jswizzle3737/ontario_laws_and_regs huggingface dataset:
Notes to Table 9.8.4.1.:
9.8.6.3. Dimensions of Landings (1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) to (7), landings shall be, (a) at least as wide as the width of the stair or ramp in which they occur, and (b) at least as long as the width of the stair or ramp in which they occur. (2) Where the landing in a stair or ramp does not turn or turns less than 90o, the length of the landing shall not be less than the lesser of, (a) the required width of the stair or ramp, or (b) 1 100 mm. (3) The length of a landing described in Sentence (2) shall be measured perpendicular to the nosings of adjacent treads or to the end of the ramp, at a distance equal to half the length required by Sentence (2) from the narrow edge of the landing. (4) Where
flights or ramps of different widths adjoin a single landing, the minimum width of the landing shall be, (a) not less than the greater required stair or ramp width, where one or more of the stair or ramp widths do not exceed their respective required widths, or (b) not less than the lesser actual stair or ramp width, where all of the widths of the stairs or ramps exceed their respective required widths. (5) Where a door swings toward a stair, the full arc of the swing shall be over the landing. (6) The slope of landings shall not exceed 1 in 50. (7) Where a doorway or stair opens onto the side of a ramp, the landing shall extend for a distance of not less than 300 mm on either side of the doorway or stair, except on a side abutting an end wall.
Notes to Table 9.8.4.1.:
9.8.6.4. Height over Landings (1) The clear height over landings shall be not less than, (a) 1 950 mm for landings serving a house or an individual dwelling unit, and (b) 2 050 mm for landings not serving a house or an individual dwelling unit. 9.8.7. Handrails
Notes to Table 9.8.4.1.:
9.8.7.1. Required Handrails (1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) to (5), a handrail shall be installed on stairs and ramps in conformance with Table 9.8.7.1. Table 9.8.7.1.   Handrails for Stairs and Ramps Forming Part of Sentence 9.8.7.1.(1)  Item   Column 1   Column 2   Column 3   Column 4   Column 5   Column 6 

      Location of Stair or Ramp   Handrails Serving Stairs           Handrails Serving Ramps 

          Stairs < 1 100 mm Wide   Stairs  1 100 mm Wide   Ramps < 1 100 mm Wide   Ramps  1 100 mm Wide 

          Straight   Curved   All   Straight or Curved   All 

          Number of Sides Required to have a Handrail             

  1.   Within a dwelling unit   1   1   1   1   2 

  2.   All other locations   1   2   2   2   2 (2) Where a stair or a ramp is required to be at least 2 200 mm wide due to the occupant load, a handrail shall be installed such that no position on the stair or ramp is more than 825 mm from a handrail. (3) A handrail is not required for stairs and ramps serving a house
or an individual dwelling unit, where, (a) interior stairs have not more than two risers, (b) exterior stairs have not more than three risers, or (c) ramps rise not more than 400 mm. (4) Only one handrail is required on exterior stairs having more than three risers, provided such stairs serve a house or an individual
dwelling unit. (5) Except for stairs with winders, where a flight of stairs within a house or an individual dwelling unit consists of tapered treads, or a mix of tapered treads and rectangular treads, one handrail shall be installed along the narrow end of the treads.
Notes to Table 9.8.4.1.:
9.8.7.2. Continuity of Handrails (1) Except for stairs or ramps serving a house or an individual dwelling unit, at least one required handrail shall be continuous throughout the length of the stair or ramp, including at the landings, except where interrupted by doorways. (2) For stairs or ramps serving a house or an individual dwelling unit, at least one required handrail shall be continuous throughout the length of the stair or ramp, except where interrupted by, (a) doorways, (b) landings, or (c) newel posts at changes in direction.
Notes to Table 9.8.4.1.:
9.8.7.3. Termination of Handrails (1) Handrails shall be terminated in a manner that will not obstruct pedestrian travel or create a hazard. (2) Except for stairs and ramps serving a house or an individual dwelling unit, at least one handrail at the sides of a stair or ramp shall extend horizontally not less than 300 mm beyond the top and bottom of each flight or ramp.
Notes to Table 9.8.4.1.:
9.8.7.4. Height of Handrails (1) The height of handrails on stairs and ramps shall be measured vertically from the top of the handrail to, (a) a straight line drawn tangent to the tread nosings of the stair served by the handrail, or (b) the surface of the ramp, floor or landing served by the handrail. (2) Except as provided in Sentence (3), Clause 3.8.3.4.(1)(e) and Sentence 9.8.4.5A.(1), handrails shall be 865 mm to 1 070 mm high. (3) Handrails installed in addition to required handrails need not comply with Sentence (2). (4) Revoked: O. Reg. 88/19, s. 211.
Notes to Table 9.8.4.1.:
9.8.7.5. Ergonomic Design (1) The clearance between a handrail and any surface behind it shall be not less than, (a) 60 mm, if the surface behind the handrail is rough or abrasive, or (b) 50 mm, in all other cases. (2) All handrails shall be constructed so as to be continually graspable along their entire length with no obstruction on or above them to break a handhold.
