Navigate

The British Columbia Building Code | Section 9.9. | Means of Egress Pt 1

Division B: Acceptable Solutions Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings
British Columbia Building Code 2018 Division B
Section 9.9. Means of Egress
9.9.1. General
9.9.1.1. Application
1) Stairways, handrails and guards in a means of egress shall conform to the requirements in Section9.8. as well as
to the requirements in this Section.
9.9.1.2. Fire Protection
1) In addition to the fire protection requirements provided in Subsection9.9.4., flame-spread ratings,
fire-resistance ratings and fire-protection ratings for means of egress shall conform to Section9.10.
9.9.1.3. Occupant Load
1) Except for dwelling units, the occupant load of a floor area or part of a floor area shall be the number of persons
for which such areas are designed, but not fewer than that determined from Table3.1.17.1., unless it can be shown
that the area will be occupied by fewer persons.
2) The occupant load for dwelling units shall be based on 2 persons per bedroom or sleeping area.
9.9.2. Types and Purpose of Exits
9.9.2.1. Types of Exits
1) Except as otherwise provided in 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,
f) a horizontal exit,
g) an interior passageway,
h) an interior ramp, or
i) an interior stairway.
2) Fire escapes shall only be used as exits on existing buildings and shall be designed and installed in conformance
with Subsection3.4.7.
3) Where a horizontal exit is used, it shall conform to Sentence3.4.1.6.(1) and Article3.4.6.10.
9.9.2.2. Purpose of Exits
1) An exit shall be designed for no purpose other than for exiting except that an exit may also serve as an access
to a floor area.
9.9.2.3. Elevators, Slide Escapes and Windows as Means of Egress
1) Elevators, slide escapes and windows shall not be considered as part of a required means of egress.
9.9.2.4. Principal Entrances
1) Except for doors serving a single dwelling unit, at least one door at every principal entrance to a building
providing access from the exterior at ground level shall be designed in accordance with the requirements for exits.
Effective December 10, 2018 to December 11, 2019
Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings Division B: Acceptable Solutions
Division B
9.9.3. Dimensions of Means of Egress
9.9.3.1. Application
1) This Subsection applies to every means of egress except
a) exits that serve not more than one dwelling unit, and
b) access to exits within dwelling units.
9.9.3.2. Exit Width
1) Except for doors and corridors, the width of every exit facility shall be not less than 900mm.
(SeeArticle9.9.6.3. for doors, Article9.8.2.1. for stairs, and Article9.8.5.2. for ramps.)
9.9.3.3. Width of Corridors
1) The width of every public corridor, corridor used by the public, and exit corridor shall be not less than
1 100mm. (Seealso Subsection9.9.5. for obstructions in corridors.)
9.9.3.4. Clear Height
1) Except for stairways, doorways and storage garages, the minimum clear height in exits and access to exits shall
be 2.1m. (SeeArticle9.8.2.2. for stairs, Article9.8.5.3. for ramps, Article9.8.6.4. for landings and Article9.9.6.2.
for doorways.)
2) The clear height in exits and access to exits in storage garages shall be not less than 2m.
9.9.4. Fire Protection of Exits
9.9.4.1. Application
1) Except as provided in Articles9.9.4.4. and9.9.4.6., this Subsection applies to the fire protection of all exits
except exits serving not more than one dwelling unit.
9.9.4.2. Fire Separations for Exits
1) Except as provided in Sentences(2) and(5) and Article9.9.8.5., every exit other than an exterior doorway
shall be separated from each adjacent floor area or from another exit
a) where there is a floor assembly above the floor area, by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less
than that required for the floor assembly above the floor area (seeArticle9.10.9.10.), and
b) where there is no floor assembly above the floor area, by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less
than the greater of
i) that required by Subsection9.10.8. for the floor assembly below, or
ii) 45min.
2) Reserved.
3) A fire separation common to 2 exits shall be smoke-tight and not be pierced by doorways, duct work, piping or
any other opening that may affect the continuity of the separation.
4) A fire separation that separates an exit from the remainder of the building shall have no openings except those
for electrical wiring, noncombustible conduit and noncombustible piping that serve only the exit, and for standpipes,
sprinkler piping, exit doorways and wired glass and glass block permitted in Article9.9.4.3.
5) The requirements in Sentence(1) do not apply to an exterior exit passageway provided the passageway has
not less than 50% of its exterior sides open to the outdoors and is served by an exit stair at each end of the passageway.
