jswizzle3737/ontario_laws_and_regs huggingface dataset:
3.4.2.5. Location of Exits (1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2), (3) and 3.3.2.4.(6), if more than one exit is required from a floor area, the exits shall be located so that the travel distance to at least one exit shall be not more than (a) 25 m in a high hazard industrial occupancy, (b) 40 m in a business and personal services occupancy, (c) 45 m in a floor area that contains an occupancy other than a high hazard industrial occupancy, provided it is sprinklered, (d) 105 m in any floor area, served by a public corridor, in which rooms and suites are not separated from the remainder of the floor area by a fire separation, provided (i) the public corridor is not less than 9 m wide, (ii) the ceiling height in the public corridor is not less than 4 m above all floor surfaces, (iii) the building is sprinklered, and (iv) not more than one half of the required egress doorways from a room or suite open into the public corridor if the room or suite is required to have more than one egress doorway, (e) except as permitted by Sentence (5), 60 m in any storage garage that conforms to the requirements of Article 3.2.2.83., and (f) 30 m in any floor area other than those referred to in Clauses (a) to (e). (2) Except for a high hazard industrial occupancy, Sentence (1) need not apply if exits are placed along the perimeter of the floor area and are not more than 60 m apart, measured along the perimeter, provided each main aisle in the floor area leads directly to an exit. (3) If more than one exit is required, every exit shall be considered as contributing not more than one half of the required exit width. (4) Exits shall be located and arranged so that they are clearly visible or their locations are clearly indicated and they are accessible at all times. (5) Not more than 2 exits located remote from each other are required in a storage garage conforming to Article 3.2.2.83. provided persons other than parking attendants are not permitted above the street floor level. 3.4.3.Width and Height of Exits
3.4.3.1. Exit Width (1) The aggregate width of required exits shall be not less than the value determined in conformance with Sentence (2) and Articles 3.4.3.2. to 3.4.3.5. (2) The required width of an exit shall be not less than (a) 1 100 mm for (i) corridors and passageways, and (ii) stairs and ramps that serve more than 3 storeys above grade or more than one storey below grade, (b) 900 mm for stairs and ramps that serve not more than 3 storeys above grade or not more than one storey below grade, (c) 1 650 mm for stairs and ramps serving patients’ or residents’ sleeping rooms in a Group B, Division 2 or 3 occupancy, (d) 1 050 mm for doorways serving patients’ or residents’ sleeping rooms, and (e) 790 mm for doorways not serving patients’ or residents’ sleeping rooms. (3) Except as required by Article 3.4.3.3., the required exit width need not be cumulative in an exit serving 2 or more floor areas located one above the other.
3.4.3.2. Exit Width Based on Occupant Load (1) For the purpose of determining aggregate width of required exits, the occupant load of every room or floor area shall be determined in conformance with Subsection 3.1.16. (2) Except as permitted by Sentence 3.4.3.1.(3), the required exit width shall be cumulative if 2 or more exits converge.
3.4.3.3. Exits from Interconnected Floor Space (1) The required exit width for an exit stair in an assembly hall or theatre serving more than one balcony level shall conform to the appropriate requirements for stairs serving interconnected floor spaces in Article 3.2.8.4. (2) Exit stairs that serve interconnected floor spaces as provided in Articles 3.2.8.3. to 3.2.8.11. shall conform to the requirements in Article 3.2.8.4. and in this Section.
3.4.3.4. Exit Capacity (1) Except as permitted by Sentence (3), the aggregate required width of exits serving floor areas intended for assembly occupancies, residential occupancies, business and personal services occupancies, mercantile occupancies, and industrial occupancies shall be determined by multiplying the occupant load of the area served by (a) 6.1 mm per person for ramps with a slope not more than 1 in 8, doorways, corridors and passageways, (b) 8 mm per person for a stair consisting of steps whose rise is not more than 180 mm and whose run is not less than 280 mm, or (c) 9.2 mm per person for (i) ramps with a slope more than 1 in 8, or (ii) stairs, other than stairs conforming to Clause (b). (2) The aggregate required width of exits serving floor areas intended for care or detention occupancy shall be determined by multiplying the occupant load of the area served by 18.4 mm per person. (3) The required width of means of egress serving a Group A, Division 4 occupancy shall be determined by multiplying the occupant load of the area served by (a) 1.8 mm per person for (i) aisles, (ii) stairs other than exit stairs, and (iii) ramps and passageways in vomitories and exits, and (b) 2.4 mm per person for exit stairs.
3.4.3.5. Exit Width Reduction (1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2) to (4), no fixture, turnstile or construction shall project into or be fixed within the required width of an exit. (2) Exit doors shall be hung so that, when open, they shall neither diminish nor obstruct the required width of the exit by more than 50 mm for each door leaf. (3) Swinging doors in their swing shall not reduce the required width of exit stairs or landings to less than 750 mm or reduce the width of an exit passageway to less than the minimum required width. (4) Handrails and construction below handrails are permitted to project into the required width of means of egress but the projections shall be not more than 100 mm on each side of the required width. (5) In an elementary or secondary school, where a stair lift is installed in an exit stair, an intermediate handrail shall be installed between the path of travel of the stair lift and the remainder of the stair to ensure that the stair lift will not reduce the required width of the exit stair.
