Section 1104 — MEANS OF EGRESS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS — 2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)

1104.1 General. ¶

1104.1 General. Means of egress in existing buildings shall comply with the minimum egress requirements where specified in Table 1103.1 as further enumerated in Sections 1104.2 through 1104.25, and the building code that applied at the time of construction. Where the provisions of this chapter conflict with the building code that applied at the time of construction, the most restrictive provision shall apply. Existing buildings that were not required to comply with a building code at the time of construction shall comply with the minimum egress requirements where specified in Table 1103.1 as…

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1104.2 Elevators, escalators and moving walks. ¶

1104.2 Elevators, escalators and moving walks. Elevators, escalators and moving walks shall not be used as a component of a required means of egress. Exceptions: 1. Elevators used as an accessible means of egress where allowed by Section 1009.4. 2. Previously approved elevators, escalators and moving walks in existing buildings.

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1104.3 Exit sign illumination. ¶

1104.3 Exit sign illumination. Exit signs shall be internally or externally illuminated. The face of an exit sign illuminated from an external source shall have an intensity of not less than 5 footcandles (54 lux). Internally illuminated signs shall provide equivalent luminance and be listed for the purpose. Exception: Approved self-luminous signs that provide evenly illuminated letters shall have a minimum luminance of 0.06 footlamberts (0.21 cd/m [2] ).

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1104.4 Power source. ¶

1104.4 Power source. Where emergency illumination is required in Section 1104.5, exit signs shall be visible under emergency illumination conditions. Exception: Approved signs that provide continuous illumination independent of external power sources are not required to be connected to an emergency electrical system.

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1104.5 Illumination emergency power. ¶

1104.5 Illumination emergency power. Where means of egress illumination is provided, the power supply for means of egress illumination shall normally be provided by the premises’ electrical supply. In the event of power supply failure, illumination shall be automatically provided from an emergency system for the following occupancies where such occupancies require two or more means of egress: 1. Group A having 50 or more occupants. Exception: Assembly occupancies used exclusively as a place of worship and having an occupant load of less than 300. on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER. �…

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1104.6 Guards. ¶

1104.6 Guards. Guards complying with this section shall be provided at the open sides of means of egress that are more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below. 1104.6.1 Height of guards. Guards shall form a protective barrier not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) high. Exceptions: 1. Existing guards on the open side of exit access and exit stairways and ramps shall be not less than 30 inches (760 mm) high. 2. Existing guards within dwelling units shall be not less than 36 inches (910 mm) high. 3. Existing guards in assembly seating areas. 1104.6.2 Opening limitations. Open guards…

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1104.7 Size of doors. ¶

1104.7 Size of doors. The required capacity of each door opening shall be sufficient for the occupant load thereof and shall provide a minimum clear opening width of 28 inches (711 mm). Where this section requires a minimum clear opening width of 28 inches (711 mm) and a door opening includes two door leaves without a mullion, one leaf shall provide a clear opening width of 28 inches (711 mm). The minimum clear opening height of doorways shall be 80 inches (2032 mm). Exceptions: 1. The minimum and maximum width shall not apply to door openings that are not part of the required means of egress…

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1104.8 Forces to unlatch and open doors. ¶

1104.8 Forces to unlatch and open doors. Forces shall be applied to the latch side. Forces required to unlatch and open doors shall be in accordance with Sections 1104.8.1 and 1104.8.2. 1104.8.1 Unlatching doors. The forces to unlatch doors shall comply with the following: 1. Where door hardware operates by push or pull, the operational force to unlatch the door shall not exceed 15 pounds (67 N). 2. Where door hardware operates by rotation, the operational force to unlatch the door shall not exceed 28 inch-pounds (3.164 N-m). 1104.8.2 Opening doors. The forces to open doors shall comply with…

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1104.9 Revolving doors. Revolving doors shall comply with the following: ¶

1104.9 Revolving doors. Revolving doors shall comply with the following: 1. A revolving door shall not be located within 10 feet (3048 mm) of the foot or top of stairways or escalators. A dispersal area shall be provided between the stairways or escalators and the revolving doors. 2. The revolutions per minute for a revolving door shall not exceed those shown in Table 1104.9. 3. Each revolving door shall have a conforming side-hinged swinging door in the same wall as the revolving door and within 10 feet (3048 mm). Exceptions: 1. A revolving door is permitted to be used without an adjacent…

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1104.10 Stair dimensions for existing stairways. ¶

1104.10 Stair dimensions for existing stairways. Existing stairways in buildings shall be permitted to remain if the rise does not exceed 8 [1] / 4 inches (210 mm) and the run is not less than 9 inches (229 mm). Existing stairways can be rebuilt. Exception: Other stairways approved by the fire code official. 1104.10.1 Dimensions for replacement stairways. The replacement of an existing stairway in a structure shall not be required to comply with the new stairway requirements of Section 1011 where the existing space and construction will not allow a reduction in pitch or slope.