9.9.4.3. Wired Glass or Glass Block
(SeeNoteA-3.1.8.19.(1).)
1) This Article applies to wired glass in doors, and wired glass or glass block in sidelights, where these are
installed in fire separations between exit enclosures and floor areas.
Effective December 10, 2018 to December 11, 2019
Division B: Acceptable Solutions Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings
British Columbia Building Code 2018 Division B
2) Except as provided in Sentence(3), the combined area of glazing in doors and sidelights shall not exceed
0.8m
2
.
3) Where an exit enclosure connects with a floor area through an enclosed vestibule or corridor separated from
the floor area by fire separations having not less than a 45min fire-resistance rating, the glazed areas described in
Sentence(1) need not be limited as required in Sentence(2).
9.9.4.4. Openings Near Unenclosed Exterior Exit Stairs and Ramps
1) Unprotected openings in exterior walls of the building shall be protected with wired glass in fixed steel frames or
glass block conforming to Articles9.10.13.5. and9.10.13.7., where
a) an unenclosed exterior exit stair or ramp provides the only means of egress from a suite and is exposed to fire
from unprotected openings in the exterior walls of
i) another fire compartment, or
ii) another dwelling unit, and
b) unprotected openings in the exterior walls of the building are within 3m horizontally and less than 10m below
or less than 5m above the exit stair or ramp.
9.9.4.5. Openings in Exterior Walls of Exits
1) Either openings in exterior walls of an exit or openings in adjacent exterior walls of the building the exit serves
shall be protected with wired glass in fixed steel frames or glass block installed in accordance with Articles9.10.13.5.
and9.10.13.7., where
a) the exit enclosure has exterior walls that intersect the exterior walls of the building at an angle of less than 135°
measured on the outside of the building, and
b) the openings in the exterior walls of the building are within 3m horizontally and less than 2m above the
openings in the exterior walls of the exit.
(SeeNoteA-9.9.4.5.(1).)
9.9.4.6. Openings Near Exit Doors
1) Where an exterior exit door in one fire compartment is within 3 m horizontally of an unprotected opening in
another fire compartment and the exterior walls of these fire compartments intersect at an exterior angle of less than
135°, the opening shall be protected with
a) wired glass in fixed steel frames conforming to Article 9.10.13.5., or
b) glass block conforming to Article 9.10.13.7.
9.9.4.7. Stairways in 2 Storey, GroupD or E Buildings
1) Where a suite
of GroupD or E occup
ancy is located partly on the first storey and partly on the second storey,
stairways serving the second storey of that suite need not be constructed as exit stairs provided,
a) the building is not greater than 2 storeys in building height,
b) the suite is separated from other occupancies by at least a 45min fire separation,
c) the area occupied by the suite is not greater than 100m
2
per storey,
d) the maximum travel distance from any point in the suite to an exterior exit is not greater than 25m,
e) the floor assemblies have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45min or are of noncombustible
construction,and
f) the basement and first storey are separated by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than
45min.
Effective December 10, 2018 to December 11, 2019
Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings Division B: Acceptable Solutions
Division B
9.9.5. Obstructions and Hazards in Means of Egress
9.9.5.1. Application
1) This Subsection applies to obstructions and hazards in every means of egress except those within a dwelling unit
or serving not more than one dwelling unit.
9.9.5.2. Occupancies in Corridors
1) Where a corridor contains an occupancy, the occupancy shall not reduce the unobstructed width of the corridor
to less than the required width of the corridor.
9.9.5.3. Obstructions in Public Corridors
1) Except as permitted in Sentence(2), obstructions located within 1 980mm of the floor shall not project
horizontally more than 100mm into exit passageways, corridors used by the public or public corridors in a manner
that would create a hazard for visually impaired persons travelling adjacent to walls.
2) The horizontal projection of an obstruction referred to in Sentence(1) is permitted to exceed 100mm where
the obstruction extends to less than 680mm above the floor. (SeeNoteA-3.3.1.9.(4).)
9.9.5.4. Obstructions in Exits
1) Except as permitted in Subsection9.9.6. and Article9.8.7.6., no fixture, turnstile or construction shall
project within the required width of an exit.
9.9.5.5. Obstructions in Means of Egress
1) No obstructions such as posts or turnstiles shall be placed so as to restrict the width of a required means of
egress from a floor area or part of a floor area to less than 750mm unless an alternate unobstructed means of egress is
provided adjacent to and plainly visible from the restricted egress.