3.4.3.6. Headroom Clearance (1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2) to (4), every exit shall have a headroom clearance of not less than 2 100 mm. (2) The headroom clearance for stairways measured vertically above any landing or the nosing of any stair tread shall be not less than 2 050 mm. (3) The headroom clearance for doorways shall be not less than 2 030 mm. (4) No door closer or other device shall be installed so as to reduce the headroom clearance of a doorway to less than 1 980 mm. 3.4.4.Fire Separation of Exits
3.4.4.1. Fire-Resistance Rating of Exit Separations (1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2), (4), 3.3.5.4.(3), 3.4.4.2.(2) and 3.4.4.3.(1), every exit shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required by Subsection 3.2.2., but not less than 45 min, for (a) the floor assembly above the storey, or (b) the floor assembly below the storey, if there is no floor assembly above. (2) The fire-resistance rating of the fire separation referred to in Sentence (1) need not be more than 2 h. (3) If an exit stair in an assembly hall or theatre serves more than one balcony level, the exit stair shall be separated from the remainder of the building in conformance with Sentence (1). (4) The path of exit travel may lead from an exit door or exit enclosure through open air parking that is located below a roof or floor assembly that is part of the building served by the exit door or exit enclosure where (a) the portion of the path of exit travel that leads through the open air parking is not more than 9 m in length measured from the exit door to a point at ground level at the perimeter of the building, (b) measures are taken to prevent vehicles intended to park in spaces adjacent to the path of exit travel from encroaching on the path of exit travel, and (c) an alternate means of egress not leading through the open air parking is available from the interior side of the door opening onto the path of exit travel through the open air parking area.
3.4.4.2. Exits through Lobbies (1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2), no exit from a floor area above or below the first storey shall lead through a lobby. (2) Not more than one exit from a floor area is permitted to lead through a lobby provided (a) the lobby floor is not more than 4.5 m above grade, (b) the path of travel through the lobby to the outdoors is not more than 15 m, (c) the adjacent rooms or premises having direct access to the lobby do not contain a residential occupancy or an industrial occupancy, except that dwelling units may open directly onto the lobby where (i) from the interior of the exit stair which opens onto the lobby there is alternate means of egress not leading through the lobby and such means of egress is entirely within the same storey as the lobby, or (ii) the floor area is sprinklered. (d) except as required by Clause (g), the lobby is not located within an interconnected floor space other than as described in Sentence 3.2.8.2.(6), (e) the lobby conforms to the requirements for exits, except that (i) rooms other than service rooms and storage rooms are permitted to open onto the lobby, (ii) the fire separation between the lobby and a room used for the sole purpose of control and supervision of the building need not have a fire-resistance rating, and (iii) the fire separation between the lobby and adjacent occupancies that are permitted to open onto the lobby need not have a fire-resistance rating provided the lobby and adjacent occupancies are sprinklered, (f) a fire separation, constructed in accordance with Sentence 3.4.4.1.(1), is maintained between the lobby and any exit permitted by this Sentence to lead through the lobby, and (g) that if the exit serves a hotel, the lobby is not located within an interconnected floor space.
3.4.4.3. Exterior Passageway Exceptions (1) The requirements of Sentences 3.4.4.1.(1) and 3.2.3.12.(1) and (3) do not apply to an exterior exit passageway provided (a) not less than 50% of the exterior side is open to the outdoors, and (b) an exit stair is provided at each end of the passageway.
3.4.4.4. Integrity of Exits (1) A fire separation that separates an exit from the remainder of the building shall have no openings except for (a) standpipe and sprinkler piping, (b) electrical wires and cables, totally enclosed noncombustible raceways and noncombustible piping that serve only the exit, (c) openings required by the provisions of Subsection 3.2.6., (d) exit doorways, and (e) wired glass and glass block permitted by Article 3.1.8.14. (2) Exits within scissors stairs and other contiguous exit stairways shall be separated from each other by a smoke-tight fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the floor assembly through which they pass. (3) Fire separations separating contiguous stairs described in Sentence (2) shall not be pierced by doorways, ductwork, piping or any other openings that affect the continuity of the separation. (4) A fuel-fired appliance shall not be installed in an exit. (5) An exit shall not be used as a plenum for a heating, ventilating or air-conditioning system. (6) An exit shall be designed for no purpose other than for exiting, except that an exit is permitted also to be designed to serve as an access to a floor area. (7) A service room shall not open directly into an exit. (8) Storage rooms, washrooms, toilet rooms, laundry rooms and similar ancillary rooms shall not open directly into an exit. (9) Service spaces referred to in Sentence 3.2.1.1.(7) shall not open directly into an exit. (10) In elementary and secondary schools, an exit shall be designed so that it does not serve as an access from one portion of a floor area to another portion of the same floor area. 3.4.5.Exit Signs
