1024 Exit Passageways — 2025 California Fire Code

[BE] 1024.1 General. Exit passageways serving as an exit component in a means of egress system shall comply with the requirements of this section. An exit passageway shall not be used for any purpose other than as a means of egress and a circulation path.

[BE] 1024.2 Width and capacity. The required capacity of exit passageways shall be determined as specified in Section 1005.1 but the minimum width shall be not less than 44 inches (1118 mm), except that exit passageways serving an occupant load of less than 50 shall be not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in width. The minimum width or required capacity of exit passageways shall be unobstructed.

Exception: Encroachments complying with Section 1005.7.

The clear width of exit passageways in a Group I-2 occupancy used for the movement of beds and litters shall be 44 inches (1118 mm) minimum.

[BE] 1024.3 Construction. Exit passageway enclosures shall have walls, floors and ceilings of not less than a 1-hour fire-resistance rating, and not less than that required for any connecting interior exit stairway or ramp. Exit passageways shall be constructed as fire barriers in accordance with Section 707 of the California Building Code or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711 of the California Building Code, or both.

[BE] 1024.4 Termination. Exit passageways on the level of exit discharge shall terminate at an exit discharge. Exit passageways on other levels shall terminate at an exit.

[BE] 1024.5 Openings. Exit passageway opening protectives shall be in accordance with the requirements of Section 716 of the Cali- fornia Building Code .

Except as permitted in Section 402.8.7 of the California Building Code, openings in exit passageways other than unprotected exterior openings shall be limited to those necessary for exit access to the exit passageway from normally occupied spaces and for egress from the exit passageway.

Where an interior exit stairway or ramp is extended to an exit discharge or a public way by an exit passageway, the exit passageway shall comply with Section 1023.3.1.

Elevators shall not open into an exit passageway.

[BE] 1024.6 Penetrations. Penetrations into or through an exit passageway are prohibited except for the following:

1. Equipment and ductwork necessary for independent ventilation or pressurization.

2. Fire protection systems.

3. Security systems.

4. Two-way communication systems.

5. Electrical raceway for fire department communication.

6. Electrical raceway serving the exit passageway and terminating at a steel box not exceeding 16 square inches (0.010 m [2] ).

7. Structural elements, such as beams or joists, supporting a floor or roof at the top of the exit passageway.

Such penetrations shall be protected in accordance with Section 714 of the California Building Code . There shall not be penetrations or communicating openings, whether protected or not, between adjacent exit passageways.

Exception: Membrane penetrations shall be permitted on the outside of the exit passageway. Such penetrations shall be protected in accordance with Section 714.4.2 of the California Building Code .

MEANS OF EGRESS

[BE] 1024.7 Ventilation. Equipment and ductwork for exit passageway ventilation as permitted by Section 1024.6 shall comply with one of the following:

1. The equipment and ductwork shall be located exterior to the building and shall be directly connected to the exit passageway by ductwork enclosed in construction as required for shafts.
2. Where the equipment and ductwork is located within the exit passageway, the intake air shall be taken directly from the outdoors and the exhaust air shall be discharged directly to the outdoors, or the air shall be conveyed through ducts enclosed in construction as required for shafts.
3. Where located within the building, the equipment and ductwork shall be separated from the remainder of the building, including other mechanical equipment, with construction as required for shafts.

In each case, openings into the fire-resistance-rated construction shall be limited to those needed for maintenance and operation and shall be protected by opening protectives in accordance with Section 716 of the California Building Code for shaft enclosures.

Exit passageway ventilation systems shall be independent of other building ventilation systems.

[BE] 1024.8 Exit passageway exterior walls. Exterior walls of the exit passageway shall comply with Section 705 of the California Building Code . Where nonrated walls or unprotected openings enclose the exterior of the exit passageway and the walls or openings are exposed by other parts of the building at an angle of less than 180 degrees (3.14 rad), the building exterior walls within 10 feet (3048 mm) horizontally of a nonrated wall or unprotected opening shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour. Openings within such exterior walls shall be protected by opening protectives having a fire protection rating of not less than 3/4 hour. This construction shall extend vertically from the ground to a point 10 feet (3048 mm) above the floor of the exit passageway or to the roof line, whichever is lower.

[BE] 1024.9 Standpipes. Standpipes and standpipe hose connections shall be provided where required by Sections 905.3 and 905.4.