CBC · California Building Code

What are the hoistway enclosure and opening protection requirements?

Hoistways must be built as shaft enclosures meeting Chapter 7 rules; any openings in fire‑rated hoistways must be protected per Chapter 7; hoistway door hardware must be approved as tested (with certain interlocks exempt from the fire test); and you may not place more than four elevator cars in one fire‑resistance‑rated hoistway — if four or more cars serve the same portion of a building you must provide at least two separate hoistways (see § 3002.1, § 3002.1.1, § 3002.1.2, § 3002.2).

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Last reviewed: July 5, 2026

What the code requires — 2-4 sentences

Hoistways for elevators and other vertical-access devices must be constructed as shaft enclosures that comply with the hoistway/shaft provisions of Chapter 7 (Sections 712 and 713) — i.e., fire‑resistance-rated where required — and openings in fire‑resistance‑rated hoistways must be protected in accordance with Chapter 7. Hardware on hoistway doors must be approved types installed as tested (with some interlock/electrical-device exemptions). Finally, no more than four elevator cars may be located in a single fire‑resistance‑rated hoistway, and where four or more cars serve the same portion of a building they must be located in not fewer than two separate hoistways. See § 3002.1, § 3002.1.1, § 3002.1.2 and § 3002.2.

Requirements in detail

1) Basic hoistway enclosure construction

  • If a hoistway is required to be enclosed, it shall be constructed as a shaft enclosure in accordance with Section 713. The hoistway must otherwise comply with the shaft enclosure rules in Chapter 7 (Sections 712 and 713). See § 3002.1.

2) Openings and opening protectives

  • Openings in fire-resistance‑rated hoistway enclosures must be protected as required by Chapter 7 (the “opening protectives” rules) — i.e., doors, frames and assemblies protecting penetrations/openings must meet the Chapter 7 requirements referenced by § 3002.1.1. Note: the code explicitly permits elevator car doors and the associated hoistway doors at the floor designated for Phase I emergency recall to remain open during Phase I. See § 3002.1.1.

3) Hoistway door hardware

  • Hardware on elevator hoistway doors must be of an approved type and installed as tested. Approved interlocks, mechanical locks, electric contacts, door/gate electric contacts and door‑operating mechanisms are exempt from the fire‑test requirements (i.e., they need not undergo the same fire‑test as the door assembly). See § 3002.1.2.

4) Number of cars per hoistway (practical layout limit)

  • Where four or more elevator cars serve the same portion of a building, the elevators shall be located in not fewer than two separate fire‑resistance‑rated hoistways; and not more than four cars may be located in any single fire‑resistance‑rated hoistway. See § 3002.2.

Decision‑relevant table (quick reference)

Requirement / Decision point Value / Limit Code Reference
Hoistway enclosure type when enclosure required Construct as a shaft enclosure (Chapter 7, Section 713) § 3002.1
Protection for openings in fire‑rated hoistways Openings must be protected as required in Chapter 7 (opening protectives) § 3002.1.1
Hoistway door hardware Hardware must be approved and installed as tested; interlocks/contacts exempt from fire test requirements § 3002.1.2
Maximum elevator cars in one hoistway Not more than 4 cars in a single fire‑resistance‑rated hoistway § 3002.2
When multiple hoistways required If 4+ cars serve same portion of building → not fewer than 2 separate hoistways § 3002.2

Exceptions & special cases

  • Phase I recall: The elevator car doors and associated hoistway doors at the floor designated for recall may remain open during Phase I Emergency Recall Operation (exception in § 3002.1.1).
  • The detailed triggers and methods for hoistway opening protection (for example, when enclosed elevator lobbies or additional door assemblies are required) are located in Section 3006 (hoistway opening protection and elevator lobbies). Section 3002.1.1 points to Chapter 7 for opening protectives; Section 3006.2/3006.3 elaborate thresholds and acceptable protections (enclosed elevator lobbies, smoke partitions, curtains, etc.) — consult those sections for when and how opening protection is required. See § 3002.1.1 and § 3006.2–3006.3.
  • Prohibited devices/access: Other doors or devices at the point of access to an elevator car (other than car and hoistway doors) are prohibited unless they are readily openable from inside the car without key/tool/special knowledge (see § 3002.6).
  • Hoistways must not share a common shaft with a stairway (except open parking garages) — see § 3002.7.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming all hoistways must be non‑rated: the code requires fire‑resistance-rated hoistways where specified; do not remove required shaft enclosure ratings. See § 3002.1.
  • Treating interlocks and electrical contacts as requiring the same fire‑test as door assemblies — the code exempts approved interlocks/mechanical locks/electrical contacts from the fire‑test requirement (they still must be approved and installed as tested). See § 3002.1.2.
  • Putting more than four cars in a single rated hoistway, or failing to provide separate hoistways when 4+ cars serve the same portion of the building; this triggers the two‑hoistway requirement. See § 3002.2.
  • Overlooking Chapter 7: designers sometimes specify a fire‑rated hoistway but forget to provide the Chapter 7 opening protectives (doors/frames/assemblies) required for openings — § 3002.1.1 directs you to Chapter 7.

