CBC · California Building Code

Corridors, aisles and egress balconies standards

The CBC requires aisles, corridors and egress balconies to provide unobstructed minimum widths based on occupant load and use, limit dead‑end lengths, control air movement and, for exterior egress balconies, require minimum openness and separation — see §§ 1018, 1020 and 1021 for the specific numeric widths, exceptions and continuity rules.

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Last reviewed: July 5, 2026

What the code requires — 2-4 sentences

Corridors, aisles and egress (exit) balconies are regulated to ensure unobstructed, sized and continuous means of egress. Aisles that form part of the exit access must meet minimum clear widths and common-path limits (§ 1018). Corridors must meet fire‑resistance, minimum width, dead‑end and air‑movement rules (§ 1020). Exterior egress balconies used as means of egress follow the corridor rules for width, capacity, headroom, dead ends and projections, and have additional openness and separation requirements (§ 1021) .

Requirements in detail

Aisles (exit-access that serve seats, tables, displays, etc.)

  • Aisles and aisle accessways that form part of the exit access must be provided from all occupied portions that contain seating, tables, displays or similar fixtures; widths and capacities must be unobstructed (§ 1018.1) .
  • For Group B and M occupancies the minimum clear aisle width is determined by the means‑of‑egress sizing rules (Section 1005.1) but must be at least the corridor requirement in § 1020.3; small nonpublic aisles (<50 persons and not required accessible) may be reduced to 28 inches (711 mm) (§ 1018.3, § 1018.5) .
  • Merchandise pad aisle accessways: minimum clear width 30 inches (762 mm), measured perpendicular to the merchandise, and the common path from any point in the merchandise pad shall not exceed 30 feet (except for areas serving ≤50 occupants where 75 feet is permitted) (§ 1018.4) .

Corridors (construction, width, dead ends, air movement, continuity)

  • Construction and fire-resistance: corridors shall be fire‑resistance rated per Table 1020.2 where required; corridor walls required to be fire‑resistance rated must comply with fire partition requirements (§ 1020.2) .
  • Width / capacity: corridor required capacity is computed per § 1005.1, but minimum clear widths are given in Table 1020.3 (examples follow in the table below). Exceptions apply for specific occupancies (see § 1020.3) .
  • Obstruction: corridor width or required capacity must remain unobstructed (encroachments allowed only as permitted in § 1005.7) (§ 1020.4) .
  • Dead ends: where more than one exit or exit access doorway is required, dead‑end corridors shall not exceed 20 feet (6096 mm) (with specific exceptions for certain occupancies and sprinklered buildings) (§ 1020.5) .
  • Air movement: corridors shall not serve as HVAC ducts (supply/return/exhaust), with limited exceptions (makeup air allowances for very small rooms, within dwelling units, small tenant spaces, and certain healthcare transfer air) and limited use of plenum above a corridor under specified conditions (§ 1020.6, § 1020.6.1) .
  • Continuity (fire‑resistance rated corridors): fire‑resistance rated corridors must be continuous from point of entry to an exit and not interrupted by intervening rooms; where egress includes unenclosed exit access stairs or ramps the fire‑resistance rating must continue for those connecting elements (§ 1020.7) .

Decision‑relevant numeric values (table)

Element Required value Code reference
General minimum corridor width (any facility not listed below) 44 in (1118 mm) § 1020.3
Corridor serving occupant load < 50 36 in (914 mm) § 1020.3
Corridor within a dwelling unit 36 in (914 mm) § 1020.3
Group E corridor with occupant load ≥ 100 72 in (1829 mm) § 1020.3
Corridors serving stretcher traffic (ambulatory care) 72 in (1829 mm) § 1020.3
Group I-2/I-3 where required for bed movement 96 in (2438 mm) § 1020.3
Aisles — nonpublic, <50 occupants (exception) may be as narrow as 28 in (711 mm) § 1018.3 / § 1018.5
Merchandise pad aisle accessway (min clear width) 30 in (762 mm) § 1018.4
Merchandise pad common path of egress travel 30 ft (9144 mm); exception 75 ft for areas ≤50 occupants § 1018.4
Dead-end corridor (general limit) 20 ft (6096 mm) § 1020.5
Egress balcony long side openness ≥ 50% open on long side; openings distributed to minimize smoke accumulation § 1021.3
Exterior egress balcony minimum fire separation distance 10 ft (3048 mm) to lot lines/other buildings/other portions of same building § 1021.4

Notes:

  • Many aisle widths are ultimately driven by occupant load and the sizing formulas in § 1005.1; aisles cannot be obstructed (§ 1018.1, § 1005.1) .
  • Corridors required to be fire‑resistance rated must follow Table 1020.2 and fire partition rules (§ 1020.2) .

