ARE THE FLOORS IN YOUR BUILDINGS PROPERLY IDENTIFIED?

The buildings we inspect vary in height and layout. However, inside stairwells or corridors, it can sometimes be hard to tell one floor from another, as they often look identical. Imagine, then, what could happen to emergency services moving through your exit stairway to respond quickly and save lives.

Requirements

As part of the signage required in a building, floor designation by numbering must be applied in a specific way and at a specific location in the exit stairwell. The Building Code states:

3.4.6.19. and 9.9.11.5 – Storey numbering

1) Storeys shall be identified by Arabic numerals:

a) permanently fixed to the walls in line with the doors, on the latch side, in exit stairwells;

b) at least 60 mm high and raised approximately 0.8 mm;

c) located 1500 mm above the finished floor and not more than 300 mm from the door; and

d) in a colour that contrasts with the surface on which they are applied.

Sometimes the numbering has been installed directly on the door or on the wall next to the hinges, so it ends up behind the door when it is open. While not a serious non-compliance, this still hides the floor number when the door is operated. The numbering must therefore be moved to the correct location.

Floor identification is also intended to help people with visual impairments find their way. To that end, the Code recommends using white symbols on a black background or black on white to produce maximum contrast.

Although it is not stated explicitly, there is nonetheless some tolerance for small apartment buildings (e.g. three (3) storeys or fewer, with or without a mezzanine) that have a single interior stairwell onto which the unit entrance doors open directly. Since there are no doors leading to common corridors, there is less risk of confusion.

Conclusion

Installing clear, properly placed numbering in your building is not a very costly investment compared to the benefits it can bring to emergency services and people with visual impairments. Make sure you meet the standards or, at the very least, follow good practice in the case of older buildings.

For any questions or information about our services, visit www.nivoex.com.

References:

Quebec Construction Code, Chapter I – Building (NBC 2015, amended) – art. 3.4.6.19. and 9.9.11.5

Quebec Construction Code, Chapter I – Building (NBC 1995, amended) – art. 3.4.6.18. and 9.9.10.9

Note: Municipal regulations may also apply.

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