This guide gives architects, engineers, building owners, and masonry contractors a practical roadmap for designing and detailing reinforced, vertically spanning, non-loadbearing interior masonry partition walls in line with the 2024 Ontario Building Code, the 2020 National Building Code of Canada, and CSA S304 (R2019). It focuses on concrete masonry partitions in 50% running bond that separate interior spaces such as units, classrooms, corridors, stairwells, and shafts, and explains the assumptions, limitations, and roles of the design team so responsibilities are clear and expectations are realistic.

Inside, you’ll find FAQs that address common questions about who designs partition walls, why rebar spacing may appear wide, and where bed joint reinforcement is or isn’t truly required; FRR and STC guidance with tables for 15, 20, 25, and 30 cm CMU to help you select assemblies that meet fire and acoustic requirements; and clear details for top and bottom of wall connections, movement joints, and beams above single- and double-door openings. The guide also provides region-specific engineered design tables for different parts of Ontario (GTA, Central, Eastern, Southwestern, Northern) along with worked example calculations in the appendices for FRR/STC, connections, doorway details, and city-specific designs, so project teams can confidently coordinate code-compliant, constructible partition wall solutions—without replacing the need for project-specific professional engineering review.

In our modern day building codes, all walls need to be designed by a competent person (design professional) to resist applicable loads in accordance with the requirements of the applicable building code. This generally requires the application of engineering principles. Embedded in the design guide are site specific engineered designs for the vertical spanning masonry partition walls.

The site specific designs are completed by making reasonable assumptions, and using the site specific seismic conditions.

Find your city, select your building Importance Factor, and open up the site specific designs which provide:

• The maximum spacing of vertical reinforcement for different unit and rebar sizes for wall heights ranging from 2.4m-11.4m

• The spacing of bed joint wire for crack control

• Proper material specifications in accordance with the masonry CSA Standards

• The thickness and length of lateral supports when using a L76x76 hot rolled steel angle section when spaced at 1.2m on center

• The pull-out strength requirement of dowels at the base of the wall

This guide is not intended to be used as a “black box”. Detailed example calculations are provided in the appendices to explain the design process and applicable assumptions.

This guide does not replace or substitute the due diligence and professional judgement of the Engineer or Architect of Record.