Egress balconies (exterior)

  • Balconies used for egress must conform to the same corridor requirements for minimum width, required capacity, headroom, dead ends and projections (§ 1021.1) — i.e., treat them as corridors for those criteria (§ 1021.1) .
  • Exterior egress balconies must be separated from the interior by walls and opening protectives as required for corridors; an exception allows omission of separation when the balcony is served by at least two stairs and travel does not require passing an unprotected opening to reach a stair (§ 1021.2) .
  • Openness: the long side of an egress balcony shall be not less than 50 percent open; the open area above guards must be arranged to minimize accumulation of smoke/toxic gases (§ 1021.3) .
  • Location: exterior egress balconies must have minimum fire separation distance of 10 feet to adjacent lot lines, other portions of the building, and other buildings on the lot (treat other portions of the building as separate buildings for this purpose) (§ 1021.4) .

(If you need headroom numeric values note: § 1021.1 references headroom as a corridor requirement — the numeric headroom dimension is given in the CBC at § 1003.2/1003.3; that specific text was not retrieved here, so do not assume a value without checking § 1003.2 in your copy of the CBC.)

Exceptions & special cases

  • Narrow nonpublic aisles: nonpublic aisles serving fewer than 50 persons and not required to be accessible need not exceed 28 inches (711 mm) (§ 1018.3 / § 1018.5) .
  • Healthcare (I‑2) and some institutional situations: wider corridors for bed/stretcher movement (72–96 in) and special dead‑end allowances apply; some I‑2/I‑3 corridors have higher minimums or different exceptions (§ 1020.3, § 1020.5) .
  • Sprinklered buildings: dead‑end corridor length limits are relaxed for many occupancy groups when the building is fully sprinklered in accordance with § 903.3.1.1 (see the exceptions under § 1020.5) .
  • Air handling/plenum use above corridors is allowed only under narrow conditions (corridor not required to be fire‑resistance rated, separated by rated construction, HVAC shutoff on smoke detection or sprinkler water flow, or as part of an engineered smoke control system) (§ 1020.6.1) .
  • Egress balcony separation exception: separation from the interior need not be provided when the balcony is served by two stairways and travel does not require going past an unprotected opening to reach a stair (§ 1021.2 exception) .

Common mistakes

  • Applying corridor widths without checking occupant load: designers sometimes use the generic 44 in figure without calculating required capacity per § 1005.1; corridor width is the greater of capacity calculation and the minimum in Table 1020.3 (§ 1020.3) .
  • Forgetting exceptions for nonpublic aisles: trimming nonpublic aisles under 28 in is only allowed when they serve fewer than 50 and are not required accessible (§ 1018.3/1018.5) .
  • Dead ends: exceeding 20 ft in required exit access without confirming occupancy exceptions or sprinkler reductions (§ 1020.5) .
  • Treating egress balconies as simple balconies: balconies used as egress must meet corridor rules for width, headroom, dead‑end limits and openings (not all balcony code provisions apply) (§ 1021.1) .
  • Using corridors as HVAC ducts: corridors shall not be used as supply/return/exhaust ducts except for tightly limited exceptions (§ 1020.6) .

Worked example — retail store with merchandise pads

Scenario: A retail store (Group M) has a central merchandise pad and two aisles leading from the pad to main aisles. The merchandise pad will serve 120 occupants for the tenant space and the designer wants to know minimum aisle widths and maximum common path.

Apply the code:

  • Merchandise pad aisle accessway minimum clear width: 30 in (762 mm) measured perpendicular to the merchandise elements (§ 1018.4) .
  • Common path from any point in the merchandise pad to reach an adjacent aisle/aisle accessway: 30 ft (9144 mm) maximum; the exception (75 ft) applies only where the area serves not more than 50 occupants, which does not apply here (§ 1018.4) .
  • The aisle serving the tenant space (occupant load > 50) must also meet corridor-based minimums where applicable: corridors/aisles in Group M must not be less than corridor minimums in § 1020.3 (for occupant loads ≥50 that is typically 44 in unless other conditions raise it) — calculate required capacity per § 1005.1 and ensure at least the minimum of Table 1020.3 is met (§ 1018.3, § 1020.3) .

