Floor areas, exits and vertical transportation (Detection, Lighting and Power)

Last updated October 22, 2026

Values this chapter turns on

max distance from a maglocked door to a pull station: 600 mm; max distance from a maglocked door to a pull station
occupant load above which exit signs are needed: 150 persons; occupant load above which exit signs are needed
max exit capacity credited to a revolving door: 45 persons; max exit capacity credited to a revolving door
height above which roof level stair signs are needed: 6 storeys; height above which roof level stair signs are needed

Sections 3.3. to 3.5. are about getting people out. For this exam the focus is where egress depends on electrical and alarm systems: electromagnetic locks released by the fire alarm, exit signs and their circuits, stage curtains and projection interlocks, emergency power for care compartments, and elevators.

Door hardware, electromagnetic locks and locking prohibitions

Doors in an access to exit must open without keys, special devices or specialized knowledge. Release hardware must work with one hand and one releasing operation, mounted 900 mm to 1,100 mm above the floor OBC Div. B 3.3.1.13..

Contained use areas and impeded egress zones may have locked egress doors. The locks release locally (keyed on both sides) or remotely from a security area. Electric locks there must run on emergency power and allow manual release. An impeded egress zone is a supervised area where occupants move freely but need security staff to release the boundary doors Div. A. In a contained use area, occupants are confined to a single room Div. A.

A door from a suite onto a public corridor must not lock automatically, except in hotels OBC Div. B 3.3.4.5..

Electromagnetic locks (with no latch or pin) are allowed on exit doors only when all of these conditions are met OBC Div. B 3.4.6.16.(5):

The building has a fire alarm system to 3.2.4., and the locks are ancillary devices of it.
The locks release on the alarm signal of a single-stage system, or on the alert signal of a 2-stage system. In care, care and treatment, detention and retirement home buildings, they release on the 2-stage alarm signal instead.
They release on loss of power, on a fault in the circuit from the fire alarm panel, and on a staff switch near the main entrance or at the central alarm and control facility.
A fire alarm manual station is on the wall within 600 mm of the door.
The door carries visual and tactile "emergency exit unlocked by fire alarm" signs.
Reset is manual, by the staff switch. Any test bypass switch signals at the annunciator.
Emergency lighting to 3.2.7.3.(1) is provided at the door.

Electromagnetic locks are not permitted on OBC Div. B 3.4.6.16.(8):

exit doors that need panic hardware (assembly over 100, doors from an exit stair shaft to an exit lobby or to the exterior in buildings over 100 occupants, high-hazard industrial),
doors serving elementary or secondary schools,
doors leading directly from high-hazard industrial occupancies.

Exceptions exist for exterior exit stair doors in buildings containing only B-2, B-3 or a retirement home, and for gaming premises with a 15 s delayed release.

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Care facilities, stages and hazardous areas

Operating rooms, ICUs and similar compartments are separated by 1 h fire separations. A mechanical air supply must keep them at or below 1% contaminated air for 2 h during a fire elsewhere OBC Div. B 3.3.3.6.. The fans that do this need a 2 h emergency generator under 3.2.7.9.(1)(c). Their emergency conductors need 2 h protection under 3.2.7.10.(3). Contained use areas get 1 h separations and sprinklers, or smoke control and remote door release where sprinklers are not otherwise required OBC Div. B 3.3.3.7..

Theatre stages must be sprinklered and separated by 1 h fire separations OBC Div. B 3.3.2.14.. A proscenium may be protected by a deluge system or a fire curtain. The curtain closes automatically on sprinkler actuation, automatically on fire alarm actuation, and manually from the control panel and each side of the stage. Stage vents open on sprinkler actuation.

Seating aisles: a dead-end aisle may be extended past 6 m OBC Div. B 3.3.2.5.:

Dead-end aisle length	Electrical and alarm conditions (among others)
Up to 6 m	None
Over 6 m to 10 m	A fire detector or sprinkler in the seating area shuts down the projection system and turns on normal lighting; sprinklered
Over 10 m to 13 m	As above, plus a voice communication system to 3.2.4.22. and smoke control or exhaust at 6 air changes per hour

Doors with latches from assembly rooms over 100 persons need panic hardware OBC Div. B 3.3.2.7..

