9.8.3.3. |
"(1) The dwelling unit shall have direct access to at least one means of escape that may be shared if
(a) the means of escape is separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a 30 min fire-resistance rating, (2) Where the means of escape provided by Sentence (1) serves a dwelling unit situated entirely on the third storey, the detached house, semi-detached house or row house shall be equipped with interconnected smoke alarms conforming to Article 9.8.4.1."
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Intent: |
The intent of Subsection 9.8.3 is to ensure that occupants of both dwelling units have at least one safe means of escape in the event of a fire. Article 9.8.3.3. describes the requirements that must be met when both dwelling units share the means of escape.
Sentence (1) permits a dwelling unit situated in the basement, first, second or third storey of a structure regulated under Section 9.8 to have an access to an exit through a fire separated public corridor and/or exit stairwell that is served by one exit, provided the interior finish of the public corridor and exit stairwell does not exceed a flame-spread rating of 150. Sentence (2) imposes an additional requirement for the installation of interconnected smoke alarms to be installed throughout the structure in a situation where the shared means of escape serves a dwelling unit situated entirely on the third storey. The requirements of this Article are intended to be consistent with those requirements for access to exits from dwelling units situated in small buildings regulated under Section 9.5. (see also Intent for 9.5.3.2.).
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Other Resources:
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Commentary On Changes To The Ontario Fire Code Retrofit Section 9.8 (Ontario Regulation 385/94), see also opinion on 9.5.3.2.
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Application:
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| Q1: | Is the following considered a shared means of escape? An exit from a basement dwelling unit that leads up the stairs and out the side door, and the upstairs dwelling unit has a door that opens into that exit from the upstairs kitchen and has the potential to use this exit regardless if it is the principal exit or not. | |
| A1: | This arrangement could be considered a shared means of escape. The owner may choose to upgrade the shared means of escape in order to comply with Sentence 9.8.3.3.(1) or choose to implement one of the other options permitted for compliance under Article 9.8.3.1. |
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| Q2: | Is the following considered a shared means of escape? An apartment situated in the basement has a means of escape consisting of a door that enters into a corridor that provides access for occupants of the basement to exit to the exterior by going through the corridor and up four steps to a side entrance exterior door. This corridor also serves as access for the occupants of both dwelling units to a shared laundry room and service/storage room which is also situated in the basement. The occupants from the upstairs dwelling unit do not have internal access to this corridor. They have to enter this corridor to access the shared laundry and service storage room from the exterior. | |
| A2: | Yes, this corridor would be considered a shared means of escape, because it serves as a means of escape for the basement dwelling unit and may be used as a means of escape by occupants using the laundry or service/storage rooms.
The owner may choose to implement the provisions of Sentence 9.8.3.3.(1) for the shared means of escape, or choose to implement one of the other options permitted for compliance under Article 9.8.3.1. |
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