Result: Provide 30 in clear for merchandise pad accessways and ensure the path from any point on the pad to an aisle is ≤30 ft. For main aisle design confirm occupant‑based capacity calculations per § 1005.1 and then provide at least 44 in if that is the controlling minimum for the space (§ 1018.4, § 1020.3) .

Related provisions

  • § 1005.1 Means of egress sizing (occupant‑based capacity calculations) — referenced by § 1018.3 and § 1020.3
  • § 1005.7 Encroachments (permits certain encroachments into required width) — referenced by § 1018.1 and § 1020.4
  • § 1003.2 / § 1003.3 Headroom (corridor headroom referenced by § 1021.1) — headroom numeric rules are in § 1003.x (text not retrieved here)
  • § 1015 Guards (balcony guards and openings interact with § 1021.3)
  • § 705 Opening protection / fire separation (used in balcony location and corridor unprotected openings exceptions) — referenced by § 1021.4 and § 1020.2 exceptions
  • § 903 Automatic sprinkler exceptions (affect dead‑end allowances and other exceptions in § 1020.5)
  • § 1016 Intervening rooms and elevator lobby rules (affect corridor continuity, § 1020.7)

Code references

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

  • CBC § 1020.7 High relevance — show source text

    1020.7 Corridor continuity. Fire-resistance-rated corridors shall be continuous from the point of entry to an exit, and shall not be interrupted by intervening rooms. Where the path of egress travel within a fire-resistance-rated corridor to the exit includes travel along unenclosed exit access stairways or ramps, the fire-resistance rating shall be continuous for the length of the stairway or ramp and for the length of the connecting corridor on the adjacent floor leading to the exit.

    Exceptions:

    1. Foyers, lobbies or reception rooms constructed as required for corridors shall not be construed as intervening rooms.
    2. Enclosed elevator lobbies as permitted by Item 1 of Section 1016.2 shall not be construed as intervening rooms. 3. [SFM] In fully sprinklered office buildings, corridors may lead through enclosed elevator lobbies if all areas of the building have access to at least one required exit without passing through the elevator lobby.

    SECTION 1021—EGRESS BALCONIES

    1021.1 General. Balconies used for egress purposes shall conform to the same requirements as corridors for minimum width, required capacity, headroom, dead ends and projections.

    1021.2 Wall separation. Exterior egress balconies shall be separated from the interior of the building by walls and opening protectives as required for corridors.

    Exception: Separation is not required where the exterior egress balcony is served by not less than two stairways and a dead-end travel condition does not require travel past an unprotected opening to reach a stairway.

    1021.3 Openness. The long side of an egress balcony shall be not less than 50 percent open, and the open area above the guards shall be so distributed as to minimize the accumulation of smoke or toxic gases.

    1021.4 Location. Exterior egress balconies shall have a minimum fire separation distance of 10 feet (3048 mm) measured at right angles from the exterior edge of the egress balcony to the following:

    1. Adjacent lot lines.
    2. Other portions of the building.
    3. Other buildings on the same lot unless the adjacent building exterior walls and openings are protected in accordance with Section 705 based on fire separation distance.

    For the purposes of this section, other portions of the building shall be treated as separate buildings.

    SECTION 1022—EXITS

    1022.1 General. Exits shall comply with Sections 1022 through 1027 and the applicable requirements of Sections 1003 through 1015. An exit shall not be used for any purpose that interferes with its function as a means of egress. Once a given level of exit protection is achieved, such level of protection shall not be reduced until arrival at the exit discharge. Exits shall be continuous from the point of entry into the exit to the exit discharge.

    1022.2 Exterior exit doors. Buildings or structures used for human occupancy shall have not less than one exterior door that meets the requirements of Section 1010.1.1.

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    1022.2.1 Detailed requirements. Exterior exit doors shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 1010.1.

