jswizzle3737/ontario_laws_and_regs huggingface dataset:
9.8.8.4. Openings in Guards (1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), openings through any guard which is required by Article 9.8.8.1. shall be of a size which will prevent the passage of a spherical object having a diameter of more than 100 mm unless it can be shown that the location and size of openings which exceed this limit do not represent a hazard. (2) Openings through any guard which is required by Article 9.8.8.1. and which is installed in a building of industrial occupancy shall be of a size which will prevent the passage of a spherical object having a diameter of more than 200 mm unless it can be shown that the location and size of such openings which exceed this limit do not represent a hazard. (3) Openings through any guard which is not required by Article 9.8.8.1. and which serves a building of other than industrial occupancy, shall be of a size which (a) will prevent the passage of a spherical object having a diameter of more than 100 mm, or (b) will permit the passage of a spherical object having a diameter of more than 200 mm unless it can be shown that the location and size of openings which exceed these limits do not represent a hazard.
9.8.8.5. Design to Prevent Climbing (1) Guards required by Article 9.8.8.1. and serving buildings of residential occupancy shall be designed so that no member, attachment or opening located between 100 mm and 900 mm above the floor or walking surface protected by the guard will facilitate climbing.
9.8.8.6. Guards for Ramps (1) Guards for ramps including vehicular ramps shall conform to the requirements for guards for stairs in Articles 9.8.8.2. and 9.8.8.4.
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”.
9.8.8.8. Construction of Guards (1) Except as permitted in Sentence 2, guards shall conform to the loading criteria in Article 4.1.10.1. (2) Guards constructed in accordance with the requirements in the Supplementary Guidelines shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of Sentence 9.1. 9.8.9.Construction
9.8.9.1. Exterior Concrete Stair (1) Exterior concrete stairs with more than 2 risers and 2 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.
9.8.9.2. Exterior Wood Steps (1) Exterior wood steps shall not be in direct contact with the ground unless suitably treated with a wood preservative.
9.8.9.3. Wooden Stair Stringers (1) Wooden stair stringers shall (a) have a minimum effective depth of 90 mm and an over-all 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 not more than one dwelling unit, and 600 mm o.c. in other stairs. (2) For stairs serving not more than one dwelling unit where risers support the front portion of the tread, the space between stringers shall be not more than 1 200 mm.
9.8.9.4. Treads (1) Stair treads 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 O-2 grade OSB shall have their face grain or direction of face orientation at right angles to the stringers.
9.8.9.5. Finish for Treads and Landings (1) The finish for treads and landings of interior stairs in dwelling units, other than stairs to unfinished basements, shall consist of hardwood, vertical grain softwood, resilient flooring or other material providing equivalent performance. (2) 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 which extend not more than 1 mm above the surface. 9.8.10.Cantilevered Precast Concrete Steps
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.
9.8.10.2. Anchorage (1) Cantilevered concrete steps in Article 9.8.10.1. shall be anchored to concrete foundation walls at least 200 mm thick.
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.Scope
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.
9.9.1.2. Fire Protection (1) Flame-spread ratings, fire-resistance ratings and fire-protection ratings shall conform to Section 9.10.
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) 2 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 3.1.16.1. 9.9.2.General
9.9.2.1. 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 2 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 9.9.7.3.
9.9.2.2. Types of Exits (1) 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.
9.9.2.3. Fire Escapes (1) Fire escapes are permitted to be used as exits on existing buildings provided they are designed and installed in conformance with Part 3. (2) Fire escapes shall not be installed on any new building.
9.9.2.4. Elevators, Slide Escapes and Windows (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.
9.9.2.5. 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.
9.9.2.6. Ancillary Rooms (1) Ancillary rooms such as storage rooms, washrooms, toilet rooms, laundry rooms and service rooms shall not open directly into an exit.
9.9.2.7. Horizontal Exits (1) Where a horizontal exit is used, it shall conform to Part 3.
9.9.2.8. 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.
9.9.2.9. 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
9.9.3.1. Application (1) This Subsection applies to every means of egress except exits that serve not more than 1 dwelling unit and access to exits within dwelling units.
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.
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.
9.9.3.4. Headroom Clearance (1) Except for stairways, doorways and storage garages, the minimum headroom clearance in exits and access to exits shall be 2 100 mm. (2) The clear height of every storey in a storage garage shall be not less than 2 000 mm. 9.9.4.Fire Protection of Exits
9.9.4.1. Application (1) Except as provided in Article 9.9.4.4., this Subsection applies to the fire protection of all exits except exits serving not more than one dwelling unit.
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 2 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.
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).
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.
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 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 2 000 mm above the openings in the exterior walls of the exit.
9.9.4.6. Openings Near Exit Doors (1) Where an exterior exit door in one fire compartment is within 3 m horizontally of openings in another fire compartment, and the exterior walls of these fire compartments intersect at an exterior angle of less than 135°, the openings 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.
