1) Exit facilities complying with this Section shall be provided from every floor area that is intended for occupancy. (See Appendix A.)
1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2), if more than one exit is required from a floor area, each exit shall be separate from every other exit leading from that floor area.
2) If more than 2 exits are provided from a floor area, exits are permitted to converge in conformance with Sentence 3.4.3.1.(2), provided the cumulative capacity of the
converging exits does not contribute more than 50% of the total required exit width for the floor area.
1) Access to exits shall conform to Section 3.3.
1) Subject to the requirements of this Section, an exit from any floor area shall be one of the following, used singly or in
combination:
a)an exterior doorway,
b)an exterior passageway,
c)an exterior ramp,
d)an exterior stairway,
e)a fire escape (conforming to Subsection 3.4.7.),
f)a horizontal exit,
g)an interior passageway,
h)an interior ramp, or
i)an interior stairway.
1) Access to an exterior exit passageway from a floor area shall be through exit doors at the floor level.
1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2), horizontal exits shall not comprise more than one half of the required number of exits from any floor area.
2) In a hospital or nursing home, horizontal exits serving patients' sleeping rooms shall comprise not more than two thirds of the required number
of exits from any floor area. (See Appendix A.)
1) A slide escape shall not be erected on any building as a required exit, but is permitted to be provided as an additional egress facility if unusual hazards are foreseen.
1) Glass and transparent panels in an exit shall conform to the appropriate requirements of Article 3.3.1.19. for glass and transparent panels in an access to exit.
1) No mirror shall be placed in or adjacent to any exit in a manner that would confuse the direction of exit.
1) Combustible glazing is not permitted in wall or ceiling assemblies or in closures used to construct an exit enclosure.
1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2) to (4), every floor area intended for occupancy shall be served by at least 2 exits.
2) A floor area in a building not more than 2 storeys in building height, is permitted to be served by one exit provided the total occupant load served by the exit is not more than 60, and
a)in a floor area that is not sprinklered throughout, the floor area and the travel distance are not more than the values in Table 3.4.2.1.A, or
b)in a floor area that is sprinklered throughout
i)the travel distance is not more than 25 m, and
ii)the floor area is not more than the value in Table 3.4.2.1.B.
| Table 3.4.2.1.A Criteria for One Exit (Floor Area Not Sprinklered Throughout) Forming Part of Sentence 3.4.2.1.(2) |
||
| Occupancy of Floor Area | Maximum Floor Area, m2 | Maximum Travel Distance, m |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | 150 | 15 |
| Group B | 75 | 10 |
| Group C | 100 | 15 |
| Group D | 200 | 25 |
| Group E | 150 | 15 |
| Group F, Division 2 | 150 | 10 |
| Group F, Division 3 | 200 | 15 |
| Table 3.4.2.1.B Criteria for One Exit (Floor Area Sprinklered Throughout) Forming Part of Sentence 3.4.2.1.(2) |
|
| Occupancy of Floor Area | Maximum Floor Area, m2 |
|---|---|
| Group A | 200 |
| Group B | 100 |
| Group C | 150 |
| Group D | 300 |
| Group E | 200 |
| Group F, Division 2 | 200 |
| Group F, Division 3 | 300 |
3) Except as permitted by Sentence (4), if Sentence (2) permits a single exit from a floor area classified as Group B or Group C occupancy, the exit shall be an exterior doorway not more than 1.5 m above adjacent
ground level.
4) The requirements of Sentences (1) and (2) are permitted to be waived for dwelling units that have an access to exit conforming to Sentences 3.3.4.4.(1) to (4).
5) Exits are not required directly from rooftop enclosures that are provided with access to exits in conformance with Sentences 3.3.1.3.(5) and (6).
1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2) and (3), the space above a mezzanine shall be served by means of egress leading to exits accessible at the mezzanine level on the same basis as floor areas.
2) The means of egress from a mezzanine need not conform to Sentence (1), provided
a)the mezzanine is not required to terminate at a vertical fire separation, as permitted in Sentence 3.2.8.2.(1),
b)the occupant load of the mezzanine is not more than 60,
c)the area of the mezzanine does not exceed the area limits stated in Table 3.4.2.2., and
d)the distance limits stated in Table 3.4.2.2. measured along the path of travel are not exceeded from any point on the mezzanine to
i)an egress door serving the space that the mezzanine overlooks, if the space is served by a single egress door, or
ii)the egress stairway leading to an access to exit in the space below if that space is required to be served by 2 or more egress doorways in conformance with Sentence 3.3.1.5.(1).
