The Ontario Building Code | Buildings Containing Impeded Egress Zones
3.2.2.19. buildings Containing Impeded Egress Zones
(1) A building containing an impeded egress zone and conforming to the appropriate requirements of Articles 3.2.2.20. to 3.2.2.83. is not required to conform to the requirements of Articles 3.2.2.36. and 3.2.2.37. for a Group B, Division 1 major occupancy provided,
(a) the buildingis sprinklered,
(b) it is not more than 1 storey in building height,
(c) it does not include,
(i) a contained use area,
(ii) sleeping accommodation,
(iii) a high hazard industrial occupancy, or
(iv) a mercantile occupancy,
(d) the building area is not more than 6 400 m2 if the buildingincludes a medium hazard industrial occupancy,
(e) the impeded egress zone does not extend beyond the boundaries of the fire compartment in which it is located, and
(f) the occupant load of the impeded egress zone is not more than 100.
In Plain Language
A building containing an impeded egress zone can skip some of the usual Group B, Division 1 requirements (Articles 3.2.2.36 and .37) provided it's sprinklered, no more than 1 storey, doesn't include a contained use area, sleeping accommodation, high-hazard industrial or mercantile occupancy, meets an area cap tied to medium-hazard industrial use, and satisfies further conditions on the impeded egress zone itself.
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.