    1022.2.2 Arrangement. Exterior exit doors shall lead directly to the exit discharge or the public way.

  • 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

  • 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 § 1020.6.1 High relevance — show source text

    Exceptions:

    1. Use of a corridor as a source of makeup air for exhaust systems in rooms that open directly onto such corridors, including toilet rooms, bathrooms, dressing rooms, smoking lounges and janitor closets, shall be permitted, provided that each such corridor is directly supplied with outdoor air at a rate greater than the rate of makeup air taken from the corridor.
    2. Where located within a dwelling unit, the use of corridors for conveying return air shall not be prohibited.
    3. Where located within tenant spaces of 1,000 square feet (93 m [2] ) or less in area, utilization of corridors for conveying return air is permitted.
    4. Transfer air movement required to maintain the pressurization difference within health care facilities and Group L occu- pancies in accordance with ASHRAE 170. 5. For health care facilities under the jurisdiction of the Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD), see the California Mechanical Code.

    1020.6.1 Corridor ceiling. Use of the space between the corridor ceiling and the floor or roof structure above as a return air plenum is permitted for one or more of the following conditions:

    1. The corridor is not required to be of fire-resistance-rated construction.
    2. The corridor is separated from the plenum by fire-resistance-rated construction.
    3. The air-handling system serving the corridor is shut down upon activation of the air-handling unit smoke detectors required by the California Mechanical Code .
    4. The air-handling system serving the corridor is shut down upon detection of sprinkler water flow where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system.
    5. The space between the corridor ceiling and the floor or roof structure above the corridor is used as a component of an approved engineered smoke control system.

    1020.7 Corridor continuity. Fire-resistance-rated corridors shall be continuous from the point of entry to an exit, and shall not be interrupted by intervening rooms. Where the path of egress travel within a fire-resistance-rated corridor to the exit includes travel along unenclosed exit access stairways or ramps, the fire-resistance rating shall be continuous for the length of the stairway or ramp and for the length of the connecting corridor on the adjacent floor leading to the exit.

    Exceptions:

    1. Foyers, lobbies or reception rooms constructed as required for corridors shall not be construed as intervening rooms.
    2. Enclosed elevator lobbies as permitted by Item 1 of Section 1016.2 shall not be construed as intervening rooms. 3. [SFM] In fully sprinklered office buildings, corridors may lead through enclosed elevator lobbies if all areas of the building have access to at least one required exit without passing through the elevator lobby.

    SECTION 1021—EGRESS BALCONIES

    1021.1 General. Balconies used for egress purposes shall conform to the same requirements as corridors for minimum width, required capacity, headroom, dead ends and projections.

    1021.2 Wall separation. Exterior egress balconies shall be separated from the interior of the building by walls and opening protectives as required for corridors.

    Exception: Separation is not required where the exterior egress balcony is served by not less than two stairways and a dead-end travel condition does not require travel past an unprotected opening to reach a stairway.

    1021.3 Openness. The long side of an egress balcony shall be not less than 50 percent open, and the open area above the guards shall be so distributed as to minimize the accumulation of smoke or toxic gases.

  • CBC § 1.9.1 High relevance — show source text

    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.

    1018.4 Aisle accessways in Group M. An aisle accessway shall be provided on not less than one side of each element within the merchandise pad. The minimum clear width for an aisle accessway not required to be accessible shall be 30 inches (762 mm). The required clear width of the aisle accessway shall be measured perpendicular to the elements and merchandise within the merchandise pad. The 30-inch (762 mm) minimum clear width shall be maintained to provide a path to an adjacent aisle or aisle accessway. The common path of egress travel shall not exceed 30 feet (9144 mm) from any point in the merchandise pad.

    Exception: For areas serving not more than 50 occupants, the common path of egress travel shall not exceed 75 feet (22 860 mm).

    1018.5 Aisles in other than assembly spaces and Groups B and M. In other than rooms or spaces used for assembly purposes and Group B and M occupancies, the minimum clear aisle capacity shall be determined by Section 1005.1 for the occupant load served, but the width 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.

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    SECTION 1019—EXIT ACCESS STAIRWAYS AND RAMPS

    1019.1 General. Exit access stairways and ramps serving as an exit access component in a means of egress system shall comply with the requirements of this section. The number of stories connected by exit access stairways and ramps shall include basements, but not mezzanines.

