Exits (3.4): BCIN Complex Buildings Study Guide

Last updated October 22, 2026

Values this chapter turns on

max travel distance to an exit, sprinklered floor: 45 m; max travel distance to an exit, sprinklered floor
max rise of an exit stair flight in Group B-2 or B-3: 2.4 m; max rise of an exit stair flight in Group B-2 or B-3
min spacing between exits without a public corridor: 9 m; min spacing between exits without a public corridor
clear floor space per person at a horizontal exit: 0.5 m²; clear floor space per person at a horizontal exit

Section 3.4. covers exits: the protected part of the means of egress that leads from a floor area to a separate building, a public thoroughfare or a safe exterior space. Exam questions mix arithmetic (exit width, distance between exits) with lookups (travel distance, separation ratings). Complex buildings add their own twists: care and treatment exit widths, horizontal exits in hospitals, interconnected floor spaces and the rules for exits through lobbies.

General and number and location of exits

Types. An exit is one of these, alone or combined: exterior doorway, exterior passageway, exterior ramp, exterior stairway, fire escape, horizontal exit, interior passageway, interior ramp or interior stairway (3.4.1.4.).

Horizontal exits (3.4.1.6.) may be no more than half of the required exits. In a hospital or long-term care home, those serving sleeping rooms may be up to two thirds. No open exterior stair may serve long-term care residents above the second floor (3.4.1.11.).

Number. Every floor area needs at least 2 exits (3.4.2.1.). One exit is allowed only in a building of 2 storeys or less, with 60 occupants or fewer, and within the floor area and travel limits of Table 3.4.2.1.-A (unsprinklered) or Table 3.4.2.1.-B (sprinklered, travel 25 m or less). A single exit from a Group B or C floor area must be an exterior doorway no more than 1.5 m above ground. Note Table -A has no Group B row: an unsprinklered Group B floor area never qualifies for one exit.

Spacing (3.4.2.3.). Two exits are at least half the floor area's diagonal apart. With a public corridor this need not exceed 9 m; otherwise it is never less than 9 m. Exterior discharges from two exit stairs are at least 9 m apart, or 6 m in a sprinklered building within 15 m of a street.

Travel distance (3.4.2.5.) to at least one exit:

Floor area	Max travel distance
High-hazard industrial	25 m
Any other floor area, not sprinklered and not listed	30 m
Business and personal services	40 m
Sprinklered throughout (not high-hazard)	45 m
Storage garage under 3.2.2.92.	60 m
Sprinklered with a 9 m wide, 4 m high public corridor	105 m

Travel may be measured from a suite's egress door if the suite is separated (45 min if unsprinklered) and opens onto a public corridor or exterior passageway (3.4.2.4.).

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Exit width and height

3.4.3.2. multiplies occupant load by a width per person:

Exit element	Width per person
Doorways, corridors, ramps 1 in 8 or flatter	6.1 mm
Stairs with rise 180 mm or less and run 280 mm or more	8 mm
Other stairs and steeper ramps	9.2 mm
Any exit serving care, care and treatment or detention	18.4 mm
Group A, Division 4: aisles and vomitories / exit stairs	1.8 mm / 2.4 mm

Width does not accumulate down a stair serving several floors, except for interconnected floor spaces and multi-balcony theatres. Where more than one exit is required, no exit counts for more than half the required width.

Minimums from Table 3.4.3.2.-A and Table 3.4.3.2.-B:

Element	Most occupancies	Group B, Div. 2 or 3, serving sleeping rooms
Exit corridor	1,100 mm	1,100 mm
Stair	900 mm (1,100 mm if serving more than 2 storeys above or 1 below the exit level)	1,650 mm
Doorway	850 mm	1,050 mm

Projections and height (3.4.3.3., 3.4.3.4.). Handrails may project 100 mm on each side. A door swinging onto a stair landing may not cut the width below 750 mm. Exit headroom is 2,100 mm, stairs 2,050 mm and doorways 2,030 mm. A door closer may not reduce a doorway below 1,980 mm.

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Fire separation of exits and exit signs

Rating (3.4.4.1.). An exit is separated by the floor assembly rating required by 3.2.2., at least 45 min and never more than 2 h.

Lobbies (3.4.4.2.). Only one exit from a floor area may pass through a lobby. The lobby floor is no more than 4.5 m above grade, and travel through it to outdoors is 15 m or less. It is not in an interconnected floor space (except the first storey case in 3.2.8.2.(6)), and never in one when the exit serves a hotel.

