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Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS

Section 1020 — CORRIDORS

2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California

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

[BE] 1020.1 General. Corridors serving as an exit access component in a means of egress system shall comply with the requirements of Sections 1020.2 and 1020.7.

[BE] 1020.2 Construction. Corridors shall be fire-resistance rated in accordance with Table 1020.2. The corridor walls required to be fire-resistance rated shall comply with Section 708 of the California Building Code for fire partitions.

Exceptions:

  1. A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors in an occupancy in Group E where each room that is used for instruction has not less than one door opening directly to the exterior and rooms for assembly purposes have not less than onehalf of the required means of egress doors opening directly to the exterior. Exterior doors specified in this exception are required to be at ground level.
  2. A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors contained within a dwelling unit or sleeping unit in an occupancy in Groups I-1 and R.
  3. A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors in open parking garages.
  4. A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors in an occupancy in Group B that is a space requiring only a single means of egress complying with Section 1006.2.
  5. Corridors adjacent to the exterior walls of buildings shall be permitted to have unprotected openings on unrated exterior walls where unrated walls are permitted by Table 705.5 of the California Building Code and unprotected openings are permitted by Table 705.9 of the California Building Code . 6. A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors within suites in a Group I-2 constructed in accordance with Section 407.4.4 or 407.4.5 of the California Building Code.

rotected openings on unrated exterior walls where unrated walls are permitted by Table 705.5 of the California Building Code and unprotected openings are permitted by Table 705.9 of the California Building Code . 6. A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors within suites in a Group I-2 constructed in accordance with Section 407.4.4 or 407.4.5 of the California Building Code.

[BE] TABLE 1020.2—CORRIDOR FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING

OCCUPANCY OCCUPANT LOAD
SERVED BY CORRIDOR		 REQUIRED FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING (hours) REQUIRED FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING (hours)
OCCUPANCY OCCUPANT LOAD
SERVED BY CORRIDOR		 Without automatic
sprinkler system		 With automatic
sprinkler system
H-1, H-2, H-3 All Not Permitted 1c
H-4, H-5_, I_ Greater than 30 Not Permitted 1c
A_e_, B, E, F, M, S, U Greater than 30 1 0
R_-1, R-2, R-2.2, R-3d, R-3.1, R-4d_ Greater than 10 Not Permitted 1
I-2a Greater than 6 1 1
I-3,_ R-2.1_ Greater than 6 Not Permitted 1b, c
I-4 All 1 1
a. For requirements for occupancies in Group I-2, see Sections 407.2 and 407.3 of the_California Building Code_.
b. For a reduction in the fire-resistance rating for occupancies in Group I-3, see Section 408.8 of the_California Building Code_.
c. Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 where allowed.
d. Group R-3 and R-4 buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3. See Section 903.2.8 for occupancies where auto-
matic sprinkler systems are permitted in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3.
e._ [SFM]_See Section 1030.

[BE] 1020.2.1 Hoistway protection. Elevator hoistway doors in elevators hoistway enclosures required to be fire-resistance rated shall be protected in accordance with Section 716 of the California Building Code .

Elevator hoistway doors shall also be protected in accordance with Section 3006.2 of the California Building Code .

[BE] 1020.3 Width and capacity. The required capacity of corridors shall be determined as specified in Section 1005.1, but the minimum width shall be not less than that specified in Table 1020.3.

Exception: In Group I-2 occupancies, corridors are not required to have a clear width of 96 inches (2438 mm) in areas where there will not be stretcher or bed movement for access to care or as part of the defend-in-place strategy.

10-44 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

MEANS OF EGRESS

[BE] TABLE 1020.3—MINIMUM CORRIDOR WIDTH

OCCUPANCY MINIMUM WIDTH
(inches)
Any facility not listed below 44
Access to and utilization of mechanical, plumbing or electrical systems or equipment 24
With an occupant load of less than 50 36
Within a dwelling unit 36
In Group E with a corridor having a occupant load of 100 or more 72
In corridors and areas serving stretcher traffic in ambulatory care facilities 72
Group I-2_ and I-3_ in areas where required for bed movement 96
Corridors in Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies serving any area caring for one or more nonambulatory personsa 72
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
a. See California Building Code Section 1224.4.7.1 for Group I-2.

[BE] 1020.4 Obstruction. The minimum width or required capacity of corridors shall be unobstructed.

Exception: Encroachments complying with Section 1005.7.

[BE] 1020.5 Dead ends. Where more than one exit or exit access doorway is required, the exit access shall be arranged such that dead-end corridors do not exceed 20 feet (6096 mm) in length.

Exceptions:

  1. In Group I-3, Condition 2, 3 or 4 occupancies, the dead end in a corridor shall not exceed 50 feet (15 240 mm).

  2. In occupancies in Groups B, E, F, I-1, M, R-1, R-2, R-2.1, R-2.2, S and U, where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, the length of the dead-end corridors shall not exceed 50 feet (15 240 mm).

