CBC · California Building Code

Exit access, travel distance, aisles and corridors

Chapter 10 of the CBC (notably §§1016–1018, 1017 and 1020) sets the measurable rules for exit access, how travel distance is calculated and limited, and the minimum sizes/arrangements for aisles and corridors to ensure safe egress.

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Last reviewed: July 5, 2026

Overview

This hub covers the CBC provisions that govern how occupants reach exits (exit access), how far they may have to travel to an exit (exit access travel distance), and the required dimensions and arrangements of aisles and corridors that make that travel possible. These topics are located in Chapter 10 — principally §§1016 (Exit Access), 1017 (Exit Access Travel Distance), 1018 (Aisles) and 1020 (Corridors) — and are coordinated with other parts of the means-of-egress rules found throughout Chapter 10. See the Chapter 10 index and table of contents for the full scope of related sections .

The rules matter because they translate life‑safety objectives into measurable design requirements: limits on travel distance (which vary by occupancy and sprinkler protection), minimum clear widths and capacity for aisles serving seats or fixtures, and corridor design that preserves an unobstructed path to exits. For travel-distance details (including how distances are measured along stairs and ramps) consult §1017 and its subsections ; for aisle requirements and aisle‑to‑seat measurement rules see §1018 and the assembly seating provisions in Chapter 10/§1030 . Occupancy‑specific maximums and exceptions are shown in the CBC tables and related notes (see the occupancy travel‑distance listings) . Corridors and their minimum clear widths and dead‑end limits are addressed at §1020 .

In this section

Code references

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

  • CBC § 110.3.4 High relevance — show source text

    Frame 110.3.4 Lath gypsum panel products 110.3.6, 2503 Liability 104.8 Masonry 110.3.11, 1705.4 Preliminary 110.2 Required 110.3 Right of entry 104.4 Seismic 1705.13

    Smoke control 909.18.8, 1705.19 Soils 110.3.11, 1705.6 Special (see Special Inspections and Tests) 110.3.11, 1704, 1705 Sprayed fire-resistant materials 1705.15 Sprinkler protection 903.5 Steel 110.3.11, 110.3.4, 1705.2 Third party 110.4 Welding 110.3.11, 1705.2 Wind 110.3.11, 1705.12 Wood 110.3.11, 1705.5 Institutional I-1 [see Institutional Occupancy (see Group I) and Residential (see Group s R-4 and R-2.1 )] Accessibility Chapter 11B Assisted toileting and bathing Chapter 11B Alarm and detection 420.5, 907.2.9, 907.2.9.4, 907.2.11.2, 907.2.11.2.1, 907.2.13, 907.5.1.1, 907.5.2.3.2 Combustible decorations 806.1 Cooking 420.9 Means of egress Aisles 1018.5

    Corridors 1020.2

    Stairway, exit access 1019 Travel distance 1006.3, 1017.2 Separation 420.2, 420.3, 420.6 Sprinkler protection 420.4, 903.2.8 Institutional I-2 [see Institutional Occupancy (see Group I)] 308.3, 407 Accessibility Chapter 11B Assisted toileting and bathing Chapter 11B Alarms and detection 407.8, 407.9 Care suites 407.4.4

    Combustible decorations 806.1 Cooking 407.2.6, 407.2.7 Electrical systems 407.11, 2702.2 Hyperbaric facilities 425 Means of egress 407.4

    Aisles 1018.5

    Corridors 407.2, 407.3, 407.4, 1020.3, 407.4.3 Doors 407.3.1, 407.2.6, 1010.2.13, 1010.2.11, 407.4.4.3, 407.4.4.5,

    407.6

    Hardware 1010.2.9, 1010.2.13,

    407.4.1.1 Lighting 1008.2, 1008.2.4 Stairway, exit access 1019.4 Stairways, exterior exit 1027.2 Travel distance 407.4.2 Medical gas systems 427 Occupancy condition 308.3.1 Smoke barriers 407.5 Smoke compartment 407.2.1, 407.2.3, 407.5

  • CBC § 1017.3.1 High relevance — show source text

    1017.3.1 Exit access stairways and ramps. Travel distance on exit access stairways or ramps shall be included in the exit access travel distance measurement. The measurement along stairways shall be made on a plane parallel and tangent to the stair tread nosings in the center of the stair and landings. The measurement along ramps shall be made on the walking surface in the center of the ramp and landings.