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 3 storeys in building height, (b) the suite is separated from other occupancies by at least a 45 min fire separation, (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 9.10.18. (2) The requirements of Article 9.10.12.1., for separation of exterior openings, do not apply to an occupancy conforming with Sentence (1). 9.9.5.Obstructions and Hazards in Means of Egress
9.9.5.1. Application (1) This Subsection applies to obstructions and hazards in every means of egress except those within a dwelling unit or serving not more than 1 dwelling unit.
9.9.5.2. Occupancies in Public Corridors (1) Where a public corridor or a corridor used by the public contains an occupancy, such occupancy shall not reduce the unobstructed width of the corridor to less than the required width of the corridor.
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 visually impaired persons 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.
9.9.5.4. Obstructions in Exits (1) Except as permitted in Subsection 9.9.6. and Article 9.8.7.8., no fixture, turnstile or construction shall project within the required width of an exit.
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, which 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, which 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 unobstructed means of egress is not generally accessible to the public.
9.9.5.6. Mirrors or Draperies (1) No mirror shall be placed in or adjacent to any exit so as to confuse the direction of exit, and no mirror or draperies shall be placed on or over exit doors.
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.
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.
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
9.9.6.1. Application (1) This Subsection applies to all doors in a means of egress except doors within dwelling units and exterior doors serving not more than 1 dwelling unit unless otherwise stated herein.
9.9.6.2. Obstruction by Doors (1) Exit doors shall not decrease the required exit width by more than 100 mm in exit corridors, and not more than 50 mm for other exit facilities. (2) Doors in their swing 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 and landings.
9.9.6.3. Headroom Obstructions (1) No door closer or other device shall be installed in an exit in such a manner as to reduce the headroom clearance to less than 1 980 mm.
9.9.6.4. Door Sizes (1) Every exit door or door that opens into or is located within a public corridor or other facility that provides access to exit from a suite shall (a) be not less than 2 030 mm high, (b) be not less than 810 mm wide where there is only one door leaf, and (c) shall have no single leaf less than 610 mm wide in any multiple leaf door.
9.9.6.5. Direction of Door Swing (1) Except as provided in Sentence 3.3.1.11.(1), every door that opens 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, and every door that is located within a corridor that is required to be separated from the remainder of the floor area by a fire separation shall swing on a vertical axis in the direction of exit travel and shall not open onto a step. (2) Except as permitted in Sentences (4) and (5) and in Sentences 3.4.6.11.(3) and 3.4.6.13.(1), every required exit door shall open in the direction of exit travel and shall swing on its vertical axis. (3) Except as provided in Sentences (4) and (5), every required exit door shall open in the direction of exit travel. (4) An exit door serving not more than one dwelling unit is permitted to swing inward. (5) Exit doors serving a storage garage serving not more than one dwelling unit, or doors serving other accessory buildings where there is no danger to life safety, need not conform to Sentence (2) or (3).
9.9.6.6. Nearness of Doors to Stairs (1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), the distance between a stair riser and the leading edge of a door during its swing shall be not less than 300 mm. (2) Where there is a danger of blockage from ice or snow, an exit door is permitted to open onto not more than 1 step provided the riser of such step does not exceed 150 mm.
9.9.6.7. Revolving Doors (1) Revolving doors used as exits shall conform to Article 3.4.6.14.
9.9.6.8. Door Opening Mechanism (1) Except as provided in Sentence 3.4.16.15.(4) for electromagnetic locking systems, exit doors and doors to suites, including exterior doors to dwelling units, shall be openable from the inside without requiring keys, special devices or specialized knowledge of the door opening mechanism.
9.9.6.9. Automatic Locking Prohibited (1) Except for hotels and motels, a door opening onto a public corridor which provides access to exit from suites shall be designed not to lock automatically when such doors are equipped with automatic self-closing devices.
9.9.6.10. Effort Required to Open (1) Every exit door 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 at the knob or other latch releasing device.
9.9.6.11. Arabic Numerals (1) Where an exit stair serves a hotel, Arabic numerals indicating the assigned floor number shall be (a) mounted permanently on each side of the exit door to the exit stair shaft, (b) not less than 60 mm high, raised approximately 0.7 mm above the door surface, (c) located 1 500 mm from the finished floor, and (d) contrasting in colour with the door surface on which they are applied. 9.9.7.Access to Exits
9.9.7.1. Means of Egress from Suites (1) Except as permitted in Sentences 9.9.8.2.(2) and 9.9.9.3.(1), each suite in a floor area occupied by more than one suite shall have (a) an exterior exit doorway, or (b) a doorway to a public corridor or to an exterior passageway. (2) Except as provided in Sentence 9.9.7.2.(1), from the point where a doorway described in Clause (1)(b) enters the public corridor or exterior passageway, it shall be possible to go in opposite directions to each of 2 separate exits.
9.9.7.2. Dead End Corridors (1) A dead-end public corridor is permitted in an occupancy shown in Table 9.9.7.2. where (a) a 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. (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 2 such doors have to be passed to reach the nearest exit. The area of wired glass in such doors shall not exceed 645 cm2. Table 9.9.7.2. Dead End Public Corridors Forming Part of Sentence 9.9.7.2.(1)  Occupancy

