The Ontario Building Code | Obstructions in Means of Egress
9.9.5.5. Obstructions in Means of Egress
(1) No obstructions such as posts or turnstiles shall be placed so as to restrict the width of a required means of egress from a floor area or part of a floor areato less than 750 mm unless an alternate unobstructed means of egress is provided adjacent to and plainly visible from the restricted egress.
(2) Except as provided in Sentence (3), no obstructions, such as counter gates, that do not meet the requirements for exit doors, shall be placed in a required means of egress from a floor area or part of a floor areaunless an alternate unobstructed means of egress is provided adjacent to and plainly visible from the restricted egress.
(3) Obstructions, such as counter gates, that do not satisfy Sentence (2), are permitted to be placed in a required means of egress from a part of a floor area in mercantile occupancies and business and personal services occupancies, provided that the part of the floor area served by the obstructed means of egressis not generally accessible to the public.
In Plain Language
The broader means of egress, not just exits and corridors, can't contain obstructions as set out in this article, extending the clear-path requirement to the full escape route.
This is a plain-language summary of the 2012/2017 Ontario Building Code text above, for general understanding only and not a substitute for the Code. Always confirm current requirements against the 2024 edition (O.Reg. 163/24) or a qualified professional before construction.