Hazardous areas. Dangerous goods are handled under the Fire Code OBC Div. B 3.3.1.2.. Fuel-fired appliances may not be installed in a corridor serving as an access to exit. Oxidizers, organic peroxides and reactive materials get 2 h separations OBC Div. B 3.3.6.2..

Barrier-free floors above or below the first storey need a protected elevator or two zones OBC Div. B 3.3.1.7.. This is waived when the building is sprinklered throughout. Service spaces under 3.2.1.1.(8) need illuminated directional signs to egress points OBC Div. B 3.3.1.25..

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Exit signs

Where OBC Div. B 3.4.5.1.: over or beside every exit door where the exit serves a building more than 2 storeys in building height, a building with an occupant load over 150, or a room or floor area using a fire escape. Every exit serving a hotel also needs one. Low-light assembly rooms over 60 persons need one at each egress doorway. Directional signs with arrows are added where no exit is visible from public corridors or principal routes.

What: green and white pictograms meeting ISO 3864-1 and ISO 7010, visible on approach.

Sign type	Requirement
Internally lit, electrical	Continuously lit; built to CSA C22.2 No. 141
Externally lit	Continuously lit by a fixture on an electrical circuit
Photoluminescent or self-luminous	CAN/ULC-S572, labelled for its tested duration, lit for the 3.2.7.4. period
Any electrical circuit	Serves only emergency lighting in the area, on emergency power

A B-3 suite with 10 or fewer sleeping and not more than 6 needing help needs no exit sign inside. Tactile "EXIT" signs go on the approach side OBC Div. B 3.4.5.2.. Stairs continuing past the exit level in buildings over 2 storeys are signed as not leading to an exit. In buildings over 6 storeys, signs at the roof level say the same OBC Div. B 3.4.5.3..

Worked example

Three Part 3 buildings, none with a fire escape:

2-storey office, occupant load 120: no sign required by 3.4.5.1.(1).
2-storey office, occupant load 160: signs required (over 150).
3-storey office, occupant load 90: signs required (more than 2 storeys). In Part 9 the wording is "3 storeys in building height", so read the right Part.

The exit's fire separation may be pierced only by wiring, totally enclosed noncombustible raceways and noncombustible piping serving only the exit, plus sprinkler piping, standpipes, exit doors and permitted glazing. An exit may not serve as a plenum OBC Div. B 3.4.4.4..

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Self-closing, sliding and revolving doors; crossover access

Exit doors normally kept closed must self-close and may be held open only by a 3.1.8.14. hold-open device OBC Div. B 3.4.6.13.. Sliding exit doors at grade are allowed where they conform. In Group B-1 or impeded egress zones, they may instead release per 3.3.1.13. OBC Div. B 3.4.6.14.. A revolving door counts for no more than 45 persons, unless it is a powered door that collapses under push and meets the other conditions OBC Div. B 3.4.6.15..

Doors from exit stairs into floor areas may not be locked where the travel to an unlocked door is more than 2 storeys OBC Div. B 3.4.6.18.. Electromagnetic locks meeting 3.4.6.16. are acceptable on these doors, with a manual station within 600 mm on the stair side and "re-entry door unlocked by fire alarm" signs.

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Elevators

Section 3.5. covers elevators, escalators and dumbwaiters. Elevators in high buildings also follow 3.2.6.4. and 3.2.6.5. OBC Div. B 3.5.1.1.. In B-2 or B-3 occupancies with sleeping rooms or resident services on more than one level, at least one elevator must carry a stretcher horizontally, unless the levels are joined by ramps OBC Div. B 3.5.2.1.. Passenger elevators meet Appendix E of ASME A17.1 / CSA B44 OBC Div. B 3.5.2.2..

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Common traps

Using "3 storeys" for Part 3 exit signs. Part 3 is more than 2 storeys.
Releasing maglocks in a retirement home on the alert signal. It is the alarm signal there.
Allowing maglocks in a school.
Forgetting that the circuit for exit signs may carry emergency lighting only.

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
Door hardware, electromagnetic locks and locking prohibitions	Doors in an access to exit must open without keys, special devices or specialized knowledge.
Care facilities, stages and hazardous areas	Operating rooms, ICUs and similar compartments are separated by 1 h fire separations.
Exit signs	Where: over or beside every exit door where the exit serves a building more than 2 storeys in building height, a building with an occupant load over 150, or a room or floor area…
Self-closing, sliding and revolving doors; crossover access	Exit doors normally kept closed must self-close and may be held open only by a 3.1.8.14. hold-open device.
Elevators	Section 3.5. covers elevators, escalators and dumbwaiters.