Integrity (3.4.4.4.). An exit separation may be pierced only by the items listed: sprinkler and standpipe piping, wiring and piping serving only the exit, exit doors, wired glass and glass block, and the openings 3.2.6. requires. Service rooms, storage rooms and washrooms may not open into an exit. An exit is never a plenum, and scissor stairs are divided by a smoke-tight separation.

Exit signs (3.4.5.1.) go over or beside every exit door where the building is over 2 storeys, holds more than 150, or uses a fire escape. They use the green ISO 7010 running figure, and electrically lit signs are on emergency power. Small Group B, Division 3 suites (up to 10 sleeping, up to 6 needing help) are exempt.

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Types of exit facilities and fire escapes

Stair rise (3.4.6.3.): one flight rises at most 3.7 m, but only 2.4 m for an exit stair in Group B, Division 2 or 3.
Horizontal exits (3.4.6.10.): each side holds the occupants of both sides at 0.5 m² per person. Allow 1.5 m² per wheelchair user and 2.5 m² per bedridden patient. No steps; level change at most 2,000 mm by ramp.
Door swing (3.4.6.12.): exit doors swing outward, except doors serving 60 persons or fewer (never in high-hazard industrial).
Release hardware (3.4.6.16.): one releasing operation, no key. Panic-type devices are needed on exit doors from assembly floor areas over 100, and opening force is at most 90 N. Electromagnetic locks need a fire alarm system. In care, care and treatment, detention and retirement homes with a 2-stage system, they release on the alarm signal, not the alert.
Crossover (3.4.6.18.): stair doors may not lock where the next unlocked floor is more than 2 storeys away.
Fire escapes (3.4.7.1.) are for existing buildings only. They are never allowed for schools or retirement homes, and serve no more than 2 storeys above ground in care, care and treatment or detention, or 5 storeys otherwise.

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Common traps

Using 6.1 mm per person for a care and treatment exit. Exits serving care, care and treatment or detention use 18.4 mm.
Allowing a 3.7 m stair flight in a hospital. Group B, Division 2 or 3 exit stairs limit flights to 2.4 m.
Counting more than half the exits as horizontal exits outside hospitals and long-term care homes.
Taking the exit separation as unlimited. It is capped at 2 h.

Chapter review

Chapter at a glance

One line per section: the idea to carry into the exam. Then the answers that most often catch candidates out.

Chapter at a glance: the key idea in each section
Section	Key idea
General and number and location of exits	Horizontal exits may be no more than half of the required exits.
Exit width and height	Width does not accumulate down a stair serving several floors, except for interconnected floor spaces and multi-balcony theatres.
Fire separation of exits and exit signs	Exit signs go over or beside every exit door where the building is over 2 storeys, holds more than 150, or uses a fire escape.

General and number and location of exits
Horizontal exits may be no more than half of the required exits.
Exit width and height
Width does not accumulate down a stair serving several floors, except for interconnected floor spaces and multi-balcony theatres.
Fire separation of exits and exit signs
Exit signs go over or beside every exit door where the building is over 2 storeys, holds more than 150, or uses a fire escape.

Usual exam traps

Using 6.1 mm per person for a care and treatment exit. Exits serving care, care and treatment or detention use 18.4 mm.
Allowing a 3.7 m stair flight in a hospital. Group B, Division 2 or 3 exit stairs limit flights to 2.4 m.
Counting more than half the exits as horizontal exits outside hospitals and long-term care homes.
Taking the exit separation as unlimited. It is capped at 2 h.

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Questions on Exits (3.4), in the exam format, every answer explained and cited to its article. Sign in to start; a free account gets the free questions.

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Code cited in this chapter

Based on the official 2024 Building Code Compendium on ontario.ca.