  • CBC § 1020.7 High relevance — show source text
    1. The air-handling system serving the corridor is shut down upon detection of sprinkler water flow where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system.
    2. The space between the corridor ceiling and the floor or roof structure above the corridor is used as a component of an approved engineered smoke control system.

    [BE] 1020.7 Corridor continuity. Fire-resistance-rated corridors shall be continuous from the point of entry to an exit, and shall not be interrupted by intervening rooms. Where the path of egress travel within a fire-resistance-rated corridor to the exit includes travel

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    along unenclosed exit access stairways or ramps, the fire-resistance-rating shall be continuous for the length of the stairway or ramp and for the length of the connecting corridor on the adjacent floor leading to the exit.

    Exceptions:

    1. Foyers, lobbies or reception rooms constructed as required for corridors shall not be construed as intervening rooms.
    2. Enclosed elevator lobbies as permitted by Item 1 of Section 1016.2 shall not be construed as intervening rooms. 3. [SFM] In fully sprinklered office buildings, corridors may lead through enclosed elevator lobbies if all areas of the building have access to at least one required exit without passing through the elevator lobby.

    SECTION 1021—EGRESS BALCONIES

    [BE] 1021.1 General. Balconies used for egress purposes shall conform to the same requirements as corridors for minimum width, required capacity, headroom, dead ends and projections.

    [BE] 1021.2 Wall separation. Exterior egress balconies shall be separated from the interior of the building by walls and opening protectives as required for corridors.

    Exception: Separation is not required where the exterior egress balcony is served by not less than two stairways and a dead-end travel condition does not require travel past an unprotected opening to reach a stairway.

    [BE] 1021.3 Openness. The long side of an egress balcony shall be not less than 50 percent open, and the open area above the guards shall be so distributed as to minimize the accumulation of smoke or toxic gases.

    [BE] 1021.4 Location. Exterior egress balconies shall have a minimum fire separation distance of 10 feet (3048 mm) measured at right angles from the exterior edge of the egress balcony to the following:

    1. Adjacent lot lines.
    2. Other portions of the building.
    3. Other buildings on the same lot unless the adjacent building exterior walls and openings are protected in accordance with Section 705 of the California Building Code based on fire separation distance.

    For the purposes of this section, other portions of the building shall be treated as separate buildings.

    SECTION 1022—EXITS

    [BE] 1022.1 General. Exits shall comply with Sections 1022 through 1027 and the applicable requirements of Sections 1003 through 1015. An exit shall not be used for any purpose that interferes with its function as a means of egress. Once a given level of exit protection is achieved, such level of protection shall not be reduced until arrival at the exit discharge. Exits shall be continuous from the point of entry into the exit to the exit discharge.

  • CBC § 1004.2.3 High relevance — show source text

    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

    Motor-vehicle-related occupancies 406.5.7 Path of egress travel, common 1006.2.1 Play structures 424.4 Ramps 1019 Seating at tables 1030.13.1 Single exit 1006.2, 1006.3.3 Stages, Platforms and Technical Production Areas 410.5

    Stairways, exit access 1019 Underground buildings 405.7 Exit Discharge (see Means Of Egress) 1023.12.1, 1023.3, 1024.4, 1028, 1029 Atrium 404.11

    Barriers 1023.8

    Courts 1029

    Exit passageway 1024.4 Horizontal exit 1028.2

    Lobbies 1028.2

    Marquees 3106.4 Public way 1028.5 Termination 1023.3

    Vestibules 1028.2 Exit Signs 1013 Accessibility 1013.4 Floor level exit signs 1013.2 Group R-1 1013.2 Illumination 1013.3, 1013.5, 1013.6 Required 1013.1 Special amusement buildings 411.4 Explosive Table 414.5.1, Table 415.6.5 Detached building 415.6.5, 415.8 Explosion control 414.5.1 Exposure Category (See Wind Load) 1609.4 Exterior Areas for Assisted Rescue

    Requirements 1009.7 Signage 1009.9, 1009.10, 1009.11 Where required 1009.2 Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) 1407 Special inspection 1705.17

    INDEX

  • CBC § 1020.6 Medium relevance — show source text

    [BE] 1020.6 Air movement in corridors. Corridors shall not serve as supply, return, exhaust, relief or ventilation air ducts.