    1017.3.2 Atriums. Exit access travel distance for areas open to an atrium shall comply with the requirements of Sections 1017.3.2.1 through 1017.3.2.3.

    1017.3.2.1 Egress not through the atrium. Where required access to the exits is not through the atrium, exit access travel distance shall comply with Section 1017.2.

    1017.3.2.2 Exit access travel distance at the level of exit discharge. Where the path of egress travel is through an atrium space, exit access travel distance at the level of exit discharge shall be determined in accordance with Section 1017.2.

    1017.3.2.3 Exit access travel distance at other than the level of exit discharge. Where the path of egress travel is not at the level of exit discharge from the atrium, that portion of the total permitted exit access travel distance that occurs within the atrium shall be not greater than 200 feet (60 960 mm).

    SECTION 1018—AISLES

    [DSA-AC] In addition to the requirements of this section, means of egress, which provide access to, or egress from, buildings or facilities

    — where accessibility is required for applications listed in Section 1.9.1 regulated by the Division of the State Architect Access Compliance, shall also comply with Chapter 11A or Chapter 11B, Section 11B-403, as applicable.

    1018.1 General. Aisles and aisle accessways serving as a portion of the exit access in the means of egress system shall comply with the requirements of this section. Aisles or aisle accessways shall be provided from all occupied portions of the exit access that contain seats, tables, furnishings, displays and similar fixtures or equipment. The minimum width or required capacity of aisles shall be unobstructed.

    Exception: Encroachments complying with Section 1005.7.

    1018.2 Aisles in assembly spaces. Aisles and aisle accessways serving a room or space used for assembly purposes shall comply with Section 1030.

    1018.3 Aisles in Groups B and M. In Group B and M occupancies, the minimum clear aisle width shall be determined by Section 1005.1 for the occupant load served, but shall be not less than that required for corridors by Section 1020.3.

    Exception: Nonpublic aisles serving less than 50 people and not required to be accessible by Chapter 11B, (see Section 11B-403) need not exceed 28 inches (711 mm) in width.

  • CBC § 1030.6.2.3 High relevance — show source text

    accessway.

    [BE] 1030.6.2.3 Automatic sprinklers. Enclosed areas with walls and ceilings in buildings or structures containing smokeprotected assembly seating shall be protected with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

    Exceptions:

    1. The floor area used for contests, performances or entertainment provided that the roof construction is more than 50 feet (15 240 mm) above the floor level and the use is restricted to low fire hazard uses.
    2. Press boxes and storage facilities less than 1,000 square feet (93 m [2] ) in area.

    [BE] 1030.6.3 Open-air assembly seating. In open-air assembly seating, the required capacity in inches (mm) of aisles shall be not less than the total occupant load served by the egress element multiplied by 0.08 (2.0 mm) where egress is by stepped aisle and multiplied by 0.06 (1.52 mm) where egress is by level aisles and ramped aisles.

    Exception: The required capacity in inches (mm) of aisles shall be permitted to comply with Section 1030.6.2 for the number of seats in the open-air assembly seating where Section 1030.6.2 permits less capacity.

    [BE] 1030.6.3.1 Automatic sprinklers. Enclosed areas with walls and ceilings in buildings or structures containing open-air assembly seating shall be protected with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

    Exceptions:

    1. The floor area used for contests, performances or entertainment, provided that the roof construction is more than 50 feet (15 240 mm) above the floor level and the use is restricted to low-fire hazard uses.
    2. Press boxes and storage facilities less than 1,000 square feet (93 m [2] ) in area.
    3. Open-air assembly seating facilities where seating and the means of egress in the seating area are essentially open to the outside.

    1030.6.3.2 Public address system. See Section 907.2.1.1.

    [BE] 1030.7 Travel distance. The exit access travel distance shall comply with Section 1017. Where aisles are provided for seating, the distance shall be measured along the aisles and aisle accessways without travel over or on the seats.

    Exceptions:

    1. In facilities with smoke-protected assembly seating the total exit access travel distance shall be not greater than 400 feet (122 m). That portion of the total permitted exit access travel distance from each seat to the nearest entrance to a vomitory or concourse shall not exceed 200 feet (60 960 mm). The portion of the total permitted exit access travel distance from the entrance to the vomitory or concourse to one of the following shall not exceed 200 feet (60 960 mm). 1.1. The closest riser of an exit access stairway. 1.2. The closest slope of an exit access ramp.