Door hardware, electromagnetic locks and locking prohibitions
Doors in an access to exit must open without keys, special devices or specialized knowledge.
Care facilities, stages and hazardous areas
Operating rooms, ICUs and similar compartments are separated by 1 h fire separations.
Exit signs
Where: over or beside every exit door where the exit serves a building more than 2 storeys in building height, a building with an occupant load over 150, or a room or floor area…
Self-closing, sliding and revolving doors; crossover access
Exit doors normally kept closed must self-close and may be held open only by a 3.1.8.14. hold-open device.
Elevators
Section 3.5. covers elevators, escalators and dumbwaiters.

Usual exam traps

Using "3 storeys" for Part 3 exit signs. Part 3 is more than 2 storeys.
Releasing maglocks in a retirement home on the alert signal. It is the alarm signal there.
Allowing maglocks in a school.
Forgetting that the circuit for exit signs may carry emergency lighting only.

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Questions on Floor areas, exits and vertical transportation, 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 3.3.1.13. Doors and Door Hardware (See also Sentence 3.8.3.6.(17))
(1)Except as required by Article 3.3.3.4. and Sentences 3.3.4.11.(11), 3.8.3.3.(1) and (2), a door that opens into or is located within a public corridor or other facility that provides access to exit from a suite shall
(a)provide a clear opening of not less than 850 mm, if there is only one door leaf,
(b)in a doorway with multiple leaves, have the active leaf providing a clear opening of not less than 850 mm,
(c)not open onto a step, and
(d)have a threshold not more than 13 mm higher than the floor surface, except where
(i)the threshold is used to contain spillage, or
(ii)the doorway provides access to an exterior balcony, other than a balcony required by Sentence 3.3.1.7.(2).
(2)Except as provided in Sentences (6) and (7), a door in an access to exit shall be readily openable in travelling to an exit without requiring keys, special devices or specialized knowledge of the door opening mechanism.
(3)Except as permitted by Sentence (4), door release hardware shall be operable by one hand and the door shall be openable with not more than one releasing operation. (See also Sentence 3.8.3.6.(4))
(4)Except in a retirement home, an egress door from an individual dwelling unit or from a suite of residential occupancy is permitted to be provided with additional devices that require a releasing operation additional to the main door release hardware, provided the devices are readily operable from the inside without the use of keys, special devices or specialized knowledge. (See Note A-3.3.1.13.(4))
(5)Door release hardware shall be installed not more than 900 mm and 1,100 mm above the finished floor.
(6)An egress door in an access to exit serving a contained use area or an impeded egress zone is permitted to be equipped with locking devices, provided they can be released either locally or remotely in conformance with Sentence (8) or (9). (See Note A-3.3.1.13.(6))
(7)A door in an access to exit is permitted to be equipped with an electromagnetic locking device conforming to Sentence 3.4.6.16.(5), except that this permission does not apply to a door
(a)in an elementary or secondary school,
(b)a door leading from a Group F, Division 1 occupancy, or
(c)except as provided in Sentence (11), requiring a latch release device by Article 3.3.2.6.
(8)Local locking devices permitted by Sentence (6) shall be operable by a key from both sides of the door.
(9)Controls for the remote release of door locking devices permitted by Sentence (6) shall be located in an area readily available to security personnel.
(10)Locking devices permitted by Sentence (6) that are electrically operated shall be
(a)designed to operate on emergency power, and
(b)capable of manual release by security personnel.
(11)A door in an access to exit in a gaming premise is permitted to be equipped with an electromagnetic locking device conforming to Sentences 3.4.6.16.(5) and (8).
Open OBC Div. B 3.3.1.13. in the code viewer
OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) Impeded egress zone
Impeded egress zone means a supervised area in which occupants have free movement but require the release, by security personnel, of security doors at the boundary before they are able to leave the area, but does not include a contained use area.
Open OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) in the code viewer
OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) Contained use area