Maximum Length of Dead-End Public Corridor, m

Maximum Occupant Load or Suites Served by Dead-End Public Corridor


Group C

6

4 suites


Group D

6

30


Group E

9

30


Group F

9

30


Column 1

2

3
9.9.7.3. Number and Spacing of Egress Doors (1) Except for dwelling units, at least 2 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 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.
9.9.7.4. Independent Access to Exit (1) Required access to exit from suites shall not be through any other dwelling unit, service room or other occupancy.
9.9.7.5. 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
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 which 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.
9.9.8.2. Number of Required Exits (1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3) and Subsection 9.9.9., not less than 2 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 9.9.7.3. 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 8 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.
9.9.8.3. Contribution of Each Exit (1) Where more than 1 exit is required from a floor area, each exit shall be considered as contributing not more than half the required exit width.
9.9.8.4. Location of Exits (1) Where more than 1 exit is required from a floor area, not less than 2 exits shall be independent of each other and be placed remote from each other along the path of travel between them.
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 with 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 required in Sentence (5), 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) An exit which 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. (6) 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.
9.9.8.6. Exits for Mezzanines (1) A mezzanine shall be provided with exits on the same basis as required for a floor area where a mezzanine is considered to be a storey in Subsection 9.10.4. or is of a size required to have more than one exit. 9.9.9.Egress from Dwelling Units
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.
9.9.9.2. Two Separate Exits (1) Except as provided in Sentence 9.9.7.2.(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 2 separate exits unless the dwelling unit has a second and separate means of egress.
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 1 suite, (b) a public corridor serving more than one suite served by a single exit stairway, (c) an exterior passageway more than 1 500 mm above adjacent ground level, serving more than one suite and served by a single exit stairway, or (d) a balcony more than 1 500 mm above adjacent ground level, serving more than one suite and served by a single exit stairway. 9.9.10.Signage
9.9.10.1. Application (1) This Subsection applies to all exits except those serving not more than 1 dwelling unit.
9.9.10.2. Visibility of Exits (1) Exits shall be located so as to be clearly visible or their locations shall be clearly indicated.
9.9.10.3. Required Exit Signs (1) Except as required in Sentence (2), every exit door other than a main entrance to a room or building shall have an exit sign over or adjacent to it when the exit serves (a) a three storey building, (b) a building with an occupant load greater than 150, or (c) a room or floor area that has a fire escape as part of a required means of egress. (2) Except for suite doors opening directly to the exterior, every exit serving a hotel shall have an exit sign placed over or adjacent to it.
9.9.10.4. Exit Direction Signs (1) Exit direction signs shall be placed in corridors and passageways where necessary to indicate the direction of exit travel.
9.9.10.5. Visibility of Exit Signs (1) Exit signs shall be installed so as to be visible from the exit approach.
9.9.10.6. Lettering (1) Exit signs shall have the word EXIT or the words EXIT/SORTIE in red letters on a contrasting background or a red background with contrasting letters when the sign is internally lighted, and white letters on a red background or red letters on a white background when the sign is externally lighted. (2) Lettering referred to in Sentence (1) shall be made with not less than 19 mm wide strokes and be not less than 150 mm high when the sign is externally lighted, and at least 114 mm high when the sign is internally lighted. (3) Where an exit sign having the word EXIT is installed in conformance with Sentence (1), an additional sign having the word SORTIE is permitted to be installed.