2) Except as provided in Sentence(3), no obstructions, such as counter gates, that do not meet the requirements
for exit doors, shall be placed in a required means of egress from a floor area or part of a floor area unless an alternate
unobstructed means of egress is provided adjacent to and plainly visible from the restricted egress.
3) Obstructions, such as counter gates, that do not satisfy Sentence(2), are permitted to be placed in a required
means of egress from a part of a floor area in mercantile occupancies and business and personal services occupancies,
provided that the part of the floor area served by the obstructed means of egress is not generally accessible to the public.
9.9.5.6. Mirrors or Draperies
1) No mirror shall be placed in or adjacent to any exit so as to confuse the direction of exit, and no mirror or
draperies shall be placed on or over exit doors.
9.9.5.7. Fuel-Fired Appliances
1) Fuel-fired
appliances shall
not be installed in an exit or corridor serving as an access to exit.
9.9.5.8. Service Rooms
1) Service rooms containing equipment subject to possible explosion, such as boilers designed to operate at a
pressure in excess of 100kPa, and certain types of refrigerating and transformer equipment, shall not be located
under required exits.
9.9.5.9. Ancillary Rooms
1) Ancillary rooms such as storage rooms, washrooms, toilet rooms, laundry rooms and service rooms shall not
open directly into an exit.
Effective December 10, 2018 to December 11, 2019
Division B: Acceptable Solutions Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings
British Columbia Building Code 2018 Division B
9.9.6. Doors in a Means of Egress
9.9.6.1. Obstructions by Doors
1) Except as provided in Sentence(4), obstructions created by doors shall be limited in accordance with
Sentences(2) and(3)
a) at exit doors,
b) at doors that open into or are located within a public corridor, and
c) at doors that open into or are located within another facility that provides access to exit from a suite.
2) When fully open, doors described in Sentence(1) shall not decrease the required exit width by more than
a) 100mm in exit corridors, and
b) 50mm for other exit facilities.
3) The swing of doors described in Sentence(1) shall not reduce the width of the path of travel to less than
a) the required exit width in exit corridors and passageways, and
b) 750mm on exit stairs or landings.
4) Doors serving a single dwelling unit need not comply with Sentences(2) and(3).
9.9.6.2. Clear Opening Height at Doorways
1) Except as provided in Sentences(2) and(3), the clear opening height of doorways shall be not less than
2 030mm high at
a) exit doors,
b) doors that open into or are located within a public corridor, and
c) doors that open into or are located within another facility that provides access to exit from a suite.
2) The clear opening height under door closers and other devices in doorways described in Sentence(1) shall be
not less than 1 980mm.
3) Doorways serving a single dwelling unit need not comply with Sentences(1) and(2). (Seealso
Article9.5.5.1.)
9.9.6.3. Clear Opening Width at Doorways
1) Except as provided in Sentence(4), the clear opening width of doorways shall comply with Sentence(2) at
a) exit doors, and
b) doors that open into or are located within a public corridor or other facility that provides access to exit from
a suite.
2) Doorways described in Sentence(1) shall be
a) not less than 800mm wide where there is only one door leaf,
b) not less than 800mm wide where multiple-leaf doors are installed with only one active leaf having a latching
mechanism described in Article9.9.6.7., and
c) not less than 1 210mm wide where multiple-leaf doors are installed with two active leaves.
3) In doorways described in Sentence(1) that have multiple-leaf doors installed,
a) no active leaf shall be less than 810mm wide where only one leaf is active, and
b) no single leaf shall be less than 610mm wide where two leaves are active.
4) Doorways s
erving a single dwelling unit need not comply with Sentence(2). (Seealso Article9.5.5.1.)
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.
Effective December 10, 2018 to December 11, 2019
Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings Division B: Acceptable Solutions
Division B
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) Movable partitions used to separate a public 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. (SeeNoteA-3.3.1.12.(3).)
5) Exit doors need not conform to Sentences(1) or(2), where
a) the doors serve accessory buildings where life safety is not adversely affected,
b) the doors serve storage garages or other accessory buildings serving not more than one dwelling unit, or
c) the doors
i) serve storage suites of not more than 20m
2
in gross area that are in warehousing buildings of not more
than one storey, and
ii) open directly to the exterior at ground level.
9.9.6.5. Direction of Door Swing
1) Except for doors serving a single dwelling unit, exit doors that are required to swing shall swing in the
direction of exit travel.