Contained use area means a supervised area containing one or more rooms in which occupant movement is restricted to a single room by security measures not under the control of the occupant.
Open OBC Div. A 1.4.1.2.(1) in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 3.3.4.5. Automatic Locking Prohibition
(1)Except for hotels, a door opening onto a public corridor that provides access to exit from a suite shall be designed not to lock automatically. (See Note A-3.3.4.5.(1))
Open OBC Div. B 3.3.4.5. in the code viewer
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.
Open OBC Div. B 3.4.6.16. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 3.3.3.6. Protection for Special Care and Treatment Facilities
(1)Compartments containing rooms such as operating rooms, recovery rooms, delivery rooms, intensive care units and critical care units, from which it is impracticable to move patients in an emergency, shall be
(a)separated from adjacent spaces by fire separations having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, and
(b)provided with a mechanical air supply so that during a period of 2 h after the start of a fire in another space, the compartments will not contain more than 1% by volume of contaminated air from the fire area.
Open OBC Div. B 3.3.3.6. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 3.3.3.7. Contained Use Areas
(1)A contained use area shall conform to Sentences (2) to (5).
(2)A contained use area shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.
(3)Except as permitted by Sentence (4), a building that includes a contained use area shall be sprinklered throughout.
(4)A contained use area, in a building for which Articles 3.2.2.20. to 3.2.2.93. do not require the installation of an automatic sprinkler system, is not required to be sprinklered as required by Sentence (3) provided
(a)the building is designed so that during a period of 2 h after the start of a fire in the contained use area, other fire compartments will not contain more than 1% by volume of contaminated air from the contained use area,
(b)the building is designed so that during a period of 2 h after the start of a fire in another part of the building, the contained use area will not contain more than 1% by volume of contaminated air from the other part of the building,
(c)all doors are designed to be remotely released in conformance with Sentence 3.3.1.13.(6), and
(d)the contained use area does not contain any rooms lined with combustible padding.
(5)A corridor serving a contained use area shall have no dead-end portion unless the area served by the dead-end portion has a second and separate means of egress.
Open OBC Div. B 3.3.3.7. in the code viewer
OBC Div. B 3.3.2.14. Stages for Theatrical Performances
(1)A stage for theatrical performances and ancillary spaces, including workshops, dressing rooms and storage areas, shall be sprinklered.
(2)A fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h shall be provided between a stage for theatrical performances and ancillary spaces, including workshops, dressing rooms and storage areas.
(3)Except as permitted by Sentence (6), a stage for theatrical performances and ancillary spaces, including workshops, dressing rooms and storage areas, shall be separated from the seating area by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, except for a proscenium opening protected with
(a)a sprinkler deluge system conforming to the requirements of NFPA 13 "Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems,"
(b)an unframed fire curtain if the opening is not more than 20 m wide, or
(c)a semi-rigid fire curtain if the opening is more than 20 m wide.
(4)A fire curtain required by Sentence (3) shall be of a type acceptable to the principal authority and designed to close
(a)automatically upon the actuation of the sprinkler system,
(b)automatically upon actuation of the fire alarm system, and
(c)manually by remote control devices located at the curtain control panel and at each side of the stage.
(5)At least 2 vents for the purpose of venting fire and smoke to the outside of a building shall be provided above a stage designed for theatrical performances and shall
(a)have an aggregate area not less than one-eighth of the area of the stage behind the proscenium opening, and
(b)be arranged to open automatically upon actuation of the sprinkler system.
(6)The fire separation referred to in Sentence (3) is not required between a stage and a seating area in a floor area that is sprinklered, provided a sprinkler deluge system is installed at the boundary between the stage and the seating area.
Open OBC Div. B 3.3.2.14. in the code viewer