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1104.11 Winders. ¶

1104.11 Winders. Existing winders shall be allowed to remain in use if they have a minimum tread depth of 6 inches (152 mm) and a minimum tread depth of 9 inches (229 mm) at a point 12 inches (305 mm) from the narrowest edge. on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER. � � CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS

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1104.12 Curved stairways. ¶

1104.12 Curved stairways. Existing curved stairways shall be allowed to continue in use, provided that the minimum depth of tread is 10 inches (254 mm) and the smallest radius shall be not less than twice the width of the stairway.

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1104.13 Stairway handrails. ¶

1104.13 Stairway handrails. Stairways shall have handrails on at least one side. Handrails shall be located so that all portions of the stairway width required for egress capacity are within 44 inches (1118 mm) of a handrail. Exception: Aisle stairs provided with a center handrail are not required to have additional handrails. 1104.13.1 Height. Handrail height, measured above stair tread nosings, shall be uniform, not less than 30 inches (762 mm) and not more than 42 inches (1067 mm).

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1104.14 Slope of ramps. ¶

1104.14 Slope of ramps. Ramp runs utilized as part of a means of egress shall have a running slope not steeper than 1 unit vertical in 10 units horizontal (10-percent slope). The slope of other ramps shall not be steeper than 1 unit vertical in 8 units horizontal (12.5percent slope).

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1104.15 Width of ramps. ¶

1104.15 Width of ramps. Existing ramps are permitted to have a minimum width of 30 inches (762 mm) but not less than the width required for the number of occupants served as determined by Section 1005.1. In Group I-2, ramps serving as a means of egress and used for the movement of patients in beds shall comply with Section 1105.6.4. [BE] 1104.16 Fire escape stairways. Fire escape stairways shall comply with Sections 1104.16.1 through 1104.16.6. [BE] 1104.16.1 Existing means of egress. Fire escape stairways shall be permitted in existing buildings but shall not constitute more than 50 percent…

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1104.17 Corridor construction. ¶

1104.17 Corridor construction. Corridors serving an occupant load greater than 30 and the openings therein shall provide an effective barrier to resist the movement of smoke. Transoms, louvers, doors and other openings shall be kept closed or be self-closing. In Group I-2, corridors in areas housing patient sleeping or care rooms shall comply with Section 1105.5. Exceptions: 1. Corridors in occupancies other than in Group H, that are equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system. 2. Corridors in occupancies in Group E where each room utilized for instruction or assembly has…

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1104.18 Dead ends. ¶

1104.18 Dead ends. Where more than one exit or exit access doorway is required, the exit access shall be arranged such that dead ends do not exceed the limits specified in Table 1104.18. Exceptions: 1. 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. 11-16 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER. CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS 2. In existing buildings, existing dead-end corridors shall be permitted to comply with lengths established in…

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1104.19 Exit access travel distance. ¶

1104.19 Exit access travel distance. Exits shall be located so that the maximum length of exit access travel, measured from the most remote point to an approved exit along the natural and unobstructed path of egress travel, does not exceed the distances given in Table 1104.18.

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1104.20 Common path of egress travel. ¶

1104.20 Common path of egress travel. The common path of egress travel shall not exceed the distances given in Table 1104.18.

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1104.21 Stairway discharge identification. ¶

1104.21 Stairway discharge identification. An interior exit stairway or ramp that continues below its level of exit discharge shall be arranged and marked to make the direction of egress to a public way readily identifiable. Exception: Stairways that continue one-half story beyond their levels of exit discharge need not be provided with barriers where the exit discharge is obvious. on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER. CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS

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1104.22 Exterior stairway protection. ¶

1104.22 Exterior stairway protection. Exterior exit stairways shall be separated from the interior of the building as required in Section 1027.6. Openings shall be limited to those necessary for egress from normally occupied spaces. Exceptions: 1. Separation from the interior of the building is not required for buildings that are two stories or less above grade where the level of exit discharge serving such occupancies is the first story above grade. 2. Separation from the interior of the building is not required where the exterior stairway is served by an exterior balcony that connects two…

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1104.23 Minimum aisle width. ¶

1104.23 Minimum aisle width. The minimum clear width of aisles shall comply with the following: 1. Forty-two inches (1067 mm) for stepped aisles having seating on each side. Exception: Thirty-six inches (914 mm) where the stepped aisle serves fewer than 50 seats. 2. Thirty-six inches (914 mm) for stepped aisles having seating on only one side. Exceptions: 1. Thirty inches (760 mm) for catchment areas serving not more than 60 seats. 2. Twenty-three inches (584 mm) between a stepped aisle handrail and seating where a stepped aisle does not serve more than five rows on one side. 3. Twenty inches…

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1104.24 Stairway floor number signs. ¶

1104.24 Stairway floor number signs. Existing stairways shall be marked in accordance with Section 1023.9.

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1104.25 Egress path markings. ¶

1104.25 Egress path markings. Existing high-rise buildings of Group A, B, E, I, M and R-1 occupancies shall be provided with luminous egress path markings in accordance with Section 1025. Exception: Open, unenclosed stairwells in historic buildings designated as historic under a state or local historic preservation program.

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