2) Doors that open onto a corridor or other facility that provides access to exit from a room or suite having an
occupant load of more than 60persons shall swing on the vertical axis in the direction of exit travel.
3) Doors that divide a corridor that is not wholly contained within a suite shall swing in the direction of exit
travel.
4) Where a pair of doors is installed in a corridor that provides access to exit in both directions, the doors shall
a) swing in opposite directions, with the door on the right-hand side swinging in the direction of exit travel, or
b) swing in both directions.
9.9.6.6. Nearness of Doors to Stairs
1) Except as provided in Sentence(2), the distance between a stair riser and the leading edge of a door during its
swing, except for doors serving a single dwelling unit, shall be not less than 300mm.
2) Where there is a danger of blockage from ice or snow, an exit door, including doors serving a single dwelling
unit, may open onto not more than one step, provided the riser of such a step does not exceed 150mm.
9.9.6.7. Door Latching, Locking and Opening Mechanisms
1) Principal entrance doors, exit doors and doors to suites, including exterior doors of dwelling units, and other
doors in an access to exit shall
a) be openable from the inside or in travelling to an exit without requiring keys, special devices or specialized
knowledge of the door-opening mechanism, or
b) be controlled by electromagnetic locking mechanisms in accordance with Sentence3.4.6.16.(4).
2) Except for doors serving a single dwelling unit, and doors to accessory buildings and to garages serving a single
dwelling unit, door release hardware on doors in a means of egress shall be operable with one hand and the door shall
be openable with not more than one releasing operation. (Seealso Sentence3.8.3.6.(4) and NoteA-3.3.1.13.(4).)
3) Door release hardware on doors in a means of egress shall be installed not more than 1 200mm above the
finished floor.
4)
Except for hotels and motels, a door opening onto a public corridor th
at provides access to exit from suites shall
be designed not to lock automatically if it is equipped with an automatic self-closing device. (SeeNoteA-3.3.4.5.(1).)
9.9.6.8. Effort Required to Open
1) Every exit door, except doors serving a single dwelling unit, 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 to the
door release hardware. (SeeSentence3.8.3.6.(8) for door opening forces in an accessible path of travel.)
Effective December 10, 2018 to December 11, 2019
Division B: Acceptable Solutions Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings
British Columbia Building Code 2018 Division B
9.9.7. Access to Exits
9.9.7.1. Egress from Roof Area, Podiums, Terraces, Platforms and Contained Open Spaces
1) An access to exit shall be provided from every roof intended for occupancy and from every podium, terrace,
platform or contained open space.
2) Where a roof is intended for an occupant load of more than 60 persons, at least 2 separate means of egress shall
be provided from the roof to stairs designed in conformance with the requirements for exit stairs and located remote
from each other.
3) Where a podium, terrace, platform or contained open space is provided, egress requirements shall conform to
the appropriate requirements for rooms or suites in Article9.9.7.4.
9.9.7.2. Means of Egress from Suites
1) Except as required in Sentence9.9.9.3.(1), each suite in a floor area occupied by more than one suite shall have
a) an exterior exit doorway,
b) a doorway to a public corridor, or
c) a doorway to an exterior passageway.
2) Except as provided in Sentences9.9.7.3.(1) and9.9.8.2.(2), from the point where a doorway described in
Clause(1)(b) or(c) enters the public corridor or exterior passageway, it shall be possible to go in opposite directions to
each of 2 separate exits.
9.9.7.3. Dead-End Corridors
1) Except for a dead-end corridor that is entirely within a suite and except as permitted in Sentence9.9.9.2.(1),
a dead-end corridor is permitted provided it is not more than 6m long.
9.9.7.4. Number and Spacing of Egress Doors
1) Except for dwelling units, at least 2 egress doors shall be provided when the area of a room or suite, or the
distance measured from any point within the room or suite to the nearest egress door, exceeds the values in
Table9.9.7.4.
2) Doors required in Sentence(1) shall be spaced so that in the event that one door is made inaccessible by a fire
within such room or suite, the other door will provide safe egress.
9.9.7.5. Independent Access to Exit
1) Required access to exit from suites shall not be through any other dwelling unit, service room or other occupancy.
9.9.7.6. Travel Distance within Rooms and Suites
1) Except for dwelling units, the travel distance from any point within the room or suite to the nearest egress
door shall not exceed the maximum travel
distance in Article9.9.8.2.