Show all 25 articles

OBC Div. B 3.3.2.5. Aisles
(1)Except as required by Articles, 3.3.2.11. and 3.3.2.12., aisles leading to egress doors or exits shall be provided in conformance with Sentences (2) to (27) in places of assembly that contain fixed seats.
(2)In this Subsection, a converging aisle is an aisle into which the occupants of two or more aisles converge in travelling to an exit.
(3)An aisle shall terminate at
(a)a converging aisle,
(b)an egress doorway from the seating area, or
(c)an exit from the seating area.
(4)A converging aisle shall terminate at
(a)an egress doorway from the seating area, or
(b)an exit from the seating area.
(5)The minimum clear width of aisles shall be not less than 1,100 mm, except that the width is permitted to be reduced to not less than
(a)750 mm if serving not more than 60 seats, and
(b)900 mm if serving seats on one side only.
(6)The minimum clear width of each aisle shall be measured at the point in the aisle furthest from
(a)an egress doorway referred to in Clause (15)(a),
(b)an exit referred to in Clause (15)(b), or
(c)an exit referred to in Sentence (16).
(7)Except for an aisle serving bleacher seats, where rows of seats discharge into an aisle, the minimum clear width required by Sentence (5) shall be increased by 25 mm for each metre of length of the aisle measured in the direction towards an exit.
(8)The width of a converging aisle shall be not less than the required width of the widest aisle plus 50% of the total required width of the remaining aisles that it serves.
(9)If rows of seats discharge directly into the converging aisle, the width required by Sentence (8) shall be increased by 25 mm for each metre of length of the aisle where the rows of seats discharge into the aisle.
(10)The width of an egress doorway or an exit leading directly from the seating area shall be not less than the required width of the widest aisle or converging aisle plus 50% of the total required width of the remaining aisles and converging aisles that it serves.
(11)The requirements in Sentences (5) to (10) and (17) do not apply if
(a)the minimum clear width of an aisle is in accordance with Article 3.3.1.17., but is not less than 900 mm if serving seats on one side only,
(b)the minimum clear width of an aisle is in accordance with Article 3.3.1.17., but is not less than 1,200 mm if serving seats on both sides.
(c)the minimum clear width of a converging aisle is in accordance with Article 3.3.1.17., but not less than the width of the widest aisle leading to the converging aisle,
(d)the minimum clear width of an exit leading directly from the seating area is in accordance with Article 3.4.3.2.,
(e)except as provided in Clause (f), the minimum clear width of an egress doorway leading directly from the seating area is in accordance with Article 3.3.1.17., but not less than the required width of the aisle or the converging aisle leading to the doorway, and
(f)if more than one vomitory is provided
(i)the minimum total clear width of the egress doorways leading from one vomitory is not less than the required width of the aisle or the converging aisle leading to the doorways, and
(ii)the minimum clear width of egress doorways from additional vomitories is in accordance with Article 3.3.1.17.
(12)Except as provided in Sentences (13) and (14), dead-end aisles shall be not more than 6 m long.
(13)Dead-end aisles are permitted to be more than 6 m long, but not more than 10 m long if
(a)the seating area is separated from other seating areas and adjacent occupancies, including a corridor serving any seating area, by a fire separation in accordance with Sentences 3.3.2.2.(1) and (2),
(b)the travel distance is not more than 25 m measured along the path of travel from any seat to an exit, to an egress doorway or to an opening into a vomitory,
(c)at least one means of egress, comprising not less than 30 percent of the required exit capacity, is through an exterior exit, an exit stairway or a corridor not containing an occupancy,
(d)each row served by the dead-end aisle has a minimum unobstructed width of 400 mm plus 6.1 mm for each additional seat above seven seats in a row, but not more than 550 mm,
(e)the minimum ceiling height above the seating area is 3 m,
(f)the activation of a fire detector or a sprinkler head in the seating area will
(i)cause the shutdown of the projection system serving the seating area, and
(ii)turn on the normal lighting in the seating area, and
(g)the floor area is sprinklered.
(14)Dead-end aisles are permitted to be more than 10 m long, but not more than 13 m long if
(a)the seating area is separated from other seating areas and adjacent occupancies, including a corridor serving any seating area, by a fire separation in accordance with Sentences 3.3.2.2.(1) and (2),
(b)the travel distance is not more than 25 m measured along the path of travel from any seat to an exit, to an egress doorway or to an opening into a vomitory,
(c)at least one means of egress, comprising not less than 30 percent of the required exit capacity, is through an exterior exit, an exit stairway or a corridor not containing an occupancy,
(d)each row served by a dead-end aisle has a minimum unobstructed width of 400 mm plus 6.1 mm for each additional seat above seven seats in a row, but not more than 550 mm,
