British Columbia Building Code 2006 Division B Part 3 Fire Protection, Occupant Safety and Accessibility Section 3.4 Exits

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1 Div B (4) Minimum Number of Exits BCBC (4) replace - This revision clarifies the intended application to dwelling units rather than floor areas. Div B Means of Egress from Mezzanines BCBC replace - s to this Article address the egress requirements whereby the travel distance from any point on the mezzanine to an egress doorway are along the full path of egress travel and not to a point on the mezzanine as formerly permitted in (2)(d)(ii). There is no logical reason to increase the effective travel distance in the case of two egress doors from the room in which the mezzanine is located. The normal travel distance to one of the egress doors should be the guiding principle and it includes the sloped length down the stairs. The reference to Table A. is maintained even in a sprinklered floor space since the action of the sprinklers is unlikely to occur in the time required to leave the mezzanine; thus there is no consequential benefit of sprinkler installation for this purpose. Div B (2) Distance between Exits BCBC (1) replace - Confusion has arisen from this Sentence since there is always at least one third of the floor area on one side of a fire separation, in fact 99% could be on one side. The change clarifies the intent that at least one third of the floor area is on each side. BC Building Code

2 Div B (1) Location of Exits BCBC (1) replace - Editorial, deleted reference to Sentence (3) since the subject matter of Sentence (3) addresses the contribution to exit width and not travel distance. Delete reference to Sentence (5) in Clause (e) it has been deleted. Location of Exits BCBC (5) delete - During the objective based analysis review it was observed that it is impossible to guarantee that persons other than parking attendants will not have access to upper levels of a storage garage and the provision can inadvertently be misapplied to all storage garages. Besides it is no longer relevant to current parking facilities. Clarifies intent. Div B Principle Entrances add - The nearest (or most familiar) entrance door is often used as an exit in an emergency and should be designed appropriately. This change clarifies the intent regarding the swing of exterior doors that are not needed to satisfy the minimum width or Div B (1) Exit Width Based on Occupant Load BCBC (1) number of exits. The word required has been removed as a qualifier to exits on the basis that any qualifying exit route can be taken into account in addressing exit widths. Div B (1) Exit Width BCBC (1) add - and editorial clarification, add "minimum" in front of "aggregate." BC Building Code

3 Div B (2) Exit Width BCBC (2) add - and editorial clarification, add "minimum" in front of "aggregate" and delete "required" after it. Div B (3) Exit Width BCBC (3) add - and editorial clarification, add "minimum" in front of "aggregate" and delete "required" after it. Div B (6) Exit Width BCBC (2) add - and italicize "protected floor space" as it is now a defined term. Div B (7) Exit Width BCBC (3) add - relocated from (3). Div B (8) Exit Width BCBC (2) replace - The Sentence has been edited to use a Clause structure throughout. The term grade has been replaced by lowest exit level as being more significant in the design of an exit stairway. The minimum doorway width has been increased from 790 mm to 800 mm for consistency with minimum width in an accessible path of travel. The minimum width of ramps is mm. Div B (3) Exit Width Reduction BCBC (2) replace - Editorial change to recognize that there are sliding as well as swinging doors. The permissible reduction in width for door leaves has been deleted because the minimum widths are based on barrier-free movement and for this purpose no reduction should be permitted. Div B (2) Headroom Clearance BCBC (2) replace - The previous reduction in headroom permitted for stairs did not recognize that a tall person is unable to easily duck a low ceiling compared to the head of a doorway. BC Building Code

4 Div B (3) Headroom Clearance BCBC (3) replace - Editorial change to include reference to exception in Sentence (4). Div B (2)(e)(iv) Exits through Lobbies add - Previous Codes did not allow an elevator to open onto an exit lobby described in Sentence (2). However, this has been common practice and to date there have been no problems reported as a result of this practice. This change will allow the continuation of the practice of having the elevator entrance open into the lobby. Div B (1) Exit signage BCBC (1) replace - Clarifies the intent. Identifying which doors are designed for exiting makes it easier under the Fire Code to develop the fire safety plan and ensure that locking devices, etc., comply with the intent of the Code. Div B (6) Exit signage BCBC (6) replace - Deleted "and except for the main entrance door." There is no reason to omit exit signs over the main entrance to the room. Div B (1) Div B (5) Signs for Basement Stairs and Ramps Landings and Maximum Vertical Rise of Stair Flights BCBC (1) BCBC (5) replace - The change provides clear indication that a ramp or stair does not lead to an exit regardless of whether one is proceeding down or up a stair or ramp. replace - Clarification that landings are required for ramps. Div B (1) Handrails BCBC (1) replace - The change deletes reference to ramps and restricts this Sentence to stairways on the basis of a new Sentence (11) to address ramps. BC Building Code

5 Div B (3)(a) & (b) Handrails BCBC (3)(a) & (b) replace - In the 1998 Code the upper limit of handrail size is too difficult for some persons to adequately grasp. The change harmonizes with the intent of CSA B651 and USA values for persons with difficulty in use of hands to grasp a large object. Div B (5) Handrails BCBC (5) replace - Editorial clarification to include ramps. Div B (8) Handrails BCBC (8) replace - Revision of dimensions to provide a handrail design more compatible with the needs of persons with joint mobility problems. Div B (10) Handrails add - The 1998 permission of Sentence (1) to install a single handrail on a ramp does not address the difficulties for a person in a wheelchair with limited use of one side when the handrail is on that side. Div B (4) Guards BCBC (4) replace - Editorial change to make reference to surface of landings as well as changing 10 m to 6 m for consistency with Part 4 for the height at which increased wind effects would affect the safety of a person using the stair. Div B (3)(a) Treads and Risers BCBC (3)(a) replace - Harmonize nosing radius or bevel with NBC. BC Building Code

6 Div B (5) Treads and Risers BCBC (5) replace - Add exemption for exit stairs which are not normally used for access between floors by persons not familiar with the building. Div B (6) Treads and Risers add - New Sentence permits the use of currently manufactured resilient stair tread nosings that should blunt the impact of a person falling against the leading edge of a stair. BC Building Code