9.9.10.7. Illumination (1) Illumination of exit signs required in Article 9.9.10.3. shall conform to Sentences 9.9.11.3.(2) and (3). (2) Where illumination of exit signs required in Article 9.9.10.3. is provided by an electrical circuit, that circuit shall serve no equipment other than emergency equipment.
9.9.10.8. Exits Continuing to a Basement (1) In buildings 3 storeys in building height any part of an exit ramp or stair that continues down to a basement past an exterior exit door shall be clearly marked to indicate that it does not lead to an exit, where the portion below ground level may be mistaken as the direction of exit travel.
9.9.10.9. Floor Numbering (1) Arabic numerals indicating the assigned floor number shall be (a) mounted permanently on the stair side of the wall at the latch side of doors to exit stair shafts, (b) not less than 60 mm high, raised approximately 0.7 mm above the surface, (c) located 1 500 mm from the finished floor and not more than 300 mm from the door, and (d) contrasting in colour with the surface on which they are applied. 9.9.11.Lighting
9.9.11.1. Application (1) This Subsection applies to the lighting of all exits except those serving not more than 1 dwelling unit.
9.9.11.2. Required Lighting in Egress Facilities (1) Every exit, public corridor or corridor providing access to exit for the public shall be equipped to provide illumination to an average level of not less than 50 lx at floor or tread level and at all points such as angles and intersections at changes of level where there are stairs or ramps.
9.9.11.3. Emergency Lighting (1) Emergency lighting shall be provided in (a) exits, (b) principal routes providing access to exit in an open floor area, (c) corridors used by the public, (d) underground walkways, and (e) public corridors. (2) Emergency lighting required in Sentence (1) shall be provided from a source of energy separate from the electrical supply for the building. (3) Lighting required in Sentence (1) shall be designed to be automatically actuated for a period of not less than 30 min when the electric lighting in the affected area is interrupted. (4) Illumination from lighting required in Sentence (1) shall be provided to average levels of not less than 10 lx at floor or tread level. (5) Where incandescent lighting is provided, lighting equal to 1 W/m2 of floor area shall be considered to meet the requirement in Sentence (4). (6) Where self-contained emergency lighting units are used, they shall conform to CSA C22.2 No. 141-M, “Unit Equipment for Emergency Lighting”. Section 9.10.Fire Protection 9.10.1.General
9.10.1.1. Support of Noncombustible Construction (1) Where an assembly is required to be of noncombustible construction and to have a fire-resistance rating, it shall be supported by noncombustible construction.
9.10.1.2. Sloped Roofs (1) For the purposes of this Section, roofs with slopes of 60° or more to the horizontal and which are adjacent to a room or space intended for occupancy shall be considered as a wall.
9.10.1.3. Items Under Part 3 Jurisdiction (1) Tents, air-supported structures, transformer vaults, walkways, elevators and escalators shall conform to Part 3. (2) Where rooms or spaces are intended for an assembly occupancy, such rooms or spaces shall conform to Part 3. (3) Basements containing more than 1 storey or exceeding 600 m2 in area shall conform to Part 3. (4) Where rooms or spaces are intended for the storage, manufacture or use of hazardous or explosive material, such rooms or spaces shall conform to Part 3. (5) Reserved (6) Openings through floors that are not protected by shafts or closures shall be protected in conformance with Subsection 3.2.8. (7) Chutes and shafts shall conform to Subsection 3.6.3. except where they are contained entirely within a dwelling unit. (8) Where sprinkler, standpipe and hose systems are installed, they shall be installed in conformance with Part 3.
9.10.1.4. Items Under Part 6 Jurisdiction (1) In kitchens containing commercial cooking equipment used in processes producing grease-laden vapours, the equipment shall be designed and installed in conformance with Part 6. (2) Where fuel-fired appliances are installed on a roof, such appliances shall be installed in conformance with Part 6. 9.10.2.Occupancy Classification
9.10.2.1. Occupancy Classification (1) Except as provided in Article 9.10.2.2., every building or part thereof shall be classified according to its major occupancy as belonging to one of the groups or divisions described in Table 9.10.2.1. Table 9.10.2.1. Occupancy Classifications Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.2.1.(1)  Group