  3. A dead-end corridor shall not be limited in length where the length of the dead-end corridor is less than 2.5 times the least width of the dead-end corridor.

  4. In Group I-2 occupancies, where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, the length of dead-end corridors that do not serve patient rooms or patient treatment spaces shall not exceed 30 feet (9144 mm).

[BE] 1020.6 Air movement in corridors. Corridors shall not serve as supply, return, exhaust, relief or ventilation air ducts.

Exceptions:

  1. Use of a corridor as a source of makeup air for exhaust systems in small rooms of 30 square feet or less that open directly onto such corridors, including toilet rooms, bathrooms, dressing rooms, smoking lounges and janitor closets, shall be permitted, provided that each such corridor is directly supplied with outdoor air at a rate greater than the rate of makeup air taken from the corridor.
  2. Where located within a dwelling unit, the use of corridors for conveying return air shall not be prohibited.
  3. Where located within tenant spaces of 1,000 square feet (93 m [2] ) or less in area, utilization of corridors for conveying return air is permitted.
  4. Transfer air movement required to maintain the pressurization difference within health care facilities and Group L occu- pancies, in accordance with ASHRAE 170. 5. For health care facilities under the jurisdiction of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD), see the California Mechanical Code.

[BE] 1020.6.1 Corridor ceiling. Use of the space between the corridor ceiling and the floor or roof structure above as a return air plenum is permitted for one or more of the following conditions:

  1. The corridor is not required to be of fire-resistance-rated construction.
  2. The corridor is separated from the plenum by fire-resistance-rated construction.
  3. The air-handling system serving the corridor is shut down upon activation of the air-handling unit smoke detectors required by the California Mechanical Code .
  4. The air-handling system serving the corridor is shut down upon detection of sprinkler water flow where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system.
  5. The space between the corridor ceiling and the floor or roof structure above the corridor is used as a component of an approved engineered smoke control system.

[BE] 1020.7 Corridor continuity. Fire-resistance-rated corridors shall be continuous from the point of entry to an exit, and shall not be interrupted by intervening rooms. Where the path of egress travel within a fire-resistance-rated corridor to the exit includes travel

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

MEANS OF EGRESS

along unenclosed exit access stairways or ramps, the fire-resistance-rating shall be continuous for the length of the stairway or ramp and for the length of the connecting corridor on the adjacent floor leading to the exit.

Exceptions:

  1. Foyers, lobbies or reception rooms constructed as required for corridors shall not be construed as intervening rooms.
  2. Enclosed elevator lobbies as permitted by Item 1 of Section 1016.2 shall not be construed as intervening rooms. 3. [SFM] In fully sprinklered office buildings, corridors may lead through enclosed elevator lobbies if all areas of the building have access to at least one required exit without passing through the elevator lobby.