    Exceptions:

    1. Use of a corridor as a source of makeup air for exhaust systems in small rooms of 30 square feet or less that open directly onto such corridors, including toilet rooms, bathrooms, dressing rooms, smoking lounges and janitor closets, shall be permitted, provided that each such corridor is directly supplied with outdoor air at a rate greater than the rate of makeup air taken from the corridor.
    2. Where located within a dwelling unit, the use of corridors for conveying return air shall not be prohibited.
    3. Where located within tenant spaces of 1,000 square feet (93 m [2] ) or less in area, utilization of corridors for conveying return air is permitted.
    4. Transfer air movement required to maintain the pressurization difference within health care facilities and Group L occu- pancies, in accordance with ASHRAE 170. 5. For health care facilities under the jurisdiction of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD), see the California Mechanical Code.

    [BE] 1020.6.1 Corridor ceiling. Use of the space between the corridor ceiling and the floor or roof structure above as a return air plenum is permitted for one or more of the following conditions:

    1. The corridor is not required to be of fire-resistance-rated construction.
    2. The corridor is separated from the plenum by fire-resistance-rated construction.
    3. The air-handling system serving the corridor is shut down upon activation of the air-handling unit smoke detectors required by the California Mechanical Code .
    4. The air-handling system serving the corridor is shut down upon detection of sprinkler water flow where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system.
    5. The space between the corridor ceiling and the floor or roof structure above the corridor is used as a component of an approved engineered smoke control system.

    [BE] 1020.7 Corridor continuity. Fire-resistance-rated corridors shall be continuous from the point of entry to an exit, and shall not be interrupted by intervening rooms. Where the path of egress travel within a fire-resistance-rated corridor to the exit includes travel

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    along unenclosed exit access stairways or ramps, the fire-resistance-rating shall be continuous for the length of the stairway or ramp and for the length of the connecting corridor on the adjacent floor leading to the exit.

    Exceptions:

    1. Foyers, lobbies or reception rooms constructed as required for corridors shall not be construed as intervening rooms.
    2. Enclosed elevator lobbies as permitted by Item 1 of Section 1016.2 shall not be construed as intervening rooms. 3. [SFM] In fully sprinklered office buildings, corridors may lead through enclosed elevator lobbies if all areas of the building have access to at least one required exit without passing through the elevator lobby.

    SECTION 1021—EGRESS BALCONIES

    [BE] 1021.1 General. Balconies used for egress purposes shall conform to the same requirements as corridors for minimum width, required capacity, headroom, dead ends and projections.

  • CBC § 10-17 Medium 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 § 10-37 Medium relevance — show source text

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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

    1023 Interior Exit Stairways and Ramps. . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-46 1024 Exit Passageways. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-49 1025 Luminous Egress Path Markings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-50 1026 Horizontal Exits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-51

    1027 Exterior Exit Stairways and Ramps . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-52 1028 Exit Discharge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-53 1029 Egress Courts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-54 1030 Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-54 1031 Emergency Escape and Rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-61 1032 Maintenance of the Means of Egress . . . . . . . . . . . .10-64

    CHAPTER 11 CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR

    EXISTING BUILDINGS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-3

  • CBC § 1017.3.1 Medium 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 § 1207.1.8 Medium relevance — show source text

    Fire remediation 1207.1.8 Hazard mitigation analysis 1207.1.6 Large-scale fire test 1207.1.7 Mobile ESS 202, 1207.1, 1207.1.2,

    1207.10 Residential (R-3 and R-4) 1207.11 Stationary ESS 202, 1207 Walk-in units 202, 1207.1.7, 1207.4.12, 1207.4.6, 1207.4.8, 1207.4.9, 1207.5.2, 1207.5.2.1, 1207.5.4, 1207.5.5, 1207.5.6, 1207.6.1, 1207.6.3, 1207.9.4 Energy Systems Chapter 12, 1201.1, 1201.2 Electrical energy storage systems 1201.3, 1207 Emergency and standby power systems 1203

    Permits 105.5.14, 105.6.10, 105.6.21,

    105.6.6 Portable generators 1204, 3309 Solar and photovoltaic systems 1205 Stationary fuel cell power systems 1206 Entry, Right of 104.4 Equipment, Fueled 313 Equipment Platform Defined 202

    Guards required 1015.2 Escalator Openings (see Floor Openings and Shafts) Escape Openings 1031 ESFR Sprinklers (see Automatic Sprinklers) Ethylene Gas 2503