Division

Description of Major Occupancies


C

—

Residential occupancy


C

—

Business and personal services occupancies


E

—

Mercantile occupancies


F

2

Medium hazard industrial occupancies


F

3

Low hazard industrial occupancies (Does not include storage garages serving individual dwelling units)


Column 1

2

3
9.10.2.2. Custodial and Convalescent Homes (1) Children’s custodial homes and convalescent homes for ambulatory occupants living as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit with sleeping accommodation for not more than 10 persons is permitted to be classified as residential occupancies (Group C).
9.10.2.3. Major Occupancies above Other Major Occupancies (1) Except as permitted in Article 9.10.2.4., in any building containing more than 1 major occupancy in which one major occupancy is located entirely above another, the requirements of Article 9.10.8.1. for each portion of the building containing a major occupancy shall be applied to that portion as if the entire building was of that major occupancy.
9.10.2.4. Buildings Containing More Than One Major Occupancy (1) In a building containing more than 1 major occupancy, where the aggregate area of all major occupancies in a particular group or division does not exceed 10% of the floor area on the storey on which they are located, they need not be considered as major occupancies for the purposes of Articles 9.10.8.1. and 9.10.2.3. provided they are not classified as Group F, Division 2 occupancies.
9.10.2.5. Restaurants (1) A restaurant is permitted to be classified as a Group E major occupancy provided such restaurant is designed to accommodate not more than 30 persons consuming food or drink. 9.10.3.Ratings
9.10.3.1. Fire-Resistance and Fire-Protection Ratings (1) Where a fire-resistance rating or a fire-protection rating is required in this Section for an element of a building, such rating shall be determined in conformance with the test methods described in Part 3, or the Supplementary Guidelines.
9.10.3.2. Flame-Spread Rating (1) Where a flame-spread rating is required in this Section for an element of a building, such rating shall be determined in accordance with the test methods described in Part 3, or in accordance with the Supplementary Guidelines. (2) Unless the flame-spread rating is referred to herein as a “surface flame-spread rating”, it shall apply to any surface of the element being considered that would be exposed by cutting through it as well as to the exposed surface of the element.
9.10.3.3. Fire Exposure (1) Floor, roof and ceiling assemblies shall be rated for exposure to fire on the underside. (2) Exterior walls shall be rated for exposure to fire from inside the building, except that such walls need not comply with the temperature rise limitations required by the standard tests referred to in Article 9.10.3.1. if such walls have a limiting distance of not less than 1 200 mm, and due allowance is made for the effects of heat radiation in accordance with the requirements in Part 3. (3) Firewalls and Interior vertical fire separations required to have fire-resistance ratings shall be rated for exposure to fire on each side.
9.10.3.4. Suspended Membrane Ceiling (1) Where a ceiling construction has a suspended membrane ceiling with lay-in panels or tiles which contribute to the required fire-resistance rating, hold down clips or other means shall be provided to prevent the lifting of such panels or tiles in the event of a fire. 9.10.4.Building Size Determination
