed connections shall be kept between all heating equipment involving combustion and a chimney or flue which provides sufficient outlet for the escape of all noxious gases, so as to prevent any health, fire or accident hazard.

d)         Rigid connections shall be kept between all heating equipment burning gaseous fuels and the supply line.

e)         A space that contains a heating unit shall have a natural or mechanical means of supplying air in such quantities to provide adequate combustion.

f)          No room heater shall be placed so as to cause a fire hazard to walls, curtains and furniture, nor to impede the free movements of persons within the room where the heater is located.

g)         Where any heating equipment burns solid or liquid fuel, a place or receptacle for the storage of the fuel shall be provided and maintained in a convenient location and properly constructed as to be free from fire or accident hazards.

5.3  ELECTRICAL SERVICE

a)         Except for owner occupied, a residence unit and, where required by Ontario Hydro, or its successor, buildings and accessory structures shall be:

       i)  connected to an electrical supply system and wired to receive electricity;

       ii)  provided with sufficient electrical outlets in every room or space such that the use of

            extension cords or multi-outlet attachments to wall or other receptacle outlets would

            not be required on a continuing daily basis;

      iii)  provided with an adequate supply of electric power available at all times in all parts

            of every room.

b)         The capacity of the connection to the building and the system of circuits distributing the electrical supply within the building shall be adequate for the use and intended use and shall be compliance in with Ontario Hydro, or its successor.

c)         Every habitable room, except for a kitchen, shall contain at least one electrical duplex convenience outlet, and every kitchen shall contain at least two duplex convenience outlets.

d)         Fuses or overload devices shall not exceed limits set by the Hydro Electric Power Commission of Ontario, or its successor.

5.4  KITCHENS

a)         Every dwelling unit shall contain a kitchen area equipped with a sink, served with hot and cold running water, storage facilities and a counter top work area.

b)         A cooking space and refrigerator space shall be provided with an adequate gas, coal, wood or electrical supply.

5.5  OCCUPANCY STANDARD

a)         A non-habitable room shall not be used as a habitable room.

 

b)         No portion of a building shall be occupied if it does not meet the requirements of this by-law.

c)         No basement or cellar space shall be used as a dwelling unit or as a habitable room unless it is otherwise permitted and it meets the following requirements:

             i)  the dwelling unit or habitable room meets all requirements for egress, light,

                 ventilation and ceiling height set out in this by-law;

            ii)  floors and walls are constructed so as to be impervious to leakage of underground and

                 surface runoff water;

d)         The floor area under a ceiling which is less than 2.1 metres (7 feet) high shall not be used as a habitable room.

5.6  THERMAL INSULATION

a)         Thermal insulation of buildings to minimize heat losses shall be done in accordance with the provisions of the Ontario Building Code where necessary and practical.

5.7  EGRESS

a)         Residential Buildings- There shall be provided and maintained a secondary means of egress from the building for every dwelling unit located on each floor above the first floor, and for two or more dwelling units located in the basement, so as to provide a safe and convenient means of egress in case of an emergency.

b)         Non-Residential Buildings-There shall be provided two means of egress from every floor area where in the opinion of the y the existing exits are inadequate for the safety of the occupants.

c)         The means of egress and fire warning devices shall be to the satisfaction of the local fire department.