3.4.5.1. Exit Signage (1) Except as required by Sentences (7) and (9), every exit door other than the main entrance to a room or building shall have an exit sign placed over or adjacent to it if the exit serves (a) a building more than 2 storeys in building height, (b) a building having an occupant load more than 150, or (c) a room or floor area that has a fire escape as part of a required means of egress. (2) Except as provided in Sentence (9), every exit sign shall (a) be visible from the exit approach, (b) have the word EXIT or the words EXIT/SORTIE displayed in plain legible letters, and (c) be illuminated continuously while the building is occupied. (3) Exit signs shall consist of red letters on a contrasting background or a red background with contrasting letters, with the letters having a 19 mm stroke and a height not less than (a) 114 mm when internally illuminated, and (b) 150 mm when externally illuminated. (4) If illumination of an exit sign is provided from an electrical circuit, that circuit shall (a) serve no equipment other than emergency equipment, and (b) be connected to an emergency power supply as described in Sentence 3.2.7.4.(1) (5) If necessary, the direction of egress in public corridors and passageways shall be indicated by a sign conforming to Sentences (2), (3) and (4) with a suitable arrow or pointer indicating the direction of egress. (6) Except for egress doorways described in Sentence 3.3.2.3.(4) and except for the main entrance door, an exit sign conforming to Sentences (2), (3) and (4) shall be placed over or adjacent to every egress doorway from rooms with an occupant load more than 60 in Group A, Division 1 occupancies, dance halls, licensed beverage establishments and other similar occupancies that, when occupied, have lighting levels below that which would provide easy identification of the egress doorway. (7) Except for suite doors opening directly to the exterior, every exitserving a hotel shall have an exit sign placed over or adjacent to it. (8) If an exit sign having the word EXIT is installed in conformance with this Article, an additional sign displaying the word SORTIE is permitted to be installed. (9) An exit sign is not required within a suite containing a Group B, Division 3 occupancy that contains sleeping accommodation for not more than 10 persons and not more than 6 occupants requiring assistance in evacuation in case of an emergency.
3.4.5.2. Signs within Exit Facilities (1) In a building more than 2 storeys in building height, any part of an exit ramp or stair that continues past an exterior exit door down to a basement shall be clearly marked. (2) An exit stair serving a building more than 6 storeys in building height shall be clearly marked by signs indicating that it does not lead to an exit at the roof level. 3.4.6.Types of Exit Facilities
3.4.6.1. Slip Resistance of Ramps and Stairs (1) The surfaces of ramps, landings and treads (a) shall have a finish that is slip resistant, and (b) if accessible to the public, shall have either a colour contrast or a distinctive pattern to demarcate the leading edge of the tread and the leading edge of the landing, as well as the beginning and end of a ramp. (2) Treads and landings of exterior exit stairs shall be designed to be free of ice and snow accumulations if the stairs (a) are more than 10 m high, or (b) serve a hotel.
3.4.6.2. Minimum Number of Risers (1) Except as permitted by Sentence 3.3.2.13.(1), every flight of interior stairs shall have not less than 3 risers.
3.4.6.3. Landings and Maximum Vertical Rise of Stair Flights (1) No flight of stairs shall have a vertical rise of more than 3.7 m between floors or landings, except that a flight of stairs serving as an exit in a Group B, Division 2 or 3 occupancy shall have a vertical rise not more than 2 400 mm between floors or landings. (2) Except as provided in Sentence (6), the length and width of a landing shall be at least the width of the stairway in which it occurs, except that in a straight run the length of the landing need not be more than 1 100 mm. (3) Where a doorway or stairway empties onto a ramp through a side wall, there shall be a level area extending across the full width of the ramp, and for a distance of 300 mm on either side of the wall opening, or on one side if the opening abuts on an end wall. (4) Where a doorway or stairway empties onto a ramp through an end wall, there shall be a level area extending across the full width of the ramp and along its length for not less than 900 mm. (5) A landing shall be provided at the top and bottom of every flight of stairs. (6) Where the direction of exit travel changes at a landing, the landing is permitted to be chamfered or curved in plan, provided the required width of the stair is maintained where measured perpendicular to the direction of exit travel across the landing.
3.4.6.4. Handrails (1) An exit ramp or stairway shall have a handrail on at least one side, and if 1 100 mm or more in width, shall have handrails on both sides. (2) If the required width of a ramp or flight of stairs is more than 2 200 mm, one or more intermediate handrails continuous between landings shall be provided, and located so that there will be not more than 1 650 mm between handrails. (3) Handrails shall be continuously graspable along their entire length and shall have (a) a circular cross-section with an outside diameter not less than 30 mm and not more than 50 mm, or (b) any non-circular shape with a graspable portion that has a perimeter not less than 100 mm and not more than 155 mm and whose largest cross-sectional dimension is not more than 57 mm. (4) Handrails on stairs and ramps shall be not less than 865 mm and not more than 965 mm high, measured vertically from a line drawn through the outside edges of the stair nosing or from the surface of the ramp, except that handrails not meeting these requirements are permitted provided they are installed in addition to the required handrail. (5) Except as required by Sentence (10), at least one handrail shall be continuous throughout the length of the stairway, including landings, except where interrupted by doorways or newels at changes in direction. (6) Handrails shall be terminated in a manner which will not obstruct pedestrian travel or create a hazard. (7) At least one handrail at the side of a stairway or ramp shall extend horizontally not less than 300 mm beyond the top and bottom of the stairway or ramp. (8) A clearance of not less than 40 mm shall be provided between a handrail and any wall to which it is fastened. (9) Handrails and their supports shall be designed and constructed to withstand the loading values obtained from the nonconcurrent application of (a) a concentrated load not less than 0.9 kN applied at any point and in any direction for all handrails, and (b) a uniform load not less than 0.7 kN/m applied in any direction to handrails not located within dwelling units. (10) In a nursing home, a home for the aged and a Group B, Division 3 occupancy, a continuous handrail shall be provided on both sides of a stairway throughout the length of the stairway, including landings, except where a handrail is interrupted by doorways or newels at changes in direction.