Notes to Table 9.8.4.1.:
9.8.7.6. Projections into Stairs and Ramps (1) Handrails and projections below handrails, including handrail supports and stair stringers, shall not project more than 100 mm into the required width of a stair or ramp.
Notes to Table 9.8.4.1.:
9.8.7.7. Design and Attachment of Handrails (1) Handrails and their supports shall be designed and constructed to withstand the following loads, which need not be considered to act simultaneously: (a) a concentrated load of not less than 0.9 kN applied at any point and in any direction for all handrails, and (b) for handrails other than those serving a house or an individual dwelling unit, a uniform load of not less than 0.7 kN/m. (2) Where exterior or interior handrails serving a house or an individual dwelling unit are attached to wood studs or blocking, the attachment shall be deemed to comply with Sentence (1), where, (a) the attachment points are spaced not more than 1.2 m apart measured on the horizontal plane, (b) the first attachment point at either end is located not more than 300 mm from the end of the handrail, and (c) the fasteners consist of no fewer than two No. 8 wood screws at each point, penetrating not less than 32 mm into solid wood. 9.8.8. Guards
Notes to Table 9.8.4.1.:
9.8.8.2. Loads on Guards (1) Except as provided in Sentences (2), (4) and (5), guards shall be designed to resist the specified loads prescribed in Table 9.8.8.2. Table 9.8.8.2.   Specified Loads for Guards Forming Part of Sentence 9.8.8.2.(1) Item   Column 1 Location of Guard   Column 2 Minimum Specified Loads Horizontal Load Applied Inward or Outward at any Point at the Minimum Required Height of the Guard   Column 3 Minimum Specified Loads Horizontal Load Applied Outward on Elements Within the Guard, Including Solid Panels and Pickets   Column 4 Minimum Specified Loads Evenly Distributed Vertical Load Applied at the Top of the Guard 

  1.   Guards within dwelling units and exterior guards serving not more than 2 dwelling units   0.5 kN/m or concentrated load of 1.0 kN applied at any point(1)   0.5 kN applied over a maximum width of 300 mm and a height of 300 mm(2)   1.5 kN/m 

  2.   Guards serving access ways to equipment platforms and similar areas where the gathering of many people is improbable   Concentrated load of 1.0 kN applied at any point   Concentrated load of 0.5 kN applied over any area of 100 mm by 100 mm located at any point on the element or elements so as to produce the most critical effect   1.5 kN/m 

  3.   All other guards   0.75 kN/m or concentrated load of 1.0 kN applied at any point(1)   Concentrated load of 0.5 kN applied over any area of 100 mm by 100 mm located at any point on the element or elements so as to produce the most critical effect   1.5 kN/m
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.8.8.3. Height of Guards (1) Except as provided in Sentences (2), (3), (4) and (6), all guards
shall be not less than 1 070 mm high. (2) All
guards within dwelling units, other than guards serving spiral stairs, shall be not less than 900 mm high. (3) Exterior
guards serving a house
or an individual dwelling unit shall be not less than 900 mm high where the walking surface served by the guard
is not more than 1 800 mm above the finished ground level. (4) Guards for flights, except in required exit stairs, shall be not less than 900 mm high. (5) Reserved (6) 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. (7) The height of guards for flights
shall be measured vertically from the top of the guard
to a straight line tangent to tread nosings served by the guard.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.8.8.4. Guards for Floors and Ramps in Garages (1) Except for floors of garages referred to in Section 9.35., where garage floors or ramps are 600 mm or more above the adjacent ground or floor level, every opening through a garage floor and the perimeter of floors and ramps that have no exterior walls shall be provided with, (a) a continuous curb not less than 140 mm in height, and (b) a guard not less than 1 070 mm above the floor level. (2) Vehicle guardrails shall be designed and constructed to withstand the loading values specified in Sentence 4.1.5.15.(1).
