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Earlier editions: 20222019

Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS

1003 General Means of Egress — 2025 California Fire Code

California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-09-25 · California

CBSC: official editions, supplements and errata

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

Cite as: 2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) § 1003 · Effective January 1, 2026 · Official source: Building Standards Commission

[BE] 1003.1 Applicability. The general requirements specified in Sections 1003 through 1015 shall apply to all three elements of the means of egress system, in addition to those specific requirements for the exit access, the exit and the exit discharge detailed elsewhere in this chapter.

Exception: Exiting requirements for Fixed Guideway Transit Systems shall be in accordance with Section 443 of the California Build- ing Code.

[BE] 1003.2 Ceiling height. The means of egress shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet 6 inches (2286 mm) above the finished floor.

Exceptions:

  1. Sloped ceilings in accordance with Section 1208.2 of the California Building Code .

10-6 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

MEANS OF EGRESS

  1. Ceilings of dwelling units and sleeping units within residential occupancies in accordance with Section 1208.2 of the Cali- fornia Building Code .

  2. Allowable projections in accordance with Section 1003.3.

  3. Stair headroom in accordance with Section 1011.3.

  4. Door height in accordance with Section 1010.1.1.

  5. Ramp headroom in accordance with Section 1012.5.2.

  6. The clear height of floor levels in vehicular and pedestrian traffic areas of public and private parking garages in accordance with Section 406.2.2 of the California Building Code .

  7. Areas above and below mezzanine floors in accordance with Section 505.2 of the California Building Code . 9. In Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies, the means of egress shall have a ceiling height of not less than 8 feet (2439 mm).

[BE] 1003.3 Protruding objects. Protruding objects on circulation paths shall comply with the requirements of Sections 1003.3.1 through 1003.3.4.

Exception: In Group I-2 occupancies, protruding objects shall not extend more than 12 inches (305 mm) below the minimum ceiling height required by Section 1003.2.

[BE] 1003.3.1 Headroom. Protruding objects are permitted to extend below the minimum ceiling height required by Section 1003.2 where a minimum headroom of 80 inches (2032 mm) is provided over any circulation paths, including walks, corridors, aisles and passageways. In other than Group I-2 occupancies, 50 percent of the ceiling area of a means of egress shall be permitted to be reduced in height by protruding objects.

Exception: Door closers, overhead doorstops, frame stops, power door operators and electromagnetic door locks shall be permitted to project into the door opening height not lower than 78 inches (1980 mm) above the floor.

A barrier shall be provided where the vertical clearance above a circulation path is less than 80 inches (2032 mm) high above the finished floor. The leading edge of such a barrier shall be located 27 inches (686 mm) maximum above the finished floor.

[BE] 1003.3.2 Post-mounted objects. A free-standing object mounted on a post or pylon shall not overhang that post or pylon more than 4 inches (102 mm) where the lowest point of the leading edge is more than 27 inches (686 mm) and less than 80 inches (2032 mm) above the finished floor. Where a sign or other obstruction is mounted between posts or pylons and the clear distance between the posts or pylons is greater than 12 inches (305 mm), the lowest edge of such sign or obstruction shall be 27 inches (686 mm) maximum or 80 inches (2032 mm) minimum above the finished floor or ground.

Exception: These requirements shall not apply to sloping portions of handrails between the top and bottom riser of stairs and above the ramp run.

[BE] 1003.3.3 Horizontal projections. Objects with leading edges more than 27 inches (685 mm) and not more than 80 inches (2030 mm) above the finished floor shall not project horizontally more than 4 inches (102 mm) into the circulation path. Exception: Handrails are permitted to protrude 4 1/2 inches (114 mm) from the wall or guard.

1003.3.3.1 Horizontal projections for Group I-2 occupancies. Structural elements, fixtures or furnishings shall not project hori- zontally from either side more than 1 1/2 inches (38 mm) into the required width of an exit access corridor serving any area caring for one or more nonambulatory or bedridden persons.

Exceptions: 1. Handrails are permitted to protrude 3 1/2 inches (89 mm) from the wall. 2. Alcohol-based hand-rub dispensers are permitted to protrude 4 inches. 3. Manual fire alarm boxes with a protective cover installed are permitted to protrude 4 inches.

[BE] 1003.3.4 Clear width. Protruding objects shall not reduce the minimum clear width of accessible routes as required by Chap- ter 11A or 11B of the California Building Code.

[BE] 1003.4 Slip-resistant surface. Circulation paths of the means of egress shall have a slip-resistant surface and be securely attached.

[BE] 1003.5 Elevation change. Where changes in elevation of less than 12 inches (305 mm) exist in the means of egress, sloped surfaces shall be used. Where the slope is greater than 1 unit vertical in 20 units horizontal (5-percent slope), ramps complying with Section 1012 shall be used. Where the difference in elevation is 6 inches (152 mm) or less, the ramp shall be equipped with either handrails or floor finish materials that contrast with adjacent floor finish materials.

Exceptions:

  1. Steps at exterior doors complying with Section 1010.1.4.
  2. A stair with a single riser or with two risers and a tread is permitted at locations not required to be accessible by Chapter 11A or 11B of the California Building Code, where the risers and treads comply with Section 1011.5, the minimum depth of the tread is 13 inches (330 mm) and not less than one handrail complying with Section 1014 is provided within 30 inches (762 mm) of the centerline of the normal path of egress travel on the stair.
  3. A step is permitted in aisles serving seating that has a difference in elevation less than 12 inches (305 mm) at locations not required to be accessible by Chapter 11A or 11B of the California Building Code, provided that the risers and treads comply with Section 1030.14 and the aisle is provided with a handrail complying with Section 1030.16.

MEANS OF EGRESS

Throughout a story in a Group I-2 occupancy, any change in elevation in portions of the means of egress that serve nonambulatory persons shall be by means of a ramp or sloped walkway.

[BE] 1003.6 Means of egress continuity. The path of egress travel along a means of egress shall not be interrupted by a building element other than a means of egress component as specified in this chapter. Obstructions shall not be placed in the minimum width or required capacity of a means of egress component except projections permitted by this chapter. The minimum width or required capacity of a means of egress system shall not be diminished along the path of egress travel.

[BE] 1003.7 Elevators, escalators and moving walks. Elevators, escalators and moving walks shall not be used as a component of a required means of egress from any other part of the building.

Exception: Elevators used as an accessible means of egress in accordance with Section 1009.4.

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▸Contents — California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)
California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)

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