9.10.4.1. Mezzanines not Considered as Storeys (1) Mezzanines shall not be considered as storeys for the purpose of determining building height where the aggregate area of mezzanine floors does not exceed 10% of (a) the suite in which it is located, where there is more than one suite in the storey, or (b) the storey in which it is located, in all other cases. (2) Mezzanines shall not be considered as storeys for the purpose of determining building height where they occupy an aggregate area not exceeding 40% of the area of the room or the storey in which they are located provided the space above the mezzanine floor has no visual obstructions more than 1 070 mm above such floors.
9.10.4.2. More Than One Level of Mezzanine (1) Where more than 1 level of mezzanine is provided in a storey, each level additional to the first shall be considered as a storey.
9.10.4.3. Basement Storage Garage (1) Where a basement is used primarily as a storage garage, the basement is permitted to be considered as a separate building for the purposes of this Section provided the floor above the basement and the exterior walls of the basement above the adjoining ground level are constructed as fire separations of masonry or concrete having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 h.
9.10.4.4. Roof-Top Enclosures (1) Roof-top enclosures provided for elevator machinery, stairways and service rooms, used for no purpose other than for service to the building, shall not be considered as a storey in calculating the building height. 9.10.5.Permitted Openings in Wall and Ceiling Assemblies
9.10.5.1. Permitted Openings in Wall and Ceiling Membranes (1) Except as permitted in Sentences (2) and (4), a membrane forming part of an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating shall not be pierced by openings into the assembly unless the assembly has been tested and rated for such openings. (2) A wall or ceiling membrane forming part of an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating is permitted to be pierced by openings for electrical and similar service outlet boxes provided such outlet boxes are tightly fitted. (3) Where boxes referred to in Sentence (2) are located on both sides of walls required to provide a fire-resistance rating, they shall be offset where necessary to maintain the integrity of the fire separation. (4) A membrane ceiling forming part of an assembly assigned a fire-resistance rating on the basis of Table A-9.10.3.1.B. in the Supplementary Guidelines, is permitted to be pierced by openings leading to ducts within the ceiling space provided the ducts, the amount of openings and their protection conform to the requirements in the Supplementary Guidelines. 9.10.6.Construction Types
9.10.6.1. Combustible Elements in Noncombustible Construction (1) Where a building or part of a building is required to be of noncombustible construction, combustible elements shall be limited in conformance with the requirements in Subsection 3.1.5.
9.10.6.2. Heavy Timber Construction (1) Heavy timber construction shall be considered to have 45 min fire-resistance rating when it is constructed in accordance with the requirements for heavy timber construction in Article 3.1.4.6. 9.10.7.Steel Members
9.10.7.1. Protection of Structural Steel Members (1) Except as permitted in Article 3.2.2.3., structural steel members used in construction required to have a fire-resistance rating shall be protected to provide the required fire-resistance rating. 9.10.8.Fire Resistance in Relation to Occupancy and Height
9.10.8.1. Fire Resistance Ratings for Floors and Roofs (1) Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection, the fire-resistance ratings of floors and roofs shall conform to Table 9.10.8.1. Table 9.10.8.1. Fire Resistance Ratings for Structural Members and Assemblies Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.8.1.(1)  Major Occupancy

Maximum Building Height, Storeys

Minimum Fire Resistance Rating by Building Element, min


Floors Except Floors over Crawl Spaces

Mezzanine Floors

Roofs


Residential (Group C)

