3.3.1.16 — Capacity of Access to Exits

(1) Except as provided by Sentences (2) to (4), an automatic sprinkler system shall be designed, constructed, installed and tested in conformance with NFPA 13, “Installation of Sprinkler Systems”. (2) NFPA 13R, “Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Low-Rise Residential Occupancies”, is permitted to be used for the design, construction, installation and testing of an automatic sprinkler system installed in a building, (a) of residential occupancy that does not contain a retirement home and that is not more than 4 storeys in building height, (b) of Group B, Division 3 occupancy that contains sleeping accommodation for not more than 10 persons and not more than six occupants require assistance in evacuation in case of an emergency, (c) that contains a retirement home constructed in accordance with Article 3.2.2.48D., or (d) that contains a retirement home constructed in accordance with Article 3.2.2.48E., where the fire separation required by Sentence 3.3.4.11. (2) on the storey immediately below the roof assembly is continuous to the underside of the roof deck. (3) Except as required by Sentence (9), NFPA 13D, “Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes”, is permitted to be used for the design, construction, installation and testing of an automatic sprinkler system installed in a building of residential occupancy that contains not more than two dwelling units. (4) If a building contains fewer than nine sprinklers, the water supply for these sprinklers is permitted to be supplied from the domestic water system for the building provided the required flow for the sprinklers can be met by the domestic system. (5) If a water supply serves both an automatic sprinkler system and a system serving other equipment, control valves shall be provided so that either system can be shut off independently. (6) Despite the requirements of the standards referenced in Sentences (1) and (2) for the installation of automatic sprinkler systems, sprinklers shall not be omitted in any room or closet in the storey immediately below a roof assembly if the fire-resistance rating of the roof assembly is waived as permitted by Article 3.2.2.17. (7) Despite the requirements of the standards referenced in Sentences (1) and (2) for the installation of automatic sprinkler systems, sprinklers shall be provided for all balconies and decks forming part of a building within the scope of Article 3.2.2.42A., 3.2.2.43A., 3.2.2.49A. or 3.2.2.50A., other than, (a) balconies or decks that are not more than 610 mm in depth measured perpendicular to the exterior wall of the building, or (b) decks on the uppermost roof of the building. (8) Sprinklers in elevator machine rooms shall have a temperature rating not less than that required for an intermediate temperature classification and shall be protected against physical damage. (9) The sprinkler system described in Sentence (3) shall be provided with a minimum 20 min water supply when installed in a retirement home.

(1) Except as permitted by Sentence (3), the minimum aggregate required width of exits serving floor areas intended for assembly occupancies, residential occupancies, business and personal services occupancies, mercantile occupancies, and industrial occupancies shall be determined by multiplying the occupant load of the area served by, (a) 6.1 mm per person for ramps with a slope of not more than 1 in 8, doorways, corridors and passageways, (b) 8 mm per person for a stair consisting of steps whose rise is not more than 180 mm and whose run is not less than 280 mm, or (c) 9.2 mm per person for, (i) ramps with a slope of more than 1 in 8, or (ii) stairs, other than stairs conforming to Clause (b). (2) The minimum aggregate width of exits serving floor areas intended for a care, care and treatment or detention occupancy shall be determined by multiplying the occupant load of the area served by 18.4 mm per person. (3) The minimum aggregate width of means of egress serving a Group A, Division 4 occupancy shall be determined by multiplying the occupant load of the area served by, (a) 1.8 mm per person for, (i) aisles, (ii) stairs other than exit stairs, and (iii) ramps and passageways in vomitories and exits, and (b) 2.4 mm per person for exit stairs. (4) Except as required by Sentence (5), the required exit width need not be cumulative in an exit serving two or more floor areas located one above the other. (5) The required exit width for an exit stair in an assembly hall or theatre serving more than one balcony level shall conform to the appropriate requirements for stairs serving interconnected floor spaces in Article 3.2.8.4. (6) If more than one exit is required, every exit shall be considered as contributing not more than one-half of the required exit width. (7) The width of an exit shall be not less than, (a) 1 100 mm for corridors and passageways, (b) 1 100 mm for ramps not serving patients’ or residents’ sleeping rooms, (c) 1 100 mm for stairs, not serving patients’ or residents’ sleeping rooms, that serve more than two storeys above the lowest exit level or more than one storey below the lowest exit level, (d) 900 mm for stairs, not serving patients’ or residents’ sleeping rooms, that serve not more than two storeys above the lowest exit level or not more than one storey below the lowest exit level, (e) 1 650 mm for stairs and ramps serving patients’ or residents’ sleeping rooms, (f) 1 050 mm for doorways serving patients’ or residents’ sleeping rooms, and (g) 790 mm for doorways not serving patients’ or residents’ sleeping rooms.