Worked example

Scenario: You are designing an office building elevator bank that will include 6 passenger cars serving the same zones of the building.

Code application:

  • § 3002.2 requires that where four or more elevator cars serve all or the same portion of a building, the elevators be located in not fewer than two separate fire‑resistance‑rated hoistways, and that no more than four cars be located in any single rated hoistway. Therefore you cannot place all six cars in one hoistway; you must provide at least two hoistways. Possible distributions that comply: 4 cars in one hoistway + 2 in the other, or 3 + 3, etc., provided each hoistway is constructed as a shaft enclosure per Chapter 7/Section 713. See § 3002.2 and § 3002.1.

Additional note: If the hoistways are constructed as fire‑resistance‑rated enclosures and have openings at landings, those openings must be protected per Chapter 7 opening protectives (see § 3002.1.1). If the project falls into occupancies or conditions addressed in Section 3006 (e.g., certain high‑rise or unsprinklered buildings), you must follow the elevator-lobby/hoistway opening protection options in § 3006.2/3006.3.

Related provisions (quick links to check next)

  • Shaft enclosure construction — § 713.
  • Hoistway opening protection triggers and methods — § 3006.2 and elevator hoistway door protection options in § 3006.3.
  • Prohibited doors / access panels at the car access point — § 3002.6 and § 3002.6.1.
  • Machine rooms and required fire‑barrier ratings related to hoistways — § 3005.4 (fire barriers for machine rooms, control spaces) and related exceptions.
  • Glass in hoistway enclosures and doors (laminated glazing and vision panel limits) — § 2409.2 and § 2409.3.
  • Occupant evacuation and fire service access elevator hoistway requirements (special hoistway/lobby rules) — § 3007.5, § 3008.5 (as applicable).

Code references

Grounded in the retrieved California Building Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

  • CBC § 30-6 High relevance — show source text

    1. Machine rooms.

    2. Control rooms.

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    1. Control spaces.
    2. Machinery spaces outside of the hoistway enclosure.

    The fire-resistance rating shall be not less than the required rating of the hoistway enclosure served by the machinery. Openings in the fire barriers shall be protected with assemblies having a fire protection rating not less than that required for the hoistway enclosure doors.

    Exceptions:

    1. For other than fire service access elevators and occupant evacuation elevators, where machine rooms, machinery spaces, control rooms and control spaces do not abut and do not have openings to the hoistway enclosure they serve, the fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both, shall be permitted to be reduced to a 1-hour fire-resistance rating.
    2. For other than fire service access elevators and occupant evacuation elevators, in buildings four stories or less above grade plane where machine room, machinery spaces, control rooms and control spaces do not abut and do not have openings to the hoistway enclosure they serve, the machine room, machinery spaces, control rooms and control spaces are not required to be fire-resistance rated.

    3005.4.1 Automatic sprinkler system. Automatic sprinklers shall not be required to be installed in the elevator hoistway, elevator machine room, elevator machinery space, elevator control space or elevator control room where the following is met:

    The elevator machine room, elevator machinery space, elevator control space or elevator control room shall be enclosed with fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both. The fire-resistance rating shall not be less than the required rating of the hoistway enclosure served by the machinery. Openings in the fire barriers shall be protected with assemblies having a fire protection rating not less than that required for the hoistway enclo- sure doors. The exceptions to Section 3005.4 shall not apply.

    3005.5 Shunt trip. Where elevator hoistways, elevator machine rooms, control rooms and control spaces containing elevator control equipment are protected with automatic sprinklers, a means installed in accordance with Section 21.4 of NFPA 72 shall be provided to automatically disconnect the main line power supply to the affected elevator prior to the application of water. This means shall not be self-resetting. The activation of automatic sprinklers outside the hoistway, machine room, machinery space, control room or control space shall not disconnect the main line power supply.

