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STW543 - WEEK 1
Design of:
Areas and Spaces
Doors
Windows
Stairs
OBC 9.5 to 9.8

Occupancy Classification
• For the purposes of this course and your project, the
occupancy classification according to the OBC is Group
C - Residential
Table 9.10.2.1.
Occupancy Classifications

Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.2.1.(1)

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3

Item
Group Division Description of Major Occupancies
1. C — Residential occupancies

2. D — Business and personal services occupancies

3. E — Mercantile occupancies

4. F 2 Medium hazard industrial occupancies

5. F 3 Low hazard industrial occupancies (Does not include storage garages serving individual dwelling units)
9.10.2.2. Reserved

Areas and Spaces

• Location of a house on a building lot must meet
local zoning requirements for:
• Height
• Size
• Setbacks from property lines
• Have access to the street
• Space for parking

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Areas and Spaces

9.5.1. General

9.5.1.1. Application

(1) Except as otherwise specified in this Part, this Section applies only to dwelling
units that are intended for use on a continuing or year-round basis as the principal
residence of the occupant.

9.5.1.2. Method of Measurement

(1) Except as otherwise specified in this Part, the areas, dimensions and heights of Method of Measurement
rooms or spaces shall be measured between finished wall surfaces and between
finished floor and ceiling surfaces.

9.5.1.3. Floor Areas

(1) Minimum floor areas specified in this Section do not include closets or built-in
bedroom cabinets unless otherwise indicated.

9.5.1.4. Combination Rooms Combination rooms – see example

(1) Two or more areas may be considered as a combination room if the opening
between the areas occupies the larger of 3 m2 or 40% or more of the wall measured on
the side of the dependent area.

(2) Where the dependent area is a bedroom, direct passage shall be provided
between the two areas.

(3) The opening required in Sentence (1) shall not contain doors or windows.

9.5.1.5. Lesser Areas and Dimensions

(1) Areas of rooms and spaces are permitted to be less than required in this
Section provided it can be shown that the rooms and spaces are adequate for their
intended use, such as by the provision of built-in furniture to compensate for reduced
sizes.

Areas and Spaces

• Combination Rooms Example

Ceiling height = 2.5m

Minimum Required Opening
Living room area= greater of (3m2 or
0.4*2.5m*5m = 5m2)
Therefore, opening should
be at least 5m2 no windows
Opening
and no doors

5m Dining room
(dependant area)

Areas and Spaces

9.5.3. Ceiling Heights - Table 9.5.3.1.
Table 9.5.3.1.
Room Ceiling Heights

Forming Part of Sentences 9.5.3.1.(1) and (2)

Column 1 Column 2
Item
Room or Space Minimum Heights(1)
2 300 mm over at least 75% of the required floor area with a
1. Living room or space, dining room or space, kitchen or kitchen space
clear height of 2 100 mm at any point over the required area
2 300 mm over at least 50% of the required area or 2 100 mm
over all of the required floor area. Any part of the floor
2. Bedroom or bedroom space
having a clear height of less than 1 400 mm shall not be
considered in computing the required floor area
2 100 mm over at least 75% of the basement area except that
3. Basement space under beams and ducts the clearance is permitted to be
reduced to 1 950 mm
2 100 mm in any area where a person would normally be in a
4. Bathroom, water closet room or laundry area above grade
standing position
Passage, hall or main entrance vestibule and finished rooms not
5. 2 100 mm
specifically mentioned above
Notes to Table 9.5.3.1.:
(1)
Area of the space shall be measured at floor level.

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Areas and Spaces

Areas and Spaces

Areas and 9.5.4. Living Rooms or Spaces within Dwelling Units

9.5.4.1. Areas of Living Rooms and Spaces

Spaces (1) Living areas within dwelling units, either as separate rooms or in combination
with other spaces, shall have an area not less than 13.5 m².

(2) Where the area of a living space is combined with a kitchen and dining area, the
living area alone in a dwelling unit that contains sleeping accommodation for not more
than two persons shall be not less than 11 m².

9.5.5. Dining Rooms or Spaces within Dwelling Units

9.5.5.1. Area of Dining Rooms or Spaces

(1) A dining space in combination with other space shall have an area of not less
than 3.25 m².

(2) Dining rooms not combined with other space shall have a minimum area of 7
m².

9.5.6. Kitchens within Dwelling Units

9.5.6.1. Kitchen Areas

(1) Kitchen areas within dwelling units either separate from or in combination with
other spaces, shall have an area of not less than 4.2 m² including the area occupied by
the base cabinets, except that in dwelling units containing sleeping accommodation for
not more than two persons, the minimum area shall be 3.7 m².