3.4.6.5. Guards (1) Every exit shall have a wall or a well-secured guard on each side. (2) Except as required by Sentence (4), the height of guards for exit stairs shall be not less than 920 mm measured vertically to the top of the guard from a line drawn through the outside edges of the stair nosings and 1 070 mm around landings. (3) Exit ramps and their landings shall be protected with guards not less than 1 070 mm measured vertically to the top of the guard from the ramp surface where the difference in elevation between the adjacent ground or floor level and the ramp is more than 600 mm. (4) The height of guards for exterior stairs and landings more than 10 m above adjacent ground level shall be not less than 1 500 mm measured vertically to the top of the guard from a line drawn through the outside edges of the stair nosings. (5) Except as provided in Sentence (6), openings through any guard which is required by Sentence (1) shall be of a size which will prevent the passage of a sphere having a diameter 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. (6) Openings through any guard which is required by Sentence (1) and which is installed in a building of industrial occupancy shall be of a size which will prevent the passage of a sphere having a diameter more than 200 mm unless it can be shown that the location and size of openings which exceed this limit do not represent a hazard. (7) In a stairway, a window for which the distance measured vertically between the bottom of the window and a line drawn through the outside edges of the stair nosings is less than 900 mm, or a window that extends to less than 1 070 mm above the landing, shall (a) be protected by a guard that is (i) located approximately 900 mm above a line drawn through the outside edges of the stair nosings, or (ii) not less than 1 070 mm high measured to the top of the guard from the surface of the landing, or (b) be fixed in position and designed to resist the lateral design loads specified for guards and walls in Articles 4.1.10.1. and 4.1.10.3. (8) Unless it can be shown that the location and size of openings do not present a hazard, a guard shall be designed so that no member, attachment or opening located between 140 mm and 900 mm above the level being protected by the guard will facilitate climbing.
3.4.6.6. Ramp Slope (1) Except as required for aisles by Article 3.3.2.4., the maximum slope of a ramp shall be (a) 1 in 10 in any assembly occupancy, care or detention occupancy or residential occupancy, (b) 1 in 6 in rooms or floor areas classified as mercantile occupancy or industrial occupancy, (c) 1 in 8 in any other floor area, and (d) 1 in 10 for an exterior ramp.
3.4.6.7. Treads and Risers (1) Except as permitted for dwelling units and by Sentence 3.4.7.5.(1) for fire escapes, steps for stairs shall have a run of not less than 255 mm and not more than 355 mm between successive steps. (2) Steps for stairs referred to in Sentence (1) shall have a rise between successive treads not less than 125 mm and not more than 200 mm. (3) Treads and risers in every exit stair, except a fire escape stair, shall have uniform run and rise in any one flight, and shall not alter significantly in run and rise in successive flights in any stair system. (4) The leading edge of a stair tread shall have either a radius or a bevel between 8 mm and 13 mm in horizontal dimension. (5) The front edge of stair treads in exits and public access to exits shall be at right angles to the direction of exit travel.
3.4.6.8. Curved Stairs (1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2), tapered treads shall not be used in an exit. (2) A curved stair used as an exit shall have (a) a handrail on each side, (b) treads with a minimum run of 240 mm exclusive of nosings, (c) treads that conform to Article 3.4.6.7. where they are measured 230 mm away from the handrail at the narrow end of the tread, and (d) an inside radius that is not less than twice the stair width.
3.4.6.9. Horizontal Exits (1) Except in an elementary or secondary school which is subdivided by a firewall, the floor area on each side of a horizontal exit shall be sufficient to accommodate the occupants of both floor areas, allowing not less than 0.5 m2 of clear floor space per person, except that 1.5 m2 shall be provided for each person in a wheelchair and 2.5 m2 for each patient in bed. (2) If vestibules, enclosed balconies or bridges are used as parts of a horizontal exit, their clear width shall be not less than that of the exit doorways opening into them, except that handrails are not permitted to project into this clear width more than 100 mm. (3) In a horizontal exit where there is a difference in level between the connected floor areas, slopes not more than those specified for ramps in Article 3.4.6.6. are permitted to be used. (4) No stairs or steps shall be used at a horizontal exit. (5) If 2 doors are provided in a horizontal exit that comprises a part of the required number of exits from the floor areas on both sides of the exit (a) the doors shall be mounted adjacent to each other with the door on the right side in the direction of travel through the horizontal exit swinging in the direction of travel through the horizontal exit, and (b) signs shall be provided on each side of the horizontal exit to indicate the door that swings in the direction of travel from that side. (6) If a horizontal exit utilizes bridges between buildings or outside balconies, the bridges or balconies shall conform to Article 3.2.3.18. (7) Any change in floor level from one side of a horizontal exit to the other side shall not exceed 2 000 mm.