3) At least half of the required means of egress from a mezzanine shall comply with Sentence (1) if the mezzanine is not required to terminate at a fire separation as permitted by Sentence 3.2.8.2.(1).
| Table 3.4.2.2. Criteria for Egress from Mezzanine Space Forming Part of Sentence 3.4.2.2.(2) |
||
| Occupancy of Space | Maximum Area, m2 | Distance Limits, m |
|---|---|---|
| Assembly occupancy | 150 | 15 |
| Residential occupancy | 100 | 15 |
| Business and personal services occupancy | 200 | 25 |
| Mercantile occupancy | 150 | 15 |
| Medium-hazard industrial occupancy | 150 | 10 |
| Low-hazard industrial occupancy | 200 | 15 |
1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), the least distance between 2 exits from a floor area shall be
a)one half the maximum diagonal dimension of the floor area, but need not be more than 9 m for a floor area having a public corridor, or
b)one half the maximum diagonal dimension of the floor area, but not less than 9 m for all other floor areas.
(See Appendix A.)2) Exits need not comply with Sentence (1) where
a)the floor area is divided so that not less than one third of the floor area is on each side of a fire separation, and
b)it is necessary to pass through the fire separation to travel from one exit to another exit.
3) The minimum distance between exits referred to in Sentence (1) shall be the shortest distance that smoke would
have to travel between the exits, assuming that the smoke will not penetrate an intervening fire separation.
1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2), for the purposes of this Subsection, travel distance means the
distance from any point in the floor area to an exit measured along the path of travel to the exit.
2) The travel distance from a suite or a room not within a suite is permitted to be measured from an egress door of the suite or room to the nearest exit, provided
a)the suite or room is separated from the remainder of the floor area by a fire separation
i)having a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min in a floor area that is not sprinklered throughout, or
ii)which is not required to have a fire-resistance rating, in a floor area that is sprinklered throughout, and
b)the egress door opens onto
i)an exterior passageway,
ii)a corridor used by the public that is separated from the remainder of the floor area in conformance with the requirements in Article 3.3.1.4. for the separation of public corridors, or
iii)a public corridor that is separated from the remainder of the floor area in conformance with Article 3.3.1.4. (See A-3.1.8.1.(1)(b) in Appendix A.)
3) Travel distance to an exit shall be not more than 50 m from any point in a service space referred to in Sentence 3.2.1.1.(8).
1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2) and 3.3.2.5.(6), if more than one exit is required from a floor area, the exits shall be located so that the travel distance to at least one
exit shall be not more than
a)25 m in a high-hazard industrial occupancy,
b)40 m in a business and personal services occupancy,
c)45 m in a floor area that contains an occupancy other than a high-hazard industrial occupancy, provided it is sprinklered throughout,
d)105 m in any floor area, served by a public corridor, in which rooms and suites are not separated from the remainder of the floor area by a fire separation, provided
i)the public corridor is not less than 9 m wide,
ii)the ceiling height in the public corridor is not less than 4 m above all floor surfaces,
iii)the building is sprinklered throughout, and
iv)not more than one half of the required egress doorways from a room or suite open into the public corridor if the room or suite is required to have more than one egress doorway,
e)60 m in any storage garage that conforms to the requirements of Article 3.2.2.83., and
f)30 m in any floor area other than those referred to in Clauses (a) to (e).
2) Except for a high-hazard industrial occupancy, Sentence (1) need not apply if exits are placed along the perimeter of the floor area and are not more than 60 m apart, measured along the perimeter, provided
each main aisle in the floor area leads directly to an exit.
3) Exits shall be located and arranged so that they are clearly visible or their locations are clearly
indicated and they are accessible at all times.
1) For the purposes of this Section, at least one
door at every principal entrance to a building providing access from the exterior at ground level shall be designed in accordance with the
requirements for exits.
1) For the purpose of determining the aggregate width of
exits, the occupant load of every room or floor area shall be determined in conformance with Subsection 3.1.17.
2) Except as permitted by Sentence 3.4.3.2.(4), the required exit width shall be cumulative if 2 or more exits converge.
1) Except as permitted by Sentence (3), the minimum aggregate required width of
exits serving floor areas intended for assembly occupancies, residential occupancies, business and personal services occupancies, mercantile occupancies, and industrial occupancies shall be determined by multiplying the
occupant load of the area served by
a)6.1 mm per person for ramps with a slope of not more than 1 in 8, doorways, corridors and passageways,
b)8 mm per person for a stair consisting of steps whose rise is not more than 180 mm and whose run is not less than 280 mm, or
c)9.2 mm per person for
i)ramps with a slope of more than 1 in 8, or
ii)stairs, other than stairs conforming to Clause (b).