Table 9.9.7.4.
Maximum Areas and Travel Distances for Rooms, Suites and Mezzanines with a Single Means of Egress
Forming Part of Sentences 9.9.7.4.(1) and 9.9.8.6.(2)
Occupancy of Room, Suite or Floor Area Maximum Area of Room, Suite or Floor Area, m
2
Maximum Distance to Egress Door, m
Group C (except dwelling units) 100 15
Group D 200 25
Group E 150 15
Group F, Division 2 150 10
Group F, Division 3 200 15
Effective December 10, 2018 to December 11, 2019
Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings Division B: Acceptable Solutions
Division B
9.9.8. Exits from Floor Areas
9.9.8.1. Measurement of Travel Distance
1) Except as provided in Sentences(2) and(3), 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 exit travel.
2) Where a room or suite is separated from the remainder of the floor area by a fire separation having a
fire-resistance rating of at least 45min or, in a sprinklered building, by a fire separation which is not required to have a
fire-resistance rating, the travel distance may be measured from an egress door of the room or suite to the nearest exit.
3) Where a public corridor is not less than 9m wide and conforms to Subclauses3.4.2.5.(1)(d)(i) to(d)(iv), the
travel distance may be determined in accordance with those Subclauses.
9.9.8.2. Number of Required Exits
1) Except as provided in Sentence(2) and Subsection9.9.9., at least 2 exits shall be provided from every floor
area, spaced so that the travel distance to the nearest exit is not more than
a) 40m in the case of business and personal services occupancies,
b) 45m for all occupancies where the floor area is sprinklered, and
c) 30m for all other occupancies.
2) Except as provided in Subsection9.9.9., a single exit is permitted from each storey in buildings of 1 and
2 storeys in building height provided the floor area and travel distance requirements conform to those required in
Article9.9.7.4. and the total occupant load served by an exit facility does not exceed 60persons.
9.9.8.3. Contribution of Each Exit
1) Where more than one exit is required from a floor area, each exit shall be considered as contributing not more
than half the required exit width.
9.9.8.4. Location of Exits
1) Where more than one exit is required from a
floor area, at lea
st 2 exits shall be independent of each other and
be placed remote from each other along the path of travel between them. (SeeNoteA-9.9.8.4.(1).)
9.9.8.5. Exiting through a Lobby
1) Not more than one exit from a floor area above or below the first storey is permitted to lead through a lobby.
2) The lobby referred to in Sentence(1) shall be not more than 4.5m above grade, and the path of travel
through the lobby to the outdoors shall not exceed 15m.
3) The lobby referred to in Sentence(1) shall conform in all respects to the requirements for exits, except that
rooms other than service rooms, storage rooms and rooms of residential or industrial occupancy are permitted to open
directly onto such lobby.
4) Where the lobby referred to in Sentence(1) and adjacent occupancies that are permitted to open into the
lobby are sprinklered, the fire separation between such occupancies and the lobby need not have a fire-resistance rating.
(SeeNoteA-3.4.4.2.(2)(e).)
5) Passenger elevators are permitted to open onto the lobby referred to in Sentence(1) provided the elevator
doors are designed to remain closed except while loading and unloading passengers.
9.9.8.6. Mezzanine Means of Egress
1) Except as permitted by Sentences(2) and(3), the space above a mezzanine shall be served by means of egress
leading to exits accessible at the mezzanine level, on the same basis as floor areas.
2) The means of egress from a mezzanine need not conform to Sentence(1), provided
a) the mezzanine is not required to terminate at a vertical fire separation, as permitted by Sentence9.10.12.1.(2),
b) the occupant load of the mezzanine is not more than 60,
c) the area of the mezzanine does not exceed the area limits stated in Table9.9.7.4., and
Effective December 10, 2018 to December 11, 2019
Division B: Acceptable Solutions Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings
British Columbia Building Code 2018 Division B
d) the distance limits stated in Table9.9.7.4., measured along the path of travel, are not exceeded from any
point on the mezzanine to
i) an egress door serving the space that the mezzanine overlooks if the space is served by a single egress door,
or
ii) an egress stairway leading to an access to exit in the space below if that space is required to be served by
2or more egress doorways in conformance with Sentence9.9.7.4.(1).
3) One of the means of egress from a mezzanine that is not required to terminate at a fire separation, as permitted
by Sentence9.10.12.1.(2), and that exceeds the limits of Sentence(2) is permitted to lead through the room in which
the mezzanine is located, provided all other means of egress from that mezzanine lead to exits accessible at the
mezzanine level.
