SECTION 2.7 – SAFETY TO LIFE
SECTION 2.7 SAFETY TO LIFE
Subsection 2.7.1. Means of Egress and Occupant Load
Open floor areas
2.7.1.1. (1) Aisles in conformance with Sentences (2) to (4) shall be provided in every floor area in a mercantile occupancy and a business and personal services occupancy, and in a floor area or portion of a floor area containing a hazardous extraction operation, that
(a) is not subdivided into rooms or suites served by corridors giving access to exits, and
(b) is required to have more than one exit.
(2) Every required exit shall be served by an aisle that
(a) has a clear width not less than 1100 mm,
(b) has access to at least one additional exit, and
(c) at every point in the aisle provides a choice of two directions by which to reach an exit.
(3) A subsidiary aisle with only a single direction of travel to an aisle described in Sentence (2) is permitted if it has a clear width not less than 900 mm and a length that is not greater than 7.5 m.
(4) Every individual work area in a business and personal services occupancy shall be located adjacent to an aisle or subsidiary aisle.
2.7.1.2. RESERVED
2.7.1.3. RESERVED
Occupant load
2.7.1.4. (1) The number of persons occupying a room or floor space in an assembly occupancy shall not exceed the occupant load for the intended use as determined in Sentence (2).
(2) The occupant load for any room or floor space shall be the lower of
(a) the occupant load as calculated in accordance with Sentences (3) to (7), or
(b) the occupant load for which means of egress are provided as determined by the Building Code.
(3) The occupant load of a floor area or part of a floor area in an assembly occupancy shall be based on
(a) the number of fixed seats, or
(b) the number of persons
(i) for which the area is designed, or
(ii) determined from Table 2.7.1.A. for occupancies other than those described in Clause (a).
(4) For the purposes of this Article, mezzanines, tiers and balconies shall be regarded as part of the floor area.
(5) Where fixed bench-type seats without arms are provided, the occupant load shall be based on a seat width of 450 mm per person.
(6) The occupant load of a room in which a dance floor is situated shall be based on that portion of the room that is not occupied by the dance floor except where the occupant load is determined using Subclause (3)(b)(i).
(7) At no time shall the maximum occupant load determined in Sentences (2) to (6) exceed the occupant load calculated on the basis of
(a) 0.60 m2 of floor space per person in dining, alcoholic beverage and cafeteria space, and
(b) 0.40 m2 of floor space per person for all other uses.
Table 2.7.1.A.
Forming Part of Article 2.7.1.4.
| Type of Use of Building or Floor Area or Part Thereof | Area per Person m2 |
| Space with fixed seats | See Clause (3) (a) |
| Space with nonfixed seats | 0.75 |
| Stages for theatrical performances | 0.75 |
| Space with nonfixed seats and tables | 0.95 |
| Standing space | 0.40 |
| Stadia and grandstands | 0.60 |
| Bowling alleys, pool and billiard rooms | 9.30 |
| Classrooms | 1.85 |
| School shops and vocational rooms | 9.30 |
| Reading or writing rooms or lounges | 1.85 |
| Dining, alcoholic beverage and cafeteria space | 1.10 |
| Laboratories in schools | 4.60 |
| Exhibition halls other than those classified in mercantile occupancy | 2.80 |
Posting occupant load
2.7.1.5. (1) When the occupant load as determined in Article 2.7.1.4. is more than 60 persons, the occupant load shall be posted in a conspicuous location.
(2) When the occupant load has been determined using Subclause 2.7.1.4.(3)(b)(i), a permanent sign indicating the occupant load shall be posted in a conspicuous location.
Nonfixed seating
2.7.1.6. (1) Nonfixed row seating in an assembly occupancy shall be arranged as described in Sentences (2) to (8).
(2) Aisles leading to exits shall be provided so that there are not more than seven seats between any seat and the nearest aisle.
(3) The minimum clear width of aisles shall be at least 1100 mm, except as permitted by Sentence (4).
