1026 Horizontal Exits — 2025 California Fire Code

[BE] 1026.1 General. Horizontal exits serving as an exit in a means of egress system shall comply with the requirements of this section. A horizontal exit shall not serve as the only exit from a portion of a building, and where two or more exits are required, not more than one-half of the total number of exits or total exit minimum width or required capacity shall be horizontal exits.

Exceptions:

1. Horizontal exits are permitted to comprise two-thirds of the required exits from any building or floor area for occupancies in Group I-2.
2. Horizontal exits are permitted to comprise 100 percent of the exits required for occupancies in Group I-3. Not less than 6 square feet (0.6 m [2] ) of accessible space per occupant shall be provided on each side of the horizontal exit for the total number of people in adjoining compartments.

[BE] 1026.2 Separation. The separation between buildings or refuge areas connected by a horizontal exit shall be provided by a fire wall complying with Section 706 of the California Building Code ; or by a fire barrier complying with Section 707 of the California Build- ing Code or a horizontal assembly complying with Section 711 of the California Building Code, or both. The minimum fire-resistance rating of the separation shall be 2 hours. Opening protectives in horizontal exits shall also comply with Section 716 of the California Building Code . Duct and air transfer openings in a fire wall or fire barrier that serves as a horizontal exit shall also comply with Section 717 of the California Building Code . The horizontal exit separation shall extend vertically through all levels of the building unless floor assemblies have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours and do not have unprotected openings.

Exception: A fire-resistance rating is not required at horizontal exits between a building area and an above-grade pedestrian walkway constructed in accordance with Section 3104 of the California Building Code, provided that the distance between connected buildings is more than 20 feet (6096 mm).

Horizontal exits constructed as fire barriers shall be continuous from exterior wall to exterior wall so as to divide completely the floor served by the horizontal exit.

MEANS OF EGRESS

[BE] 1026.3 Opening protectives. Fire doors in horizontal exits shall be self-closing or automatic-closing when activated by a smoke detector in accordance with Section 716.2.6.6 of the California Building Code . Doors, where located in a cross-corridor condition, shall be automatic-closing by activation of a smoke detector installed in accordance with Section 716.2.6.6 of the California Building Code .

[BE] 1026.4 Refuge area. The refuge area of a horizontal exit shall be a space occupied by the same tenant or a public area and each such refuge area shall be adequate to accommodate the original occupant load of the refuge area plus the occupant load anticipated from the adjoining compartment. The anticipated occupant load from the adjoining compartment shall be based on the capacity of the horizontal exit doors entering the refuge area, or the total occupant load of the adjoining compartment, whichever is less.

[BE] 1026.4.1 Capacity. The capacity of the refuge area shall be computed based on a net floor area allowance of 3 square feet (0.2787 m [2] ) for each occupant to be accommodated therein. Where the horizontal exit also forms a smoke compartment, the capacity of the refuge area for Group I-2, I-3 and R-2.1 occupancies and Group B ambulatory care facilities shall comply with Sections 407.5.3, 408.6.2, 420.6.1, 420.6.2 and 422.3.2 of the California Building Code as applicable.

[BE] 1026.4.2 Number of exits. The refuge area into which a horizontal exit leads shall be provided with exits adequate to meet the occupant requirements of this chapter, but not including the added occupant load imposed by persons entering the refuge area through horizontal exits from other areas. In other than I-3 occupancies, not less than one refuge area exit shall lead directly to the exterior or to an interior exit stairway or ramp.

Exception: The adjoining compartment shall not be required to have a stairway or door leading directly outside, provided that the refuge area into which a horizontal exit leads has stairways or doors leading directly outside and are so arranged that egress shall not require the occupants to return through the compartment from which egress originates.

[BE] 1026.5 Standpipes. Standpipes and standpipe hose connections shall be provided where required by Sections 905.3 and 905.4.

Where a refuge area does not contain a two-way communication system at an elevator landing or within an area of refuge, a two-way communications system shall be installed in an approved location in a public area and shall comply with Sections 1009.8.1, 1009.8.2 and 1009.11.

Exception: Two-way communication systems are not required in Group I-2 and I-3 facilities.