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Areas and Spaces

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Areas and Spaces

9.5.7. Bedrooms or Spaces in Dwelling Units and Dormitories

9.5.7.1. Areas of Bedrooms

(1) Except as provided in Articles 9.5.7.2. and 9.5.7.3., bedrooms in dwelling

units shall have an area not less than 7 m² where built-in cabinets are not provided and
not less than 6 m² where built-in cabinets are provided.

9.5.7.2. Areas of Master Bedrooms

(1) Except as provided in Article 9.5.7.3., at least one bedroom in every dwelling
unit shall have an area of not less than 9.8 m² where built-in cabinets are not provided
and not less than 8.8 m² where built-in cabinets are provided.

9.5.7.3. Areas of Combination Bedrooms

(1) Bedroom spaces in combination with other spaces in dwelling units shall have
an area not less than 4.2 m².

9.5.7.4. Areas of Other Sleeping Rooms

(1) Sleeping rooms other than in dwelling units shall have an area not less than 7
m² per person for single occupancy and 4.6 m² per person for multiple occupancy.

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Areas and Spaces

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Areas and Spaces

9.5.9. Bathrooms and Water Closet Rooms

9.5.9.1. Space to Accommodate Fixtures

(1) In every dwelling unit an enclosed space of sufficient size shall be provided to
accommodate a water closet, lavatory and bathtub or shower stall.

9.5.9.2. Doors to Rooms Containing Water Closets

(1) A door shall be provided to each room containing a water closet within
a dwelling unit.

9.5.10. Hallways

9.5.10.1. Hallway Width

(1) The unobstructed width of a hallway within a dwelling unit shall be not less than
860 mm, except that the hallway width is permitted to be 710 mm, where,

(a) there are only bedrooms and bathrooms at the end of the hallway furthest
from the living area, and

(b) a second exit is provided,

(i) in the hallway near the end furthest from the living area, or
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(ii) in each bedroom served by the hallway.
Areas and Spaces
• In summary:
Room Min. Room Area
Living Room 13.5m2 either as a separate room or a
combination room

Dining Room 3.25m2 where the dining room is in combination

with other rooms (eg. kitchen) and 7m2 where
not combined with other rooms

Kitchens 4.2m2 either as a separate room or in

combination with other rooms (eg. Dining room)

Bedrooms 7m2 without built-in cabinets and 6m2 with built

in cabinets

Master 9.8m2 without built-in cabinets and 8.8m2 with

bedrooms built in cabinets

Bathroom Sufficient size to accommodate toilet, sink,

bathtub or shower

9.5.9. Bathrooms and Water Closet Rooms

9.5.9.1. Space to Accommodate Fixtures

(1) In every dwelling unit an enclosed space of sufficient size shall be provided to
accommodate a water closet, lavatory and bathtub or shower stall.
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9.5.9.2. Doors to Rooms Containing Water Closets

Areas
(1) A doorand
shall beSpaces
provided to each room containing a water closet within
a dwelling unit.

9.5.10. Hallways

9.5.10.1. Hallway Width

(1) The unobstructed width of a hallway within a dwelling unit shall be not less than
860 mm, except that the hallway width is permitted to be 710 mm, where,

(a) there are only bedrooms and bathrooms at the end of the hallway furthest
from the living area, and

(b) a second exit is provided,

(i) in the hallway near the end furthest from the living area, or

(ii) in each bedroom served by the hallway.

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Areas and Spaces

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Door Openings **
9.5.11. Doorway Sizes

9.5.11.1. Doorway Opening Sizes

(1) Except as provided in Articles 9.5.11.3., 9.9.6.2. and 9.9.6.3., doorway openings
within dwelling units shall be designed to accommodate at least the door sizes in Table
9.5.11.1. for swing-type doors or folding doors.

Table 9.5.11.1.
Minimum Door Sizes

Forming Part of Sentence 9.5.11.1.(1)

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3

Item
At Entrance to: Minimum Width, mm Minimum Height, mm
1. Dwelling unit (required entrance) 810 1 980
Vestibule or entrance hall
2. Stairs to a floor level that contains a finished space 810 1 980
All doors in at least one line of passage from the exterior to thebasement
Utility rooms
3. Walk-in closet 610 1 980
4. Bathroom, water closet room, shower room(1) 610 1 980
5. Rooms located off hallways that are permitted to be 710 mm wide 610 1 980
6. Rooms not mentioned above, exterior balconies 760 1 980
Notes to Table 9.5.11.1.:
(1)
See Article 9.5.11.3.