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.8.8.5. Openings in Guards (1) Except as permitted in Sentences (2) and (3), openings through guards
shall be of a size that prevents the passage of a spherical object having a diameter of 100 mm. (2) Except where they serve storage garages, guards in industrial occupancies
are permitted to consist of, (a) a top railing, and (b) one or more horizontal intermediate rails spaced such that the size of the openings through the guard prevents the passage of a spherical object having a diameter of 535 mm. (3) Openings through any guard that is not required by Article 9.8.8.1. and that serves an occupancy other than industrial occupancy, shall be of a size that, (a) prevents the passage of a spherical object having a diameter of 100 mm, or (b) permits the passage of a spherical object having a diameter of 200 mm.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.8.8.6. Guards Designed Not to Facilitate Climbing (1) Guards required by Article 9.8.8.1., except those in industrial occupancies and where it can be shown that the location and size of openings do not represent a hazard, shall be designed so that no member, attachment or opening located between 140 mm and 900 mm above the floor or walking surface protected by the guard
will facilitate climbing.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.8.8.7. Glass in Guards (1) Glass in guards shall be, (a) safety glass of the laminated or tempered type conforming to CAN/CGSB-12.1-M, “Tempered or Laminated Safety Glass”, or (b) wired glass conforming to CAN/CGSB-12.11-M, “Wired Safety Glass”. 9.8.9. Construction
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.8.9.1. Loads on Stairs and Ramps (1) Except as required in Articles 9.8.9.4. and 9.8.9.5., stairs and ramps shall be designed for strength and rigidity under uniform loading criteria to support specified loads of, (a) 1.9 kPa for stairs and ramps serving a house or an individual dwelling unit, and (b) 4.8 kPa for other stairs and ramps.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.8.9.2. Exterior Concrete Stairs (1) Exterior concrete stairs with more than two risers and two treads shall be, (a) supported on unit masonry or concrete walls or piers not less than 150 mm in cross-section, or (b) cantilevered from the main foundation wall. (2) Stairs described in Sentence (1), when cantilevered from the foundation
wall, shall be constructed and installed in conformance with Subsection 9.8.10. (3) The depth below ground level for foundations for exterior steps shall conform to the requirements in Section 9.12.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.8.9.3. Exterior Wood Steps (1) Exterior wood steps shall not be in direct contact with the ground unless suitably treated with a wood preservative.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.8.9.4. Wooden Stair Stringers (1) Wooden stair stringers shall, (a) have a minimum effective depth of 90 mm, measured perpendicularly to the bottom of the stringer at the point of minimum cross-section, and an overall depth of not less than 235 mm, (b) be supported and secured top and bottom, (c) be not less than 25 mm actual thickness if supported along their length and 38 mm actual thickness if unsupported along their length, and (d) except as permitted in Sentence (2), be spaced not more than 900 mm o.c. for stairs serving a house or an individual dwelling unit, and 600 mm o.c. in other stairs. (2) For stairs serving a house or an individual dwelling unit, where risers support the front portion of the tread, the space between stringers shall be not more than 1 200 mm.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.8.9.5. Treads (1) Stair treads of lumber, plywood or O-2 grade OSB within dwelling units shall be not less than 25 mm actual thickness, except that if open risers are used and the distance between stringers exceeds 750 mm, the treads shall be not less than 38 mm actual thickness. (2) Stair treads of plywood or OSB, that are not continuously supported by the riser shall have their face grain or direction of face orientation at right angles to the stringers.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.8.9.6. Finish for Treads, Landings and Ramps (1) Except as required by Sentence (5), the finish for treads, landings and ramps shall be, (a) wear-resistant, (b) slip-resistant, and (c) smooth, even and free from open defects. (2) The finish for treads, landings and ramps within a house or an individual dwelling unit, including those from an attached garage serving a house or an individual dwelling unit, shall be deemed to comply with Sentence (1) where these treads, landings or ramps are finished with, (a) hardwood, (b) vertical grain softwood, (c) resilient flooring, (d) low-pile carpet, (e) mat finish ceramic tile, (f) concrete, or (g) for stairs to unfinished basements and to garages, plywood. (3) Stairs and ramps, except those serving a house, an individual dwelling unit, service rooms or service spaces, shall have a colour contrast or a distinctive visual pattern to demarcate, (a) the leading edge of the treads, (b) the leading edge of the landing, and (c) the beginning and end of a ramp. (4) Except for stairs serving a house, an individual dwelling unit, service rooms
or service spaces, a tactile attention indicator conforming to Article 3.8.3.18. shall be installed, (a) at the top of the stairs, starting one tread depth back from the edge of the top stair, and (b) at the leading edge of landings where a doorway opens onto stairs, starting one tread depth back from the edge of the landing. (5) Treads and landings of interior and exterior stairs and ramps, other than those within
dwelling units, shall have a slip-resistant finish or be provided with slip-resistant strips that extend not more than 1 mm above the surface. 9.8.10. Cantilevered Precast Concrete Steps
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.8.10.1. Design (1) Exterior concrete steps and their anchorage system that are cantilevered from a foundation wall shall be designed and installed to support the loads to which they may be subjected.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.8.10.2. Anchorage (1) Cantilevered concrete steps referred to in Article 9.8.10.1. shall be anchored to concrete foundation walls at least 200 mm thick.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.8.10.3. Prevention of Damage Due to Frost (1) Suitable precautions shall be taken during backfilling and grading operations to ensure that subsequent freezing of the soil will not cause uplift forces on the underside of cantilevered concrete steps to the extent that the steps or the walls to which they are attached will be damaged. Section 9.9. Means of Egress 9.9.1. General
