3.3.2.

(1) This Subsection applies to assembly occupancies and to outdoor places of assembly.

(1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2), the seating area of a Group A, Division 1 occupancy shall be separated from adjacent occupancies in the floor area by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h if the occupant load in the seating area exceeds 200.

(2) The fire-resistance rating of the fire separation required by Sentence (1) is permitted to be less than 1 h but not less than 45 min provided the fire-resistance rating required by Subsection 3.2.2. is permitted to be less than 1 h for,

(a) the floor assembly above the floor area, or

(b) the floor assembly below the floor area, if there is no floor assembly above.

(3) If usable space exists under tiers of seats in arena type buildings, a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 45 min shall be provided between the space and the seats or the space shall be sprinklered.

(4) Except as required in Sentences (5), (6) and (7), in an elementary or secondary school, a hazardous classroom shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire-separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than,

(a) 1 h where the building is not sprinklered, or

(b) 30 min where the building is sprinklered.

(5) Except as provided in Sentence (6), in an elementary or secondary school, a hazardous classroom containing an auto repair shop shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire-separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than,

(a) 2 h where the building is not sprinklered, or

(b) 1 h where the building is sprinklered.

(6) In an elementary or secondary school, if there is a group of hazardous classrooms or a group of hazardous classrooms and ancillary rooms of a complementary use, the fire separation required by Sentence (4) or (5) need not be provided within the group but the fire separation is required between the group and the remainder of the building.

(7) In an elementary or secondary school, a hazardous classroom containing a spray painting operation shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than,

(a) 2 h, or

(b) 1 h where the spray painting operation is separated from the classroom by a fire-separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.

(8) Except as required in Sentence (9), in an elementary or secondary school, where the occupant load of a room exceeds 200 persons, the room and any ancillary rooms of a complementary use shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than,

(a) 1 h where the building is not sprinklered, or

(b) 30 min where the building is sprinklered.

(9) A kitchen shall not be located within the fire compartment required in Sentence (8).

(1) Except for the requirements of Article 3.3.2.7. for bench-type seats and except as required or permitted by Sentence (2) and Articles 3.3.2.9. and 3.3.2.10., fixed seats in places of assembly shall be,

(a) attached or secured to the floor, platform or platform riser,

(b) provided with arms and back, and

(c) arranged in rows having an unobstructed passage not less than 400 mm wide measured horizontally between plumb lines from the backs of the seats in one row and the edges of the furthest forward projection of the seats in the next row in the unoccupied position.

(2) For fixed seats with backs and with folding tablet arms, the value of 400 mm required by Clause (1)(c) shall be measured when the tablet arms are in the use position, but is permitted to be measured in the stored position provided,

(a) there are not more than 7 seats between any seat and the nearest aisle,

(b) the seats are located in a lecture hall or an auditorium used for instructional purposes, and

(c) the tablet arm, when raised manually to a vertical position, falls by the force of gravity to the stored position.

(3) Except as permitted by Sentences (4) and (5), aisles shall be located so that there are not more than 7 seats with backs or 20 seats without backs between any seat and the nearest aisle.

(4) The requirements of Sentence (3) do not apply if,

(a) egress doorways are provided to serve both ends of rows of seats,

(b) each doorway referred to in Clause (a) serves not more than 3 rows of seats, and

(c) each row contains not more than 100 seats.

(5) The requirements of Sentence (3) do not apply if,

(a) there are not more than 7 seats between any seat and the nearest aisle, where the seats are served by a single aisle,

(b) there are not more than 20 seats between any seat and the nearest aisle, where the seats are served by two aisles,

(c) each row has an unobstructed passage with minimum width of 400 mm plus 6.1 mm for each additional seat above 16 seats in the row, and

(d) the travel distance is not more than 45 m measured along the path of travel from any seat to an exit or to an egress doorway.

(6) Seating arrangements that do not conform to the requirements of Sentences (3) to (5) are permitted provided the standard of safety is not reduced and the time required for egress is not increased.

(1) Except as required by Articles, 3.3.2.9. and 3.3.2.10., aisles leading to egress doors or exits shall be provided in conformance with Sentences (2) to (27) in places of assembly that contain fixed seats.

(2) In this Subsection, a converging aisle is an aisle into which the occupants of 2 or more aisles converge in travelling to an exit.

(3) An aisle shall terminate at,

(a) a converging aisle,

(b) an egress doorway from the seating area, or

(c) an exit from the seating area.

(4) A converging aisle shall terminate at,

(a) an egress doorway from the seating area, or

(b) an exit from the seating area.