2) The minimum aggregate width of exits serving floor areas intended for a care or detention occupancy shall be determined by multiplying the occupant load of the area served by 18.4 mm per person.
3) The minimum aggregate width of means of egress serving a Group A, Division 4 occupancy shall be determined by multiplying the occupant load of the area served by
a)1.8 mm per person for
i)aisles,
ii)stairs other than exit stairs, and
iii)ramps and passageways in vomitories and exits, and
b)2.4 mm per person for exit stairs.
4) Except as required by Sentences 3.4.3.2.(5) and (6), the required exit width need not be cumulative in an exit serving 2 or more floor areas located one above the other.
5) The required exit width for an exit stair in an assembly hall or theatre serving more than one balcony level shall conform to Sentence (6).
6) The required exit width for exit stairs that serve interconnected floor space designed in accordance with Articles 3.2.8.3. to 3.2.8.9. shall be cumulative, unless
a)the stairs provide not less than 0.3 m2 of area of treads and landings for each occupant of the interconnected floor space (see Appendix A), or
b) protected floor spaces conforming to Article 3.2.8.6. are provided at each floor level and the protected floor space on a floor level has not less than 0.5 m2 of space for each occupant of that floor level of the interconnected floor space.
(See Appendix A.)7) If more than one exit is required, every exit shall be considered as contributing not more than one half of the required exit width.
8) The width of an exit shall be not less than
a)1 100 mm for corridors and passageways,
b) 1 100 mm for ramps not serving patients' sleeping rooms,
c) 1 100 mm for stairs, not serving patients' sleeping rooms, that serve more than two storeys above the lowest exit level or more than one storey below the lowest exit level,
d)900 mm for stairs, not serving patients' sleeping rooms, that serve not more than two storeys above the lowest exit level or not more than one storey below the lowest exit level,
e)1 650 mm for stairs and ramps serving patients' sleeping rooms,
f)1 050 mm for doorways serving patients' sleeping rooms, and
g) 800 mm for doorways not serving patients' sleeping rooms.
1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2) and (4), no fixture, turnstile or construction shall project into or be fixed within
the required width of an exit.
2) Swinging doors in their swing shall not reduce the
required width of exit stairs or landings to less than 750 mm or reduce the width of an exit passageway to less than the minimum required width.
3) Doors shall be installed so that, when open, they
do not diminish nor obstruct the required width of the exit.
4) Handrails and construction below handrails are
permitted to project into the required width of means of egress but the projections shall be not more than 100 mm on each side of the
required width.
1) Except as permitted by Sentences (3) and (4), every exit shall have a headroom clearance of not less than 2 100 mm.
2) The headroom clearance for a stairway shall be
measured vertically from any landing or from the nosing of
any stair tread.
3) Except as permitted by Sentence (4), the headroom clearance for doorways shall
be not less than 2 030 mm.
1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2), 3.3.5.4.(3), 3.4.4.2.(2) and 3.4.4.3.(1), every exit shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required by Subsection 3.2.2., but not less than 45 min, for
a)the floor assembly above the storey, or
b)the floor assembly below the storey, if there is no floor assembly above.
2) The fire-resistance rating of the fire separation referred to in Sentence (1) need not be more than 2 h.
3) If an exit stair in an assembly hall or theatre serves more than one balcony level, the exit stair shall be separated from the remainder of the building in conformance with Sentence (1).
1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2), no exit from a floor area above or below the first storey shall lead through a lobby.
2) Not more than one exit from a floor area is permitted to lead through a lobby, provided
a)the lobby floor is not more than 4.5 m above grade,
b)the path of travel through the lobby to the outdoors is not more than 15 m,
c)the adjacent rooms or premises having direct access to the lobby do not contain a residential occupancy or an industrial occupancy,
d)the lobby is not located within an interconnected floor space other than as described in Sentence 3.2.8.2.(6),
e)the lobby conforms to the requirements for exits, except that (see Appendix A)
i)rooms other than service rooms and storage rooms are permitted to open onto the lobby,
ii)the fire separation between the lobby and a room used for the sole purpose of control and supervision of the building need not have a fire-resistance rating,
iii)the fire separation between the lobby and adjacent occupancies that are permitted to open onto the lobby need not have a fire-resistance rating provided the lobby and adjacent occupancies are sprinklered, and
iv) passenger elevators are permitted to open onto the lobby, provided the elevator doors are designed to remain closed except while loading and unloading passengers, and (see Appendix A.)
f)a fire separation, constructed in accordance with Sentence 3.4.4.1.(1), is maintained between the lobby and any exit permitted by this Sentence to lead through the lobby.
