9.9.2.1 — Types of Exits

(1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2), horizontal exits shall not comprise more than one-half of the required number of exits from any floor area. (2) In a hospital or long-term care home, horizontal exits serving patients’ or residents’ sleeping rooms shall comprise not more than two-thirds of the required number of exits from any floor area. (3) Where an elementary or secondary school is subdivided by a firewall, a horizontal exit shall not serve as an exit but is permitted to serve as an access to exit.

(1) Except in an elementary or secondary school that is subdivided by a firewall, the floor area on each side of a horizontal exit shall be sufficient to accommodate the occupants of both floor areas, allowing not less than 0.5 m2 of clear floor space per person, except that 1.5 m2 shall be provided for each person in a wheelchair and 2.5 m2 for each patient in bed. (2) If vestibules, enclosed balconies or bridges are used as parts of a horizontal exit, their clear width shall be not less than that of the exit doorways opening into them, except that handrails are not permitted to project into this clear width more than 100 mm. (3) In a horizontal exit where there is a difference in level between the connected floor areas, slopes not more than those specified for ramps in Article 3.4.6.7. are permitted to be used. (4) No stairs or steps shall be used at a horizontal exit. (5) If two doors are provided in a horizontal exit that comprises a part of the required number of exits from the floor areas on both sides of the exit, (a) the doors shall be mounted adjacent to each other with the door on the right side in the direction of travel through the horizontal exit swinging in the direction of travel through the horizontal exit, and (b) signs shall be provided on each side of the horizontal exit to indicate the door that swings in the direction of travel from that side. (6) If a horizontal exit utilizes bridges between buildings or outside balconies, the bridges or balconies shall conform to Article 3.2.3.19. (7) Any change in floor level from one side of a horizontal exit to the other side shall not exceed 2 000 mm.