OBC Div. B 3.4.1.4. Types of Exit
(1)Subject to the requirements of this Section, an exit from any floor area shall be one of the following, used singly or in combination:
(a)an exterior doorway,
(b)an exterior passageway,
(c)an exterior ramp,
(d)an exterior stairway,
(e)a fire escape (conforming to Subsection 3.4.7.),
(f)a horizontal exit,
(g)an interior passageway,
(h)an interior ramp, or
(i)an interior stairway.
Open OBC Div. B 3.4.1.4. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 3.4.1.6. Restricted Use of Horizontal Exits
(1)Except as permitted by Sentence (2), horizontal exits shall not comprise more than one-half of the required number of exits from any floor area.
(2)In a hospital or long-term care home, horizontal exits serving patients' or residents' sleeping rooms shall comprise not more than two-thirds of the required number of exits from any floor area. (See Note A-3.4.1.6.(2))
(3)Where an elementary or secondary school is subdivided by a firewall, a horizontal exit shall not serve as an exit but is permitted to serve as an access to exit.
Open OBC Div. B 3.4.1.6. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 3.4.1.11. Exterior Stairway for Long-Term Care Homes
(1)No open exterior stairway shall serve as a means of egress for residents above the second floor of a long-term care home.
Open OBC Div. B 3.4.1.11. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 3.4.2.1. Minimum Number of Exits
(1)Except as permitted by Sentences (2) to (4), every floor area intended for occupancy shall be served by at least 2 exits.
(2)A floor area in a building not more than 2 storeys in building height, is permitted to be served by one exit provided the total occupant load served by the exit is not more than 60, and
(a)in a floor area that is not sprinklered throughout, the floor area and the travel distance are not more than the values in Table 3.4.2.1.-A, or
(b)in a floor area that is sprinklered throughout,
(i)the travel distance is not more than 25 m, and
(ii)the floor area is not more than the value in Table 3.4.2.1.-B.
(3)Except as permitted by Sentence (4), if Sentence (2) permits a single exit from a floor area classified as Group B or Group C occupancy, the exit shall be an exterior doorway not more than 1.5 m above adjacent ground level.
(4)The requirements of Sentences (1) and (2) are permitted to be waived for dwelling units having access to exit conforming to Sentences 3.3.4.4.(1) to (4) and (8).
(5)Exits are not required directly from rooftop enclosures that are provided with access to exits in conformance with Sentences 3.3.1.3.(5) and (6).
Open OBC Div. B 3.4.2.1. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B Table 3.4.2.1-A. Criteria for One Exit (Floor Area not Sprinklered Throughout)
Table 3.4.2.1.-A Criteria for One Exit (Floor Area not Sprinklered Throughout) Forming Part of Sentence 3.4.2.1.(2) Occupancy of Floor Area | Maximum Floor Area, m² | Maximum Travel Distance, m Group A | 150 | 15 Group C | 100 | 15 Group D | 200 | 25 Group E | 150 | 15 Group F, Division 2 | 150 | 10 Group F, Division 3 | 200 | 15
Open OBC Div. B Table 3.4.2.1-A. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B Table 3.4.2.1-B. Criteria for One Exit (Floor Area Sprinklered Throughout)
Table 3.4.2.1.-B Criteria for One Exit (Floor Area Sprinklered Throughout) Forming Part of Sentence 3.4.2.1.(2) Occupancy of Floor Area | Maximum Floor Area, m² Group A | 200 Group B | 100 Group C | 150 Group D | 300 Group E | 200 Group F, Division 2 | 200 Group F, Division 3 | 300
Open OBC Div. B Table 3.4.2.1-B. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 3.4.2.3. Distance Between Exits
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (2), the least distance between 2 required exits from a floor area shall be
(a)one-half the maximum diagonal dimension of the floor area, but need not be more than 9 m for a floor area having a public corridor, or
(b)one-half the maximum diagonal dimension of the floor area, but not less than 9 m for all other floor areas. (See Note A-3.4.2.3.(1))
(2)Exits need not comply with Sentence (1) where
(a)the floor area is divided so that not less than one-third of the floor area is on each side of a fire separation, and
(b)it is necessary to pass through the fire separation to travel from one exit to another exit.
(3)The minimum distance between exits referred to in Sentence (1) shall be the shortest distance that smoke would have to travel between the exits, assuming that the smoke will not penetrate an intervening fire separation.
(4)The distance between 2 exterior discharges leading from two or more exit stairs serving the same floor area shall be
(a)not less than 9 m, or
(b)not less than 6 m, where
(i)the building is sprinklered throughout, and
(ii)the 2 exterior discharges are located within 15 m of a street.
Open OBC Div. B 3.4.2.3. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 3.4.2.5. Location of Exits
(1)Except as permitted by Sentences (2) and 3.3.2.5.(13) to (16), if more than one exit is required from a floor area, the exits shall be located so that the travel distance to at least one exit shall be not more than
(a)25 m in a high-hazard industrial occupancy,
(b)40 m in a business and personal services occupancy,
(c)45 m in a floor area that contains an occupancy other than a high-hazard industrial occupancy, provided it is sprinklered throughout,
(d)105 m in any floor area, served by a public corridor, in which rooms and suites are not separated from the remainder of the floor area by a fire separation, provided
(i)the public corridor is not less than 9 m wide,
(ii)the ceiling height in the public corridor is not less than 4 m above all floor surfaces,
(iii)the building is sprinklered throughout, and
(iv)not more than one-half of the required egress doorways from a room or suite open into the public corridor if the room or suite is required to have more than one egress doorway,
(e)60 m in any storage garage that conforms to the requirements of Article 3.2.2.92., and
(f)30 m in any floor area other than those referred to in Clauses (a) to (e).
(2)Except for a high-hazard industrial occupancy, Sentence (1) need not apply if exits are placed along the perimeter of the floor area and are not more than 60 m apart, measured along the perimeter, provided each main aisle in the floor area leads directly to an exit.
(3)Exits shall be located and arranged so that they are clearly visible or their locations are clearly indicated and they are accessible at all times.
Open OBC Div. B 3.4.2.5. in the code viewer

