System
Egress capacity
Capex band
$20,000–$180,000
per added exit or widened stair
Requirement basis
NBC 2020 Div. B, 3.4.2 (number of exits, 3.4.2.1) and 3.4.3.2 (egress width)
Inspection
No periodic test — exits must remain unobstructed at all times
Observations
1
append-only series
The number of exits and their aggregate width, sized to the occupant load. Not a product — a capacity the building must physically provide. Every floor area with an occupant load over 60 generally needs at least two independent exits, and aggregate width is sized at 6.1 mm per person on the level and 9.2 mm per person on stairs.
The requirement basis is NBC 2020 Div. B, 3.4.2 (number of exits, 3.4.2.1) and 3.4.3.2 (egress width). Provincial editions adopt or amend the model code, so the clause numbering in force is the one published by the province — the edition named on this page is the one Securlor reads.
Costs are modelled as a national baseline per added exit or widened stair — $20,000 to $180,000, with a mid-band of $60,000 — then scaled by the regional labour index. There is no separate annual monitoring contract for this system.
Maintenance is the other half of ownership: no periodic test — exits must remain unobstructed at all times, under NFC 2020 Div. B, 2.7 (means of egress), tested to Verified during fire inspections. A system that is installed but not inspected is a compliance failure waiting for an inspector to find it.
This page is a planning reference, not a code compliance opinion. The authority having jurisdiction decides what binds a specific building; confirm the requirement and the edition with a qualified professional.
Cost observation series
2026-08-22 · NAT · modelled
$20,000–$180,000 per building
Planning scope — This is a planning scope, not a code compliance opinion. Code interpretation is jurisdictional and enforced by the authority having jurisdiction — a municipal official, not this site. Confirm every requirement against the adopted code edition with a qualified professional before you design, budget or build.
How these figures were produced
- Modelled — Derived arithmetically from observed inputs using the published method; not a market quote.
- Observed — Recorded directly from the cited source series, unadjusted.
When is a egress capacity required?
Every floor area with an occupant load over 60 generally needs at least two independent exits, and aggregate width is sized at 6.1 mm per person on the level and 9.2 mm per person on stairs. Requirement basis: NBC 2020 Div. B, 3.4.2 (number of exits, 3.4.2.1) and 3.4.3.2 (egress width).
What does a egress capacity cost to install?
The modelled national baseline is $20,000–$180,000 per added exit or widened stair, region-adjusted on this page. Actual pricing requires a site review by a licensed contractor.
How often must it be inspected?
No periodic test — exits must remain unobstructed at all times, under NFC 2020 Div. B, 2.7 (means of egress), tested to Verified during fire inspections.
Is this page a substitute for a code consultant?
No. It is a planning reference built from the published model code. The authority having jurisdiction and a qualified professional confirm what your building must do.
Sources
- [1] NBC 2020 Div. B, 3.4.2 (number of exits, 3.4.2.1) and 3.4.3.2 (egress width) — requirement basis
- [2] NFC 2020 Div. B, 2.7 (means of egress) — inspection duty, tested to Verified during fire inspections
- [3] Securlor cost observation series — append-only; every row dated
Not advice — Securlor is a data publisher. Nothing here is professional, financial, legal, or investment advice, and nothing here is an offer or a quote. Figures are indicative benchmarks for comparison and must be confirmed with a qualified professional before you rely on them. About Securlor