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.1.1. Application (1) Stairways, handrails and guards in a means of egress shall conform to the requirements in Section 9.8. as well as to the requirements in this Section.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.1.2. Fire Protection (1) In addition to the fire protection requirements provided in Subsection 9.9.4., flame-spread ratings, fire-resistance ratings and fire-protection ratings for means of egress shall conform to Section 9.10.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.1.3. Occupant Load (1) The
occupant load of a floor area
or part of a floor area, or of a building or part of a building
not having a floor area, shall be based on, (a) two persons per sleeping room or sleeping area in a dwelling unit or suite, and (b) for occupancies
other than as described in Clause (a), the number of persons, (i) for which the area is designed, or (ii) determined from Table 3.1.17.1. 9.9.2. Types and Purpose of Exits
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.2.1. Types of Exits (1) Except as otherwise provided in 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 (as described in Subsection 3.4.7.), (f) a horizontal exit, (g) an interior passageway, (h) an interior ramp, or (i) an interior stairway. (2) Fire escapes are permitted to be used as exits on existing buildings provided they are designed and installed in conformance with Subsection 3.4.7. (3) Fire escapes shall not be installed on any new building. (4) Where a horizontal exit is used, it shall conform to Sentence 3.4.1.6.(1) and Article 3.4.6.10.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.2.2. Purpose of Exits (1) An
exit shall be designed for no purpose other than for exiting, except that an exit may also serve as an access to a floor area.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.2.3. Elevators, Slide Escapes and Windows as Means of Egress (1) Elevators, slide escapes or windows shall not be considered as part of a required means of egress. (2) Except for floor areas of mercantile occupancy, casement windows not less than 1 060 mm high, 560 mm wide, with a sill height not more than 900 mm above the inside floor, are permitted to be considered part of a required means of egress
to provide access to fire escapes, when fire escapes are permitted.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.2.4. Principal Entrances (1) Except for doors serving a house or an individual dwelling unit, 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.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.2.5. Front Edge of Stair Treads (1) Except for curved stairs, the front edge of stair treads in exits
and access to exits shall be at right angles to the direction of exit travel.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.2.6. Exterior Exit Stairs that Serve a Hotel (1) Treads and landings of exterior exit stairs that serve a hotel shall be designed to be free from ice and snow accumulation. 9.9.3. Dimensions of Means of Egress
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.3.1. Application (1) This Subsection applies to every means of egress except, (a)  exits
that serve a house or an individual dwelling unit, and (b)  access to exits within a house or an individual dwelling unit.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.3.2. Exit Width (1) Except for doors and corridors, the width of every exit
facility shall be not less than 900 mm.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.3.3. Width of Corridors (1) The width of every public corridor, corridor used by the public, and exit corridor shall be not less than 1 100 mm.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.3.4. Clear Height (1) Except for stairways, doorways and storage garages, the minimum clear height in exits and access to exits shall be 2 100 mm. (2) The clear height in exits and access to exits in a storage garage shall be not less than 2 000 mm. 9.9.4. Fire Protection of Exits
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.4.1. Application (1) Except as provided in Articles 9.9.4.4. and 9.9.4.6., this Subsection applies to the fire protection of all exits except exits serving an individual dwelling unit.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.4.2. Fire Separation for Exits (1) Except as provided in Sentence (5) and Article 9.9.8.5., every exit
other than an exit doorway shall be separated from each adjacent floor area or from another exit by a fire separation
having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the floor assembly above the floor area. (2) Where there is no floor assembly above, the fire-resistance rating required in Sentence (1) shall not be less than that required by Subsection 9.10.8. for the floor assembly below, but in no case shall the fire-resistance rating be less than 45 min. (3) A
fire separation common to two exits
shall be smoke-tight and not be pierced by doorways, duct work, piping or any other opening that may affect the continuity of the separation. (4) A
fire separation that separates an exit from the remainder of the building
shall have no openings except those for electrical wiring, noncombustible conduit and noncombustible
piping that serve only the exit, and for standpipes, sprinkler piping, exit doorways and wired glass and glass block permitted in Article 9.9.4.3. (5) The requirements in Sentence (1) do not apply to an exterior exit
passageway provided the passageway has at least 50 per cent of its exterior sides open to the outdoors and is served by an exit
stair at each end of the passageway.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.4.3. Wired Glass or Glass Block (1) This Article applies to wired glass in doors, and wired glass or glass block in sidelights, where these are installed in fire separations
between exit enclosures and floor areas. (2) Except as provided in Sentence (3), the combined area of glazing in doors and sidelights shall not exceed 0.8 m². (3) Where an exit enclosure connects with a floor area through an enclosed vestibule or corridor separated from the floor area by fire separations having not less than a 45 min fire-resistance rating, the glazed areas described in Sentence (1) need not be limited as required in Sentence (2).