1) The requirements of Sentences 3.4.4.1.(1) and 3.2.3.13.(1) and (3) do not apply to an exterior exit passageway provided
a)not less than 50% of the exterior side is open to the outdoors, and
b)an exit stair is provided at each end of the passageway.
1) A fire separation that separates an exit from the remainder of the building shall have no openings except for
a)standpipe and sprinkler piping,
b)electrical wires and cables, totally enclosed noncombustible raceways and noncombustible piping that serve only the exit,
c)openings required by the provisions of Subsection 3.2.6.,
d) exit doorways, and
e)wired glass and glass block permitted by Article 3.1.8.14.
2) Exits within scissors stairs and other contiguous exit stairways shall be separated from each other by a smoke-tight fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the floor assembly through which they pass.
3) Fire separations separating contiguous stairs described in Sentence (2) shall not be pierced by doorways, ductwork, piping or any other openings that affect the
continuity of the separation.
4) A fuel-fired appliance shall not be installed in an exit.
5) An exit shall not be used as a plenum for a heating, ventilating or air-conditioning system.
6) An exit shall be designed for no purpose other than for exiting, except that an exit is permitted also to be designed to serve as an access to a floor area.
7) A service room shall not open directly into an exit.
8) Storage rooms, washrooms, toilet rooms, laundry rooms
and similar ancillary rooms shall not open directly into an exit.
9) Service spaces referred to in Sentence 3.2.1.1.(8) shall not open directly into an exit.
1) Every exit door shall have an exit sign placed over or adjacent to it if the exit serves
a)a building more than 2 storeys in building height,
b)a building having an occupant load of more than 150, or
c)a room or floor area that has a fire escape as part of a required means of egress.
2) Every exit sign shall
a)be visible from the exit approach,
b)have the word EXIT displayed in plain legible letters, and
c)be illuminated continuously while the building is occupied.
3) Exit signs shall consist of
a)red letters on a contrasting background or contrasting letters on a red background, with the letters not less than 114 mm high and having a 19 mm stroke, if the sign is internally illuminated, and
b)white letters on a red background or red letters on a contrasting background that is white or a light tint, with letters not less than 150 mm high and having a 19 mm stroke, if the sign is externally illuminated.
4) If illumination of an exit sign is provided from an electrical circuit, that circuit shall
a)serve no equipment other than emergency equipment, and
b)be connected to an emergency power supply as described in Sentence 3.2.7.4.(1).
5) If necessary, the direction of egress in public corridors and passageways shall be indicated by a sign conforming to Sentence (3) with a suitable arrow or pointer indicating the direction of egress.
6) Except for egress doorways described in Sentence 3.3.2.4.(4), an exit sign conforming to Sentences (2), (3) and (4) shall be placed over or adjacent to every egress doorway from rooms with an occupant load of more than 60 in Group A, Division 1 occupancies, dance halls, licensed beverage establishments, and other similar occupancies that, when occupied, have lighting levels below that which would provide easy
identification of the egress doorway.
1) In a building more than 2 storeys in building height, any part of an exit ramp or stairway that continues up or down past the lowest
exit level shall have a posted sign clearly indicating that it does not lead to an exit.
1) The surfaces of ramps, and landings and treads
a)shall have a finish that is slip resistant, and
b)if accessible to the public, shall have either a colour contrast or a distinctive pattern, readily apparent from both directions of travel, to demarcate the leading edge of the tread and the leading edge of the landing, as well as the beginning and end of a ramp.
2) Treads and landings of exterior exit stairs more than 10 m high shall be designed to be free of ice and snow accumulations.
1) Except as permitted by Sentence 3.3.2.14.(1), every flight of interior stairs shall
have not less than 3 risers.
1) No flight of stairs shall have a vertical rise of more
than 3.7 m between floors or landings, except that a
flight of stairs serving as an exit in a Group B, Division 2 occupancy shall have a vertical rise not more than 2.4 m between floors or
landings.
2) The length and width of a landing shall be at least
the width of the stairway in which it occurs, except that in a
straight run the length of the landing need not be more than
1 100 mm.
3) Where a doorway or stairway empties onto a ramp
through a side wall, there shall be a level area extending
across the full width of the ramp, and for a distance of
300 mm on either side of the wall opening, except one
side if it abuts on an end wall.
4) Where a doorway or stairway empties onto a ramp
through an end wall, there shall be a level area extending
across the full width of the ramp and along its length for not
less than 900 mm.
5) A landing shall be provided at the top and bottom of
every flight of stairs or section of a ramp.
