Section 1006
California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) · 2019 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California
CBSC: official editions, supplements and errata
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
NUMBERS OF EXITS AND EXIT ACCESS DOORWAYS
[BE] 1006.1 General. The number of exits or exit access doorways required within the means of egress system shall comply with the provisions of Section 1006.2 for spaces, including mezzanines, and Section 1006.3 for stories or occupied roofs.
[BE] 1006.2 Egress from spaces. Rooms, areas or spaces, including mezzanines, within a story or basement shall be
provided with the number of exits or access to exits in accordance with this section.
[BE] 1006.2.1 Egress based on occupant load and com- mon path of egress travel distance. Two exits or exit access doorways from any space shall be provided where the design occupant load or the common path of egress travel distance exceeds the values listed in Table 1006.2.1. The cumulative occupant load from adjacent rooms, areas or spaces shall be determined in accordance with Section 1004.2.
Exceptions:
The number of exits from foyers, lobbies, vestibules or similar spaces need not be based on cumulative occupant loads for areas discharging through such spaces, but the capacity of the exits from such spaces shall be based on applicable cumulative occupant loads.
Rooms and c are suites in Group I-2 and I-2.1 occupancies complying with Section 407.4 of the California Building Code .
3. In detention and correctional facilities and hold- ing cells, such as are found in courthouse build- ings, when the occupant load is more than 20 see Section 408.3.11 of the California Building Code.
[BE] 1006.2.1.1 Three or more exits or exit access doorways. Three exits or exit access doorways shall be provided from any space with an occupant load of 501 to 1,000. Four exits or exit access doorways shall be provided from any space with an occupant load greater than 1,000.
[BE] 1006.2.2 Egress based on use. The numbers of exits or access to exits shall be provided in the uses described in Sections 1006.2.2.1 through 1006.2.2.6.
[BE] 1006.2.2.1 Boiler, incinerator and furnace rooms. Two exit access doorways are required in boiler, incinerator and furnace rooms where the area is over 500 square feet (46 m 2 ) and any fuel-fired equipment exceeds 400,000 British thermal units (Btu) (422 000 KJ) input capacity. Where two exit access doorways are required, one is permitted to be a fixed ladder or an alternating tread device. Exit access doorways shall be separated by a horizontal distance equal to onehalf the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the room.
[BE] 1006.2.2.2 Refrigeration machinery rooms. Machinery rooms larger than 1,000 square feet (93 m 2 ) shall have not less than two exits or exit access doorways. Where two exit access doorways are required, one such doorway is permitted to be served by a fixed ladder or an alternating tread device. Exit access doorways shall be separated by a horizontal distance equal to one-half the maximum horizontal dimension of the room.
All portions of machinery rooms shall be within 150 feet (45 720 mm) of an exit or exit access doorway. An increase in exit access travel distance is permitted in accordance with Section 1017.1.
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Exit and exit access doorways shall swing in the direction of egress travel, regardless of the occupant load served. Exit and exit access doorways shall be tight fitting and self-closing.
[BE] 1006.2.2.3 Refrigerated rooms or spaces. Rooms or spaces having a floor area larger than 1,000 square feet (93 m 2 ), containing a refrigerant evaporator and maintained at a temperature below 68°F (20°C), shall have access to not less than two exits or exit access doorways.
Exit access travel distance shall be determined as specified in Section 1017.1, but all portions of a refrigerated room or space shall be within 150 feet (45 720 mm) of an exit or exit access doorway where such rooms are not protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system. Egress is allowed through adjoining refrigerated rooms or spaces.
Exception: Where using refrigerants in quantities limited to the amounts based on the volume set forth in the California Mechanical Code .
[BE] 1006.2.2.4 Group I-4 means of egress. Group I-4 facilities, rooms or spaces where care is provided for more than six children that are 2 years of age or less, shall have access to not less than two exits or exit access doorways.
[BE] 1006.2.2.5 Vehicular ramps. Vehicular ramps shall not be considered as an exit access ramp unless pedestrian facilities are provided.