    3005.6 Plumbing systems. Plumbing systems shall not be located in elevator equipment rooms.

    SECTION 3006—ELEVATOR LOBBIES AND HOISTWAY OPENING PROTECTION

    3006.1 General. Enclosed elevator lobbies and elevator hoistway door protection shall be provided in accordance with the following:

    1. Where elevator hoistway door protection is required by Section 3006.2, such protection shall be provided in accordance with Section 3006.3.
  • CBC § 3001.4 High relevance — show source text

    [BE] 3001.4 Accessibility. Passenger elevators and platform (wheelchair) lifts required to be accessible or to serve as part of an accessible means of egress shall comply with Sections 1009 and either Chapter 11A for applications listed in Section 1.8.2.1.2 regulated by the Department of Housing and Community Development or Chapter 11B for applications listed in Section 1.9.1 regulated by the Divi- sion of the State Architect—Access Compliance.

    3001.5 Change in use. A change in use of an elevator from freight to passenger, passenger to freight, or from one freight class to another freight class shall comply with California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Division 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 6, Elevator Safety Orders.

    3001.6 Structural design. All interior and exterior elevators, escalators and other conveying systems and their components shall comply with all applicable design loading criteria in Chapter 16, including wind, flood and seismic loads established in Sections 1609, 1612 and 1613.

    3001.7 Elevators utilized to transport hazardous materials. Elevators utilized to transport hazardous materials shall also comply with the California Fire Code Sections 5003.10.2.2, 5003.10.4 through 5003.10.7.

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    SECTION 3002—HOISTWAY ENCLOSURES

    3002.1 Hoistway protection. A hoistway for elevators, dumbwaiters and other vertical-access devices shall comply with Sections 712 and 713. Where the hoistway is required to be enclosed, it shall be constructed as a shaft enclosure in accordance with Section 713.

    3002.1.1 Opening protectives. Openings in fire-resistance-rated hoistway enclosures shall be protected as required in Chapter 7.

    Exception: The elevator car doors and the associated hoistway doors at the floor level designated for recall in accordance with Section 3003.2 shall be permitted to remain open during Phase I Emergency Recall Operation.

    3002.1.2 Hardware. Hardware on elevator hoistway doors shall be of an approved type installed as tested, except that approved interlocks, mechanical locks and electric contacts, door and gate electric contacts and door-operating mechanisms shall be exempt from the fire test requirements.

    3002.2 Number of elevator cars in a hoistway. Where four or more elevator cars serve all or the same portion of a building, the elevators shall be located in not fewer than two separate fire-resistance-rated hoistways. Not more than four elevator cars shall be located in any single fire-resistance-rated hoistway enclosure.

    3002.3 Emergency signs. A pictorial sign of a standardized design shall be posted adjacent to each elevator call station on all floors instructing occupants to use the exit stairways and not to use the elevators in case of fire. Where elevators are not a component of the accessible means of egress, the sign shall read: IN CASE OF FIRE, ELEVATORS ARE OUT OF SERVICE. USE EXIT. Where the elevator is a component of the accessible means of egress, a sign complying with Section 1009.11 shall be provided.

  • CBC § 3005.4 High relevance — show source text

    The elevator machine room, elevator machinery space, elevator control space or elevator control room shall be enclosed with fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both. The fire-resistance rating shall not be less than the required rating of the hoistway enclosure served by the machinery. Openings in the fire barriers shall be protected with assemblies having a fire protection rating not less than that required for the hoistway enclo- sure doors. The exceptions to Section 3005.4 shall not apply.

    3005.5 Shunt trip. Where elevator hoistways, elevator machine rooms, control rooms and control spaces containing elevator control equipment are protected with automatic sprinklers, a means installed in accordance with Section 21.4 of NFPA 72 shall be provided to automatically disconnect the main line power supply to the affected elevator prior to the application of water. This means shall not be self-resetting. The activation of automatic sprinklers outside the hoistway, machine room, machinery space, control room or control space shall not disconnect the main line power supply.

    3005.6 Plumbing systems. Plumbing systems shall not be located in elevator equipment rooms.

    SECTION 3006—ELEVATOR LOBBIES AND HOISTWAY OPENING PROTECTION

    3006.1 General. Enclosed elevator lobbies and elevator hoistway door protection shall be provided in accordance with the following:

    1. Where elevator hoistway door protection is required by Section 3006.2, such protection shall be provided in accordance with Section 3006.3.

    2. Where enclosed elevator lobbies are required for underground buildings, such lobbies shall comply with Section 405.4.3.

    3. Where an area of refuge is required and an enclosed elevator lobby is provided to serve as an area of refuge, the enclosed elevator lobby shall comply with Section 1009.6.4.