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.4.4. Openings Near Unenclosed Exit Stairs and Ramps (1) Where an unenclosed exterior exit stair or ramp provides the only means of egress from a suite, and is exposed to fire from openings in the exterior walls of another fire compartment, the openings in the exterior walls of the building shall be protected with wired glass in fixed steel frames or glass block conforming to Articles 9.10.13.5. and 9.10.13.7. when the openings in the exterior walls of the building
are within 3 m horizontally and less than 10 m below or less than 5 m above the
exit stair or ramp.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.4.5. Openings in Exterior Walls of Exits (1) Either openings in the exterior walls of an exit or openings in adjacent exterior walls of the building the exit serves shall be protected with wired glass in fixed steel frames or glass block installed in accordance with Articles 9.10.13.5. and 9.10.13.7., where, (a) the exit
enclosure has exterior walls that intersect the exterior walls of the building at an angle of less than 135° measured on the outside of the building, and (b) the openings in the exterior walls of the building are within 3 m horizontally and less than 2 m above the openings in the exterior walls of the exit.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.4.6. Openings near Exit Doors (1) This Article applies to, (a)  exit
doors serving other than an individual dwelling unit, and (b)  exit
doors serving an individual dwelling unit where there is no second and separate exit from the dwelling unit. (2) Where an exterior exit door described in Sentence (1) in one fire compartment is within 3 m horizontally of an unprotected opening in another fire compartment and the exterior walls of these fire compartments intersect at an exterior angle of less than 135°, the opening shall be protected with wired glass in fixed steel frames or glass block conforming to Articles 9.10.13.5. and 9.10.13.7. or with a rated closure conforming to Table 9.10.13.1. with respect to the rating of the fire separation between the two compartments.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.4.7. Stairways in Group D or E Buildings (1) Notwithstanding the requirements of Sentences 9.9.4.2.(1), 9.9.8.2.(1) and Article 9.10.9.5., where a suite of Group D or E occupancy
is located partly on the first storey and partly on the second storey or partly on the second storey and partly on the third storey, stairways serving that suite need not be constructed as exit stairs, provided, (a) the building
is not greater than three storeys in building height, (b) the suite
is separated from other occupancies by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min, (c) the area occupied by the suite is not greater than 100 m² per storey, other than the exit
level storey, (d) the maximum travel distance from any point in the suite to an exterior exit is not greater than 25 m, (e) the floor assemblies have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min or are of noncombustible construction, (f) the basement
and first storey are separated by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min, and (g) a smoke alarm is installed on each floor of the suite, including the basement, in accordance with Subsection 9.10.19. (2) Revoked: O. Reg. 191/14, s. 99. 9.9.5. Obstructions and Hazards in Means of Egress
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.5.1. Application (1) This Subsection applies to obstructions and hazards in every means of egress except those within or serving an individual dwelling unit.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.5.2. Occupancies in Corridors (1) Where a corridor contains an occupancy, the occupancy shall not reduce the unobstructed width of the corridor to less than the required width of the corridor.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.5.3. Obstructions in Public Corridors (1) Except as permitted in Sentence (2), obstructions located within 1 980 mm of the floor shall not project horizontally more than 100 mm into exit
passageways, corridors used by the public or public corridors in a manner that would create a hazard for persons with no or low vision travelling adjacent to walls. (2) The horizontal projection of an obstruction in Sentence (1) is permitted to exceed 100 mm where the obstruction extends to less than 680 mm above the floor.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.5.4. Obstructions in Exits (1) Except as permitted in Subsection 9.9.6. and Article 9.8.7.6., no fixture, turnstile or construction shall project within the required width of an exit.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.5.5. Obstructions in Means of Egress (1) No obstructions such as posts or turnstiles shall be placed so as to restrict the width of a required means of egress from a floor area or part of a floor area
to less than 750 mm unless an alternate unobstructed means of egress is provided adjacent to and plainly visible from the restricted egress. (2) Except as provided in Sentence (3), no obstructions, such as counter gates, that do not meet the requirements for exit doors, shall be placed in a required means of egress from a floor area or part of a floor area
unless an alternate unobstructed means of egress is provided adjacent to and plainly visible from the restricted egress. (3) Obstructions, such as counter gates, that do not satisfy Sentence (2), are permitted to be placed in a required means of egress from a part of a floor area in mercantile occupancies and business and personal services occupancies, provided that the part of the floor area served by the obstructed means of egress is not generally accessible to the public.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.5.6. Mirrors or Draperies (1) No mirror shall be placed in or adjacent to any exit so as to cause confusion regarding the direction of exit, and no mirror or draperies shall be placed on or over exit doors.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.5.7. Fuel-Fired Appliances (1) Fuel-fired
appliances shall not be installed in an exit or corridor serving as an access to exit.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.5.8. Service Rooms (1) Service rooms containing equipment subject to possible explosion, such as boilers designed to operate at a pressure in excess of 100 kPa, and certain types of refrigerating and transformer equipment, shall not be located under required exits.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.5.9. Ancillary Rooms (1) Ancillary rooms such as storage rooms, washrooms, toilet rooms, laundry rooms and service rooms shall not open directly into an exit. 9.9.6. Doors in a Means of Egress
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.6.1. Obstructions by Doors (1) Except as provided in Sentence (4), swinging doors in their swing shall conform to Sentences (2) and (3), (a) at exit doors, (b) at doors that open into or are located within a public corridor, and (c) at doors that open into or are located within another facility that provides access to exit from a suite. (2) When fully open, doors described in Sentence (1) shall not decrease the required exit width by more than, (a) 100 mm in exit
corridors, and (b) 50 mm for other exit facilities. (3) The swing of doors described in Sentence (1) shall not reduce the width of the path of travel to less than, (a) the required exit
width in exit corridors and passageways, and (b) 750 mm on exit
stairs or landings. (4) Doors serving a house or an individual dwelling unit need not comply with Sentences (2) and (3).
