What are the aisle requirements for assembly seating in Ontario?
Assembly occupancies with fixed or arranged seating must provide aisles sized for the occupant load, typically at least 1 100 mm where rows are served on both sides, with limits on row length, seat spacing and dead-end aisles, plus steps and handrails on sloped aisles.
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Theatre, arena, worship and lecture-hall layouts live or die on these provisions. Set the seating plan against aisle capacity early, because adding an aisle late removes revenue seats. Check row-to-row clear dimensions with the actual seat product, verify converging aisle capacity at vomitories and cross-aisles, and remember guards at drops beside aisles and at the front of raised platforms. Temporary and non-fixed seating events are also expected to follow arranged-seating rules.
In theatres and halls, the walkways between seats must be wide enough, frequent enough, and short enough that a full audience can file out fast. Rows cannot be too long, and sloped aisles need steps and handrails.
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This page is provided for general information. Building code requirements depend on your specific project, occupancy and municipality, and code editions change. Always verify requirements against the current Ontario Building Code and confirm with your local building department.