(e)the activation of a fire detector or a sprinkler head in the seating area will
(i)cause the shutdown of the projection system serving the seating area, and
(ii)turn on the normal lighting in the seating area,
(f)a voice communication system is installed in conformance with Article 3.2.4.22.,
(g)a smoke control system is installed to control movement of smoke in the seating area or a smoke exhaust system is provided so that, in the event of detection of smoke by a smoke detector in the seating area, air handling equipment is activated to extract air directly from the seating area at the rate of at least six air changes per hour, and
(h)the floor area is sprinklered.
(15)Where a seating area is separated as required by Sentences 3.3.2.2.(1) and (2) or 3.3.2.2.(8), the length of travel by any aisle shall be not more than 45 m measured from the most remote point of the aisle to
(a)an egress doorway in the required separation, or
(b)an exit leading directly from the seating area.
(16)Where a seating area is not required to be separated by Sentences 3.3.2.2.(1) and (2) or 3.3.2.2.(8), the travel distance shall be not more than 45 m measured from the most remote point of the aisle to an exit.
(17)Side aisles shall be not less than 1,100 mm wide if seating is provided in conformance with Sentence 3.3.2.3.(4).
(18)An aisle that has a slope not more than 1 in 8 shall not be stepped.
(19)An aisle that slopes more than 1 in 8 shall be stepped.
(20)The passageway between rows of seats served by a stepped aisle shall be level at right angles to the line of travel.
(21)The riser of a step in an aisle shall be
(a)not less than 110 mm high, and
(b)not more than 200 mm high.
(22)Variations are permitted in riser height provided
(a)the height of adjacent risers does not vary by more than 6 mm, and
(b)the depth of a tread or a platform in the direction of travel is not less than 430 mm.
(23)Steps in an aisle shall
(a)have a run not less than 230 mm exclusive of nosings,
(b)have a tread depth not less than 250 mm,
(c)extend to the adjacent rows of seats in a manner that will not create a hazard from tripping, and
(d)have a finish on the treads conforming to Sentence 3.4.6.1.(1).
(24)The location of every riser in an aisle shall be made apparent from both directions of travel by strategically placed lighting or contrasting marking stripes.
(25)A platform in an aisle shall be level, except that a slope not more than 1 in 50 is permitted for a platform that is not less than 430 mm deep in the direction of exit travel.
(26)If a step is used at the entry to a row of seats from a stepped aisle, an unobstructed platform not less than 800 mm square shall be provided adjacent to the aisle.
(27)The finish of the surface of a platform in or adjacent to a stepped aisle shall conform to Sentence 3.4.6.1.(1).
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OBC Div. B 3.3.2.7. Doors
(1)A door equipped with a latching mechanism in an access to exit from a room or suite of assembly occupancy containing an occupant load more than 100 shall be equipped with a device that complies with Sentence 3.4.6.16.(3).
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OBC Div. B 3.3.1.2. Hazardous Substances, Equipment and Processes
(1)Except as provided in Subsections 3.3.5. and 3.3.6., the storage, handling and use of the hazardous substances shall be in conformance with
(a)the Fire Code made under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, or boilerplate: - (b) the CCBFC NRCC-CONST-56437E, "National Fire Code of Canada," in the absence of regulations referred to in Clause (a).
(See Note A-3.3.1.2.(1))
(2)Systems for the ventilation of cooking equipment that is not within a dwelling unit and is used in processes producing grease-laden vapours shall be designed and installed in conformance with Articles 3.6.3.5., 6.3.1.6. and 6.9.1.3. (See Note A-3.3.1.2.(2))
(3)A fuel-fired appliance shall not be installed in a corridor serving as an access to exit.
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OBC Div. B 3.3.6.2. Storage of Dangerous Goods
(1)Solid and liquid dangerous goods classified as oxidizers or organic peroxides shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 h.
(2)Reactive materials shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 h. (See Note A-3.3.6.2.(2))
(3)The design and construction of buildings or part of a building intended for the storage of dangerous goods classified as explosives shall conform to the Explosives Act (Canada) and the regulations made under that Act.
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OBC Div. B 3.3.1.7. Protection on Floor Areas with a Barrier-Free Path of Travel
(1)Except as provided in Sentences (1.1) and (1.2), every floor area above or below the first storey that has a barrier-free path of travel shall
(a)be served by an elevator
(i)conforming to Sentences 3.2.6.5.(4) to (6),
(ii)protected against fire in conformance with Clause 3.2.6.5.(3)(b) or (c), and
(iii)in a building over 3 storeys in building height, protected against smoke movement so that the hoistway will not contain more than 1% by volume of contaminated air from a fire floor during a period of 2 h after the start of a fire, assuming an outdoor temperature equal to the January design temperature on a 2.5% basis determined in conformance with MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-1, "Climatic and Seismic Data," or