    1.3. An exit.

    1. In facilities with open-air assembly seating of Type III, IV or V construction, the total exit access travel distance to one of the following shall not exceed 400 feet (122 m). 2.1. The closest riser of an exit access stairway. 2.2. The closest slope of an exit access ramp.

    2.3. An exit.

    1. In facilities with open-air assembly seating of Type I or II construction, the exit access travel distance shall not be limited.
  • CBC § 101.4.7 High relevance — show source text

    Existing 101.4.7 Fire walls 706.1 Height (see Height, Building) 502.1, 503, 504, 505, 508, 510 Occupancy classification Chapter 3 Party walls 706.1.1 Relocatable 3113

    Replicable Appendix N Building, Existing 202 Building Department 103 Building Official Duties and powers 103, 104 Qualifications Appendix A Records 104.7

    Termination A101.4 Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) (see Photovoltaic) Built-Up Roof 1507.10 Business Occupancy (Group B) 303.1.1, 303.1.2, 304 Alarms and detection 907.2.2 Ambulatory care facilities 304, 422 Area 503, 505, 506, 507, 508 Height 503, 504, 505, 508, 510 Higher education laboratories 428, 2702.2

    Incidental uses 509 Interior finishes Table 803.13, 804 Live load Table 1607.1 Means of egress Aisles 1018.3

    Stairway, exit access 1019 Travel distance 1006.3, 1017.2,

    1006.2.1

    Mixed occupancies 508.2, 508.3, 508.4 Accessory 303.1.2, 508.2 Ambulatory care facilities 422 Assembly 303.1.2

    Assembly spaces 1030 Exit signs 1013.1 Guards 1015.2, 1030.17 Main exit 1030.3

    Open air 1005.3.1, 1005.3.2, 1006.3, 1009.6.4, 1019.3, 1027, 1030.6.2 Panic hardware 1010.2.8, 1010.4.1 Smoke-protected 1005.3.1, 1005.3.2, 1006.3, 1009.6.4, 1019.3, 1027, 1030.6.2 Travel distance 1006.2.1, 1006.3, 1017.2, 1030.7 Mixed occupancies 508.3, 508.4 Accessory 508.2 Education 303.1.3

  • CBC § 10-17 High relevance — show source text

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17 1010 Doors, Gates and Turnstiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20 1011 Stairways. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30 101 2 Ramps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34 1013 Exit Signs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35 1014 Handrails. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37

    1015 Guards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38

    1016 Exit Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40

    1017 Exit Access Travel Distance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41

    1018 Aisles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42

    1019 Exit Access Stairways and Ramps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43 1020 Corridors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44

    1021 Egress Balconies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46 1022 Exits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46

  • CBC § 1030.6.2.3 High relevance — show source text

    Exception: A roof canopy in an outdoor stadium shall be permitted to be less than 15 feet (4572 mm) above the highest aisle or aisle accessway provided that there are no objects less than 80 inches (2032 mm) above the highest aisle or aisle

    accessway.

    1030.6.2.3 Automatic sprinklers. Enclosed areas with walls and ceilings in buildings or structures containing smokeprotected assembly seating shall be protected with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

    Exceptions:

    1. The floor area used for contests, performances or entertainment provided that the roof construction is more than 50 feet (15 240 mm) above the floor level and the use is restricted to low fire hazard uses.
    2. Press boxes and storage facilities less than 1,000 square feet (93 m [2] ) in area.

    1030.6.3 Open-air assembly seating. In open-air assembly seating, the required capacity in inches (mm) of aisles shall be not less than the total occupant load served by the egress element multiplied by 0.08 (2.0 mm) where egress is by stepped aisle and multiplied by 0.06 (1.52 mm) where egress is by level aisles and ramped aisles.

    Exception: The required capacity in inches (mm) of aisles shall be permitted to comply with Section 1030.6.2 for the number of seats in the open-air assembly seating where Section 1030.6.2 permits less capacity.

    1030.6.3.1 Automatic sprinklers. Enclosed areas with walls and ceilings in buildings or structures containing open-air assembly seating shall be protected with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

    Exceptions:

    1. The floor area used for contests, performances or entertainment, provided that the roof construction is more than 50 feet (15 240 mm) above the floor level and the use is restricted to low fire hazard uses.
    2. Press boxes and storage facilities less than 1,000 square feet (93 m [2] ) in area.
    3. Open-air assembly seating facilities where seating and the means of egress in the seating area are essentially open to the outside.