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.6.2. Clear Opening Height at Doorways (1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), the clear opening height of doorways shall be not less than 2 030 mm high at, (a)  exit doors, (b) doors that open into or are located within a public corridor, and (c) doors that open into or are located within another facility that provides access to exit from a suite. (2) The clear opening height under door closers and other devices in doorways described in Sentence (1) shall be not less than 1 980 mm. (3) Doorways serving a house or an individual dwelling unit need not comply with Sentences (1) and (2).
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.6.3. Clear Opening Width at Doorways (1) Except as provided in Sentence (4), the clear opening width of doorways shall comply with Sentence (2) at, (a)  exit doors, and (b) doors that open into or are located, (i) within a public corridor, or (ii) within another facility that provides access to exit from a suite. (2) Doorways described in Sentence (1) shall be not less than, (a) 800 mm wide where there is only one door leaf, (b) 800 mm wide where multiple-leaf doors are installed with only one active leaf with a latching mechanism described in Article 9.9.6.7., and (c) 1210 mm wide where multiple-leaf doors are installed with two active leaves. (3) In doorways described in Sentence (1) that have multiple-leaf doors installed, (a) no active leaf shall be less than 810 mm wide where only one leaf is active, and (b) no single leaf shall be less than 610 mm wide where two leaves are active. (4) Doorways serving a house or an individual
dwelling unit need not comply with Sentence (2).
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.6.4. Door Action (1) Except as provided in Sentences (4) and (5), required exit doors and doors in required means of egress, except doors in means of egress within dwelling units, shall swing on the vertical axis. (2) Except as provided in Sentence (5), breakaway sliding doors, installed as required exit doors or required doors in means of egress, shall be identified as swinging doors by means of a label or decal affixed to the door. (3) Revolving doors shall comply with Article 3.4.6.15. (4) Movable
partitions used to separate a
public corridor from an adjacent business and personal services occupancy or a mercantile occupancy
need not conform to Sentence (1), provided the partitions are not located in the only means of egress. (5) Exit doors need not conform to Sentence (1) or (2), where, (a) the doors serve accessory buildings where life safety is not adversely affected, or (b) the doors serve storage garages or other accessory buildings
serving a house or an individual dwelling unit.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.6.5. Direction of Door Swing (1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2) and except for doors serving a house
or an individual dwelling unit, exit doors that are required to swing shall swing in the direction of exit travel. (2) An exit door need not swing in the direction of exit travel where it serves, (a) a room, suite
or floor area having an occupant load of not more than 60 persons, or (b) as part of a means of egress from more than one floor area and the floor areas so served have a total occupant load of not more than 60 persons. (3) Doors that open onto a corridor or other facility that provides access to exit from a room or suite having an occupant load of more than 60 persons shall swing on the vertical axis in the direction of exit travel. (4) Doors that divide a corridor that is not wholly contained within a suite
shall swing in the direction of exit travel. (5) Where a pair of doors is installed in a corridor that provides access to exit in both directions, the doors shall, (a) swing in opposite directions, with the door on the right hand side swinging in the direction of exit travel, or (b) swing in both directions.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.6.6. Proximity of Doors to Stairs (1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), the distance between a stair riser and the leading edge of a door in its swing, except for doors serving a house
or an individual dwelling unit, shall be not less than 300 mm. (2) Where there is a danger of blockage from ice or snow, an exit door, including a door serving a house or an individual dwelling unit, may open onto not more than one step provided the riser of such step does not exceed 150 mm.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.6.7. Door Latching, Locking and Opening Mechanisms (1) Principal entrance doors, exit doors and doors to suites, including exterior doors serving a house or an individual dwelling unit, and other doors in an access to exit shall, (a) be openable from the inside or in travelling to an exit without requiring keys, special devices or specialized knowledge of the door opening mechanism, or (b) be controlled by electromagnetic locking mechanisms in accordance with Sentence 3.4.6.16.(4). (2) Except for doors serving a house or an individual dwelling unit and except for doors to accessory buildings and to garages serving a house
or an individual dwelling unit, door release hardware on doors in a means of egress
shall be operable with one hand and the door shall be openable with not more than one releasing operation. (3) Door release hardware on doors in a means of egress shall be installed not more than 1 200 mm above the finished floor. (4) Except for hotels, a door opening onto a public corridor that provides access to exit from suites shall be designed not to lock automatically when such doors are equipped with an automatic self-closing device.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.6.8. Effort Required to Open (1) Except as required by Sentence 3.8.3.3.(7), every exit door, except doors serving a house or an individual dwelling unit, shall be designed and installed so that when the latch is released the door will open in the direction of exit travel under a force of not more than 90 N applied to the door release hardware. 9.9.7. Access to Exits
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.7.1. Egress from Roof Area, Podiums, Terraces, Platforms and Contained Open Spaces (1) An
access to exit shall be provided from every roof intended for occupancy and from every podium, terrace, platform or contained open space. (2) Where a roof is intended for an occupant load of more than 60 persons, at least two separate means of egress