4) Except as provided in Sentence(2), the maximum travel distance from any point on a mezzanine to the
nearest exit shall be not more than
a) 40m in a business and personal services occupancy,
b) 45m in a floor area that is sprinklered throughout, provided it does not contain a high-hazard industrial
occupancy, or
c) 30m in any floor area not referred to in Clauses(a) or(b).
9.9.9. Egress from Dwelling Units
9.9.9.1. Travel Limit to Exits or Egress Doors
1) Except as provided in Sentences(2) and(3), every dwelling unit containing more than 1 storey shall have exits
or egress doors located so that it shall not be necessary to travel up or down more than 1 storey to reach a level
served by
a) an egress door to a public corridor, enclosed exit stair or exterior passageway, or
b) an exit doorway not more than 1.5m above adjacent ground level.
2) Where a dwelling unit is not located above or below another suite, the travel limit from a floor level in the
dwelling unit to an exit or egress door may exceed 1 storey where that floor level is served by an openable window
a) providing an unobstructed opening of not less than 1m in height and 0.55m in width, and
b) located so that the sill is not more than
i) 1m above the floor, and
ii) 7m above adjacent ground level.
3) The travel limit from a floor level in a dwelling unit to an exit or egress door may exceed 1storey where that
floor level has direct access to a balcony.
9.9.9.2. Two Separate Exits
1) Except as provided in Sentence9.9.7.3.(1), where an egress door from a dwelling unit opens onto a public
corridor or exterior passageway it shall be possible from the location where the egress door opens onto the corridor or
exterior passageway to go in opposite directions to 2 separate exits unless the dwelling unit has a second and separate
means of egress.
9.9.9.3. Shared Egress Facilities
1) A dwelling unit shall be provided with a second and separate means of egress where an egress door from the
dwelling unit opens onto
a) an exit stairway serving more than one suite,
b) a public corridor
i) serving more than one suite, and
ii) served by a single exit,
c) an exterior passageway
i) serving more than one suite,
Effective December 10, 2018 to December 11, 2019
Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings Division B: Acceptable Solutions
Division B
ii) served by a single exit stairway or ramp, and
iii) more than 1.5m above adjacent ground level, or
d) a balcony
i) serving more than one suite,
ii) served by a single exit stairway or ramp, and
iii) more than 1.5m above adjacent ground level.
9.9.10. Egress from Bedrooms
9.9.10.1. Egress Windows or Doors for Bedrooms
1) Except where the suite is sprinklered, each bedroom or combination bedroom shall have at least one outside
window or exterior door openable from the inside without the use of keys, tools or special knowledge and without the
removal of sashes or hardware. (SeeArticle9.5.1.2. and NoteA-9.9.10.1.(1).)
2) The window referred to in Sentence(1) shall
a) provide an unobstructed opening of not less than 0.35 m
2
in area with no dimension less than 380 mm, and
b) maintain the required opening during an emergency without the need for additional support.
(SeeNoteA-9.9.10.1.(2).)
3) Where a window required in Sentence(1) opens into a window well, a clearance of not less than 760mm
shall be provided in front of the window. (SeeNoteA-9.9.10.1.(3).)
4) Where the sash of a window referred to in Sentence(3) swings towards the window well, the operation of the
sash shall not reduce the clearance in a manner that would restrict escape in an emergency.
5) Where a protective enclosure is installed over the window well referred to in Sentence(3), the enclosure shall
be openable from the inside without the use of keys, tools or special knowledge of the opening mechanism.
9.9.11. Signs
9.9.11.1. Application
1) This Subsection applies to all exits except those serving not more than one dwelling unit.
9.9.11.2. Visibility of Exits
1) Exits shall be located so as to be clearly visible or their locations shall be clearly indicated.
2) Where an exit door leading directly to the outside is subject to being obstructed by parked vehicles or storage
because of its location, a visible sign or a physical barrier prohibiting such obstructions shall be installed on the
exterior side of the door.
9.9.11.3. Exit Signs
1) Every exit door shall have an exit sign placed over it or adjacent to it if the exit serves
a) a building that is 3 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) Every exit sign 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 (seeNoteA-3.4.5.1.(2)(c)):
i) E001 emergency exit (left hand),
Effective December 10, 2018 to December 11, 2019
Division B: Acceptable Solutions Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings
British Columbia Building Code 2018 Division B
ii) E002 emergency exit (right hand),
iii) E005 Direction, arrow (90° increments), safe condition, and
iv) E006 Direction, 45° arrow (90° increments), safe condition.