1006.2.2.6 Large family day-care home. Every story or basement of a large family day-care home shall be pro-
[BE] TABLE 1006.2.1 SPACES WITH ONE EXIT OR EXIT ACCESS DOORWAY
| OCCUPANCY | MAXIMUM OCCUPANT LOAD OF SPACE |
MAXIMUM COMMON PATH OF EGRESS TRAVEL DISTANCE (feet) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCCUPANCY | MAXIMUM OCCUPANT LOAD OF SPACE |
Without Sprinkler System (feet) |
Without Sprinkler System (feet) |
With Sprinkler System (feet) |
| OCCUPANCY | MAXIMUM OCCUPANT LOAD OF SPACE |
Occupant Load | Occupant Load | Occupant Load |
| OCCUPANCY | MAXIMUM OCCUPANT LOAD OF SPACE |
OL≤** 30** | OL>** 30** | OL>** 30** |
| Ac, E, M | 49 | 75 | 75 | 75a |
| B | 49 | 100 | 75 | 100a |
| F | 49 | 75 | 75 | 100a |
| H-1, H-2, H-3 | 3 | NP | NP | 25b |
| H-4, H-5 | 10 | NP | NP | 75b |
| I-2d, _I-2.1,_I-4 | 10 | NP | NP | 75a |
| I-3 | 10 | NP | NP | 100a |
| R-1 | 10 | NP | NP | 75a |
| R-2 | 20 | NP | NP | 125a |
| R-2.1 | 10 | NP | NP | 75a |
| R-2.2 | 20 | NP | NP | 125a |
| R-3e_, R-3.1e_ | 20 | NP | NP | 125a, g |
| R-4e | 20 | NP | NP | 125a, g |
| Sf | 29 | 100 | 75 | 100a |
| U | 49 | 100 | 75 | 75a |
| L | See Section 453.6.1 of the California Building Code |
NP | NP | NP |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm. NP = Not Permitted. a. Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2. See Section 903 for occupancies where
automatic sprinkler systems are permitted in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2 b. Group H occupancies equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.5. c. For a room or space used for assembly purposes having fixed seating, see Section 1029.8. d. For the travel distance limitations and number of exit and exit access requirements for rooms and spaces in Group I-2 or I-2.1, see Section 407.4 of the
California Building Code . e. The common path of egress travel distance shall apply only in a Group R-3 occupancy located in a mixed occupancy building or within a Group R-3 or R-4
congregate living facility. f. The length of common path of egress travel distance in a Group S-2 open parking garage shall be not more than 100 feet. g. For the travel distance limitations in Group R-3 and R-4 equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3, see
Section 1006.2.2.6. h. For holding cells, see Section 408.3.11 of the California Building Code.
Copyright © 2019 ICC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Accessed by Kevin Day (kevin.day@dgs.ca.gov), (California Building Standards Commission) Order Number #100735044 on Jul 24, 2019 03:54 PM (PDT) pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproduction or distribution authorized. Single user only, copying and networking prohibited. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER.
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MEANS OF EGRESS
vided with two exits which are remotely located from each other. Every required exit shall be of a size to per- mit the installation of a door not less than 32 inches (813 mm) in clear width and not less than 6 feet 8 inches (2,032 mm) in height. A manually operated hori- zontal sliding door may be used as one of the two required exits.
Where basements are used for day-care purposes, one of the two required exits shall provide access directly to the exterior without entering the first story. The second exit from the basement may either pass through the story above or exit directly to the exterior.
Rooms used for day-care purposes shall not be located above the first story.
Exception: Buildings equipped with an automatic sprinkler system throughout and which have at least one of the required exits providing access directly to the exterior. NFPA 13R may be used in large family day-care homes. The sprinkler omissions of NFPA 13R shall not apply unless approved by the enforc- ing agency.
Exit doors, including manually operated horizontal sliding doors, shall be openable from the inside without use of a key or any special knowledge or effort.
Tables 1006.3.2(1) and 1006.3.2(2) are not applica- ble to this occupancy classification.
[BE] 1006.2.2.6 Groups R-3 and R-4. Where Group R-3 occupancies are permitted by Section 903.2.8 to be protected by an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3, the exit access travel distance for Group R-3 shall be not more than 125 feet (38 100 mm). Where Group R-4 occupancies are permitted by Section 903.2.8 to be protected by an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3, the exit access travel distance for Group R-4 shall be not more than 75 feet (22 860 mm).
