The Ontario Building Code | Effort Required to Open
9.9.6.8. Effort Required to Open
(1) Except as required by Sentence 3.8.3.3.(7), every exit door, except doors serving a single dwelling unit, shall be designed and installed so that when the latch is released the door will open in the direction of exit travel under a force of not more than 90 N applied to the door release hardware.
Note: On July 1, 2017, Sentence 9.9.6.8.(1) of Division B of the Regulation is amended by striking out "single dwelling unit" and substituting "houseor an individual dwelling unit". (See: O. Reg. 139/17, s. 96)
9.9.7. Access to Exits
In Plain Language
The amount of physical effort needed to open a door within a means of egress is limited as set out in this article, so the door can be opened by anyone, including someone less physically able, during an emergency.
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.