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OBC Div. B 3.4.2.4. Travel Distance
(1)Except as permitted by Sentence (2), for the purposes of this Subsection, travel distance means the distance from any point in the floor area to an exit measured along the path of travel to the exit.
(2)The travel distance from a suite or a room not within a suite is permitted to be measured from an egress door of the suite or room to the nearest exit, provided
(a)the suite or room is separated from the remainder of the floor area by a fire separation
(i)having a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min in a floor area that is not sprinklered throughout, or
(ii)that is not required to have a fire-resistance rating, in a floor area that is sprinklered throughout, and
(b)the egress door opens onto
(i)an exterior passageway,
(ii)a corridor used by the public that is separated from the remainder of the floor area in conformance with the requirements in Article 3.3.1.4. for the separation of public corridors, or
(iii)a public corridor that is separated from the remainder of the floor area in conformance with Article 3.3.1.4. (See Note A-3.1.8.1.(1)(b))
(3)Travel distance to an exit shall be not more than 50 m from any point in a service space referred to in Sentence 3.2.1.1.(8).
(4)If there is a firewall in an elementary or secondary school, the travel distance shall not be measured to a door in the firewall, but shall be measured to an exterior exit door or an exit door to a stairway.
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OBC Div. B 3.4.3.2. Exit Width
(1)Except as permitted by Sentence (3), the minimum aggregate required width of exits serving floor areas intended for assembly occupancies, residential occupancies, business and personal services occupancies, mercantile occupancies, and industrial occupancies shall be determined by multiplying the occupant load of the area served by
(a)6.1 mm per person for ramps with a slope of not more than 1 in 8, doorways, corridors and passageways,
(b)8 mm per person for a stair consisting of steps whose rise is not more than 180 mm and whose run is not less than 280 mm, or
(c)9.2 mm per person for
(i)ramps with a slope of more than 1 in 8, or
(ii)stairs, other than stairs conforming to Clause (b).
(2)The minimum aggregate width of exits serving floor areas intended for a care, care and treatment or detention occupancy shall be determined by multiplying the occupant load of the area served by 18.4 mm per person.
(3)The minimum aggregate width of means of egress serving a Group A, Division 4 occupancy shall be determined by multiplying the occupant load of the area served by
(a)1.8 mm per person for
(i)aisles,
(ii)stairs other than exit stairs, and
(iii)ramps and passageways in vomitories and exits, and
(b)2.4 mm per person for exit stairs.
(4)Except as required by Sentences 3.4.3.2.(5) and (6), the required exit width need not be cumulative in an exit serving 2 or more floor areas located one above the other.
(5)The required exit width for an exit stair in an assembly hall or theatre serving more than one balcony level shall conform to Sentence (6).
(6)The required exit width for exit stairs that serve interconnected floor space designed in accordance with Articles 3.2.8.3. to 3.2.8.8. shall be cumulative, unless
(a)the stairs provide not less than 0.3 m² of area of treads and landings for each occupant of the interconnected floor space, or (See Note A-3.4.3.2.(6)(a))
(b)protected floor spaces conforming to Article 3.2.8.5. are provided at each floor level and the protected floor space on a floor level has not less than 0.5 m² of space for each occupant of that floor level of the interconnected floor space. (See Note A-3.4.3.2.(6))
(7)If more than one exit is required, every exit shall be considered as contributing not more than one-half of the required exit width.
(8)The minimum widths of exits shall conform to Tables 3.4.3.2.-A and 3.4.3.2.-B.
Open OBC Div. B 3.4.3.2. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B Table 3.4.3.2-A. Minimum Widths of Exit Corridors, Passageways, Ramps, Stairs and Doorways in Group A, Group B, Division 1, and Groups C, D, E and F Occupancies
Table 3.4.3.2.-A Minimum Widths of Exit Corridors, Passageways, Ramps, Stairs and Doorways in Group A, Group B, Division 1, and Groups C, D, E and F Occupancies Forming Part of Sentence 3.4.3.2.(8) Occupancy Classification | Exit Corridors and Passageways, mm | Ramps, mm | Stairs, mm | Doorways, mm Group A, Group B, Division 1, Group C, Group D, Group E, Group F | 1,100 | 1,100 | 900 [1] 1,100 [2] | 850 Notes to Table 3.4.3.2.-A: (1) Serving not more than 2 storeys above the lowest exit level or not more than 1 storey below the lowest exit level. (2) Serving more than 2 storeys above the lowest exit level or more than 1 storey below the lowest exit level.