3.4.6.10. Doors (1) The distance between a stair riser and the leading edge of a door during its swing shall be not less than 300 mm. (2) No exit door shall open directly onto a step except that, if there is danger of blockage from ice or snow, an exit door is permitted to open onto not more than one step which shall be not more than 150 mm high. (3) Exit doors shall be clearly identifiable. (4) No door leaf in an exit doorway with more than one leaf shall be less than 600 mm wide.
3.4.6.11. Direction of Door Swing (1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2), (3) and Article 3.4.6.13., every exit door shall (a) open in the direction of exit travel, and (b) swing on its vertical axis. (2) A door serving a single dwelling unit shall swing on its vertical axis. (3) Except in a high hazard industrial occupancy, 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.
3.4.6.12. Self-Closing Devices (1) An exit door that is normally required to be kept closed (a) shall be provided with a self-closing mechanism, and (b) shall not be secured in an open position except as permitted by Sentence 3.1.8.12.(1).
3.4.6.13. Sliding Doors (1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2) an exit door leading directly to outdoors at ground level is permitted to be a sliding door provided it is released in conformance with Sentence 3.3.1.11.(1). (2) An exit door serving a Group B, Division 1 occupancy, or an impeded egress zone in other occupancies, is permitted to be a sliding door that does not conform to Sentence 3.3.1.11.(1) provided it is designed to be released in conformance with Article 3.3.1.12.
3.4.6.14. Revolving Doors (1) Except as permitted by Sentence (3), a revolving door, if used, shall (a) be collapsible, (b) have hinged doors providing equivalent exiting capacity located adjacent to it, (c) be used as an exit from the ground floor level only, (d) be not less than 3 m from the foot of any stairway, and (e) have all glass in door leaves and enclosure panels conforming to (i) CAN/CGSB-12.1-M, “Tempered or Laminated Safety Glass”, or (ii) CAN/CGSB-12.11-M, “Wired Safety Glass”. (2) Except as permitted by Sentence (3), a revolving door shall not be considered to have an exiting capacity for more than 45 persons. (3) An electrically powered revolving door is not required to conform to Sentences (1) and (2) provided (a) the door leaves will collapse and stop automatic rotation of the door system and not obstruct the doorway if a force not more than that specified in Sentence 3.4.6.15.(2) is applied at the centre of a door leaf, (b) the door leaves are capable of being opened from inside the building without requiring keys, special devices, or specialized knowledge of the door opening mechanism, (c) the allowable exiting capacity is based on the clear width of passage through the door enclosure when the doors are fully collapsed, (d) a permanent sign, whose centreline is between 1 000 mm and 1 500 mm above the floor, is placed on each face of each door leaf indicating the method for collapsing the door leaf in an emergency, and (e) glass used for door leaves and enclosure panels is safety glass conforming to (i) CAN/CGSB-12.1-M, “Tempered or Laminated Safety Glass”, or (ii) CAN/CGSB-12.11-M, “Wired Safety Glass”.
3.4.6.16. Reserved
3.4.6.17. Emergency Access to Floor Areas (1) In a building more than 6 storeys in building height (a) except as permitted by Sentence (3), doors providing access to floor areas from exit stairs shall not have locking devices to prevent entry into (i) any floor area designated as an area of refuge, (ii) floor areas located at intervals of 5 storeys or less, and (iii) at least one of the three highest storeys, (b) doors referred to in Clause (a) that provide access into the floor area shall be identified by a sign on the stairway side to indicate that they are openable from that side, and (c) a master key to fit all door locking devices that are intended to prevent entry into a floor area from an exit stair shall be provided in a designated location accessible to firefighters, or the door shall be provided with a wired glass panel not less than 0.0645 m2 in area and located not more than 300 mm from the door opening hardware. (2) If access to floor areas through unlocked doors is required by Clause (1)(a) or through electromagnetically locked doors as permitted by Sentence (3), it shall be possible for a person entering the floor area to have access through unlocked doors or through electromagnetically locked doors within the floor area to at least one other exit. (3) Electromagnetic locking devices may be installed on the doors providing access to floor areas from exit stairs as required by Clause (1)(a), provided all locking device release and signage provisions in Sentence 3.4.6.15.(4) are installed on both sides of the doors. (4) In a building not more than 6 storeys in building height, doors providing access from exit stairs to a floor area containing a hotel are permitted to have locking devices to prevent entry into the floor area provided the requirements in Clause (1)(c) are complied with.
3.4.6.18. Floor Numbering (1) Arabic numerals indicating the assigned floor number shall (a) be mounted permanently on each side of doors to exit stair shafts, (b) be not less than 60 mm high, raised approximately 0.7 mm above the surface, (c) be located 1 500 mm from the finished floor, and (d) be contrasting in colour with the surface to which they are applied. (2) Upper case letters indicating the designation assigned to each exit stair shaft shall be mounted permanently on each side of doors to the exit stair shaft and shall (a) be not less than 60 mm high, raised approximately 0.7 mm above the surface, (b) be located 1 500 mm from the finished floor, and (c) be contrasting in colour with the surface on which they are applied. 3.4.7.Fire Escapes