[BE] 1006.3 Egress from stories or occupied roofs. The means of egress system serving any story or occupied roof shall be provided with the number of separate and distinct exits or access to exits based on the aggregate occupant load served in accordance with this section. Where stairways serve more than one story, only the occupant load of each story considered individually shall be used in calculating the required number of exits or access to exits serving that story.
[BE] 1006.3.1 Adjacent story. The path of egress travel to an exit shall not pass through more than one adjacent story.
Exception: The path of egress travel to an exit shall be permitted to pass through more than one adjacent story in any of the following:
In Group R-1, R-2 or R-3 occupancies, exit access stairways and ramps connecting four stories or fewer serving and contained within an individual dwelling unit or sleeping unit or live/ work unit.
Exit access stairways serving and contained within a Group R-3 congregate residence or a Group R-4 facility.
Exit access stairways and ramps in open parking garages that serve only the parking garage.
Exit access stairways and ramps serving open-air assembly seating complying with the exit access travel distance requirements of Section 1029.7.
Exit access stairways and ramps between the balcony, gallery or press box and the main assembly floor in occupancies such as theaters, places of religious worship, auditoriums and sports facilities.
[BE] 1006.3.2 Egress based on occupant load. Each story and occupied roof shall have the minimum number of separate and distinct exits, or access to exits, as specified in Table 1006.3.2. A single exit or access to a single exit shall be permitted in accordance with Section 1006.3.3. The required number of exits, or exit access stairways or ramps providing access to exits, from any story or occupied roof shall be maintained until arrival at the exit discharge or public way.
[BE] TABLE 1006.3.2 MINIMUM NUMBER OF EXITS OR
ACCESS TO EXITS PER STORY
| OCCUPANT LOAD PER STORY |
MINIMUM NUMBER OF EXITS OR ACCESS TO EXITS FROM STORY |
|---|---|
| 1-500 | 2 |
| 501-1,000 | 3 |
| More than 1,000 | 4 |
[BE] 1006.3.3 Single exits. A single exit or access to a single exit shall be permitted from any story or occupied roof, where one of the following conditions exists:
The occupant load, number of dwelling units and common path of egress travel distance do not exceed the values in Table 1006.3.3(1) or 1006.3.3(2).
Rooms, areas and spaces at the level of exit dis- charge, complying with Section 1006.2.1 with exits that discharge directly to the exterior at the level of exit discharge, are permitted to have one exit or access to a single exit.
Parking garages where vehicles are mechanically parked shall be permitted to have one exit or access to a single exit.
Group R-3 and R-4 occupancies shall be permitted to have one exit or access to a single exit.
Individual single-story or multistory dwelling units shall be permitted to have a single exit or access to a single exit from the dwelling unit provided that both of the following criteria are met:
5.1. The dwelling unit complies with Section 1006.2.1 as a space with one means of egress.
5.2. Either the exit from the dwelling unit discharges directly to the exterior at the level
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Copyright © 2019 ICC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Accessed by Kevin Day (kevin.day@dgs.ca.gov), (California Building Standards Commission) Order Number #100735044 on Jul 24, 2019 03:54 PM (PDT) pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproduction or distribution authorized. Single user only, copying and networking prohibited. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER.
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of exit discharge, or the exit access outside the dwelling unit’s entrance door provides access to not less than two approved independent exits.
[BE] 1006.3.3.1 Mixed occupancies. Where one exit, or exit access stairway or ramp providing access to exits at other stories, is permitted to serve individual stories, mixed occupancies shall be permitted to be served by single exits provided that each individual occupancy complies with the applicable requirements of Table 1006.3.3(1) or 1006.3.3(2) for that occupancy. Where applicable, cumulative occupant loads from adjacent occupancies shall be considered to be in accordance with the provisions of Section 1004.1. In each story of a mixed occupancy building, the maximum number of occupants served by a single exit shall be such that the sum of the ratios of the calculated number of occupants of the space divided by the allowable number of occupants indicated in Table 1006.3.3(2) for each occupancy does not exceed one.
MEANS OF EGRESS
Where dwelling units are located on a story with other occupancies, the actual number of dwelling units divided by four plus the ratio from the other occupancy does not exceed one.
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