Open OBC Div. B Table 3.4.3.2-A. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B Table 3.4.3.2-B. Minimum Widths of Exit Corridors, Passageways, Ramps, Stairs and Doorways in Group B, Division 2 and Division 3 Occupancies
Table 3.4.3.2.-B Minimum Widths of Exit Corridors, Passageways, Ramps, Stairs and Doorways in Group B, Division 2 and Division 3 Occupancies Forming Part of Sentence 3.4.3.2.(8) Occupancy Classification | Exit Corridors and Passageways, mm | Ramps, Not serving patients' or residents' sleeping rooms[1], mm | Ramps, Serving patients' or residents' sleeping rooms[1], mm | Stairs, Serving patients' or residents' sleeping rooms[1], mm | Stairs, Not serving patients' or residents' sleeping rooms[1], mm | Doorways, Serving patients' or residents' sleeping rooms[1], mm | Doorways, Not serving patients' or residents' sleeping rooms[1], mm Group B, Division 2 | 1 100 | 1 100 | 1 650 | 1 650 | 900[2] 1 100[3] | 1 050 | 850 Group B, Division 3 | 1 100 | 1 100 | 1 650 | 1 650 | 900[2] 1 100[3] | 1 050 | 850 Notes to Table 3.4.3.2.-B: (1) Minimum widths of ramps, stairs and doorways do not apply within individual suites of care occupancy. (2) Serving not more than 2 storeys above the lowest exit level or not more than 1 storey below the lowest exit level. (3) Serving more than 2 storeys above the lowest exit level or more than 1 storey below the lowest exit level.
Open OBC Div. B Table 3.4.3.2-B. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 3.4.3.3. 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)Swinging doors in their swing shall not reduce the required width of exit stairs or landings to less than 750 mm or reduce the width of an exit passageway to less than the minimum required width.
(3)Exit doors shall be installed 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.
(4)Handrails and construction below handrails, including handrail supports and stair stringers, 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.
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OBC Div. B 3.4.3.4. Headroom Clearance
(1)Except as provided by Sentences (2), (4) and (5), every exit shall have a clear height over the clear width of the exit of not less than 2,100 mm.
(2)The clear height of stairways shall be measured vertically, over the clear width of the stairway, from a straight line tangent to the tread and landing nosings to the lowest point above, and shall not be less than 2,050 mm. (See Note A-9.8.7.4.)
(3)The clear height of landings shall be measured within the clear width of the landing vertically to the lowest element above.
(4)Except as permitted by Sentence (5), the clear height of doorways shall not be less than 2,030 mm.
(5)No door closer or other device shall be installed so as to reduce the clear height of a doorway to less than 1,980 mm.
Open OBC Div. B 3.4.3.4. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 3.4.4.1. Fire-Resistance Rating of Exit Separations
(1)Except as provided by Sentences (2) and (4) and Sentences 3.3.5.4.(3), 3.4.4.2.(2), 3.4.4.3.(1) and 3.13.3.1.(3), 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.
Open OBC Div. B 3.4.4.1. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 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 that 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,
(iii)the fire separation between the lobby and adjacent occupancies that are permitted to open onto the lobby need not have a fire-resistance rating provided the lobby and adjacent occupancies are sprinklered, and
(iv)passenger elevator entrances are permitted to open onto the lobby provided the elevator entrance doors are designed to remain closed except while loading and unloading, (See Note A-3.4.4.2.(2)(e))
(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.
Open OBC Div. B 3.4.4.2. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 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,
(e)wired glass and glass block permitted by Article 3.1.8.16., and
(f)a sprinkler protected glazed wall assembly conforming to Article 3.1.8.20.
(2)Exits within scissors stairs and other contiguous exit stairways shall be separated from each other by a smoke-tight fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the floor assembly through which they pass.
(3)Fire separations separating contiguous stairs described in Sentence (2) shall not be pierced by doorways, ductwork, piping or any other openings that affect the continuity of the separation.
(4)A fuel-fired appliance shall not be installed in an exit.
(5)An exit shall not be used as a plenum for a heating, ventilating or air-conditioning system.