1) A stairway shall have a handrail on at least
one side, but if it is 1 100 mm or more wide, it shall have
handrails on both sides.
2) If the required width of a ramp or flight of stairs is
more than 2 200 mm, one or more intermediate
handrails continuous between landings shall be provided, and
located so that there will be not more than
1 650 mm between handrails.
3) Handrails shall be continuously graspable along their
entire length and shall have
a)a circular cross-section with an outside diameter not less than 30 mm and not more than 43 mm, or
b)a non-circular cross-section with a graspable portion that has a perimeter not less than 100 mm and not more than 125 mm and whose largest cross-sectional dimension is not more than 45 mm.
4) Handrails on stairs and ramps shall be not less than
865 mm and not more than 965 mm high, measured
vertically from a line drawn through the outside edges of the
stair nosing or from the surface of the ramp, except that
handrails not meeting these requirements are permitted provided
they are installed in addition to the required handrail.
5) Except where interrupted by doorways or newels at
changes in direction, at least one handrail shall be continuous
throughout the length of a stairway or ramp,
including landings. (See Appendix A.)
6) Handrails shall be terminated in a manner which will not obstruct pedestrian travel or create a hazard.
(See A-3.4.6.4.(5) in Appendix A.)
7) At least one handrail at the side of a stairway or ramp shall extend horizontally not less than 300 mm beyond the top and bottom of the stairway or ramp.
(See A-3.4.6.4.(5) in Appendix A.)
8) The clearance between a handrail and any surface
behind it shall be not less than
a)50 mm, or
b)60 mm if the surface behind the handrail is rough or abrasive.
9) Handrails and their supports shall be designed and
constructed to withstand the loading values obtained from the
nonconcurrent application of
a)a concentrated load not less than 0.9 kN applied at any point and in any direction for all handrails, and
b)a uniform load not less than 0.7 kN/m applied in any direction to handrails not located within dwelling units.
10) A ramp shall have handrails on both sides.
1) Every exit shall have a wall or a well-secured guard on each side.
2) Except as required by Sentence (4), the height of guards for exit stairs shall be not less than 920 mm measured vertically to the top of the guard from a line drawn through the outside edges of the stair nosings and 1 070 mm around landings.
3) The height of guards for exit ramps and their landings shall be not less than 1 070 mm measured vertically to the
top of the guard from the ramp surface.
4) The height of guards for exterior stairs and landings more than 10 m above adjacent
ground level shall be not less than 1 500 mm measured vertically
to the top of the guard from the surface of the landing or from a line drawn through
the outside edges of the stair nosings.
5) Unless it can be shown that the size of openings that
exceed this limit does not present a hazard, there shall be no
opening that permits the passage of a sphere whose diameter is
more than 100 mm through a guard for an exit.
6) In a stairway, a window for which the distance
measured vertically between the bottom of the window and a line
drawn through the outside edges of the stair nosings is less
than 900 mm, or a window that extends to less than
1 070 mm above the landing, shall
a)be protected by a guard that is
i)located approximately 900 mm above a line drawn through the outside edges of the stair nosings, or
ii)not less than 1 070 mm high measured to the top of the guard from the surface of the landing, or
b)be fixed in position and designed to resist the lateral design loads specified for guards and walls in Articles 4.1.5.15. and 4.1.5.17.
7) Unless it can be shown that the location and size of
openings do not present a hazard, a guard shall be designed so that no member, attachment or opening
located between 140 mm and 900 mm above the
level being protected by the guard will facilitate climbing.
(See also Article 3.8.3.3.)
1) Except as required for aisles by Article 3.3.2.5., the maximum slope of a ramp shall be
a)1 in 10 in any assembly occupancy, care or detention occupancy or residential occupancy,
b)1 in 6 in rooms or floor areas classified as mercantile occupancy or industrial occupancy,
c)1 in 8 in any other floor area, and
d)1 in 10 for an exterior ramp.
1) Except as permitted for dwelling units and by Sentence 3.4.7.5.(1) for fire escapes, steps for stairs shall
a)have a run of not less than 280 mm between successive steps,
b)have a rise between successive treads not less than 125 mm and not more than 180 mm,
c)have a closed riser, and
d)have a riser with a rakeback of not more than 38 mm, or
e)have the underside of the nosing with an angle of not less than 60 degrees from the horizontal.
2) Treads and risers in every exit stair, except a fire escape stair, shall have uniform run and rise in any one flight, and shall not alter significantly in run and rise in successive flights in any stair system. (See Appendix A).