    4. Where fire service access elevators are provided, enclosed elevator lobbies shall comply with Section 3007.6.

    5. Where occupant evacuation elevators are provided, enclosed elevator lobbies shall comply with Section 3008.6.

    3006.2 Elevator hoistway door protection required. Elevator hoistway doors shall be protected in accordance with Section 3006.3 where an elevator hoistway connects more than two stories in any state institution or other state-owned or specified state occupied building regulated by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and more than three stories for all other buildings. Hoistway opening protec- tion is required to be enclosed within a shaft enclosure in accordance with Section 712.1.1 and any of the following conditions apply:

    1. The building is not protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.

    2. Group A occupancies.

    3. Group E occupancies.

    4. Group H occupancies.

    5. Group I occupancies.

    6. Group L occupancies. 7. Group R-1, R-2, R-2.1 and R-2.2 occupancies. 8. High-rise buildings. 9. The elevator hoistway door is located in the wall of a corridor required to be fire-resistance rated in accordance with Section 1020.1.

    See Section 403.6 for additional requirements for high-rise buildings.

    Exceptions:

    1. Protection of elevator hoistway doors is not required where the elevator serves only open parking garages in accordance with Section 406.5.
  • CBC § 3006.2 High relevance — show source text

    3006.2 Elevator hoistway door protection required. Elevator hoistway doors shall be protected in accordance with Section 3006.3 where an elevator hoistway connects more than two stories in any state institution or other state-owned or specified state occupied building regulated by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and more than three stories for all other buildings. Hoistway opening protec- tion is required to be enclosed within a shaft enclosure in accordance with Section 712.1.1 and any of the following conditions apply:

    1. The building is not protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.

    2. Group A occupancies.

    3. Group E occupancies.

    4. Group H occupancies.

    5. Group I occupancies.

    6. Group L occupancies. 7. Group R-1, R-2, R-2.1 and R-2.2 occupancies. 8. High-rise buildings. 9. The elevator hoistway door is located in the wall of a corridor required to be fire-resistance rated in accordance with Section 1020.1.

    See Section 403.6 for additional requirements for high-rise buildings.

    Exceptions:

    1. Protection of elevator hoistway doors is not required where the elevator serves only open parking garages in accordance with Section 406.5.

    2. Protection of elevator hoistway doors is not required at the levels of exit discharge, provided that the levels of exit discharge is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

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    ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS

    1. Protection of elevator hoistway doors is not required on levels where the elevator hoistway doors open to the exterior.

    3006.2.1 Rated corridors. Where corridors are required to be fire-resistance rated in accordance with Section 1020.2, elevator hoistway openings shall be protected in accordance with Section 3006.3.

    3006.3 Elevator hoistway door protection. Where Section 3006.2 requires protection of the elevator hoistway doors, the protection shall be provided by one of the following:

    1. An enclosed elevator lobby shall be provided at each floor to separate the elevator hoistway doors from each floor with fire partitions in accordance with Section 708. In addition, doors protecting openings in the fire partitions shall comply with Section 716.2.2.1. Penetrations of the fire partitions by ducts and air transfer openings shall be protected as required for corridors in accordance with Section 717.5.4.1.
  • CBC § 1015.5 High relevance — show source text

    [BE] 1015.5 Screen porches. Porches and decks that are enclosed with insect screening shall be provided with guards where the walking surface is located more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below.

    [BE] 1015.6 Mechanical equipment, systems and devices. Guards shall be provided where various components that require service are located within 10 feet (3048 mm) of a roof edge or open side of a walking surface and such edge or open side is located more than 30

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    MEANS OF EGRESS

    inches (762 mm) above the floor, roof or grade below. The guard shall extend not less than 30 inches (762 mm) beyond each end of such components. The guard shall be constructed so as to prevent the passage of a sphere 21 inches (533 mm) in diameter.

    Exception: Guards are not required where personal fall arrest anchorage connector devices that comply with ANSI/ASSE Z359.1 are installed.

    [BE] 1015.7 Roof access. Guards shall be provided where the roof hatch opening is located within 10 feet (3048 mm) of a roof edge or open side of a walking surface and such edge or open side is located more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor, roof or grade below. The guard shall extend not less than 30 inches (762 mm) beyond each end of the hatch parallel to the roof edge. The guard shall be constructed so as to prevent the passage of a sphere 21 inches (533 mm) in diameter.

    Exception: Guards are not required where personal fall arrest anchorage connector devices that comply with ANSI/ASSE Z359.1 are installed.