3.4.7.1. Scope (1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2), fire escapes shall not be erected on a building. (2) If it is impracticable to provide one or more of the exit facilities listed in Article 3.4.1.4., fire escapes conforming to Articles 3.4.7.2. to 3.4.7.7. are permitted to serve floor areas in an existing building provided the floor areas served are (a) not in an elementary or secondary school, (b) not more than 2 storeys above ground level in care or detention occupancies, and (c) not more than 5 storeys above ground level in other occupancies.
3.4.7.2. Fire Escape Construction (1) Fire escapes shall be of metal or concrete, of the stair type extending to ground level, constructed throughout in a strong substantial manner and securely fixed to the building, except that wooden fire escapes are permitted to be used on buildings of combustible construction if all posts and brackets are not less than 89 mm in their least dimension and all other woodwork is not less than 38 mm in its least dimension.
3.4.7.3. Access to Fire Escapes (1) Access to fire escapes shall be from corridors through doors at floor level, except that access from a dwelling unit is permitted to be through a casement window having an unobstructed opening not less than 1 100 mm high by 550 mm wide with a sill height of not more than 900 mm above the inside floor. (2) The clear area of a fire escape balcony onto which a door opens, shall be not less than 1 m2.
3.4.7.4. Protection of Fire Escapes (1) If a fire escape serves any storey above the second, openings located in a zone described in Sentence (2), including access doorways in the exterior walls of the building to which the fire escape is attached, shall be protected by closures conforming to Subsection 3.1.8. (2) The zone referred to in Sentence (1) extends from any balcony, platform or stairway of a fire escape to a distance (a) 3 m horizontally, (b) 10 m below, and (c) 1 800 mm above.
3.4.7.5. Stairs (1) Stairs shall be inclined at an angle of not more than 45° with the horizontal, and their steps shall have risers not more than 210 mm high and treads not less than 220 mm wide exclusive of nosing. (2) Stairway headroom shall be not less than 1 950 mm plus the height of one riser measured vertically above the nosing of any tread or platform. (3) The width of a fire escape shall conform to Sentence 3.4.3.1.(1), except that the width is permitted to be reduced to 550 mm provided the fire escape serves (a) not more than 3 storeys, and (b) not more than 15 persons. (4) If a flight of stairs leading to the ground at the foot of a fire escape is not fixed in position, it shall (a) be held in the raised position without a latch or locking device, (b) be fitted with a counterbalancing device, (c) be easily and quickly brought into position for use, and (d) reach the ground in the lowered position.
3.4.7.6. Guards and Railings (1) The open sides of every platform, balcony and stairway forming part of a fire escape shall be protected by guards not less than 920 mm high measured vertically above the nosing of any tread or platform. (2) The top rail of a guard is permitted to serve as a handrail if it is free from obstructions which could break a handhold. (3) A wall handrail shall be installed if the fire escape is more than 550 mm wide. (4) Openings through any guard which is required by Sentence (1) shall be of a size which will prevent the passage of a sphere having a diameter 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. (5) Unless it can be shown that the location and size of openings do not present a hazard, a guard for a fire escape shall be designed so that no member, attachment or opening located between 140 mm and 900 mm above a platform or the nosing of any tread will facilitate climbing.
3.4.7.7. Landings (1) Platforms for a fire escape shall be provided in conformance with the requirements for stair landings in Article 3.4.6.3. Section 3.5.Vertical Transportation 3.5.1.General
3.5.1.1. Scope (1) This Section applies to vertical transportation facilities installed in a building, including elevators, escalators and dumbwaiters. (2) Elevators in a building within the scope of Subsection 3.2.6. shall conform to Articles 3.2.6.8. and 3.2.6.9. 3.5.2.Elevator Required
3.5.2.1. Elevator for Group B, Division 2 and 3 Occupancies (1) In a Group B, Division 2 or 3 occupancy, if sleeping rooms or patient or resident services are provided on more than one floor level and the floor levels are not connected by ramps conforming to Article 3.8.3.4., such floor levels shall be served by at least one elevator that (a) is large enough to accommodate a stretcher in a horizontal position, and (b) conforms to Appendix E of CSA-B44 “Safety Code for Elevators, Escalators, Dumbwaiters, Moving Walks and Freight Platforms Lifts”. 3.5.3.Fire Separations
3.5.3.1. Fire Separations for Elevator Hoistways (1) A vertical service space used as an elevator hoistway shall be separated from all other portions of each adjacent storey by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating conforming to Table 3.5.3.1. for the fire-resistance rating required by Subsection 3.2.2. for (a) the floor assembly above the storey, or (b) the floor assembly below the storey, if there is no floor assembly above.
3.5.3.2. Vertical Service Spaces for Dumbwaiters (1) A vertical service space containing a dumbwaiter shall be separated from all other portions of each adjacent storey by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating conforming to Table 3.5.3.1. for the fire-resistance rating required by Subsection 3.2.2. for (a) the floor assembly above the storey or (b) the floor assembly below the storey, if there is no floor assembly above. Table 3.5.3.1. Fire Separation for Vertical Transportation Space Forming Part of Articles 3.5.3.1. and 3.5.3.2.  Fire-Resistance Rating of Fire Separation Required for Floor Assembly