shall be provided from the roof to stairs designed in conformance with the requirements for exit stairs and located remote from each other. (3) Where a podium, terrace, platform or contained open space is provided, egress requirements shall conform to the appropriate requirements for rooms or suites in Article 9.9.7.4.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.7.2. Means of Egress from Suites (1) Except as required by Sentence 9.9.9.3.(1), each suite in a floor area occupied by more than one suite shall have, (a) an exterior exit
doorway, (b) a doorway to a public corridor, or (c) a doorway to an exterior passageway. (2) Except as provided in Sentences 9.9.7.3.(1) and 9.9.8.2.(2), from the point where a doorway described in Clause (1)(b) or (c) enters the public corridor or exterior passageway, it shall be possible to go in opposite directions to each of two separate exits.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.7.3. Dead-End Corridors (1) A dead-end public corridor is permitted in an occupancy shown in Table 9.9.7.3., where, (a) the dead-end corridor, (i) does not exceed the distance of travel measured from the most remote point of the dead-end to a point where it is possible to go in opposite directions to each of two separate
exits, and (ii) is provided with doors equipped with self-closing devices, or (b) there is a second and separate egress doorway from each room or suite not leading into the dead-end corridor. Table 9.9.7.3.   Dead-End Public Corridors Forming Part of Sentence 9.9.7.3.(1) Item   Column 1 Occupancy   Column 2 Maximum Length of Dead-End Public Corridor, m   Column 3 Maximum Occupant Load or Suites Served by Dead-End Public Corridor 

  1.   Group C   6   4 suites 

  2.   Group D   6   30 

  3.   Group E   9   30 

  4.   Group F   9   30 (2) Dead-end
public corridors in residential occupancies and business and personal services occupancies shall contain only suite door openings arranged so that not more than two such doors have to be passed to reach the nearest exit. (3) The area of wired glass in doors required by Sentence (2) shall not exceed 645 cm².
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.7.4. Number and Spacing of Egress Doors (1) Except for dwelling units, at least two egress doors shall be provided where, (a) the area of a room or suite exceeds 200 m² in a Group D, E, F2 and F3 occupancy, or 150 m² in a Group C occupancy, or (b) the distance measured from any point within a room or suite to the nearest egress door exceeds 25 m. (2) Doors required in Sentence (1) shall be spaced so that in the event one door is made inaccessible by a fire within such a room or suite, the other door will provide safe egress.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.7.5. Independent Access to Exit (1) Required
access to exit from suites
shall not be through any other dwelling unit, service room or other occupancy.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.7.6. Travel Distance within Rooms and Suites (1) Except for dwelling units, the travel distance from any point within the room or suite to the nearest egress door shall not exceed the maximum travel distance in Article 9.9.8.2. 9.9.8. Exits from Floor Areas
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.8.1. Measurement of Travel Distance (1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), 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 exit travel. (2) Where a room or suite is separated from the remainder of the floor area by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating
of at least 45 min, or in a sprinklered building, by a fire separation that is not required to have a
fire-resistance rating, the travel distance is permitted to be measured from an egress door of the room or suite
to the nearest exit. (3) Where a public corridor is not less than 9 m wide and conforms to Clause 3.4.2.5.(1)(d), the travel distance is permitted to be determined in accordance with that Clause.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.8.2. Number of Required Exits (1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3) and Subsection 9.9.9., at least two exits shall be provided from every floor area, spaced so that the travel distance to the nearest exit is not more than, (a) 40 m in the case of business and personal services occupancies, (b) 45 m for all occupancies
where the floor area is sprinklered, and (c) 30 m for all other occupancies. (2) Except as provided in Subsection 9.9.9., a single exit is permitted from each storey in buildings
of 1 and 2 storeys in building height provided the floor area and travel distance requirements conform to those required in Article 9.9.7.4. and the total occupant load served by an exit facility does not exceed 60 persons. (3) In
boarding, lodging or rooming houses, (a) where sleeping accommodation is provided for not more than eight persons, a single exit
is permitted from each floor area, or (b) where sleeping accommodation is not provided in the basement, a single exit is permitted from the basement
floor area.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.8.3. Contribution of Each Exit (1) Where more than one exit is required from a floor area, each exit shall be considered as contributing not more than half the required exit width.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.8.4. Location of Exits (1) Where more than one exit is required from a floor area, at least two exits
shall be independent of each other and be placed remote from each other along the path of travel between them.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.8.5. Exiting through a Lobby (1) Not more than one exit from a floor area is permitted to lead through a lobby. (2) The floor of the lobby referred to in Sentence (1) shall be not more than 4.5 m above grade, and the path of travel through the lobby to the outdoors shall not exceed 15 m. (3) The lobby referred to in Sentence (1) shall conform in all respects to the requirements for exits, except that rooms other than service rooms, storage rooms and rooms of residential or industrial occupancy
are permitted to open directly onto such lobby. (4) Except as provided in Sentence (6), an exit is permitted to lead through a lobby referred to in Sentence (1) provided the lobby is not located within an interconnected floor space other than as described in Sentence 3.2.8.2.(6). (5) Passenger elevators are permitted to open onto the lobby referred to in Sentence (1) provided the elevator doors are designed to remain closed except while loading and unloading. (6) An