(6)An exit shall be designed for no purpose other than for exiting, except that an exit is permitted also to be designed to serve as an access to a floor area.
(7)A service room shall not open directly into an exit.
(8)Storage rooms, washrooms, toilet rooms, laundry rooms and similar ancillary rooms shall not open directly into an exit.
(9)Service spaces referred to in Sentence 3.2.1.1.(8) shall not open directly into an exit.
(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.
Open OBC Div. B 3.4.4.4. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 3.4.5.1. Exit Signage
(1)Except as provided by Sentences (8) and (9), every exit door shall have an exit sign providing visual information placed over or adjacent to it if the exit serves
(a)a building more than 2 storeys in building height,
(b)a building having an occupant load of more than 150, or
(c)a room or floor area that has a fire escape as part of a required means of egress.
(2)Except as provided by Sentence (7), every exit sign providing visual information shall
(a)be visible on approach to the exit,
(b)consist of a green and white or lightly tinted graphical symbol meeting the colour specifications referred to in ISO 3864-1, "Graphical symbols – Safety colours and safety signs – Part 1: Design principles for safety signs and safety markings," and
(c)conform to ISO 7010, "Graphical symbols – Safety colours and safety signs – Registered safety signs," for the following symbols:
(i)emergency exit left,
(ii)emergency exit right,
(iii)90-degree directional arrow, and
(iv)45-degree directional arrow. (See Note A-3.4.5.1.(2)(c))
(3)Internally illuminated exit signs shall
(a)be continuously illuminated, and
(b)where illumination of the sign is powered by an electrical circuit, be constructed in conformance with CSA C22.2 No. 141, "Emergency Lighting Equipment."
(4)Externally illuminated exit signs shall be continuously illuminated by a light fixture supplied by an electrical circuit.
(4.1)Photoluminescent and self-luminous exit signs shall
(a)conform to CAN/ULC-S572, "Photoluminescent and Self-Luminous Signs and Path Marking Systems,"
(b)be labelled in accordance with the time duration for which they have been tested and listed,
(c)be so installed that upon failure of the regular power they will continue to be illuminated for the applicable time duration specified in Clause 3.2.7.4.(1)(b), and
(d)be continuously illuminated if reliant on an external energy source to energize the reflective coating of the sign. (See Note A-3.4.5.1.(4.1))
(5)If illumination of an exit sign is provided from an electrical circuit, that circuit shall
(a)serve no equipment other than emergency lighting in the area where exit signs are installed, and
(b)be connected to an emergency power supply as described in Sentence 3.2.7.4.(1).
(6)Where no exit is visible from a public corridor, from a corridor used by the public in a Group A or B major occupancy or from principal routes serving an open floor area having an occupant load of more than 150, an exit sign conforming to Clauses (2)(b) and (c) with an arrow or other indicator pointing at the direction of egress shall be provided.
(7)Except for egress doorways described in Sentence 3.3.2.4.(4), an exit sign conforming to Sentences (2) to (5) 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 the level that would provide easy identification of the egress doorway.
(8)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)An exit sign is not required within a suite containing a Group B, Division 3 occupancy if the following requirements are met:
(a)the suite contains sleeping accommodation for not more than 10 persons, and
(b)not more than 6 occupants require assistance in evacuation in case of an emergency.
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OBC Div. B 3.4.6.3. Maximum Vertical Rise of Stair Flights and Required Landings
(1)No flight of stairs shall have a vertical rise of more than 3.7 mbetween 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 2.4 m between floors or landings.
(2)Except as provided in Sentence (3), a landing shall be provided
(a)at the top and bottom of each flight of interior and exterior stairs,
(b)at the top and bottom of every section of ramp,
(c)where a doorway opens onto a stair or ramp,
(d)where a ramp opens onto a stair, and
(e)where a stair opens onto a ramp.
(3)A landing may be omitted at the bottom of an exterior stair or ramp, provided there is no gate, door or fixed obstruction within the lesser of
(a)the width of the stair or ramp, or
(b)1,100 mm.
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OBC Div. B 3.4.6.10. Horizontal Exits
(1)Except in an elementary or secondary school that 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 bedridden patient.
