Ottawa By-law 2013-416, s. 23 — Property Standards By-law

1) Every dwelling unit shall have a direct egress so as to provide a safe, continuous and unobstructed exit from the interior of the building to the street or grade level. 2) There shall be a secondary means of egress for every dwelling unit located on each floor above the second floor, and for two (2) or more dwelling units or two (2) or more rooming units located in the basement, so as to provide a safe and convenient means of egress in case of an emergency. 3) For the purposes of subsection (2), a window may be used as a secondary means of egress in a unit provided that:

• a) it can be easily opened from the inside without the use of tools;
• b) it has an individual open portion that is a minimum width of 0.56 m (22 in.) and a minimum height of 1 m (3 ft. 3 in.); and
• c) it has a sill no more than 1 m (3 ft. 3 in.) above the floor or permanent access. 4) A secondary means of egress may be required for a dwelling unit or rooming unit if, in the opinion of the Officer, there exists a hazardous condition. 5) A required means of egress shall not pass through an attached or built-in garage or an enclosed part of the dwelling unit. 6) All means of egress shall be,
• a) maintained in good repair; and
• b) free of objects or conditions which constitute an accident or hazard. GUARDS AND HANDRAILS