Notwithstanding

This is a sentence 3.1.5.1.(2) from Ontario Buildng Code:

"(2) Notwithstanding the definition for noncombustible materials stated in Article 1.4.1.2. of Division A, a material ispermitted to be used in noncombustible construction provided that, when tested in accordance with ULC S135"

In the code, there is the following sentence 3.1.5.8.(3) in the subsection:

"(3) The floor system for the raised platform referred to in Sentence (2) is permitted to include combustible subfloor and combustible finished flooring."

What does "Notwithstanding" mean in this contet? From pure language perspective, are the combustible subfloor and combustible finished flooring mentioned above in sentence 3.1.5.8.(3) required to pass the test specified in 3.1.5.1.(2)?

These two sections are entirely unrelated, so the application of notwithstanding is irrelevant. That said, notwithstanding here is used to mean that a material, even though it is not in the list of non-combustible materials, can be considered non-combustible if it passes the test. The second section isn’t about non-combustible materials, and therefore the definition of non-combustible materials is irrelevant.

Your question is really about the interpretation of a legal document, which is a legal question rather than a language question. This thread is therefore closed.