Division B
Acceptable Solutions

Part 9 — Housing and Small Buildings

Section 9.5. Design of Areas and Spaces

9.5.1. General

9.5.1.1. Method of Measurement
1) Intent StatementUnless otherwise indicated herein, dimensions of rooms or spaces shall be measured between finished wall surfaces and between finished floor and ceiling surfaces.
9.5.1.2. Combination Rooms
(See Appendix A.)
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 change beginper centchange end or more of the area of the wall measured on the side of the dependent area.

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

9.5.2. Access for Persons with Disabilities

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9.5.2.1. General
1) Every building shall be designed in conformance with Section 3.8.

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9.5.2.2. Protection on Accessible Floor Areas

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1) Where access is required to any floor area, the requirements in Article 3.8.3.19. shall apply.

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9.5.2.3. Reserved

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9.5.3. Ceiling Heights

9.5.3.1. Ceiling Heights of Rooms or Spaces
1) The ceiling heights change beginand clear heights inchange end rooms or spaces in residential occupancies shall conform to Table 9.5.3.1.

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2) change beginReserved.

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3) Reserved.change end

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4) Intent StatementAreas in rooms or spaces over which ceiling height change beginand clear height arechange end not less than the minimum specified in Table 9.5.3.1. change beginor Sentence (2) or (3)change end shall be contiguous with the entry or entries to those rooms or spaces.
Table 9.5.3.1.
Room Ceiling Heights
Forming part of Sentences 9.5.3.1.(1) and (4)
Room or Space Minimum Ceiling Height, m Minimum Clear Height, m

Minimum Area Over Which Minimum Ceiling Height Shall Be Provided(1)
Living room or space 2.1  

Lesser of area of the space or 10.0 m2
Dining room or space 2.1  

Lesser of area of the space or 5.2 m2
Kitchen or kitchen space 2.1  

Lesser of area of the space or 3.2 m2
Master bedroom or bedroom space 2.1  

Lesser of area of the space or 4.9 m2
Other bedroom or sleeping space 2.1  

Lesser of area of the space or 3.5 m2

Unfinished basement including laundry area therein

  2.0 Clear height under beams and in any location that would normally be used for passage

Bathroom, water-closet room or laundry area above grade

 2.1  

Lesser of area of the space or 2.2 m2
Passage, hall or main entrance vestibule 2.1   Area of the space
Habitable rooms and spaces not specifically mentioned above 2.1  

Lesser of area of the space or 2.2 m2
Notes to Table 9.5.3.1.:
(1) Area of the space shall be measured at floor level.
9.5.3.2. Mezzanines
1) Intent StatementThe ceiling height above and below a mezzanine floor assembly in occupancies other than residential occupancies shall be not less than 2.1 m.
9.5.3.3. Storage Garages
1) Intent StatementThe clear height in a storage garage shall be not less than 2 m.

9.5.4. Hallways

9.5.4.1. Hallway Width
1) Intent StatementThe 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 farthest from the living area, or
ii) in each bedroom served by the hallway.

9.5.5. Doorway Sizes

9.5.5.1. Doorway Opening Sizes
1) Intent StatementExcept as provided in Articles 9.5.5.3., 9.9.6.2. and 9.9.6.3., doorway openings within dwelling units shall be designed to accommodate at least the door sizes given in Table 9.5.5.1. for swing-type and folding doors.
Table 9.5.5.1.
Size of Doors
Forming part of Sentence 9.5.5.1.(1)
At Entrance to:

Minimum Width

Minimum Height

Dwelling unit (required entrance)

810

1 980
Vestibule or entrance hall
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 the basement
Utility rooms
Walk-in closet

610

1 980

Bathroom, water-closet room, shower room(1)

610

1 980

Rooms located off hallways that are permitted to be 710 mm wide

610

1 980
Rooms not mentioned above, exterior balconies

760

1 980
Notes to Table 9.5.5.1.:
(1) See Article 9.5.5.3.

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9.5.5.2. Doorways to Public Water-Closet Rooms
1) Intent StatementDoorways to public water-closet rooms shall be not less than 810 mm wide and 2 030 mm high.
9.5.5.3. Doorways to change beginRooms with a Bathtub, Shower or Water Closetchange end
(See Appendix A.)
1) Intent StatementThis Article applies where a hallway of not less than 860 mm change beginwide serves one or more rooms containing a bathtub, shower or water closet.change end
2) Intent Statementchange beginAt least one doorway in a hallway described in Sentence (1) shall be constructedchange end
a) change beginso that access is provided to not less than 1 of each type of fixture described in Sentence (1), andchange end
b) to accommodate a door not less than 760 mm wide.

9.5.6. change beginAutomatic Overhead Garage Doors

9.5.6.1. Automatic Overhead Garage Doors
1) Automatic overhead garage doors equipped with openers shall be designed in accordance with Articles 3.3.7.6. and 3.3.7.7.change end