Article 9.9.10.1. in the National Building Code (NBC) states:
Interestingly, there is no similar requirement in Part 3. Although this may make sense for taller buildings that are sprinklered, it doesn’t seem to make sense for Part 3 buildings that are not sprinklered and essentially look and feel a lot like a Part 9 building. A colleague suggested it has something to do with the egress requirements being different for Part 3 vs. Part 9.
For example, I am working on a residential apartment building that is only 3-storeys but has a building area of about 700 sq.m so it’s too large to be Part 9. It could fit into Construction Article 3.2.2.52. or 3.2.2.53. meaning no sprinklers required. It seems as though a building like this would benefit greatly from having egress windows in all the bedrooms but they’re not required. Meanwhile, if the building was 100 sq.m smaller, I would need them.
My question is: Are egress windows are not required from bedrooms in unsprinklered Part 3 buildings? Or is this an oversight and inconsistency in the Building Code?
One Response
I would frankly be surprised if the designer didn’t add a firewall to reduce the size of the building – that is the usual solution in my neck of the woods (ontario)