3) The leading edge of a stair tread shall
a)except as permitted in Sentence (6), have either a radius or a bevel between 6 mm and 10 mm in horizontal dimension,
b)have no abrupt angles on the underside, and
c)not project more than 38 mm.
4) The front edge of stair treads in exits and public access to exits shall be at right angles to the direction of exit travel.
5) Except for stairs within or serving dwelling units, exit stairs not normally used for access purposes and fire escapes, stairs shall be provided with tactile warning strips conforming to Article 3.8.3.11.
6) If resilient material is used to cover the leading edge of a stair tread, the minimum radius or bevel required by Clause (3)(a) is permitted to be reduced to 3 mm.
1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2), tapered treads shall not be used in an exit.
2) A curved stair used as an exit shall have
a)a handrail on each side,
b)treads with a minimum run of 240 mm exclusive of nosings,
c)treads that conform to Article 3.4.6.7. where they are measured 230 mm away from the handrail at the narrow end of the tread, and
d)an inside radius that is not less than twice the stair width.
1) The floor area on each side of a horizontal exit shall be sufficient to accommodate the occupants of both floor areas, allowing not less than
0.5 m2 of clear floor space per person,
except that 1.5 m2 shall be provided for
each person in a wheelchair and 2.5 m2 for
each bedridden patient.
2) If vestibules, enclosed balconies or bridges are used
as parts of a horizontal exit, their clear width shall be not less than that of the exit doorways opening into them, except that handrails are not permitted to project into this clear width
more than 100 mm.
3) In a horizontal exit where there is a difference in level between the connected floor areas, slopes not more than those specified for ramps in Article 3.4.6.6. are permitted to be used.
4) No stairs or steps shall be used in a horizontal exit.
5) If 2 doors are provided in a horizontal exit that comprises a part of the required number of exits from the floor areas on both sides of the exit
a)the doors shall be mounted adjacent to each other with the door on the right side in the direction of travel through the horizontal exit swinging in the direction of travel through the horizontal exit, and
b)signs shall be provided on each side of the horizontal exit to indicate the door that swings in the direction of travel from that side.
(See Appendix A.)6) If a horizontal exit utilizes bridges between buildings or outside balconies, the bridges or balconies shall conform to
Article 3.2.3.19.
1) The distance between a stair riser and the leading
edge of a door during its swing shall be not less than
300 mm.
2) No exit door shall open directly onto a step except that, if there is danger of blockage from ice
or snow, an exit door is permitted to open onto not more than one step which shall be not more than
150 mm high.
3) Exit doors shall be clearly identifiable. (See Appendix A.)
4) No door leaf in an exit doorway with more than one leaf shall be less than 610 mm wide.
1) Except for doors serving a single dwelling unit and except as permitted by Article 3.4.6.13., every exit door shall
a)open in the direction of exit travel, and
b)swing on its vertical axis.
1) An exit door that is normally required to be kept closed
a)shall be provided with a self-closing mechanism, and
b)shall never be secured in an open position except as permitted by Sentence 3.1.8.12.(1).
1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2) an exit door leading directly to outdoors at ground level is permitted to be a sliding door provided it
conforms to Sentence 3.3.1.12.(1).
2) An exit door serving a Group B, Division 1 occupancy, or an impeded egress zone in other occupancies, is permitted to be a sliding door that does not conform to Sentence 3.3.1.12.(1) provided it is designed to be released in
conformance with Article 3.3.1.13.
1) Except as permitted by Sentence (3), a revolving door, if used, shall
a)be collapsible,
b)have hinged doors providing equivalent exiting capacity located adjacent to it,
c)be used as an exit from the ground floor level only,
d)not be used at the foot of any stairway, and
e)have all glass in door leaves and enclosure panels conforming to
i) CAN/CGSB-12.1-M, “Tempered or Laminated Safety Glass”, or
ii) CAN/CGSB-12.11-M, “Wired Safety Glass”.
2) Except as permitted by Sentence (3), a revolving door shall not be considered to have an exiting
capacity for more than 45 persons.
3) An electrically powered revolving door is not required
to conform to Sentences (1) and (2) provided
a)the door leaves will collapse and stop automatic rotation of the door system and not obstruct the doorway if a force not more than that specified in Sentence 3.4.6.15.(2) is applied at the centre of a door leaf,
b)the door leaves are capable of being opened from inside the building without requiring keys, special devices, or specialized knowledge of the door opening mechanism,
c)the allowable exiting capacity is based on the clear width of passage through the door enclosure when the doors are fully collapsed,
d)a permanent sign, whose centreline is between 1 000 mm and 1 500 mm above the floor, is placed on each face of each door leaf indicating the method for collapsing the door leaf in an emergency, and
e)glass used for door leaves and enclosure panels is safety glass conforming to
i)CAN/CGSB-12.1-M, “Tempered or Laminated Safety Glass”, or
ii)CAN/CGSB-12.11-M, “Wired Safety Glass”.
