S-3, r. 2 - Regulation respecting safety in public buildings

Section 12 Disposition versions

2012-09-01

12. Location of means of egress:

(1)  Exits of a floor area shall be:

(a)  as remote from each other as is practicable;

(b)  readily accessible and visible;

(c)  kept in working order and without obstruction;

(d)  clearly indicated by means of easily visible signs with colours that contrast with the field (preferably white in a red field).

This paragraph also applies to the distance covered to get to these exits. The main entrance of the building does not have to be marked.

(2)  While the building is occupied, continuous lighting (artificial or natural) shall be provided:

(a)  for exits and hallways leading directly thereto, to levels of not less than 5 decalux at the floor of exits;

(b)  for signs, to levels of not less than 5 decalux on their surfaces.

(3)  Travel distance must not exceed:

(a)  25 m where hazardous substances are stored, handled or used;

(b)  40 m for office buildings;

(c)  30 m for all other destinations;

(d)  45 m for all floor surfaces protected by automatic fire extinguishers and having uses other than those mentioned in paragraph a.

Except for buildings where hazardous substances are stored, handled or used, it is not necessary to apply subsection 3 if exits are placed on the perimetre of the floor area and if they are separated from one another by at least 60 m measured along this perimetre; however, each main corridor of the floor area must lead directly to an exit.

Moreover, with the exception of sleeping accommodations and high occupant load occupancies, where the floors separating the stories form fire separations having a fire-resistance rating of at least 3/4 of an hour, the travel distances prescribed in paragraphs b and c of this subsection are increased to 45 m, and that prescribed in paragraph d of this subsection is increased to 60 m.

(4)  In buildings subdivided into rooms or suites, the exit doors of the aforesaid rooms or suites may be located in dead-end hallways, provided that:

(a)  in sleeping accommodations, these doors are no more than 6 m from an exit or from another corridor leading directly to 2 opposite exits;

(b)  in other destinations, these doors are no more than 12 m from an exit or another corridor leading directly to 2 opposite exits.

However, the requirements of paragraphs a and b of this subsection do not apply where each room or suite is served by a second means of egress independent from the first.

While the building is occupied, any dead-end hallway shall be illuminated continuously to levels of not less than 5 decalux at the floor.

R.R.Q., 1981, c. S-3, r. 4, s. 12; O.C. 88-91, s. 11.