Minimum Fire-Resistance Rating of Vertical Service Space for Elevator Hoistway

Minimum Fire-Resistance Rating of Vertical Service Space for Dumbwaiters


less than 45 min

45 min

—


45 min

45 min

45 min


1 h

1 h

45 min


1.5 h

1 h

1 h


2 h or more

1.5 h

1 h


Column 1

2

3
3.5.3.3. Fire Separations for Elevator Machine Rooms (1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2), a room containing elevator machinery shall be separated from all other parts of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the vertical service space containing the elevator hoistway. (2) A room containing elevator machinery need not be separated from the elevator hoistway that it serves provided the room and the hoistway are separated from all other parts of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the vertical service space containing the elevator hoistway. 3.5.4.Dimensions and Signs
3.5.4.1. Elevator Car Dimensions (1) If an elevator is installed to conform to the requirements of Article 3.3.1.7., or if one or more elevators are provided in a building more than three storeys in building height, each storey having elevator service shall be served by at least one elevator which has inside dimensions that will accommodate and provide adequate access for a patient stretcher 2 010 mm long and 610 mm wide in the prone position. (2) An elevator satisfying the requirements of Sentence (1) shall be clearly identified on the main entrance level of the building. Section 3.6.Service Facilities 3.6.1.General
3.6.1.1. Scope (1) The provisions of this Section apply to horizontal service spaces, vertical service spaces, attic or roof spaces, ducts, crawl spaces, shaft spaces, service rooms, and mechanical penthouses, and facilities contained therein. (2) Except for plenum requirements in 3.6.4.3., the fire safety characteristics of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems shall comply with Part 6.
3.6.1.2. Reserved
3.6.1.3. Storage Use Prohibition (1) Service spaces shall not be designed to facilitate subsequent use as storage space.
3.6.1.4. Reserved
3.6.1.5. Fixed Access Ladders (1) If a fixed ladder is installed to provide access to a roof of a building, the design and installation of the attachment and anchorage system for the ladder shall be as described in the Supplementary Guidelines. 3.6.2.Service Rooms
3.6.2.1. Fire Separations around Service Rooms (1) Except as permitted by Article 3.6.2.2., a fuel-fired appliance in a building containing a Group B or Group F, Division 1 occupancy shall be located in a service room which shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than (a) 2 h if the building is more than 2 storeys in building height or more than 400 m2 in building area, or (b) 1 h if the building is neither more than 2 storeys in building height nor more than 400 m2 in building area. (2) Except as permitted by Article 3.6.2.2., a fuel-fired appliance in a building not containing a Group B or Group F, Division 1 occupancy shall be located in a service room which shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h if the building is more than 2 storeys in building height or more than 400 m2 in building area. (3) A solid fuel-fired appliance shall not be located in a repair garage, a storage garage or any other location where the appliance could be exposed to flammable vapours or gases unless (a) it is enclosed in a service room which is (i) separated from the remainder of the building in conformance with Sentence (1) or Sentence (2), and (ii) supplied with combustion air directly from outside the building, and (b) the heat generated by the appliance is supplied indirectly to the space served by means of ducts or piping. (4) The fire separation requirements of Sentence (1) or Sentence (2) shall apply to a service room intended to contain equipment that uses a liquid having a flash point below 93.3°C. (5) Except as permitted by Article 3.6.2.2., a service room used for a purpose not described in Sentences (1), (2), (3), or (4) and Articles 3.6.2.5., 3.6.2.6. and 3.6.2.8. shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h. (6) Sentence (5) shall apply to a room that contains electrical equipment that is required to be located in a service room by a regulation made under the Electricity Act, 1998. (7) The fire separation provisions for a fuel-fired appliance in a portable classroom shall conform to Article 3.9.3.7.
3.6.2.2. Waiver of Fire Separations (1) A fire separation is not required between a fireplace and the space it serves. (2) A fire separation is not required between a roof-top appliance and the building it serves. (3) Except for buildings classified as Group B or Group F, Division 1 occupancies, the fire separations required by Sentence 3.6.2.1.(2) need not be provided for fuel-fired appliances that serve not more than one room or suite, provided the appliances are not solid fuel-fired appliances referred to in Sentence 3.6.2.1.(3). (4) The fire separation required by Sentence 3.6.2.1.(5) need not be provided if the service room is located in a floor area that is sprinklered. (5) If a room contains a limited quantity of service equipment, and the service equipment does not constitute a fire hazard, the requirements of Sentence 3.6.2.1.(5) for a fire separation shall not apply.
3.6.2.3. Service Rooms under Exits (1) A service room containing service equipment subject to possible explosion, such as boilers operating in excess of 100 kPa (gauge) and some types of refrigerating machinery and transformers, shall not be located directly under a required exit.
3.6.2.4. Service Equipment (1) A service room containing space heating, space cooling and service water heating appliances is permitted to contain other service equipment such as electrical service equipment.
3.6.2.5. Incinerator Rooms (1) A service room containing an incinerator shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h. (2) A service room containing an incinerator shall not contain other fuel-fired appliances.
3.6.2.6. Combustible Refuse Storage (1) Except as required by Sentence 3.6.3.3.(9), a room for the storage of combustible refuse shall be (a) separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, and (b) sprinklered.
3.6.2.7. Door Swing for Service Rooms (1) A swing-type door from a service room containing a boiler or incinerator shall swing outward from the room, except that the door shall swing inward if the door opens onto a corridor or any room used for an assembly occupancy.
3.6.2.9. Storage of Oxygen Containers (1) In a Group B, Division 2 or 3 occupancy, a room for the storage of oxygen containers shall be (a) separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, (b) designed for the storage of oxygen containers only, (c) vapour tight, (d) lined with noncombustible finish, (e) separately exhausted to the exterior, and (f) equipped with racks to store the containers. 3.6.3.Vertical Service Spaces and Service Facilities
3.6.3.1. Fire Separations for Vertical Service Spaces (1) Except as required by Section 3.5., a vertical service space shall be separated from all other portions of each adjacent storey by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating conforming to Table 3.6.3.1. for the fire-resistance rating required by Subsection 3.2.2. for (a) the floor assembly above the storey, or (b) the floor assembly below the storey, if there is no floor assembly above. (2) A vertical service space that does not extend through the roof of a building shall be enclosed at the top with construction having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the vertical service space walls. Table 3.6.3.1. Fire Separations for Vertical Service Space Forming Part of Sentence 3.6.3.1.(1)  Fire-Resistance Rating of Fire Separation Required for Floor Assembly

