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OBC DIVISION B · PART 3 · SECTION 3.3 — SAFETY WITHIN FLOOR AREAS

When does a room or suite need two egress doorways under the Ontario Building Code?

Two egress doorways are required where a room or suite has an occupant load over 60, exceeds the floor-area limits of Table 3.3.1.5, or where travel distance to the doorway exceeds tabulated limits, with the doorways spaced apart from each other.

Code reference
Every suite and every room not within a suite must have a second egress doorway where the occupant load, floor area or travel distance exceeds tabulated values that vary by occupancy and by whether the building is sprinklered. Where two doorways are required, they must be positioned so that one remains usable if fire blocks the other.
OBC Division B, Article 3.3.1.5.

Paraphrased for clarity — open this provision in the BUILDAiD Library for the exact wording.

What this means in practice

This provision governs inside the suite, before occupants ever reach the public corridor, and it is a frequent stumbling block for large open offices, retail units and industrial bays. Check area and travel distance against the table for the specific occupancy and sprinkler status, then verify the two doorways are adequately separated. Interconnected rooms, storage mezzanines and back-of-house areas often hide long internal travel paths that quietly trigger the second doorway.

Plain language

A big room or unit, or one where people would have to walk a long way to the door, needs two separate ways out, placed far enough apart that one fire cannot block both at once.

Related questions

What fire separation is required between suites in Ontario?What is the minimum corridor width under the Ontario Building Code?How long can a dead-end corridor be under the Ontario Building Code?

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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.