When developing tall buildings with multiple floors or retrofitting the existing stairwells, staircases act as one of the primary means of egress in case of emergencies like fire. To ensure the safety of all building occupants, including persons with disabilities, during evacuation, staircases in high-rise buildings across Canada need to adhere to the stringent design and installation standards set out by authorities like the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the National Fire Code of Canada (NFC).
Compliance with AODA and NFC codes related to stairs is mandatory for new construction projects as well as existing buildings undergoing major renovations. Let’s examine some key accessibility and fire code requirements for stairs in tall structures and learn why following codes is critical.
AODA, implemented to achieve barrier-free accessibility in public spaces, sets clear guidelines on stair design elements like treads, risers, handrails, and contrasting colors. For instance, stairs must have:
Uniform riser height between 125-180mm and uniform tread depth between 280-355mm
Contrasting marking (minimum 50mm wide) on top of the nosing
Continuous and easy-to-grip handrails on both sides, mounted 865-925mm above tread nosings
Non-slip tread surfaces able to withstand heavy use
Level or ramped areas at the top and bottom to allow safe maneuvering
Compliance is important to provide independent and dignified mobility for ambulatory persons using mobility aids like wheelchairs, walkers, or canes. It also benefits those with reduced stamina or vision.
The NFC offers minimum requirements to facilitate safe evacuation in case of a fire emergency. Specific stair rules apply to:
Materials, construction joints, and penetrations
Number and capacity of exits based on floor area and occupant load
Travel distance to exits
Width, geometry, and surface properties
Protection with fire-rated enclosure
Illumination during failure of normal lighting
Compliance helps ensure occupants can readily access all stories and move steadily towards exits regardless of the fire conditions below. It also limits the potential for stairs to contribute to smoke and flame spread between floors.
For example, the NFC requires any exit stairs to be designed and constructed as a fire separation with a minimum 1-hour fire-resistance rating if more than 3 stories are connected. It also limits dead-end travel in stairs to 6m and specifies minimum tread width, riser height, and handrail dimensions with attention to safety. Similarly, high-rise buildings with 7 or more floors require the installation of fire-resistant tactile tiles.
The accessibility and fire code requirements jointly promote unhindered and hazard-free stair usage at all times. Specific measures aim to:
Facilitate ambulation for persons with reduced mobility, vision, or endurance
Prevent slipping, tripping, and falls
Maintain structural integrity and separation under fire exposure
Allow rapid evacuation before conditions deteriorate in a fire
Provide multiple independent ways out where higher-risk occupants are present
For existing buildings, facilities need to evaluate staircase design and construction against current accessibility and fire safety standards. Regular inspection and preventative maintenance alone may not be enough to ensure 100% code compliance over the long run.
Deterioration of materials, movement of structures and accumulation of debris can degrade critical elements like treads, nosings and handrails. Changes in tenancy or occupancy may necessitate load assessment. Upgrades may be triggered by significant renovations.
The authority having jurisdiction, like the chief building official or fire marshal, can inspect stairs during regular building reviews. They may also respond to public complaints. Deficiencies found must be rectified according to a compliance order.
Retrofitting non-compliant stairs can be challenging due to dimensional constraints and the need to avoid service disruptions. However, Compliance Solutions Canada offers code-compliant surface-applied stair nosing solutions that can be installed onto stairs of different materials and colors while complying with all safety standards. Their stair nosing products for step edge are available in different sizes for application on stairs with different depths.
The stair nosing can be "glued" or "screwed" directly to existent surfaces, providing a code-compliant upgrade without the need for disruptive construction work. Products like their non-photoluminescent and photoluminescent surface-applied anti-slip strips also provide compliant solutions for marking step edges. Professional engineering advice may still be required for complex upgrade projects, but Tactile Solution Canada's code-compliant tactile solutions offer less disruptive options to achieve compliance.
Our line of products for full compliance and accessible stair landings and safe paths:
Advantage Tactile Systems - Offers tactile indicators made from various durable metals like stainless steel, cast iron and aluminum. Suited for indoor and outdoor use.