(b)be divided into at least 2 zones by fire separations conforming to Sentences (2) and (3) and 3.1.8.5.(6) so that, (See Note A-3.3.1.7.(1)(b))
(i)persons with physical disabilities can be accommodated in each zone,
(ii)the travel distance from any point in one zone to a doorway leading to another zone shall be not more than the value for travel distance permitted by Sentence 3.4.2.5.(1) for the occupancy classification of the zone, and
(iii)a barrier-free path of travel is provided to an exit. (See Note A-3.3.1.7.(1))
(1.1)In residential occupancies, the requirements of Sentence (1) are waived if a balcony conforming to Sentence (4) is provided for each suite, except for suites on the storey containing the barrier-free entrance described in Article 3.8.1.2.
(1.2)The requirements of Sentences (1) and (1.1) are waived when the building is sprinklered throughout.
(2)Except as permitted by Sentence (3), the fire separations referred to in Clause (1)(b) shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.
(3)The fire-resistance rating of the fire separations referred to in Clause (1)(b) is permitted to be less than 1 h but not less than 45 min provided the fire-resistance rating required by Subsection 3.2.2. is permitted to be less than 1 h for
(a)the floor assembly above the floor area, or
(b)the floor assembly below the floor area, if there is no floor assembly above.
(4)A balcony required by Sentence (1.1) shall
(a)be provided with a doorway having a clear width of not less that 800 mm when the door is in the open position,
(b)have no projection above the walking surface more than 13 mm,
(c)be not less than 1.5 m deep from the outside face of the exterior wall to the inside edge of the balcony, and
(d)provide not less than 0.5 m² for each occupant of the suite.
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OBC Div. B 3.3.1.25. Signs in Service Spaces
(1)Illuminated signs conforming to Sentence 3.4.5.1.(2) and (6) shall be provided to indicate the direction to egress points in a service space referred to in Sentence 3.2.1.1.(8).
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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 3.4.5.2. Exit Signs with Tactile Information
(1)An exit sign displaying the word "EXIT" in tactile form that complies with Article 3.8.3.1. shall be mounted on the approach side of exit doors described in Sentence 3.4.5.1.(1), in the direction of travel to the exit.
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OBC Div. B 3.4.5.3. Signs for Stairs and Ramps at Exit Level
(1)In a building more than 2 storeys in building height, any part of an exit ramp or stair that continues up or down past the lowest exit level shall be clearly marked by a sign indicating that it does not lead to an exit.
(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. (See Note A-3.4.5.3.(2))
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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.
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OBC Div. B 3.4.6.13. 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 3.1.8.14.(1).
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OBC Div. B 3.4.6.14. Sliding Doors
(1)Except as permitted by Sentences (2) and 3.4.6.12.(2), an exit door leading directly to outdoors at ground level is permitted to be a sliding door provided it conforms to Sentence 3.3.1.12.(1).
(2)An exit door serving a Group B, Division 1 occupancy, or an impeded egress zone in other occupancies, is permitted to be a sliding door that does not conform to Sentence 3.3.1.12.(1) provided it is designed to be released in conformance with Article 3.3.1.13.
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OBC Div. B 3.4.6.15. 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, "Safety Glazing," 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 3.4.6.16.(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 centre line 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 glazing conforming to
(i)CAN/CGSB-12.1, "Safety Glazing," or
(ii)CAN/CGSB-12.11-M, "Wired Safety Glass."
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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 3.5.1.1. 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 3.2.6.4. and 3.2.6.5.
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OBC Div. B 3.5.2.1. Required Elevator
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (2), 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 is large enough to accommodate a stretcher in a horizontal position.
(2)Sentence (1) does not apply to those parts of a floor area classified as a Group B, Division 3 occupancy if
(a)those portions of the floor area contain sleeping accommodation for not more than 10 persons, and
(b)not more than six occupants require assistance in evacuating in the case of an emergency.
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OBC Div. B 3.5.2.2. Barrier-Free Design
(1)Passenger elevators shall conform to Appendix E of ASME A17.1 / CSA B44, "Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators."
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