(5) The minimum clear width of aisles shall be not less than 1 100 mm , except that the width is permitted to be reduced to not less than,

(a) 750 mm if serving not more than 60 seats, and

(b) 900 mm if serving seats on one side only.

(6) The minimum clear width of each aisle shall be measured at the point in the aisle furthest from,

(a) an egress doorway referred to in Clause (15)(a),

(b) an exit referred to in Clause (15)(b), or

(c) an exit referred to in Sentence (16).

(7) Except for an aisle serving bleacher seats, where rows of seats discharge into an aisle, the minimum clear width required by Sentence (5) shall be increased by 25 mm for each metre of length of the aisle measured in the direction towards an exit.

(8) The width of a converging aisle shall be not less than the required width of the widest aisle plus 50% of the total required width of the remaining aisles that it serves.

(9) If rows of seats discharge directly into the converging aisle, the width required by Sentence (8) shall be increased by 25 mm for each metre of length of the aisle where the rows of seats discharge into the aisle.

(10) The width of an egress doorway or an exit leading directly from the seating area shall be not less than the required width of the widest aisle or converging aisle plus 50% of the total required width of the remaining aisles and converging aisles that it serves.

(11) The requirements in Sentences (5) to (10) and Sentence (17) do not apply if,

(a) the minimum clear width of an aisle is in accordance with Article 3.3.1.16., but is not less than 900 mm if serving seats on one side only,

(b) the minimum clear width of an aisle is in accordance with Article 3.3.1.16., but is not less than 1 200 mm if serving seats on both sides,

(c) the minimum clear width of a converging aisle is in accordance with Article 3.3.1.16., but not less than the width of the widest aisle leading to the converging aisle,

(d) the minimum clear width of an exit leading directly from the seating area is in accordance with Article 3.4.3.2.v1,

(e) except as provided in Clause (f), the minimum clear width of an egress doorway leading directly from the seating area is in accordance with Article 3.3.1.16., but not less than the required width of the aisle or the converging aisle leading to the doorway, and

(f) if more than one vomitory is provided,

(i) the minimum total clear width of the egress doorways leading from one vomitory is not less than the required width of the aisle or the converging aisle leading to the doorways, and

(ii) the minimum clear width of egress doorways from additional vomitories is in accordance with Article 3.3.1.16.

(12) Except as provided in Sentences (13) and (14), dead-end aisles shall be not more than 6 m long.

(13) Dead-end aisles are permitted to be more than 6 m long, but not more than 10 m long if ,

(a) the seating area is separated from other seating areas and adjacent occupancies, including a corridor serving any seating area, by a fire separation in accordance with Sentences 3.3.2.2. (1) and (2),

(b) the travel distance is not more than 25 m measured along the path of travel from any seat to an exit, to an egress doorway or to an opening into a vomitory,

(c) at least one means of egress, comprising not less than 30 per cent of the required exit capacity, is through an exterior exit, an exit stairway or a corridor not containing an occupancy,

(d) each row served by the dead-end aisle has a minimum unobstructed width of 400 mm plus 6.1 mm for each additional seat above 7 seats in a row, but not more than 550 mm,

(e) the minimum ceiling height above the seating area is 3 m,

(f) the activation of a fire detector or a sprinkler head in the seating area will,

(i) cause the shutdown of the projection system serving the seating area, and

(ii) turn on the normal lighting in the seating area, and

(g) the floor area is sprinklered.

(14) Dead-end aisles are permitted to be more than 10 m long, but not more than 13 m long if,

(a) the seating area is separated from other seating areas and adjacent occupancies, including a corridor serving any seating area, by a fire separation in accordance with Sentences 3.3.2.2. (1) and (2),

(b) the travel distance is not more than 25 m measured along the path of travel from any seat to an exit, to an egress doorway or to an opening into a vomitory,

(c) at least one means of egress, comprising not less than 30 per cent of the required exit capacity, is through an exterior exit, an exit stairway or a corridor not containing an occupancy,

(d) each row served by a dead-end aisle has a minimum unobstructed width of 400 mm plus 6.1 mm for each additional seat above 7 seats in a row, but not more than 550 mm,

(e) the activation of a fire detector or a sprinkler head in the seating area will,

(i) cause the shutdown of the projection system serving the seating area, and

(ii) turn on the normal lighting in the seating area,

(f) a voice communication system is installed in conformance with Article 3.2.4.22.,

(g) a smoke control system is installed to control movement of smoke in the seating area or a smoke exhaust system is provided so that, in the event of detection of smoke by a smoke detector in the seating area, air handling equipment is activated to extract air directly from the seating area at the rate of at least 6 air changes per hour, and

(h) the floor area is sprinklered.

