The Ontario Building Code | Access to Basements
9.10.20.2. Access to basements
(1) Except in basements serving not more than one dwelling unit, each unsprinklered basementexceeding 25 m in length or width shall be provided with direct access to the outdoorref ="http://thehandyforce.com/doors/" title ="Toronto Door installer">doors to at least one street.
Note: On July 1, 2017, Sentence 9.10.20.2.(1) of Division B of the Regulation is amended by striking out "Except in basements serving not more than one dwelling unit" at the beginning and substituting "Except in basements of houses". (See: O. Reg. 139/17, s. 119)
(2) Access required in Sentence (1) is permitted to be provided by a door, window or other means that provides an opening not less than 1 100 mm high and 550 mm wide, the sill height of which shall not be more than 900 mm above the floor.
(3) Access required in Sentence (1) is also permitted to be provided by an interior stair accessible from the outdoorref ="http://thehandyforce.com/doors/" title ="Toronto Door installer">doors.
In Plain Language
Access to basements must meet the requirements set out in this article, ensuring both occupants and firefighters can reach this below-grade space.
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.