Eon Tile - A flexible, durable rubber tactile tile ideally suited for high-traffic indoor areas like airports, stations, malls etc. Offers attention domes and directional bars.
Elan Tile - A premium porcelain tactile tile exceeding durability standards. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Features attention domes.
Armor Tile Tactile System Surface Applied - A vitrified polymer composite tactile tile known for durability and slip-resistance. Available in 10 colors and cuts to size. Meets all accessibility codes.
AccessTile Surface Applied Attention Domes - Slip-resistant truncated dome tiles for outdoor use at curb ramps, crossings, stairways etc. Offered in 8 colors.
AccessTile Surface Applied Wayfinding Bars - Directional bar tiles to guide visually impaired between spaces when used with attention dome tiles. Creates accessible pathways.
All of these glued tactile indicator options are lightweight, easy to install, withstand wear and weathering, and help ensure spaces are accessibility compliant by warning individuals of edges or guiding along safe paths. They can be adhered to existing flooring without disruption.
Due to the different construction eras, some older buildings present unique stair safety issues that are not addressed in current codes. For instance, older stairs tend to have:
Tighter tread dimensions not meeting current minimums
Open risers permitting tools or debris to fall through
Worn metallic nosing treated with paint, hiding the contrasting edge
Concrete treads and landings prone to spalling and exposed rebar
Rusting support structures subject to unexpected failure
Combustible materials in stairwells violating clear height provisions
When planning a building retrofit, full code compliance is expected to the extent feasible. While a senior building official may consider alternatives based on structural constraints, the priority during design and construction should be comprehensive life safety upgrades and prevention of hazards as intended by the relevant building codes. Equivalent structural solutions are only appropriate if they deliver equivalency in actual risk mitigation. Pre-approval of alternative designs may be granted based on thorough risk assessment, but full code compliance should be the goal wherever it can be reasonably achieved given the scope and budget of the retrofit project. Post-construction review by inspectors is aimed at approving work completed, so planning must already incorporate Code requirements to the greatest degree possible.
Building owners are responsible under applicable codes to provide safe, accessible stairways that minimize trip, slip, and fall risks. Key duties include:
Keeping stairs, landings, and adjacent areas free of stored items and clutter that can impede visibility or passage
Promptly repairing any cracked, broken, or otherwise deteriorated treads, nosings, risers, handrails, and railings
Maintaining intact tread nosings and abrasive tread surfaces for slip resistance
Ensuring intact illumination for all stairs and landings, with no dark shadow zones
Cleaning flammable debris and storage from under stair enclosures used for combustibles
Maintaining the required structural integrity of supports, suspension systems, and assemblies
Regularly inspecting for wear, material defects, loose fasteners, barriers and guardrails
Replacing any deteriorated tactile flooring and directional signage
Conducting timely maintenance of door closers, electromagnetic locks, and exit hardware
Ensuring exit stairs remain continuously accessible and not used for other storage or uses
Marking stairs clearly as emergency egress pathways and maintaining requisite clearance
This reinforces the stairs as a fundamental life safety system that must remain functional. Addressing deficiencies promptly protects against tripping or falls that could lead to serious injuries or litigation.
Preventative maintenance schedules allow timely identification and proactive repair of issues before developing into safety concerns. Comprehensive checklists tailored by an occupational health and safety expert aid consistent inspections.
Whether for new construction or existing facilities, building stairs correctly is critical for saving lives in an emergency. Code authorities must enforce requirements to minimize tripping hazards and ensure fast, guided evacuation during fire. Meanwhile, building owners and managers have an ongoing duty to identify and promptly fix any code non-conformities through regular inspection and diligent preventative maintenance. Only through joint compliance efforts will we continue maximizing stairway safety for all building occupants.
At Tactile Solution Canada, our aim is to offer guidance and solutions enabling barrier-free circulation that respects the dignity of all. Get in touch with us today to get help with code-compliant and suitable tactile product for your stairway, hallway, and entry design needs.