    1030.6.3.2 Public address system. See Section 907.2.1.1.

    1030.7 Travel distance. The exit access travel distance shall comply with Section 1017. Where aisles are provided for seating, the distance shall be measured along the aisles and aisle accessways without travel over or on the seats.

    Exceptions:

    1. In facilities with smoke-protected assembly seating, the total exit access travel distance shall be not greater than 400 feet (122 m). That portion of the total permitted exit access travel distance from each seat to the nearest entrance to a vomitory or concourse shall not exceed 200 feet (60 960 mm). The portion of the total permitted exit access travel distance from the entrance to the vomitory or concourse to one of the following shall not exceed 200 feet (60 960 mm): 1.1. The closest riser of an exit access stairway. 1.2. The closest slope of an exit access ramp.

    1.3. An exit.

    10-54 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

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

    MEANS OF EGRESS

  • CBC § 1017.3.1 High relevance — show source text

    [BE] 1017.3.1 Exit access stairways and ramps. Travel distance on exit access stairways or ramps shall be included in the exit access travel distance measurement. The measurement along stairways shall be made on a plane parallel and tangent to the stair tread nosings in the center of the stair and landings. The measurement along ramps shall be made on the walking surface in the center of the ramp and landings.

    1017.3.2 Atriums. Exit access travel distance for areas open to an atrium shall comply with the requirements of Sections 1017.3.2.1 through 1017.3.2.3.

    1017.3.2.1 Egress not through the atrium. Where required access to the exits is not through the atrium, exit access travel distance shall comply with Section 1017.2.

    1017.3.2.2 Exit access travel distance at the level of exit discharge. Where the path of egress travel is through an atrium space, exit access travel distance at the level of exit discharge shall be determined in accordance with Section 1017.2.

    1017.3.2.3 Exit access travel distance at other than the level of exit discharge. Where the path of egress travel is not at the level of exit discharge from the atrium, that portion of the total permitted exit access travel distance that occurs within the atrium shall be not greater than 200 feet (60 960 mm).

    SECTION 1018—AISLES

    [DSA-AC] In addition to the requirements of this section, means of egress, which provide access to, or egress from, buildings or facilities where accessibility is required for applications listed in Section 1.9.1 regulated by the Division of the State Architect-Access Compliance, shall also comply with Chapter 11A or Chapter 11B, Section 403, as applicable.

    [BE] 1018.1 General. Aisles and aisle accessways serving as a portion of the exit access in the means of egress system shall comply with the requirements of this section. Aisles or aisle accessways shall be provided from all occupied portions of the exit access that contain seats, tables, furnishings, displays and similar fixtures or equipment. The minimum width or required capacity of aisles shall be unobstructed.

    Exception: Encroachments complying with Section 1005.7.

    [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §3.06(a)] Bonding of Chairs and Spacing of Tables.

    (a) Bonding of chairs. In every Group A and Group E occupancy, all loose seats, folding chairs or similar seating facilities that are not fixed to the floor shall be bonded together in groups of not less than three.

    Exceptions: (1) When not more than 200 such seats, chairs or facilities are provided, bonding thereof may be deleted. (2) The bonding of chairs shall not be required when tables are provided, as when the occupancy is used for dining or similar

    purposes.

