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

What are the egress requirements for residential suites under the Ontario Building Code?

Each dwelling unit needs egress to a public corridor or exterior, and where the suite spans levels or its egress path is exposed, a second means of escape may be required. Corridor travel from suite doors must reach exits in two directions in most layouts.

Code reference
Residential provisions govern egress from dwelling units, including when a unit needs a second and separate means of egress, such as where an exterior passageway or a shared egress route could be cut off by fire in another suite, and address multi-level units where occupants must travel up or down within the unit to reach the entrance door.
OBC Division B, Subsection 3.3.4.

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

What this means in practice

Two-storey suites, townhouse-style stacked units and units served by exterior galleries deserve close attention, since bedrooms located a storey above the suite entrance can trigger a second egress path or protective measures. Coordinate with door swing and hardware rules, corridor dead-end limits and, in mid-rise wood buildings, balcony egress expectations. Alterations that add lofts or basement bedrooms in existing apartment buildings frequently create hidden non-compliance here.

Plain language

Every apartment needs a safe way out to a hallway or the outdoors, and if bedrooms sit on a different level than the front door, or the escape route could be blocked by a neighbour's fire, a backup way out is needed.

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.