    [BE] 1015.8 Window openings. Windows in Group R-2 and R-3 buildings including dwelling units, where the bottom of the clear opening of an operable window is located less than 36 inches (914 mm) above the finished floor and more than 72 inches (1829 mm) above the finished grade or other surface below on the exterior of the building, shall comply with one of the following:

    1. Where the bottom of the clear opening of the window is located more than 72 inches (1829 mm) and less than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the finished grade or other surface below on the exterior of the building, the window shall comply with one of the following: 1.1. Operable windows where the openings will not allow a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere to pass through the opening when the window is in its largest opened position, provided that the opening is not required for emer gency escape or rescue. 1.2. Operable windows where the openings are provided with window fall prevention devices that comply with ASTM F2090.
  • CBC § 18.6 High relevance — show source text

    R319.1 Emergency escape and rescue opening required. Basements, habitable attics, the room to which a sleeping loft is open, and every sleeping room shall have not less than one operable emergency escape and rescue opening. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, an emergency escape and rescue opening shall be required in each sleeping room. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall open directly into a public way, or to a yard or court that opens to a public way.

    Exceptions [SFM]: 1. Basements with a ceiling height of less than 80 inches (2032 mm) shall not be required to have emergency escape and rescue openings. 2. Emergency escape and rescue openings are not required from basements or sleeping rooms that have an exit door or exit access door that opens directly into a public way or to a yard, court or exterior egress balcony that opens to a public way. 3. Basements without habitable spaces and having not more than 200 square feet (18.6 m [2] ) in floor area shall not be required to have emergency escape and rescue openings. 4. Storm shelters are not required to comply with this section where the shelter is constructed in accordance with ICC 500. 5. Where the dwelling unit or townhouse unit is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section R309, sleeping rooms in basements shall not be required to have emergency escape and rescue openings provided that the basement has one of the following: 5.1. One means of egress complying with Section R318 and one emergency escape and rescue opening. 5.2. Two means of egress complying with Section R318.

    R319.1.1 Operational constraints and opening control devices. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall be maintained free of any obstructions other than those allowed by this section and shall be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys, tools or special knowledge. Window opening control devices and fall prevention devices complying with ASTM F2090 shall be permitted for use on windows serving as a required emergency escape and rescue opening and shall be not more than 70 inches (178 cm) above the finished floor. The release mechanism shall be maintained operable at all times.

    Such bars, grills, grates or any similar devices shall be equipped with an approved exterior release device for use by the fire department only when required by the authority having jurisdiction.

    Where security bars (burglar bars) are installed on emergency egress and rescue windows or doors, on or after July 1, 2000, such devices shall comply with California Building Standards Code, Part 12, Chapter 12-3 and other applicable provisions of this code.

    R319.2 Emergency escape and rescue openings. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall have minimum dimensions in accordance with Sections R319.2.1 through R319.2.4.

    R319.2.1 Minimum size. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall have a net clear opening of not less than 5.7 square feet (0.530 m [2] ).

    Exception: The minimum net clear opening for grade-floor emergency escape and rescue openings shall be 5 square feet (0.465 m [2] ).

    R319.2.2 Minimum dimensions. The minimum net clear opening height dimension shall be 24 inches (610 mm). The minimum net clear opening width dimension shall be 20 inches (508 mm). The net clear opening dimensions shall be the result of normal operation of the opening.

  • CBC § 3008.1 High relevance — show source text

    SECTION 3008—OCCUPANT EVACUATION ELEVATORS

    3008.1 General. Where e levators are to be used for occupant self-evacuation during fires , all passenger elevators for general public use shall comply with Sections 3008.1 through 3008.10. Where other elevators are used for occupant self-evacuation, those elevators shall comply with these sections.

    3008.1.1 Reserved .

    3008.1.2 Additional exit stairway. Where an additional means of egress is required in accordance with Section 403.5.2, an additional exit stairway shall not be required to be installed in buildings provided with occupant evacuation elevators complying with Section 3008.1.

    3008.1.3 Fire safety and evacuation plan. The building shall have an approved fire safety and evacuation plan in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 404 of the California Fire Code . The fire safety and evacuation plan shall incorporate specific procedures for the occupants using evacuation elevators.

    3008.1.4 Operation. The occupant evacuation elevators shall be used for occupant self-evacuation in accordance with the occupant evacuation operation requirements in California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Division 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 6, Elevator Safety Orders, and the building’s fire safety and evacuation plan.

    3008.2 Automatic sprinkler system. The building shall be equipped throughout with an approved, electrically supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, except as otherwise permitted by Section 903.3.1.1.1 and as prohibited by Section 3008.2.1.

    3008.2.1 Prohibited locations. Automatic sprinklers shall not be installed in elevator machine rooms, machinery spaces, control rooms, control spaces and elevator hoistways of occupant evacuation elevators in accordance with this section and Section 3005.4.1.

