OBC Complex Buildings case studies
OBC Complex Buildings · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The OBC Complex Buildings exam assesses whether a candidate can apply Ontario Building Code requirements to buildings that combine several occupancies, heights, or interconnected volumes under one envelope. It suits plans examiners, building officials, designers, consultants, and experienced site supervisors who already read the code fluently and now need to demonstrate judgment on mixed-occupancy, multi-storey, and interconnected projects. The OBC Complex Buildings case studies are 5 cases and about 2,134 words.
1Mixed-Use Podium Height and the Fire Wall That Wasn't
A developer proposes a 6-storey, 21 m tall building. The ground floor and second floor (combined 7.2 m floor-to-floor, 2,900 m² per storey) hold retail shells and a restaurant.
469 words, about 2 min2Atrium Smoke Filling and the Egress Path
A 5-storey office building has a rectangular atrium 18 m by 24 m, open from the ground floor to a skylight at 22 m. The atrium is the only route from the third-floor tenant space to the main exit stair; occupants must cross a 6 m wide balcony that rings the atrium.
463 words, about 2 min3Curtain Wall Deflection and the Sprinkler Main
A 12-storey tower uses a unitized curtain wall with 3.2 m tall glass panels. The structural engineer reports a live-load deflection of L/180 at the slab edge, which translates to about 25 mm of vertical movement at the curtain wall head.
418 words, about 2 min4Single Stair, Travel Distance, and Accessible Route in a Converted Warehouse
An existing 4-storey warehouse (each floor 1,800 m², 4.0 m floor-to-floor) is being converted to offices. The architect proposes one enclosed exit stair at the north end.
414 words, about 2 min5Rooftop Units, Permit Sequencing, and Inspection Hold Points
A contractor is installing six rooftop packaged units on a 3-storey retail building. The mechanical permit lists the units, but the structural permit for the rooftop dunnage and curb reinforcement has not been issued.
370 words, about 2 min