The Ontario Building Code | Door Action
9.9.6.4. door Action
(1) Except as provided in Sentences (4) and (5), required exit doors and doors in required means of egress, except doors in means of egress within dwelling units, shall swing on the vertical axis.
(2) Except as provided in Sentence (5), breakaway sliding doors, installed as required exit doors or required doors in means of egress, shall be identified as swinging doors by means of a label or decal affixed to the door.
(3) Revolving doors shall comply with Article 3.4.6.15.
(4) Movablepartitions used to separate apublic corridor from an adjacent business and personal services occupancy or a mercantile occupancy need not conform to Sentence (1), provided the partitions are not located in the only means of egress.
(5) Exit doors need not conform to Sentence (1) or (2), where,
(a) the doors serve accessory buildings where life safety is not adversely affected, or
(b) the doors serve storage garages or other accessory buildingsserving a single dwelling unit.
Note: On July 1, 2017, Clause 9.9.6.4.(5)(b) of Division B of the Regulation is amended by striking out "single dwelling unit" and substituting "houseor an individual dwelling unit". (See: O. Reg. 139/17, s. 94)
In Plain Language
Doors within a means of egress must operate in the manner set out in this article, addressing how the door opens and functions during an emergency.
This is a plain-language summary of the 2012/2017 Ontario Building Code text above, for general understanding only and not a substitute for the Code. Always confirm current requirements against the 2024 edition (O.Reg. 163/24) or a qualified professional before construction.