    3008.2.2 Sprinkler system monitoring. The automatic sprinkler system shall have a sprinkler control valve supervisory switch and water-flow-initiating device provided for each floor that is monitored by the building’s fire alarm system.

    3008.3 Water protection. Water from the operation of an automatic sprinkler system outside the enclosed lobby shall be prevented from infiltrating into the hoistway enclosure in accordance with an approved method.

    3008.4 Shunt trip. Means for elevator shutdown in accordance with Section 3005.5 shall not be installed on elevator systems used for occupant evacuation elevators.

    3008.5 Hoistway enclosure protection. Occupant evacuation elevator hoistways shall be located in shaft enclosures complying with Section 713.

    3008.5.1 Structural integrity of hoistway enclosures. Occupant evacuation elevator hoistway enclosures shall comply with Sections 403.2.2.1 through 403.2.2.4.

    3008.6 Occupant evacuation elevator lobby. Occupant evacuation elevators shall open into an enclosed elevator lobby in accordance with Sections 3008.6.1 through 3008.6.6. Egress is permitted through the elevator lobby in accordance with Item 1 of Section 1016.2.

    3008.6.1 Access to interior exit stairway or ramp. The occupant evacuation elevator lobby shall have direct access from the enclosed elevator lobby to an interior exit stairway or ramp.

  • CBC § 3007.3 High relevance — show source text

    3007.3 Water protection. Water from the operation of an automatic sprinkler system outside the enclosed lobby shall be prevented from infiltrating into the hoistway enclosure in accordance with an approved method.

    3007.4 Shunt trip. Means for elevator shutdown in accordance with Section 3005.5 shall not be installed on elevator systems used for fire service access elevators.

    3007.5 Hoistway enclosures. The fire service access elevator hoistway shall be located in a shaft enclosure complying with Section 713.

    3007.5.1 Structural integrity of hoistway enclosures. The fire service access elevator hoistway enclosure shall comply with Sections 403.2.2.1 through 403.2.2.4.

    3007.5.2 Hoistway lighting. When firefighters’ emergency operation is active, the entire height of the hoistway shall be illuminated at not less than 1 footcandle (11 lux) as measured from the top of the car of each fire service access elevator.

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    3007.6 Fire service access elevator lobby. The fire service access elevator shall open into an enclosed fire service access elevator lobby in accordance with Sections 3007.6.1 through 3007.6.5. Egress is permitted through the enclosed elevator lobby in accordance with Item 1 of Section 1016.2.

    Exceptions:

    1. Where a fire service access elevator has two entrances onto a floor, the second entrance shall be permitted to be protected in accordance with Section 3006.3.
    2. A fire service access elevator lobby is not required to be provided at an occupiable roof.

    3007.6.1 Access to smokeproof enclosure . The enclosed fire service access elevator lobby shall have direct access from the enclosed elevator lobby to a smokeproof enclosure complying with Section 909.20.

    Exception: Access to a smokeproof enclosure shall be permitted to be through a protected path of travel that has a level of fire protection not less than the elevator lobby enclosure. The protected path shall be separated from the enclosed elevator lobby through an opening protected by a smoke and draft control assembly in accordance Section 716.2.2.1.

    3007.6.2 Elevator lobby separation. The fire service access elevator lobby shall be separated from each floor with a smoke barrier in accordance with Section 709, except that lobby doorways shall comply with Section 3007.6.3.

    Exception: Fire service access elevator lobbies are not required to be separated at the levels of exit discharge.

    3007.6.3 Elevator lobby doorways. Other than doors to the elevator control room or elevator control space, each door in the smoke barrier shall be provided with a [3] / 4 -hour fire door assembly complying with Section 716. Such a fire door assembly shall comply with the smoke and draft control door assembly requirements of Section 716.2.2.1.1 and be tested in accordance with UL 1784 without an artificial bottom seal.

  • CBC § 29-1 High relevance — show source text

    CHAPTER 29 PLUMBING SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29-1

    CHAPTER 30 ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS. . . 30-1

    3001 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-3

    3002 Hoistway Enclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-4

    3003 Emergency Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-5

    3004 Conveying Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-6

    3005 Machine Rooms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-6

    3006 Elevator Lobbies and Hoistway Opening Protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-7

    3007 Fire Service Access Elevator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-8

    3008 Occupant Evacuation Elevators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-10

    3009 Private Residence Elevators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-12

    3010 Special Requirements for Elevators in Hospitals . . . . . 30-12

    CHAPTER 31 SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-1

    3101 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-3

    3102 Membrane Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-3

    3103 Temporary Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-4

    CONTENTS

    3104 Pedestrian Walkways and Tunnels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-7

    3105 Awnings and Canopies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-8

    3106 Marquees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-8

    3107 Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-9

    3108 Telecommunication and Broadcast Towers . . . . . . 31-9

    3109 Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-9

  • CBC § 1011.5.5.1 High relevance — show source text

    [BE] 1011.5.5.1 Nosing projection size. The nosings shall project not more than 1 [1] / 4 inches (32 mm) beyond the tread below.