3) Internally illuminated exit signs shall be continuously illuminated and
a) where illumination of the sign is powered by an electrical circuit, conform to CSAC22.2 No.141,
“Emergency Lighting Equipment,” or
b) where illumination of the sign is not powered by an electrical circuit, conform to
CAN/ULC-S572, “Photoluminescent and Self-Luminous Exit Signs and Path Marking Systems.”
4) Externally illuminated exit signs shall be continuously illuminated and conform to CAN/ULC-S572,
“Photoluminescent and Self-Luminous Exit Signs and Path Marking Systems.” (SeeNoteA-3.4.5.1.(4).)
5) The circuitry serving lighting for externally and internally illuminated exit signs shall
a) serve no equipment other than emergency equipment, and
b) be connected to an emergency power supply as described in Sentences9.9.12.3.(2),(3) and(7).
6) Where no exit is visible from a public corridor, from a corridor used by the public, 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 pointer indicating the direction of egress shall be provided.
9.9.11.4. Signs for Stairs and Ramps at Exit Level
1) In buildings that are 3 storeys in building height, any part of an exit ramp or stairway that continues up or down
past the lowest exit level shall be clearly marked to indicate that it does not lead to an exit, if the portion beyond the
exit level may be mistaken as the direction of exit travel.
9.9.11.5. Floor Numbering
1) Arabic numerals indicating the assigned floor number shall be
a) mounted permanently on the stair side of the wall at the latch side of doors to exit stair shafts,
b) not less than 60mm high, raised approximately 0.8mm above the surface,
c) located 1 500mm from the finished floor and not more than 300mm from the door, and
d) contrasting in colour with the surface on which they are applied. (SeeNoteA-3.4.6.19.(1)(d).)
9.9.12. Lighting
9.9.12.1. Application
1) This Subsection applies to the lighting of all means of egress except those within dwelling units.
9.9.12.2. Required Lighting in Egress Facilities
1) Every exit, public corridor or corridor providing access to exit for the public shall be equipped to provide
illumination to an average level of not less than 50lx at floor or tread level and at all points such as angles and
intersections at changes of level where there are stairs or ramps.
2) The minimum value of the illumination required by Sentence(1) shall be not less than 10lx.
9.9.12.3. Emergency Lighting
1) Emergency lighting shall be provided in
a) exits,
b) principal routes providing access to exit in an open floor area,
c) corridors used by the public,
d) underground walkways, and
e) public corridors.
Effective December 10, 2018 to December 11, 2019
Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings Division B: Acceptable Solutions
Division B
2) Emergency lighting required in Sentence(1) shall be provided from a source of energy separate from the
electrical supply for the building.
3) Lighting required in Sentence(1) shall be designed to be automatically actuated for a period of at least
30min when the electric lighting in the affected area is interrupted.
4) Illumination from lighting required in Sentence(1) shall be provided to average levels of not less than 10lx at
floor or tread level.
5) The minimum value of the illumination required by Sentence(4) shall be not less than 1 lx.
6) Where incandescent lighting is provided, lighting equal to 1W/m
2
of floor area shall be considered to meet
the requirement in Sentence(4).
7) Where self-contained emergency lighting units are used, they shall conform to CSAC22.2 No.141,
“Emergency Lighting Equipment.”
Effective December 10, 2018 to December 11, 2019
Part 9 – Housing and Small Buildings Division B: Acceptable Solutions
Division B
2) Emergency lighting required in Sentence(1) shall be provided from a source of energy separate from the
electrical supply for the building.
3) Lighting required in Sentence(1) shall be designed to be automatically actuated for a period of at least
30min when the electric lighting in the affected area is interrupted.
4) Illumination from lighting required in Sentence(1) shall be provided to average levels of not less than 10lx at
floor or tread level.
5) The minimum value of the illumination required by Sentence(4) shall be not less than 1 lx.
6) Where incandescent lighting is provided, lighting equal to 1W/m
2
of floor area shall be considered to meet
the requirement in Sentence(4).
7) Where self-contained emergency lighting units are used, they shall conform to CSAC22.2 No.141,
“Emergency Lighting Equipment.”
Effective December 10, 2018 to December 11, 2019