(4) Aisles required in Sentence (3) may be reduced in width to 750 mm when serving 60 seats or less, or 900 mm when serving seats on one side only.
(5) Aisles shall terminate in a cross aisle, foyer or exit and the width of such cross aisle, foyer or exit shall be at least the required width of the widest aisle plus 50% of the total required width of the remaining aisles that it serves.
(6) The distance of travel to an exit door by an aisle shall not be greater than 30 m, except in a sprinklered floor area where the distance of travel shall not be greater than 45 m.
(7) If non-fixed row seating is provided for more than 200 persons in an assembly occupancy, the seats shall be fastened in units of not less than 4 and not more than 12 seats, or each end seat abutting an aisle shall be securely fastened to the floor.
(8) Seats may be arranged in a manner that does not meet the requirements of Sentence (7) where the aisle widths are increased by 50% above the requirements set out in Sentences (2) to (6), and where the maximum occupant load of the space is based on not less than 1.2 m2 of floor space per person.
Maintenance and lighting for exits
2.7.1.7. (1) Means of egress shall be maintained in good repair and free of obstructions.
(2) Lighting provided for illumination in exits and access to exits, including corridors used by the public, shall be maintained.
(3) Despite Sentence (2), the lighting provided for illumination may be controlled by motion sensors installed in accordance with the Building Code.
Fire escapes
2.7.1.8. (1) Exterior passageways, exterior stairways and fire escapes in occupied buildings shall be maintained in good repair and operational and kept free of snow and ice accumulations.
(2) Where equipment is provided to melt snow or ice on exterior passageways, exterior stairways and fire escapes in an occupied building, the equipment shall be maintained in working order or alternative measures shall be taken as specified in Sentence (1).
Turnstiles and checkout counters
2.7.1.9. (1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), turnstiles, checkout counters, railings or barriers shall not obstruct the exits or access to exits from any room, floor area or storey.
(2) Checkout counters or control posts in retail outlets may be used within access to exits if there is a clear width of at least 450 mm up to a height of 914 mm.
(3) If the checkout counters or control posts exceed 914 mm in height, there shall be a clear width of at least 550 mm.
(4) The clear width may be less than that required by Sentences (2) and (3) if an alternative means of egress is adjacent to and plainly visible from the restricted egress.
(5) Wheeled carts shall be stored after use so as not to obstruct access to exits in retail outlets where wheeled carts are used by customers.
(6) Despite Sentences (1) to (5), the aggregate width of exits and access to exits shall be provided.
Subsection 2.7.2. Door Hardware
Door release hardware
2.7.2.1. (1) Every exit door shall be designed and installed so that, when the latch is released, the door will open in the direction of exit travel under a force of not more than 90 N, applied at the knob or other latch releasing device.
(2) Approved hardware designed to release the latch and allow the door to open in the direction of exit travel when a force of not more than 90 N is applied to the hardware is required on
(a) every door in an access to exit from a room or suite of assembly occupancy having an occupant load of more than 100 persons,
(b) every exit door from a floor area containing an assembly occupancy having an occupant load of more than 100 persons,
(c) every door leading to an exit lobby from an exit stair shaft in buildings having an occupant load of more than 100 persons,
(d) every exterior door leading from an exit stair shaft in buildings having an occupant load of more than 100 persons, and
(e) every exit door from a floor area containing a high hazard industrial occupancy.
(3) Every door that opens into a corridor or other facility providing access to exit from a suite or room not located within a suite shall swing
(a) on its vertical axis, and
(b) in the direction of exit travel where the room or suite is used or intended to be used for an occupant load of more than 60 persons or is designed for a high hazard industrial occupancy.
(4) Sentences (1) and (3) do not apply if the existing door is approved and either does not endanger life safety or is modified to provide life safety.
(5) Sentences (1), (2) and (3) do not apply in rapid transit stations which comply with the Building Code.
