Code Library › Volume 1 › Section 9.10 — Fire Protection
PART 9 — HOUSING AND SMALL BUILDINGSUpdated for the 2024 Ontario Building Code

9.10.20.2.Access to Basements

(1) Except in basements in houses with a secondary suite or basements serving not more than one dwelling unit, each basement that is not sprinklered that exceeds 25 m in length or width shall be provided with direct access to the outdoors to at least one street. (2) Access required in Sentence (1) may 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) may also be provided by an interior stair accessible from the outdoors.
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Code text is reproduced for reference from the Ontario Building Code (O. Reg. 163/24, 2024 Building Code Compendium). This page is provided for general information and is not an official copy. Always verify requirements against the official Ontario Building Code and confirm with your local building department.