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Door Openings

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Windows **
9.7.2.3. Minimum Window Areas

(1) Except as required in Article 9.9.10.1. and Sentence (3), the minimum window
glass area for rooms in buildings of residential occupancy or rooms that are used for
sleeping shall conform to Table 9.7.2.3.

Table 9.7.2.3.
Glass Areas for Rooms of Residential Occupancy

Forming Part of Sentence 9.7.2.3.(1)

Column 2 Column 3
Column 1
Item Minimum Unobstructed Glass Minimum Unobstructed Glass
Location
Area With No Electric Lighting Area With Electric Lighting
1. Laundry, basement recreation room, unfinishedbasement 4% of area served Windows not required
2. Water closet room 0.37 m² Windows not required
3. Kitchen, 10% of area served Windows not required
kitchen space,
kitchen alcove
4. Living rooms and dining rooms 10% of area served 10% of area served
5. Bedrooms and other finished rooms not mentioned above 5% of area served(1) 5% of area served(1)
Notes to Table 9.7.2.3.:
(1)
See Subsection 9.9.10.

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Windows

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Stairs**
• Stairs provide access for people, furniture and
appliances; and must be wide enough and have
sufficient headroom to provide safe passage.
• Falls on stairs are a major source of accidents, and risk
is reduced by strict adherence to code requirements
for the width, rise and run of stairs.
• Open stairs must be surrounded by guards and railings
that meet code requirements for height and lateral
load resistance. Guards must be high enough to keep
adults from falling over them and balusters must be
closely spaced to prevent children from falling
through them.

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9.8.2. Stair Dimensions

Stairs** 9.8.2.1. Stair Width

(1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), required exit stairs and public stairs
serving buildings of residential occupancy shall have a width, measured between wall
faces or guards, of not less than 900 mm.

(2) At least one stair between each floor level within a dwelling unit, and exterior
stairs and required exit stairs serving a singledwelling unit, shall have a width of not less
than 860 mm.

(3) Required exit stairs and public stairs serving buildings of other than residential
occupancy shall have a width of not less than the greater of,

(a) 900 mm, or

(b) 8 mm per person based on the occupant load limits specified in Table
3.1.17.1.

9.8.2.2. Height over Stairs

(1) The clear height over stairs shall be,

(a) measured vertically, over the clear width of the stair, from a straight line
tangent to the tread and landing nosings to the lowest point above, and

(b) not less than,

(i) 1 950 mm for stairs serving a single dwelling unit, and

(ii) 2 050 mm for stairs not serving a single dwelling unit.

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Stairs

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Stairs**

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Stairs

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Stairs**
9.8.4. Step Dimensions

9.8.4.1. Dimensions for Risers

(1) The rise, which is measured as the vertical nosing-to-nosing distance, shall
conform to Table 9.8.4.1.

Table 9.8.4.1.
Rise, Run and Tread Depth for Rectangular Treads

Forming Part of Sentences 9.8.4.1.(1) and 9.8.4.2.(1)

Item Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5 Column 6 Column 7

Stair Type All Steps Rectangular Treads
Rise, mm Run, mm Tread Depth, mm
max. min. max. min. max. min.
1. Service and mezzanines in live/work units(1) no limit 125 355 no limit 355 no limit
2. Private(2) 200 125 355 210 355 235
3. Public(3) 180 125 no limit 280 no limit 280
Notes to Table 9.8.4.1.:
(1)
Service stairs are stairs that serve areas used only as service rooms or service
spaces and stairs that serve mezzanines not exceeding 20 m2 within live/work units.
(2)
Private stairs are interior stairs within dwelling units and exterior stairs serving a
single dwelling unit or a garage that serves a singledwelling unit.
(3)
Public stairs are all stairs not described as service stairs or private stairs.

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Stairs
9.8.3. Stair Configurations

9.8.3.1. Straight and Curved Runs in Stairs

(1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), stairs shall consist of,

(a) straight-runs, or

(b) curved-runs.

(2) Stairs within dwelling units shall consist of,

(a) straight-runs,

(b) curved-runs,

(c) straight-runs with winders, or

(d) straight-runs with curved-runs.

9.8.3.2. Minimum Number of Risers

(1) Except for stairs within a dwelling unit, at least three risers shall be provided in
interior flights.

9.8.3.3. Maximum Height of Stairs

(1) The vertical height between any landings shall not exceed 3.7 m.

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Stairs

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Stairs

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Stairs

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