    10-42 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

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

    MEANS OF EGRESS

  • CBC § 304.8 High relevance — show source text

    l| |Group H-2|50|100l|0|0|75|100j, l| |Group H-3|50|100l|20|20|100|150j, l| |Group H-4|75|75l|20|20|150|175j, l| |Group H-5|75|75l|20|50|150|200j, l| |Group I-1|75|75j|20|50|200|250j| |Group I-2|Notes d, e, f|Notes d, e, f, j|Note e|Note e|150|200b, j| |Group I-3|100|100j|NR|NR|150b|200b, j| |Group I-4|NR|NR|20|20|200|250j| |Group M|75|100j|50|50|200|250i, j| |Group R-1|75|75j, k|50|50|200|250j, k| |Group R-2|75|125j, k|50|50|200|250j, k| |Group R-3|NR|NR|NR|NR|NR|NR| |Group R-4|NR|NR|NR|NR|NR|NR| |Group U|75g|100j|20|50|300|400j| |NR = No Requirements.
    For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2.
    a. See Section 1030.9.5 for dead-end aisles in Group A occupancies.
    b. This dimension is for the total travel distance, assuming incremental portions have fully utilized their allowable maximums. For travel distance within the room, and from the
    room exit access door to the exit, see the appropriate occupancy chapter.
    c. See Section 412 of the_California Building Code_ for special requirements on spacing of doors in aircraft hangars.
    d. Separation of exit access doors within a care recipient sleeping room, or any suite that includes care recipient sleeping rooms, shall comply with Section 1105.5.6.
    e. In smoke compartments containing care recipient sleeping rooms and treatment rooms, dead-end_corridors_ shall comply with Section 1105.6.5.
    f. In Group I-2, Condition 2, care recipient sleeping rooms or any suite that includes care recipient sleeping rooms shall comply with Section 1105.7.
    g. Where a tenant space in Group B, S and U occupancies has an occupant load of not more than 30, the length of a common path of egress travel shall be not more than 100
    feet.
    h. Where the building, or portion of the building, is limited to one story and the height from the finished floor to the bottom of the ceiling or roof slab or deck is 24 feet or more,
    the exit access travel distance is increased to 400 feet.
    i.
    For covered and open malls, the exit access travel distance is increased to 400 feet.
    j.
    Buildings equipped with an_approved_ automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
    k.

  • CBC § 10-36 High relevance — show source text

    1014 Handrails. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36

    1015 Guards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37

    1016 Exit Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39

    1017 Exit Access Travel Distance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40

    1018 Aisles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41

    1019 Exit Access Stairways and Ramps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42

    1020 Corridors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42

    1021 Egress Balconies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44

    1022 Exits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44

    1023 Interior Exit Stairways and Ramps . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45

    1024 Exit Passageways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47

    1025 Luminous Egress Path Markings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48

    1026 Horizontal Exits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49

    1027 Exterior Exit Stairways and Ramps . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50

    1028 Exit Discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51

    1029 Egress Courts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-52

    1030 Assembly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-52

    1031 Emergency Escape and Rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-59

    CHAPTER 11 RESERVED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1

    CHAPTER 11A HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11A-1

  • CBC § 10-5 High relevance — show source text

    1002 Maintenance and Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5

    1003 General Means of Egress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5

    1004 Occupant Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7

    1005 Means of Egress Sizing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-9

    1006 Number of Exits and Exit Access Doorways . . . . . 10-10

    1007 Exit and Exit Access Doorway Configuration . . . . 10-14

    1008 Means of Egress Illumination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14

    1009 Accessible Means of Egress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15

    1010 Doors, Gates and Turnstiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19

    1011 Stairways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29

    1012 Ramps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33

    1013 Exit Signs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34

    1014 Handrails. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36

    1015 Guards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37

    1016 Exit Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39

    1017 Exit Access Travel Distance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40

    1018 Aisles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41

    1019 Exit Access Stairways and Ramps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42

    1020 Corridors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42

    1021 Egress Balconies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44

    1022 Exits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44

  • CBC § 1006.3 High relevance — show source text

    Stairway, exit access 1019 Travel distance 1006.3, 1017.2 Separation 420.2, 420.3, 420.6 Sprinkler protection 420.4, 903.2.8 Institutional I-2 [see Institutional Occupancy (see Group I)] 308.3, 407 Accessibility Chapter 11B Assisted toileting and bathing Chapter 11B Alarms and detection 407.8, 407.9 Care suites 407.4.4

    Combustible decorations 806.1 Cooking 407.2.6, 407.2.7 Electrical systems 407.11, 2702.2 Hyperbaric facilities 425 Means of egress 407.4

    Aisles 1018.5

    Corridors 407.2, 407.3, 407.4, 1020.3, 407.4.3 Doors 407.3.1, 407.2.6, 1010.2.13, 1010.2.11, 407.4.4.3, 407.4.4.5,

    407.6

    Hardware 1010.2.9, 1010.2.13,

    407.4.1.1 Lighting 1008.2, 1008.2.4 Stairway, exit access 1019.4 Stairways, exterior exit 1027.2 Travel distance 407.4.2 Medical gas systems 427 Occupancy condition 308.3.1 Smoke barriers 407.5 Smoke compartment 407.2.1, 407.2.3, 407.5