Requirements for locking, latching and fastening devices
2.7.2.2. (1) Subject to Sentences (2) and (3), and unless otherwise approved, locking, latching and other fastening devices shall be such that a door can be readily opened from the inside with no more than one releasing operation and without requiring keys, special devices or specialized knowledge of the door opening mechanism on
(a) every required exit door, and
(b) every door that is in an access to exit and that opens into or is located within
(i) a public corridor,
(ii) a facility that provides access to exit from a suite,
(iii) a facility that provides access to exit from a room serving patients or residents in a care occupancy, care and treatment occupancy or retirement home, or
(iv) a floor area, or portion of a floor area, that contains a hazardous extraction operation.
(2) A door in an access to exit or an exit door may be equipped with an electromagnetic locking device that is approved or complies with the Building Code, unless the door is located in an elementary or secondary school or is an egress or exit door that serves a high hazard industrial occupancy.
(3) An egress door that serves a contained use area or impeded egress zone may be equipped with a locking device that can be released either locally or remotely in accordance with Sentences (4) to (6).
(4) A locking device with a local release permitted by Sentence (3) shall be capable of being unlocked with a key from both sides of the door.
(5) The controls for the remote release of a locking device permitted by Sentence (3) shall be in an area that is readily accessible to supervisory staff.
(6) A locking device permitted by Sentence (3) that is electrically operated shall be
(a) designed to operate on emergency power, and
(b) capable of being manually unlocked by supervisory staff.
(7) Sentence (1) does not apply in rapid transit stations that comply with the Building Code.
Subsection 2.7.3. Exit Lighting and Emergency Lighting
Exit signs
2.7.3.1. Required exit signs shall be clearly visible and maintained in a clean and legible condition.
Same
2.7.3.2. (1) Exit signs shall be illuminated externally or internally, as appropriate for the sign’s design, while the building is occupied.
(2) Exit signs that contain self-luminous or photoluminescent material shall be maintained in accordance with
(a) the sign manufacturer’s maintenance instructions, if any, and
(b) the conditions outlined in the approval of the designated evaluation body under the Building Code, if any.
Emergency lighting
2.7.3.3. (1) Pilot lights on emergency lighting unit equipment shall be checked monthly for operation.
(2) Emergency lighting unit equipment shall be inspected monthly to ensure that
(a) the terminal connections are clean, free of corrosion and lubricated when necessary,
(b) the terminal clamps are clean and tight as per manufacturer’s specifications,(c) the electrolyte level and specific gravity are maintained as per manufacturer’s specifications, and
(d) the battery surface is kept clean and dry.
(3) Emergency lighting unit equipment shall be tested
(a) monthly to ensure that the emergency lights will function upon failure of the primary power supply, and
(b) annually to ensure that the unit will provide emergency lighting for a duration equal to the design criteria under simulated power failure conditions.
(4) After completion of the test required in Clause (3)(b), the charging conditions for voltage and current and the recovery period shall be tested to ensure that the charging system is in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
(5) Except as provided in Sentences (1) to (4), emergency lights shall be inspected at intervals not greater than 12 months to ensure that they are functional.
(6) Where emergency power for the lights referred to in Sentence (5) is provided from a system of batteries, the batteries shall be inspected and tested in accordance with the procedures set out in Sentences (2) to (4).
Subsection 2.7.4. Indoor Public Amusement Areas
Fire hazards
2.7.4.1. (1) Public amusement areas located in buildings shall be designed so that they do not create a fire hazard to the public using the facility.
(2) Hay, straw, shavings, textiles, films or similar combustible materials shall not be used in the design and construction or as decorative features in public amusement areas located in buildings unless approved provisions are made to control the hazard.
Emergency egress
2.7.4.2. (1) Indoor public amusement areas that involve enclosed, confined or otherwise confusing configurations shall be provided with emergency egress points that
(a) have appropriate width, height and capacity for the anticipated occupant load,
(b) are not more than 15 m travel from any point within the public amusement area except as approved,
(c) are clearly identified with signs, and
(d) are equipped with emergency lighting providing a minimum lighting level of 10 lx at floor or pathway level for a duration of at least 30 min, where natural lighting is not sufficient in the circumstances.