1) Except for devices on doors serving a
contained use area or an impeded egress zone designed to be remotely released in conformance with Article 3.3.1.13., and except as permitted by Sentence (4) and Article 3.4.6.16., locking, latching and other fastening
devices on a principal entrance door to a building as well as on every exit door shall permit the door to be readily opened from
the inside with not more than one releasing operation and
without requiring keys, special devices or specialized knowledge
of the door opening mechanism. (See Appendix A.)
2) If a door is equipped with a latching mechanism, a
device that will release the latch and allow the door to swing
wide open when a force of not more than 90 N is applied
to the device in the direction of travel to the exit shall be installed on
a)every exit door from a floor area containing an assembly occupancy having an occupant load more than 100,
b)every door leading to an exit lobby from an exit stair shaft, and every exterior door leading from an exit stair shaft in a building having an occupant load more than 100, and
c)every exit door from a floor area containing a high-hazard industrial occupancy.
3) Except as required by Clause 3.3.1.13.(10)(d), every exit door shall be designed and installed so that, when the latch is released,
the door will open under a force of not more than 90 N, applied
at the knob or other latch releasing device.
4) Electromagnetic locks that do not incorporate latches,
pins or other similar devices to keep the door in the closed
position are permitted to be installed on exit doors other than doors leading directly from a high-hazard industrial occupancy, provided
a)the building is equipped with a fire alarm system,
b)the locking device, and all similar devices in the access to exit leading to the exit door, release upon actuation of the fire alarm signal,
c)the locking device releases immediately upon loss of power controlling the electromagnetic locking mechanism and its associated auxiliary controls,
d)the locking device releases immediately upon actuation of a manually operated switch readily accessible only to authorized personnel,
e)a force of not more than 90 N applied to the door opening hardware initiates an irreversible process that will release the locking device within 15 s and not relock until the door has been opened,
f)upon release, the locking device must be reset manually by the actuation of the switch referred to in Clause (d), and
g)a legible sign is permanently mounted on the exit door to indicate that the locking device will release within 15 s of applying pressure to the door-opening hardware.
(See Appendix A.)5) Door hardware for the operation of the doors referred
to in this Section shall be installed at a height not more than
1 200 mm above the finished floor.
1) If a building is sprinklered throughout, the requirements of Sentence 3.4.6.15.(1) are permitted to be waived for exit and egress doors complying with Sentences (2) to (9) that serve a floor area or part of a floor area used exclusively for
a)a bank, or
b)the sale of retail merchandise.
(See Appendix A.)2) Exit and egress doors referred to in Sentence (1) shall be designed to prevent locking at any time that the part of the
floor area that they serve is open to the public.
3) A sign with the words “This door shall not be locked
at any time that the public is present” in letters not less than
50 mm high shall be permanently affixed to both sides of doors
referred to in Sentence (1).
4) Exit and egress facilities complying with Sentences (5) to (9) shall be incorporated for egress by persons other than the public from a
floor area or a part of a floor area referred to in Sentence (1) during times when the public is neither present nor being admitted to
the area that they serve.
5) In exit and egress facilities referred to in Sentence (4), at least one door at each exit and egress location shall
a)be operable in conformance with Sentence 3.4.6.15.(1), or
b)be equipped with locks conforming to Sentence 3.4.6.15.(4) that release immediately
i)if an alert signal or alarm signal is initiated in the fire alarm system, or
ii)the sprinkler system is actuated.
6) A door referred to in Sentence (5) shall be permanently and distinctly marked to indicate that it is an
emergency exit.
7) Exit and egress facilities required for evacuation of persons other than the public from a
floor area or a part of a floor area referred to in Sentence (1) shall have an aggregate width based on the maximum number of persons
other than the public and determined in accordance with
Articles 3.4.3.1. to 3.4.3.3.
8) Travel distance to an exit referred to in Sentence (7) shall not exceed the travel distance determined
in accordance with Subsection 3.4.2.
9) Exit and egress doors serving a floor area or part of a floor area referred to in Sentence (1) are permitted to be equipped with locks that require keys, special
devices or specialized knowledge of the door opening mechanism
provided
a)the doors do not lead into exit stairs,
b)the doors do not lead from exit stairs to the exterior of the building,
c)the doors do not serve any other occupancy,
d)the area served contains at least one telephone
i)that is accessible and in operation at all times,
ii)that is not coin or card operated, and
iii)marked to indicate that it is for emergency use,
e)the area served is illuminated by normal power or by emergency power when the doors are locked,
f)there are provisions that enable an announcement to be made throughout the area served before the locks are fastened, and
g)the locks are designed for use during times that the building is not occupied.
