The Ontario Building Code | Exterior Exit Passageways
3.4.1.5. exterior Exit Passageways
(1) Access to an exterior exit passageway from a floor area shall be through exit doors at the floor level.
(2) Every exterior exit passageway that has a drop of more than 500 mm on any side shall have guardson the open sides not less than 1 070 mm high.
In Plain Language
Access to an exterior exit passageway must be through exit doors at floor level, and if the passageway drops more than 500 mm on any side, it needs guards at least 1,070 mm high to prevent falls.
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.