OBC 2024 Guide: Egress Doorways and Public Corridor Requirements for Ontario Construction

Navigating the 2024 Building Code Compendium is essential for ensuring the safety and legal compliance of any commercial or multi-unit residential project. At empcontracting.ca Inc. your construction contractor in London, Ontario, we prioritize understanding these specific egress and fire separation standards to keep your project on track.

Section 3.3.1.4: Public Corridor Separations and Fire Ratings

Public corridors serve as vital paths of travel and must be protected from the remainder of the storey. According to OBC 3.3.1.4, a fire separation is generally required to have a fire-resistance rating of at least 45 minutes.

Impact of Sprinkler Systems on Fire Separations

The code provides flexibility for modern builds. If a storey is equipped with a full sprinkler system, a fire-resistance rating may not be required for the separation between a public corridor and the rest of the storey, provided the corridor does not serve care, detention, or residential occupancies. This is a critical consideration for cost-effective design in commercial spaces.

Section 3.3.1.5: Requirements for Egress Doorways

For rooms and suites (excluding individual dwelling units), the Ontario Building Code mandates at least two egress doorways under specific conditions to ensure occupant safety in the event of a fire. These conditions include:

• Suites intended for an occupant load of more than 60 people.
• High-hazard industrial occupancies or hazardous rooms larger than 15 m².
• Situations where the travel distance to a single exit exceeds safety limits.

Rooftop Enclosures and Service Spaces

Specialized areas such as rooftop enclosures and service spaces have unique egress needs. Any rooftop enclosure exceeding 200 m² must be provided with at least two means of egress, ensuring personnel servicing equipment have clear access to exit either at the roof level or the storey immediately below.

Ensuring Compliant Suite Access

Each suite within a floor area containing multiple units must provide access to an exterior exit doorway, a public corridor, or an exterior passageway. In most configurations, once an occupant reaches a public corridor, they must be able to travel in opposite directions to reach two separate exits, providing a fail-safe during emergencies.