The Ontario Building Code | Floors of Exterior Passageways
9.10.8.8. floors of exterior Passageways
(1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), the floor assembly of every exterior passageway used as part of a means of egress shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 45 min or be of noncombustible construction.
(2) Nofire-resistance rating is required for floors of exterior passageways serving buildings of Group D, E or F major occupancy that are not more than 2 storeys in building height.
(3) Nofire-resistance rating is required for floors of exterior passageways serving a single dwelling unitwhere no suite is located above or below the dwelling unit.
Note: On July 1, 2017, Sentence 9.10.8.8.(3) of Division B of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted: (See: O. Reg. 139/17, s. 100)
(3) No fire-resistance rating is required for floors of exterior passageways serving,
(a) a houseor an individual dwelling unit in a house, or
(b) an individual dwelling unit in a buildingother than a house where no suiteis located above or below the dwelling unit.
In Plain Language
Floors of exterior passageways have fire-resistance requirements set out in this article, addressing walkways that connect parts of a building or site while exposed to the outdoors.
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.