(15) Where a seating area is separated as required by Sentences 3.3.2.2.(1) and (2) or 3.3.2.2.(8), the length of travel by any aisle shall be not more than 45 m measured from the most remote point of the aisle to,

(a) an egress doorway in the required separation, or

(b) an exit leading directly from the seating area.

(16) Where a seating area is not required to be separated by Sentences 3.3.2.2.(1) and (2) or 3.3.2.2.(8), the travel distance shall be not more than 45 m measured from the most remote point of the aisle to an exit.

(17) Side aisles shall be not less than 1 100 mm wide if seating is provided in conformance with Sentence 3.3.2.3.(4).

(18) An aisle that has a slope not more than 1 in 8 shall not be stepped.

(19) An aisle that slopes more than 1 in 8 shall be stepped.

(20) The passageway between rows of seats served by a stepped aisle shall be level at right angles to the line of travel.

(21) The riser of a step in an aisle shall be,

(a) not less than 110 mm high, and

(b) not more than 200 mm high.

(22) Variations are permitted in riser height provided,

(a) the height of adjacent risers does not vary by more than 6 mm, and

(b) the depth of a tread or a platform in the direction of travel is not less than 430 mm.

(23) Steps in an aisle shall,

(a) have a run not less than 230 mm exclusive of nosings,

(b) have a tread depth not less than 250 mm,

(c) extend to the adjacent rows of seats in a manner that will not create a hazard from tripping, and

(d) have a finish on the treads conforming to Sentence 3.4.6.1.(1).

(24) The location of every riser in an aisle shall be made apparent from both directions of travel by strategically placed lighting or contrasting marking stripes.

(25) A platform in an aisle shall be level, except that a slope not more than 1 in 50 is permitted for a platform that is not less than 430 mm deep in the direction of exit travel.

(26) If a step is used at the entry to a row of seats from a stepped aisle, an unobstructed platform not less than 800 mm square shall be provided adjacent to the aisle.

(27) The finish of the surface of a platform in or adjacent to a stepped aisle shall conform to Sentence 3.4.6.1.(1).

(1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2) to (4), a corridor used by the public in an assembly occupancy as an access to exit shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.

(2) The fire-resistance rating of the fire separation required by Sentence (1) is permitted to be less than 1 h but not less than 45 min provided the fire-resistance rating required by Subsection 3.2.2. is permitted to be less than 1 h for,

(a) the floor assembly above the floor area, or

(b) the floor assembly below the floor area, if there is no floor assembly above.

(3) The fire-resistance rating required by Sentence (1) is permitted to be waived if the floor area in which the corridor is located is sprinklered.

(4) The fire separation required by Sentence (1) is permitted to be waived if the distance from any point in the floor area to an exit measured along the path of travel to an exit does not exceed the travel distance permitted by Article 3.4.2.5.

(1) A door equipped with a latching mechanism in an access to exit from a room or suite of assembly occupancy containing an occupant load more than 100 shall be equipped with a device that will release the latch and allow the door to swing wide open when a force not more than that specified in Sentence 3.8.3.3.(7)v1 is applied to the device in the direction of travel to the exit.

(1) If fixed bench-type seats without arms are provided, the seat width per person shall be assumed to be 450 mm.

(2) The centre-to-centre spacing between rows of bench-type seats shall be not less than 760 mm if back rests are provided, and not less than 550 mm if back rests are not provided.

(3) A clear space of not less than 300 mm shall be provided between the back of each seat and the front of the seat immediately behind it.

(1) Except as required by Sentences (2) to (4) for bleacher seats, guards shall be installed in outdoor and indoor places of assembly with fixed seats so that,

(a) at the fascia of every box, balcony or gallery where the seats extend to the edge, the height of guards is not less than,

(i) 760 mm in front of the seats, and

(ii) 920 mm if located at the end of aisles or at the foot of steps,

(b) the height of guards along every cross aisle other than those adjacent to the fascia of every box, balcony or gallery is not less than 660 mm, except that guards need not be provided if the backs of the seats along the front side of the aisle are not less than 600 mm above the floor of the aisle, and

(c) where the seating is arranged in successive tiers and the height of rise between platforms is more than 450 mm, the height of guards is not less than 660 mm along the entire row of seats at the edge of the platform.

(2) The backs and ends of bleacher seats more than 1 200 mm above the ground or floor that are not adjacent to a wall shall be protected with a guard,

(a) not less than 1 070 mm high above an adjacent aisle surface or foot rest, and

(b) not less than 920 mm high above the centre of an adjacent seat board.