exit that serves a hotel
is permitted to lead through a lobby referred to in Sentence (1) provided the lobby is not located within an interconnected floor space. (7) Where the lobby referred to in Sentence (1) and adjacent occupancies
that are permitted to open into the lobby are sprinklered, the fire separation between such occupancies and the lobby need not have a fire-resistance rating.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.8.6. Mezzanine Means of Egress (1) Except as provided by Sentences (2) and (3), the space above a mezzanine
shall be served by at least two means of egress
leading to exits accessible at the mezzanine level on the same basis as floor areas. (2) One
means of egress from a mezzanine
is permitted, where, (a) the mezzanine
is not required to terminate at a vertical fire separation, as permitted by Sentence 9.10.12.1.(2), (b) the occupant load of the mezzanine is not more than 60, (c) the area of the mezzanine does not exceed the area limits of Clause 9.9.7.4.(1)(a), and (d) the distance limits of Clause 9.9.7.4.(1)(b) 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) an egress stairway leading to an access to exit in the space below if that space is required to be served by two or more egress doorways in conformance with Sentence 9.9.7.4.(1). (3) One of the means of egress from a mezzanine
that is not required to terminate at a fire separation as permitted by Sentence 9.10.12.1.(2) and that exceeds the limits of Sentence (2), is permitted to lead through the room in which the mezzanine is located provided all other means of egress from that mezzanine lead to exits accessible at the mezzanine
level. (4) Except as provided in Sentence (2), the maximum travel distance from any point on a mezzanine to the nearest exit shall be not more than, (a) 40 m in a business and personal services occupancy, (b) 45 m in a floor area that is sprinklered provided it does not contain a high hazard industrial occupancy, or (c) 30 m in any floor area not referred to in Clause (a) or (b). 9.9.9. Egress from Dwelling Units
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.9.1. Travel Limit to Exits or Egress Doors (1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), every dwelling unit
containing more than 1 storey shall have exits or egress doors located so that it shall not be necessary to travel up or down more than 1 storey
to reach a level served by, (a) an egress door to a public corridor, enclosed exit
stair or exterior passageway, or (b) an exit
doorway not more than 1 500 mm above adjacent ground level. (2) Where a dwelling unit is not located above or below another suite, the travel limit from a floor level in the dwelling unit to an exit
or egress door is permitted to exceed 1 storey
where that floor level is served by an openable window or door, (a) providing an unobstructed opening of not less than 1 000 mm in height and 550 mm in width, and (b) located so that the sill is not more than, (i) 1 000 mm above the floor, and (ii) 7 m above adjacent ground level. (3) The travel limit from a floor level in a dwelling unit
to an exit or egress door is permitted to exceed 1 storey where that floor level has direct access to a balcony.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.9.2. Two Separate Exits (1) Except as provided in Sentence 9.9.7.3.(1), where an egress door from a dwelling unit opens onto a public corridor or exterior passageway it shall be possible from the location where the egress door opens onto the corridor or exterior passageway to go in opposite directions to two separate exits unless the
dwelling unit has a second and separate means of egress.
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.9.3. Shared Egress Facilities (1) A
dwelling unit shall be provided with a second and separate means of egress where an egress door from the dwelling unit opens onto, (a) an exit
stairway serving more than one suite, (b) a public corridor, (i) serving more than one
suite, and (ii) served by a single exit, (c) an exterior passageway, (i) serving more than one suite, (ii) served by a single exit stairway or ramp, and (iii) more than 1.5 m above adjacent ground level, or (d) a balcony, (i) serving more than one
suite, (ii) served by a single exit stairway or ramp, and (iii) more than 1.5 m above adjacent ground level. 9.9.10. Egress from Bedrooms
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.10.1. Egress Windows or Doors for Bedrooms (1) Except where a door on the same floor level as the bedroom provides direct access to the exterior, every floor level containing a bedroom in a suite
shall be provided with at least one outside window that, (a) is openable from the inside without the use of tools, (b) provides an individual, unobstructed open portion having a minimum area of 0.35 m² with no dimension less than 380 mm, and (c) maintains the required opening described in Clause (b) without the need for additional support. (2) Except for basement areas, the window required in Sentence (1) shall have a maximum sill height of 1 000 mm above the floor. (3) When sliding windows are used, the minimum dimension described in Sentence (1) shall apply to the openable portion of the window. (4) Where the sleeping area within a live/work unit is on a mezzanine with no obstructions more than 1 070 mm above the floor, the window required in Sentence (1) may be provided on the main level of the live/work unit provided the mezzanine is not more than 25% of the area of the live/work unit or 20 m2, whichever is less, and an unobstructed direct path of travel is provided from the mezzanine to this window. (5) Where a window required in Sentence (1) opens into a window well, a clearance of not less than 550 mm shall be provided in front of the window. (6) Where the sash of a window referred to in Sentence (5) swings towards the window well, the operation of the sash shall not reduce the clearance in a manner that would restrict escape in an emergency. (7) Where a protective enclosure is installed over the window well referred to in Sentence (5), such enclosure shall be openable from the inside without the use of keys, tools or special knowledge of the opening mechanism. 9.9.11. Signs
Notes to Table 9.8.8.2.:
9.9.11.1. Application (1) This Subsection applies to all exits except those serving a house or an individual dwelling unit.