(1)  Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), every surface to which access is provided for other than maintenance purposes, including but not limited to flights of steps and ramps, exterior landings, porches, balconies, mezzanines, galleries and raised walkways, shall be protected by a guard on each side that is not protected by a wall for the length, where,

Note: On January 1, 2022, Sentence 9.8.8.1.(1) of Division B of the Regulation is amended by striking out “Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), every surface to which access is provided for other than maintenance purposes, including but not limited to flights of steps and ramps” in the portion before Clause (a) and substituting “Except as provided in Sentence (2), every surface to which access is provided, including but not limited to flights, ramps”. (See: O. Reg. 88/19, s. 214 (1))

    (b)   the adjacent surface within 1.2 m from the walking surface has a slope of more than 1 in 2.

    (2)  Guards are not required,

    (a)   at loading docks,

    (b)   at floor pits in repair garages, or

    (c)   where access is provided for maintenance purposes only.

    (3)  When an interior stair has more than two risers or an interior ramp rises more than 400 mm, the sides of the stair or ramp and the landing or floor level around the stairwell or ramp shall be protected by a guard on each side that is not protected by a wall.

Note: On January 1, 2022, Sentence 9.8.8.1.(3) of Division B of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted: (See: O. Reg. 88/19, s. 214 (2))

    (3)  Reserved

    (4)  Doors in buildings of residential occupancy, where the finished floor on one side of the door is more than 600 mm above the floor or other surface or ground level on the other side of the door, shall be protected by,

    (a)   a guard in accordance with this Subsection, or

    (b)   a mechanism capable of controlling the free swinging or sliding of the door so as to limit any clear unobstructed opening to not more than 100 mm.

    (5)  Except as provided in Sentence (6), openable windows in buildings of residential occupancy shall be protected by,

    (a)   a guard in accordance with this Subsection, or

    (b)   a mechanism capable of controlling the free swinging or sliding of the openable part of the window so as to limit any clear unobstructed opening to a size that will prevent the passage of a sphere having a diameter more than 100 mm.

    (6)  Windows need not be protected in accordance with Sentence (5), where,

    (a)   the window serves a dwelling unit that is not located above another suite,

    (b)   the only opening having greater dimensions than those allowed by Clause (5)(b) is a horizontal opening at the top of the window,

    (c)   the top surface of the window sill is located more than 480 mm above the finished floor on one side of the window, or

    (d)   the window is located in a room or space with the finished floor described in Clause (c) located less than 1 800 mm above the floor or ground on the other side of the window.

    (7)  Except as provided in Sentence (8), glazing installed over stairs, ramps and landings that extends to less than 1 070 mm above the surface of the treads, ramp or landing shall be,

    (a)   protected by guards in accordance with this Subsection, or

    (b)   non-openable and designed to withstand the specified lateral loads for guards as provided in Article 4.1.5.14.

    (8)  In dwelling units, glazing installed over stairs, ramps and landings that extends to less than 900 mm above the surface of the treads, ramp or landing shall be,

    (a)   protected by guards in accordance with this Subsection, or

    (b)   non-openable and designed to withstand the specified lateral loads for guards as provided in Article 4.1.5.14.

    (9)  Glazing installed in public areas that extends to less than 1 000 mm from the floor and is located above the second storey in buildings of residential occupancy shall be,

    (a)   protected by guards in accordance with this Subsection, or

    (b)   non-openable and designed to withstand the specified lateral loads for guards as provided in Article 4.1.5.14.

Article 9.8.8.1 Ontario Regulation 332/12 Building Code,   Information published by oncodes.ca for educational purposes only.