(2)If vestibules, enclosed balconies or bridges are used as parts of a horizontal exit, their clear width shall be not less than that of the exit doorways opening into them, except that handrails are not permitted to project into this clear width more than 100 mm.
(3)In a horizontal exit where there is a difference in level between the connected floor areas, slopes not more than those specified for ramps in Article 3.4.6.7. 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. (See Note A-3.4.6.10.(5))
(6)If a horizontal exit utilizes bridges between buildings or outside balconies, the bridges or balconies shall conform to Article 3.2.3.19.
(7)Any change in floor level from one side of a horizontal exit to the other side shall not exceed 2,000 mm.
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OBC Div. B 3.4.6.12. Direction of Door Swing
(1)Except for doors serving a single dwelling unit and except as permitted by Sentences (2) and (3) and Article 3.4.6.14., every exit door shall
(a)open in the direction of exit travel, and
(b)swing on its vertical axis.
(2)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)Exit doors need not conform to Sentence (1) where they serve
(a)storage garages serving not more than one dwelling unit,
(b)accessory buildings serving not more than one dwelling unit, or
(c)storage suites not more than 28 m² in area that are on the first storey of a warehouse and open directly outdoors at ground level.
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OBC Div. B 3.4.6.16. Door Release Hardware
(1)Except for dwelling units, except for devices on doors serving a contained use area or an impeded egress zone designed to be released in conformance with Article 3.3.1.13., and except as permitted by Sentence (5), locking, latching and other fastening devices on every exit door shall permit the door to be readily opened from the inside with not more than one releasing operation and without requiring keys, special devices or specialized knowledge of the door opening mechanism. (See Note A-3.4.6.16.(1))
(2)If a door is equipped with a latching mechanism, a device complying with Sentence (3) shall be installed on
(a)every exit door from a floor area containing an assembly occupancy having an occupant load more than 100,
(b)every door leading to an exit lobby from an exit stair shaft, and every exterior door leading from an exit stair shaft in a building having an occupant load more than 100, and
(c)every exit door from a floor area containing a high-hazard industrial occupancy.
(3)The device required in Sentence (2) shall
(a)extend across not less than one-half of the width of the door,
(b)release the latch, and
(c)allow the door to swing wide open when a force not more than that specified in Sentence 3.8.3.3.(7) is applied to the device in the direction of travel to the exit.
(4)Except as required by Sentence 3.8.3.3.(7), every exit door shall be designed and installed so that, when the latch is released, the door will open under a force of not more than 90 N, applied at the knob or other latch releasing device.
(5)Except as permitted by Sentence 3.3.1.13.(6), electromagnetic locks that do not incorporate latches, pins or other similar devices to keep the door in the closed position are permitted to be installed on exit doors other than doors described in Sentence (6) provided
(a)the building is equipped with a fire alarm system conforming to Subsection 3.2.4.,
(b)the locking device, and all similar devices in the access to exit leading to the exit door, are installed as ancillary devices to the fire alarm system and release immediately upon activation of
(i)the alarm signal where a single-stage fire alarm system is installed,
(ii)except as provided in Subclause (iii), the alert signal where a 2-stage fire alarm system is installed, or
(iii)the alarm signal of a 2-stage fire alarm system installed in a care, care and treatment or detention occupancy or in a retirement home,
(c)the locking device releases immediately upon loss of power controlling the electromagnetic locking mechanism and its associated auxiliary controls,
(d)the locking device releases immediately upon actuation of a manually operated switch readily accessible only to authorized personnel and located near the main entrance of the building or in the central alarm and control facility of Sentence 3.2.6.7.(1),
(e)the locking device releases immediately upon a fault being detected in the electrical circuit between the fire alarm control panel and the controller of the locking device,
(f)the locking device releases immediately upon the operation of a manual station for the fire alarm system located on the wall not more than 600 mm from the door,