1) In a building more than 6 storeys in building height,
a)doors providing access to floor areas from exit stairs shall not have locking devices to prevent entry into any floor area from which the travel distance up or down to an unlocked door is more than 2 storeys,
b)doors referred to in Clause (a) that provide access into the floor area shall be identified by a sign on the stairway side to indicate that they are openable from that side, and
c)a master key to fit all door locking devices that are intended to prevent entry into a floor area from an exit stair shall be provided in a designated location accessible to firefighters, or the door shall be provided with a wired glass panel not less than 0.0645 m2 in area and located not more than 300 mm from the door opening hardware.
2) If access to floor areas through unlocked doors is required by Clause 3.4.6.17.(1)(a), it shall be possible for a person
entering the floor area to have access through unlocked doors within the floor area to at least one other exit.
1) Arabic numerals indicating the assigned floor number
shall
a)be mounted permanently on the stair side of the wall at the latch side of doors to exit stair shafts,
b)be not less than 60 mm high, raised approximately 0.7 mm above the surface,
c)be located 1 500 mm from the finished floor and not more than 300 mm from the door, and
d)be contrasting in colour with the surface to which they are applied.
(See Appendix A.)
1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2), fire escapes shall not be erected on a building.
2) If it is impracticable to provide one or more of the
exit facilities listed in Article 3.4.1.4., fire escapes conforming to Articles 3.4.7.2. to 3.4.7.7. are permitted to serve floor areas in an existing building provided the floor areas served are not more than
a)2 storeys above ground level in care or detention occupancies, and
b)5 storeys above ground level in other occupancies.
1) Fire escapes shall be of metal or concrete, of the
stair type extending to ground level, constructed throughout in
a strong substantial manner and securely fixed to the building, except that wooden fire escapes are permitted to be used on buildings of combustible construction if all posts and brackets are not less than 89 mm in their
least dimension and all other woodwork is not less than
38 mm in its least dimension.
1) Access to fire escapes shall be from corridors through
doors at floor level, except that access from a dwelling unit is permitted to be through a casement window having an unobstructed opening not
less than 1 100 mm high by 550 mm
wide with a sill height of not more than 900 mm above
the inside floor.
2) The clear area of a fire escape balcony onto which a
door opens, shall be not less than 1 m2.
1) If a fire escape serves any storey above the second, openings located in a zone described in
Sentence (2), including access doorways in the exterior walls of
the building to which the fire escape is attached, shall be protected by closures conforming to Subsection 3.1.8.
2) The zone referred to in Sentence (1) extends from any balcony, platform or stairway of a fire escape to a
distance
a)3 m horizontally,
b)10 m below, or
c)1.8 m above.
1) Stairs shall be inclined at an angle of not more than
45° with the horizontal, and their steps shall have risers not
more than 210 mm high and treads not less than
220 mm wide exclusive of nosing.
2) Stairway headroom shall be not less than
1 950 mm plus the height of one riser measured
vertically above the nosing of any tread or platform.
3) The width of a fire escape shall conform to
Articles 3.4.3.1. to 3.4.3.3., except that the width is permitted to be reduced to 550 mm
provided the fire escape serves
a)not more than 3 storeys, and
b)not more than 15 persons.
4) If a flight of stairs leading to the ground at the
foot of a fire escape is not fixed in position, it shall be held
in the raised position without a latch or locking device, and
shall be fitted with a counterbalancing device that will permit
it to be easily and quickly brought into position for use.
1) The open sides of every platform, balcony and stairway
forming part of a fire escape shall be protected by guards not less than 920 mm high measured vertically above the nosing of any tread or platform.
2) The top rail of a guard is permitted to serve as a handrail if it is free from obstructions
which could break a handhold.
3) A wall handrail shall be installed if the fire escape
is more than 550 mm wide.
4) Unless it can be shown that the size of openings that
exceed this limit does not present a hazard, there shall be no
opening that permits the passage of a sphere whose diameter is
more than 100 mm through a guard for a fire escape.
5) Unless it can be shown that the location and size of
an opening do not present a hazard, a guard for a fire escape shall be designed so that no
member, attachment or opening located between 140 mm and 900 mm
above a platform or the nosing of any tread will facilitate
climbing.
1) Platforms for a fire escape shall be provided in
conformance with the requirements for stair landings in Article 3.4.6.3.