(3) If the front of a bleacher is more than 600 mm above the ground or floor, it shall be protected with a guard not less than 840 mm high above the front foot rest.

(4) Openings through any guard that is required by Sentences (2) and (3) shall be of a size that will prevent the passage of a sphere having a diameter more than 300 mm.

(1) A Group A, Division 4 occupancy and each tier or balcony that has a capacity of more than,

(a) 1 000 persons shall have no fewer than 3 separate exits, or

(b) 4 000 persons shall have no fewer than 4 separate exits.

(2) In a Group A, Division 4 occupancy, every seat shall be located so that the travel distance is not more than 45 m measured along the path of travel from the seat to,

(a) the ground,

(b) an exit,

(c) an opening to a passageway leading from the seating area, or

(d) a portal, a vomitory or any other opening through the seating deck structure.

(3) Exits from outdoor stadia or grandstands shall be located not more than 25 m apart.

(4) The capacity of a means of egress for a Group A, Division 4 occupancy shall conform to the requirements of Sentence 3.4.3.2.(3)v1.

(5) Aisles in a Group A, Division 4 occupancy,

(a) shall be located so that there are not more than 20 seats between any seat and the nearest aisle and

(b) shall be not less than 1 200 mm wide, except that an aisle serving less than 60 persons is permitted to be 750 mm wide

(1) Steps provided in aisles of bleachers of the telescopic type shall,

(a) have risers not more than 250 mm high, and

(b) have treads with a run not less than 280 mm.

(2) If the vertical distance between seating platforms in bleachers is more than 280 mm, an intermediate step shall be provided the full width of the aisle and proportioned to provide 2 equal risers between platforms.

(3) If the vertical distance between seating platforms in bleachers is more than 450 mm, 2 intermediate steps shall be provided the full width of the aisle so that there are 3 equal risers between platforms.

(4) If the passageway between rows of seats is not a closed deck, footboards shall be provided so that,

(a) the total width of the footboards shall be not less than three quarters of the centre-to-centre spacing between rows of seats, and

(b) the spacing between footboard members shall be not more than 25 mm.

(5) Openings above footboards and below the seats in rows of bleachers shall be of a size that will prevent the passage of a sphere having a diameter more than 100 mm.

(1) Except as permitted by Sentence (2), a library book storage room that is not normally accessible to the public shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h if it,

(a) is more than 250 m² in area, or

(b) contains book stacks that,

(i) are more than 10 m high, or

(ii) penetrate more than one floor assembly.

(2) The fire separation required by Sentence (1) is not required if the book storage room is sprinklered.

(3) Open book shelves are permitted above and below a mezzanine floor in a library building provided the height of the shelves is not more than 2 100 mm but not more than 75% of the floor-to-ceiling height of the space above or below the mezzanine floor assembly.

(1) A stage for theatrical performances and ancillary spaces, including workshops, dressing rooms and storage areas, shall be sprinklered.

(2) A fire separation with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h shall be provided between a stage for theatrical performances and ancillary spaces, including workshops, dressing rooms and storage areas.

(3) Except as permitted by Sentence (6), a stage for theatrical performances and ancillary spaces, including workshops, dressing rooms and storage areas, shall be separated from the seating area by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, except for a proscenium opening protected with,

(a) a sprinkler deluge system conforming to the requirements of NFPA 13 “Installation of Sprinkler Systems”,

(b) an unframed fire curtain if the opening is not more than 20 m wide, or

(c) a semi-rigid fire curtain if the opening is more than 20 m wide.

(4) A fire curtain required by Sentence (3) shall be of a type designed to close,

(a) automatically upon the actuation of the sprinkler system,

(b) automatically upon actuation of the fire alarm system,

(c) manually by remote control devices located at the curtain control panel and at each side of the stage, and

(d) automatically by heat-actuated devices.

(5) At least 2 vents for the purpose of venting fire and smoke to the outside of a building shall be provided above a stage designed for theatrical performances and shall,

(a) have an aggregate area not less than one eighth of the area of the stage behind the proscenium opening, and

(b) be arranged to open automatically upon actuation of the sprinkler system.

(6) The fire separation referred to in Sentence (3) is not required between a stage and a seating area in a floor area that is sprinklered, provided a sprinkler deluge system is installed at the boundary between the stage and the seating area.

(1) In a Group A, Division 2 occupancy used for the serving of food and beverages, an interior flight of stairs with fewer than 3 risers is permitted provided it,

(a) is not less than 900 mm wide,

(b) is illuminated at all times that occupants are on the premises, and

(c) has a handrail on each side.