(g)a visual information sign complying with Article 3.8.3.1. that displays the words emergency exit unlocked by fire alarm is permanently mounted on the door,
(h)a tactile information sign complying with Article 3.8.3.1. that displays the words emergency exit unlocked by fire alarm is permanently mounted near the door,
(i)upon release, the locking device must be reset manually by the actuation of the switch referred to in Clause (d),
(j)the operation of any by-pass switch, where provided for testing of the fire alarm system, causes an audible signal and a visual signal to be indicated at the fire alarm annunciator panel and at the monitoring station referred to in Sentence 3.2.4.8.(4),
(k)emergency lighting conforming to 3.2.7.3.(1) is provided, and
(l)where they are installed on doors providing emergency crossover access to floor areas from exit stairs in accordance with Article 3.4.6.18.,
(i)the locking device releases immediately upon the operation of a manual station for the fire alarm system located on the wall on the exit stair side not more than 600 mm from the door,
(ii)a visual information sign displaying the words re-entry door unlocked by fire alarm that complies with Article 3.8.3.1. is permanently mounted on the door on the exit stair side, and
(iii)a tactile information sign displaying the words re-entry door unlocked by fire alarm that complies with Article 3.8.3.1. is permanently mounted near the door on the exit stair side. (See Note A-3.4.6.16.(5))
(6)Reserved.
(7)Door release hardware for the operation of the doors referred to in this Section shall be installed between 900 mm and 1,100 mm above the finished floor.
(8)Except as permitted by Sentences (9) and (10), electromagnetic locks are not permitted to be installed on exit doors
(a)described in Clause (2)(a),
(b)or
(c)
(b) serving an elementary or secondary school, or
(c) leading directly from a high-hazard industrial occupancy.
(9)Electromagnetic locks are permitted to be installed on an exterior door leading from an exit stairway in a building containing only a Group B, Division 2 major occupancy, a Group B, Division 3 major occupancy or a retirement home.
(10)Electromagnetic locks are permitted to be installed on an exit door that serves only a gaming premises if
(a)the gaming premises is located within a sprinklered floor area,
(b)smoke detectors are installed in each room and each corridor accessible to the public,
(c)a force of not more than 90 N applied to the door opening hardware initiates an irreversible process that will release the locking device within 15 s and not relock until the door has been opened, and
(d)a legible sign conforming with Clauses (5)(g) and(h) is permanently mounted on the exit door to indicate that the locking device will release within 15 s of applying pressure to the door release hardware.
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OBC Div. B 3.4.6.18. Emergency Crossover Access to Floor Areas
(1)Except as permitted in Sentence (2), doors providing access to floor areas from exit stairs shall not have locking devices to prevent entry into any floor area from which the travel distance up or down to an unlocked door is more than 2 storeys.
(2)Doors referred to in Sentence (1) are permitted to be equipped with electromagnetic locks provided they comply with Sentences 3.4.6.16.(5) and (8).
(3)Doors referred to in Sentence (1) shall be identified by visual and tactile information signs complying with Article 3.8.3.1. mounted on the stairway side to indicate that they are openable from that side.
(4)Locked doors intended to prevent entry into a floor area from an exit stair shall
(a)be identified by visual and tactile information signs complying with Article 3.8.3.1. mounted on the stairway side to indicate the location of the nearest unlocked door in each direction of travel, and
(b)be openable with a master key that fits all locking devices and is kept in a designated location accessible to firefighters or 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.
(5)Where access to a floor area through unlocked doors is required by Sentence (1), it shall be possible for a person entering the floor area to have access through unlocked doors within the floor area to at least one other exit.
(6)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 (4)(b) are complied with.
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OBC Div. B 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 or a retirement home,
(b)not more than 2 storeys above ground level in care, care and treatment or detention occupancies, and
(c)not more than 5 storeys above ground level in other occupancies.
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