    Exception: When solid risers are not required, the nosing projection is permitted to exceed the maximum projection.

    [BE] 1011.5.5.2 Nosing projection uniformity. Nosing projections shall be of uniform size, including the projections of the nosings of the floor or landing at the top of a flight.

    [BE] 1011.5.5.3 Solid risers. Risers shall be solid.

    Exceptions:

    1. Solid risers are not required for stairways that are not required to comply with Section 1009.3, provided that the opening between treads does not permit the passage of a sphere with a diameter of 4 inches (102 mm).
    2. Solid risers are not required for occupancies in Group I-3 or in Group F, H and S occupancies other than areas accessible to the public. The size of the opening in the riser is not restricted.
    3. Solid risers are not required for spiral stairways constructed in accordance with Section 1011.10.

    [BE] 1011.6 Stairway landings. There shall be a floor or landing at the top and bottom of each stairway. The width of landings, measured perpendicularly to the direction of travel, shall be not less than the width of stairways served. Every landing shall have a minimum depth, measured parallel to the direction of travel, equal to the width of the stairway or 48 inches (1219 mm), whichever is less. Doors opening onto a landing shall not reduce the landing to less than one-half the required width. When fully open, the door shall not project more than 7 inches (178 mm) into the required width of a landing. Where wheelchair spaces are required on the stairway landing in accordance with Section 1009.6.3, the wheelchair space shall not be located in the required width of the landing and doors shall not swing over the wheelchair spaces.

    Exceptions:

    1. Where stairways connect stepped aisles to cross aisles or concourses, stairway landings are not required at the transition between stairways and stepped aisles constructed in accordance with Section 1030.
    2. Where curved stairways of constant radius have intermediate landings, the landing depth shall be measured horizontally between the intersection of the walkline of the lower flight at the landing nosing and the intersection of the walkline of the upper flight at the nosing of the lowest tread of the upper flight.
    3. Where a landing turns 90 degrees (1.57 rad) or more, the minimum landing depth in accordance with this section shall not be required where the landing provided is not less than that described by an arc with a radius equal to the width of the flight served. 4. In Group R-3 occupancies, a floor or landing is not required at the top of an interior flight of stairs, including stairs in an enclosed garage, provided a door does not swing over the stairs.

    [BE] 1011.7 Stairway construction. Stairways shall be built of materials consistent with the types permitted for the type of construction of the building.

    Exceptions:

    1. Wood handrails shall be permitted in all types of construction.
    2. Interior exit stairway in accordance with Section 510.2 of the California Building Code .
  • CBC § 403.6 High relevance — show source text

    See Section 403.6 for additional requirements for high-rise buildings.

    Exceptions:

    1. Protection of elevator hoistway doors is not required where the elevator serves only open parking garages in accordance with Section 406.5.

    2. Protection of elevator hoistway doors is not required at the levels of exit discharge, provided that the levels of exit discharge is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

    2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 30-7

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

    �

    ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS

    1. Protection of elevator hoistway doors is not required on levels where the elevator hoistway doors open to the exterior.

    3006.2.1 Rated corridors. Where corridors are required to be fire-resistance rated in accordance with Section 1020.2, elevator hoistway openings shall be protected in accordance with Section 3006.3.

    3006.3 Elevator hoistway door protection. Where Section 3006.2 requires protection of the elevator hoistway doors, the protection shall be provided by one of the following:

    1. An enclosed elevator lobby shall be provided at each floor to separate the elevator hoistway doors from each floor with fire partitions in accordance with Section 708. In addition, doors protecting openings in the fire partitions shall comply with Section 716.2.2.1. Penetrations of the fire partitions by ducts and air transfer openings shall be protected as required for corridors in accordance with Section 717.5.4.1.

    2. An enclosed elevator lobby shall be provided at each floor to separate the elevator hoistway doors from each floor by smoke partitions in accordance with Section 710. In addition, doors protecting openings in the smoke partitions shall comply with Sections 710.5.2.2, 710.5.2.3 and 716.2.6.1. Penetrations of the smoke partitions by ducts and air transfer openings shall be protected as required for corridors in accordance with Section 717.5.4.1.