3

45

45

—


All other 

2

45

—

—


occupancies

3

45

45

45


Column 1

2

3

4

5
9.10.8.2. Fire-Resistance Ratings in Sprinklered Buildings (1) The requirements in Table 9.10.8.1. for roof assemblies to have a fire-resistance rating are permitted to be waived in sprinklered buildings where (a) the sprinkler system is electrically supervised in conformance with Sentence 3.2.4.9.(2), and (b) the operation of the sprinkler system will cause a signal to be transmitted to the fire department in conformance with Sentence 3.2.4.7.(4).
9.10.8.3. Fire-Resistance Ratings for Walls, Columns and Arches (1) Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection, all loadbearing walls, columns and arches in the storey immediately below a floor or roof assembly shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than that required for the supported floor or roof assembly.
9.10.8.4. Service Rooms (1) Construction supporting a service room need not conform to Article 9.10.8.3.
9.10.8.5. Mezzanines (1) Mezzanines required to be counted as storeys in Articles 9.10.4.1. and 9.10.4.2. shall be constructed in conformance with the requirements for “Floors Except Floors over Crawl Spaces” in Table 9.10.8.1.
9.10.8.6. Roofs Supporting an Occupancy (1) Where a portion of a roof supports an occupancy, that portion shall be constructed as a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating conforming to the rating for “Floors Except Floors over Crawl Spaces” in Table 9.10.8.1.
9.10.8.7. Floors of Exterior Passageways (1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), the floor assembly of every exterior passageway used as part of a means of egress shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min or be of noncombustible construction. (2) No fire-resistance rating is required for floors of exterior passageways serving buildings of Group D, E or F major occupancy that are not more than 2 storeys in building height. (3) No fire-resistance rating is required for floors of exterior passageways serving a single dwelling unit where no suite is located above or below the dwelling unit.
9.10.8.8. Crawl Spaces  (1) Where a crawl space exceeds 1 800 mm in height or is used for any occupancy or as a plenum in combustible construction or for the passage of flue pipes, it shall be considered as a basement in applying the requirements in Article 9.10.8.1.
9.10.8.9. Application to Houses (1) Table 9.10.8.1. does not apply to a dwelling unit which has no other dwelling unit above or below it or to a dwelling unit which is not above or below another major occupancy.
9.10.8.10. Part 3 as an Alternative (1) The fire-resistance ratings of floors, roofs, loadbearing walls, columns and arches need not conform to this Subsection if such assemblies conform in all respects to the appropriate requirements in Section 3.2. 9.10.9.Fire Separations Between Rooms and Spaces Within Buildings
9.10.9.1. Application (1) This Subsection applies to fire separations required between rooms and spaces in buildings except between rooms and spaces within a dwelling unit.
9.10.9.2. Continuous Barrier (1) Except as permitted in Article 9.10.9.3., a wall or floor assembly required to be a fire separation shall be constructed as a continuous barrier against the spread of fire.
9.10.9.3. Openings to be Protected With Closures (1) Except as permitted in Articles 9.10.9.5., 9.10.9.6. and 9.10.9.7., openings in required fire separations shall be protected with closures conforming to Subsection 9.10.13.
9.10.9.4. Floor Assemblies (1) Except as permitted in Sentences (2) to (4), all floor assemblies shall be constructed as fire separations. (2) Floor assemblies contained within dwelling units need not be constructed as fire separations. (3) Floor assemblies for which no fire-resistance rating is required by Subsection 9.10.8. and floors of mezzanines not required to be counted as storeys in Articles 9.10.4.1. and 9.10.4.2. need not be constructed as fire separations. (4) Where a crawl space is not required by Article 9.10.8.8. to be constructed as a basement, the floor above it need not be constructed as a fire separation.
9.10.9.5. Interconnected Floor Spaces (1) Except as permitted in Article 9.9.4.7., interconnected floor spaces shall conform to the requirements of Subsection 3.2.8.