Minimum Fire-Resistance Rating of Vertical Service Space


less than 45 min

—


45 min

45 min


1 h

45 min


1.5 h

1 h


2 h or more

1 h


Column 1

2 (3) A vertical service space that does not extend to the bottom of a building shall be enclosed at the lowest level with construction having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the vertical service space walls. (4) A vent from a vertical service space not extending to the roof shall be enclosed within the building with construction having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the vertical service space walls. (5) Only openings that are necessary for the use of the vertical service space shall be permitted through a vertical service space enclosure.
3.6.3.2. Foamed Plastic Protection (1) Foamed plastic insulation in a vertical service space shall be protected in conformance with Article 3.1.5.11.
3.6.3.3. Linen and Refuse Chutes (1) A linen chute or refuse chute shall (a) be impervious to moisture, (b) have a smooth internal surface, (c) be corrosion-resistant, (d) be constructed of noncombustible material, and (e) be located in a shaft in which there are no services other than noncombustible drain, waste and vent piping or noncombustible water piping. (2) A shaft containing a linen chute or refuse chute shall have a fire-resistance rating conforming to Sentence 3.6.3.1.(1), but not less than (a) 1 h if the chute outlet for the discharge room is protected by an automatic, self-latching closure held open by a fusible link, or (b) 2 h if no closure is provided at the chute outlet into the discharge room. (3) An interior linen chute or refuse chute shall extend not less than 1 000 mm above the roof and shall be vented above the roof with a vent which (a) has an unobstructed area not less than the cross-sectional area of the chute, and (b) is equipped with a cover that will open automatically, or that can be opened manually, in the event of a fire in the chute. (4) Intake openings for a linen chute or a refuse chute shall (a) have an area not more than 60% of the cross-sectional area of the chute, and (b) be fitted with closures designed to close automatically and latch after use. (5) Intake openings for a linen chute or a refuse chute shall be located in rooms or compartments that (a) have no dimension less than 750 mm, (b) are separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min, (c) are designed for no other purpose, and (d) do not open directly into an exit. (6) Sprinklers shall be installed at the top of each linen chute or refuse chute, at alternate floor levels and in the room or bin into which the chute discharges. (7) The room into which a linen chute discharges shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h. (8) A refuse chute shall be equipped at the top with spray equipment for washing-down purposes. (9) A refuse chute shall discharge only into a room or bin separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h. (10) The room or bin into which a refuse chute discharges shall be of sufficient size to contain the refuse between normal intervals of emptying, be impervious to moisture and be equipped with a water connection and floor drain for washing-down purposes. (11) A room into which a refuse chute discharges shall contain no service equipment that is not related to refuse handling and disposal.