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▸ Contents — 2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)
2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)
  1. Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
  4. Chapter 4 — EMERGENCY PLANNING AND PREPAREDNESS
  5. Chapter 5 — FIRE SERVICE FEATURES
  6. Chapter 6 — BUILDING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS
  7. Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
  8. Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISH, DECORATIVE MATERIALS AND FURNISHI…
  9. Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
  10. ▸ Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
    Overview
    1. Section 1001 — ADMINISTRATION
    2. Section 1002 — DEFINITIONS
    3. Section 1003 — GENERAL MEANS OF EGRESS
    4. Section 1004 — OCCUPANT LOAD
    5. Section 1005 — MEANS OF EGRESS SIZING
    6. Section 1006 — NUMBERS OF EXITS AND EXIT ACCESS DOORWAYS
    7. Section 1007 — EXIT AND EXIT ACCESS DOORWAY CONFIGURATION
    8. Section 1008 — MEANS OF EGRESS ILLUMINATION
    9. Section 1009 — ACCESSIBLE MEANS OF EGRESS
    10. Section 1010 — DOORS, GATES AND TURNSTILES
    11. Section 1011 — STAIRWAYS
    12. Section 1012 — RAMPS
    13. Section 1013 — EXIT SIGNS
    14. Section 1014 — HANDRAILS
    15. Section 1015 — GUARDS
    16. Section 1016 — EXIT ACCESS
    17. Section 1017 — EXIT ACCESS TRAVEL DISTANCE
    18. Section 1018 — AISLES
    19. Section 1019 — EXIT ACCESS STAIRWAYS AND RAMPS
    20. Section 1020 — CORRIDORS
    21. Section 1021 — EGRESS BALCONIES
    22. Section 1022 — EXITS
    23. Section 1023 — INTERIOR EXIT STAIRWAYS AND RAMPS
    24. Section 1024 — EXIT PASSAGEWAYS
    25. Section 1025 — LUMINOUS EGRESS PATH MARKINGS
    26. Section 1026 — HORIZONTAL EXITS
    27. Section 1027 — EXTERIOR EXIT STAIRWAYS AND RAMPS
    28. Section 1028 — EXIT DISCHARGE
    29. Section 1029 — EGRESS COURTS
    30. Section 1030 — ASSEMBLY
    31. Section 1031 — EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE
    32. Section 1032 — MAINTENANCE OF THE MEANS OF EGRESS
  11. Chapter 11 — CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
  12. Chapter 12 — ENERGY SYSTEMS
  13. Chapter 20 — AVIATION FACILITIES
  14. Chapter 21 — DRY CLEANING
  15. Chapter 22 — COMBUSTIBLE DUST-PRODUCING OPERATIONS
  16. Chapter 23 — MOTOR FUEL-DISPENSING FACILITIES AND REPAIR GARAGES
  17. Chapter 24 — FLAMMABLE FINISHES
  18. Chapter 25 — FRUIT AND CROP RIPENING
  19. Chapter 26 — FUMIGATION AND INSECTICIDAL FOGGING
  20. Chapter 27 — SEMICONDUCTOR FABRICATION FACILITIES
  21. Chapter 28 — LUMBER YARDS AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL, SOLID BIOMASS A…
  22. Chapter 29 — MANUFACTURE OF ORGANIC COATINGS
  23. Chapter 30 — INDUSTRIAL OVENS
  24. Chapter 31 — TENTS, TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT STRUCTURES AND OTH…
  25. Chapter 32 — HIGH-PILED COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE
  26. Chapter 33 — FIRE SAFETY DURING CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION
  27. Chapter 34 — TIRE REBUILDING AND TIRE STORAGE
  28. Chapter 35 — WELDING AND OTHER HOT WORK
  29. Chapter 36 — MARINAS
  30. Chapter 37 — COMBUSTIBLE FIBERS
  31. Chapter 38 — RESERVED
  32. Chapter 39 — PROCESSING AND EXTRACTION FACILITIES
  33. Chapter 40 — STORAGE OF DISTILLED SPIRITS AND WINES
  34. Chapter 41 — TEMPORARY HEATING AND COOKING OPERATIONS
  35. Chapter 48 — MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION STUDIO S…
  36. Chapter 49 — REQUIREMENTS FOR WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE FIRE AR…
  37. Chapter 50 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS—GENERAL PROVISIONS
  38. Chapter 51 — AEROSOLS
  39. Chapter 52 — RESERVED
  40. Chapter 53 — COMPRESSED GASES
  41. Chapter 54 — CORROSIVE MATERIALS
  42. Chapter 55 — CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
  43. Chapter 56 — EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS
  44. Chapter 57 — FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS
  45. Chapter 58 — FLAMMABLE GASES AND FLAMMABLE CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
  46. Chapter 59 — FLAMMABLE SOLIDS
  47. Chapter 60 — HIGHLY TOXIC AND TOXIC MATERIALS
  48. Chapter 61 — LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES
  49. Chapter 62 — ORGANIC PEROXIDES
  50. Chapter 63 — OXIDIZERS, OXIDIZING GASES AND OXIDIZING CRYOGENI…
  51. Chapter 64 — PYROPHORIC MATERIALS
  52. Chapter 65 — PYROXYLIN (CELLULOSE NITRATE) PLASTICS
  53. Chapter 66 — UNSTABLE (REACTIVE) MATERIALS
  54. Chapter 67 — WATER-REACTIVE SOLIDS AND LIQUIDS
  55. Chapter 80 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  56. Appendix Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON US…
  57. Appendix A — BOARD OF APPEALS
  58. Appendix B — FIRE-FLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS
  59. Appendix BB — FIRE-FLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS
  60. Appendix C — FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
  61. Appendix CC — FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
  62. Appendix D — FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS
  63. Appendix E — HAZARD CATEGORIES
  64. Appendix F — HAZARD RANKING
  65. Appendix G — CRYOGENIC FLUIDS—WEIGHT AND VOLUME EQUIVALENTS
  66. Appendix H — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT PLANS AND HAZARDOU…
  67. Appendix I — FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS—NONCOMPLIANT CONDITIONS
  68. Appendix J — BUILDING INFORMATION SIGN
  69. Appendix K — CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING AMBULATORY…
  70. Appendix L — REQUIREMENTS FOR FIREFIGHTER AIR REPLENISHMENT SY…
  71. Appendix M — HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS—RETROACTIVE AUTOMATIC SPRINKL…
  72. Appendix N — INDOOR TRADE SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS
  73. Appendix O — VALET TRASH AND RECYCLING COLLECTION IN GROUP R-2…
  74. Appendix P — TEMPORARY HAUNTED HOUSES, GHOST WALKS AND SIMILAR…
  75. Appendix Q — COMMUNITY WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE (WUI) FIRE HAZ…

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