    Smoke partitions 407.3 Sprinkler protection 407.7, 903.2.6, 903.3.2

    Yards 407.10

    Institutional I-3 [see Institutional Occupancy (see Group I)] 308.4, 408 Accessibility Chapter 11B Alarm and detection 408.10, 907.2.6.3 Combustible decorations 806.1 Means of egress 408.2, 408.3, 408.4 Occupancy condition 308.4 Security glazing 408.7 Separation 408.5, 408.6 Smoke barrier 408.6

    Smoke compartment 408.4.1, 408.6, 408.9 Sprinkler protection 408.11, 903.2.6 Standby/emergency power 2702.2 Institutional I-4 [see Institutional Occupancy (Group I)] 308.5 Accessibility Chapter 11B Adult care 308.5

    Alarms and detection 907.2.6

    Child care 308.5

    Educational 308.5.1 Means of egress Table 1006.2.1, Table 1017.2

    Corridor 1020.2

    Hardware 1010.2.7, 1010.2.12.1 Sprinkler protection 903.2.6 Institutional Occupancy (Group I) 308 Accessory 508.2 Adult care 308.5

  • CBC § 104.3.1 High relevance — show source text

    Alteration D103.1 Change of occupancy D103.2 Flood-resistant 104.3.1, Appendix G Historic 101.4.7

    Relocated structures D103.3

    Repairs 101.4.7, 116.5 Rodentproofing Appendix F Exit (see Means of Egress) 1022, 1023, 1024, 1025, 1026, 1027 Atrium 404.10, 1023.2 Boiler room 1006.2.1.1 Configuration 1007 Construction 713.2, 1019, 1023.2 Doorways 1007 Dwellings 1006.2.2.6, 1006.3.4.1 Electrical rooms 1006.2.2.4

    Enclosure 707.3.2, 1023.2 Fire resistance 707.3, 1019, 1023.2

    Furnace rooms 1006.2.2.1

    Group H-5 415.11.6.6 High rise 403.5, 403.6, 1025 Horizontal 707.3.5, 1026 Incinerator rooms 1006.2.2.1

    Interior finish Table 803.13, 804 Luminous 403.5.5, 411.4.1, 1008.2.1, 1013.5, 1025 Mall buildings 402.8 Number, minimum 402.8.3, 403.5,

    1006

    Occupant load 402.8.2, 1004.2, 1006.3.2

    Passageway 707.3.4, 1024 Ramps, exterior 1027 Ramps, interior 1023 Refrigerated room 1006.2.2.2, 1006.2.2.3 Refuge area 407.5.3, 408.6.2, 420.6.1, 422.3.2

    Stairways, exterior 1027 Stairways, interior 1023 Stories 1004.2.3, 1006.3, 1017.3.1 Travel distance 404.9, 407.5.2, 410.5.3.2, 412.6 Underground buildings 405.7 Exit Access (see Means of Egress) 1016, 1017, 1018, 1019, 1020, 1021 Aircraft related 412.2.2, 412.4.2,

    412.7.3

    Aisles 1018 Ambulatory care facilities 422.3 Atrium 404.10, 404.11, 404.9, 1006.3.2, 1017.3.2, 1019.3 Balconies 1017.2.1, 1021 Common path 1006.2.1 Corridors 1020

    Doors 1005.7, 1006.2, 1007, 1010,

    1022.2

    Group H 415.11.3.3 Group I-2 407.4, 407.5.4 Group I-3 408.2, 408.3, 408.6.3 High rise 403.5 Higher education laboratories 428.3.5 Intervening space 1016.2 Malls 402.8

Frequently asked questions

What section sets the maximum exit access travel distance?

Maximum travel distances are set in §1017 and the occupancy‑specific tables/notes that accompany Chapter 10; values depend on occupancy type and whether an approved automatic sprinkler system is provided .

How is travel distance measured when stairs or ramps are part of the path?

Travel distance includes exit access stairways and ramps; stair measurement is taken on a plane parallel and tangent to the tread nosings (centerline of the stair), and ramp measurements are on the walking surface centerline, per §1017.3.1 .

Are aisles the same as corridors under the CBC?

No. Aisles (§1018) are sized and located to serve seating, tables, displays and similar fixtures and have specific capacity and assembly rules; corridors (§1020) are general circulation elements with their own width, dead‑end and continuity requirements .

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Related in the CBC

General requirements & sizing

Means of egress components (doors, stairs, rails, signs, guards)

Exits, exit discharge, accessibility and special egress cases

Means of Egress

California Building Code