    3. Additional doors or other devices shall be provided at each elevator hoistway door in accordance with Section 3002.6. Such doors or other devices shall comply with the smoke and draft control door assembly requirements in Section 716.2.2.1.1 when tested in accordance with UL 1784 without an artificial bottom seal.

    4. [SFM] When approved, in other than Group I-2 occupancies elevator hoistway shall be pressurized in accordance with Section 909.21.

    1. A smoke-protective curtain assembly for hoistways shall be provided at each elevator hoistway door opening in accordance with Section 3002.6. Such curtain assemblies shall comply with the smoke and draft control requirements in Section 716.2.2.1.1 when tested in accordance with UL 1784 without an artificial bottom seal. Such curtain assemblies shall be equipped with a control unit listed to UL 864. Such curtain assemblies shall comply with Section 2.11.6.3 California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Division 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 6, Elevator Safety Orders . Installation and maintenance shall be in accordance with NFPA 105.
  • CBC § 3005.1 High relevance — show source text

    Additionally, the design of personnel hoists shall include provisions for field testing and maintenance that will demonstrate that the hoist device functions in accordance with the design. Field tests shall be conducted upon the completion of an installation or following a major alteration of a personnel hoist.

    SECTION 3005—MACHINE ROOMS

    3005.1 Access. A permanent and approved means of access shall be provided to elevator machine rooms, control rooms, control spaces and machinery spaces.

    3005.2 Temperature and humidity control. Elevator machine rooms, machinery spaces that contain the driving machine, and control rooms or spaces that contain the operation or motion controller for elevator operation shall be provided with an independent ventilation or air-conditioning system to protect against the overheating of the electrical equipment. The system shall maintain the temperature and humidity be capable of maintaining temperatures within the range established by the manufacturer of the elevator equipment.

    3005.3 Pressurization. The elevator machine room, control rooms or control space with openings into a pressurized elevator hoistway shall be pressurized upon activation of a heat or smoke detector located in the elevator machine room, control room or control space.

    3005.4 Machine rooms, control rooms, machinery spaces, and control spaces. The following rooms and spaces shall be enclosed with fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both:

    1. Machine rooms.

    2. Control rooms.

    30-6 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

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

    ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS

    1. Control spaces.
    2. Machinery spaces outside of the hoistway enclosure.

    The fire-resistance rating shall be not less than the required rating of the hoistway enclosure served by the machinery. Openings in the fire barriers shall be protected with assemblies having a fire protection rating not less than that required for the hoistway enclosure doors.

    Exceptions:

    1. For other than fire service access elevators and occupant evacuation elevators, where machine rooms, machinery spaces, control rooms and control spaces do not abut and do not have openings to the hoistway enclosure they serve, the fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both, shall be permitted to be reduced to a 1-hour fire-resistance rating.
    2. For other than fire service access elevators and occupant evacuation elevators, in buildings four stories or less above grade plane where machine room, machinery spaces, control rooms and control spaces do not abut and do not have openings to the hoistway enclosure they serve, the machine room, machinery spaces, control rooms and control spaces are not required to be fire-resistance rated.

    3005.4.1 Automatic sprinkler system. Automatic sprinklers shall not be required to be installed in the elevator hoistway, elevator machine room, elevator machinery space, elevator control space or elevator control room where the following is met:

Frequently asked questions

When do hoistway openings need to be fire‑rated doors?

Openings in fire‑resistance‑rated hoistway enclosures must be protected as required in Chapter 7; § 3002.1.1 points you to those Chapter 7 opening‑protective requirements.

Can door interlocks be required to pass the door fire‑test?

Approved interlocks, mechanical locks and electrical contacts are exempt from the fire‑test requirements, but the hardware must be approved and installed as tested per § 3002.1.2.

Is it acceptable to put six cars in one hoistway if the hoistway is very large?

No — § 3002.2 limits a single fire‑resistance‑rated hoistway to not more than four elevator cars; and if four or more cars serve the same portion of a building you must provide at least two separate hoistways.

Where are the detailed options for hoistway opening protection (lobbies, curtains, pressurization, etc.)?

Options and thresholds for hoistway opening protection are addressed in Section 3006 (3006.2 and 3006.3) and the referenced Chapter 7 provisions. § 3002.1.1 requires opening protectives per Chapter 7 and § 3006 explains when and how opening protection must be provided.

Are additional access doors to the hoistway allowed?

Doors or other devices other than the car door and associated hoistway doors are prohibited at the car access point unless readily openable from inside the car without a key, tool or special knowledge (see § 3002.6).

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