    Generators 2506

    Evacuation 115.2, 405, 2603.3.4, 2603.3.5 Evacuation Diagrams 403.9.1.1, 403.9.2.3 Evacuation Drills 405 Frequency 405.3, Table 405.3 Notification 405.7 Recall and reentry 405.10 Evacuation Plans 404

    Excess Flow Control

    Defined 202

    Excess Flow Valve

    Defined 202

    Exhausted Enclosure 202, 5003.8.5 Exhibit Gallery Occupancy load Table 1004.5 Exhibition Halls (Occupancy Group A-3)

    202

    Exhibits and Trade Shows 105.5.15 Existing Defined 202 Existing Buildings Chapter 11 Group I-2 1105 Outdoor occupancies 1106 Exit 1022 Configuration 1007 Defined 202

    Enclosure 1023

    Horizontal 1026 Number required 1006 Passageways 1024

    Ramps, interior and exterior 1023, 1027 Stairways, interior or exterior 1023, 1027 Stories 1004.2.3, 1006.3, 1017.3.1 Exit Access 101, 1016, 1017, 1018, 1019 Aisles 1018

    Atriums 1006.3.2, 1017.3.2, 1019.3 Balconies 1017.2.1, 1021 Common path 1006.2.1 Corridor 1020

  • CBC § 10-5 Medium 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 § 1019.4 Medium relevance — show source text

    1019.4 Group I-2, I-3 and R-2.1 occupancies. In Group I-2, I-3 and R-2.1 occupancies, floor openings between stories containing exit access stairways or ramps are required to be enclosed with a shaft enclosure constructed in accordance with Section 713.

    Exception: In Group I-3 occupancies, exit access stairways or ramps constructed in accordance with Section 408 are not required to be enclosed.

    SECTION 1020—CORRIDORS

    1020.1 General. Corridors serving as an exit access component in a means of egress system shall comply with the requirements of Sections 1020.2 through 1020.7.

    1020.2 Construction. Corridors shall be fire-resistance rated in accordance with Table 1020.2. The corridor walls required to be fireresistance rated shall comply with Section 708 for fire partitions.

    Exceptions:

    1. A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors in an occupancy in Group E where each room that is used for instruction has not less than one door opening directly to the exterior and rooms for assembly purposes have not less than onehalf of the required means of egress doors opening directly to the exterior. Exterior doors specified in this exception are required to be at ground level.
    2. A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors contained within a dwelling unit or sleeping unit in an occupancy in Group R.
    3. A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors in open parking garages.
    4. A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors in an occupancy in Group B that is a space requiring only a single means of egress complying with Section 1006.2.
    5. Corridors adjacent to the exterior walls of buildings shall be permitted to have unprotected openings on unrated exterior walls where unrated walls are permitted by Table 705.5 and unprotected openings are permitted by Table 705.9. 6. A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors within suites in a Group I-2 constructed in accordance with Section 407.4.4 or 407.4.5.

    7. A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors within Group I-3 occupancies that comply with intervening spaces, see Section 408.1.2.2.

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  • CBC § 1019.4 Medium relevance — show source text

    MEANS OF EGRESS

    [BE] 1019.4 Group I-2, I-3 and R-2.1 occupancies. In Group I-2, I-3 and R-2.1 occupancies, floor openings between stories containing exit access stairways or ramps are required to be enclosed with a shaft enclosure constructed in accordance with Section 713 of the California Building Code .

    Exception: In Group I-3 occupancies, exit access stairways or ramps constructed in accordance with Section 408 of the California Building Code are not required to be enclosed.

    SECTION 1020—CORRIDORS

    [BE] 1020.1 General. Corridors serving as an exit access component in a means of egress system shall comply with the requirements of Sections 1020.2 and 1020.7.

    [BE] 1020.2 Construction. Corridors shall be fire-resistance rated in accordance with Table 1020.2. The corridor walls required to be fire-resistance rated shall comply with Section 708 of the California Building Code for fire partitions.

    Exceptions:

    1. A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors in an occupancy in Group E where each room that is used for instruction has not less than one door opening directly to the exterior and rooms for assembly purposes have not less than onehalf of the required means of egress doors opening directly to the exterior. Exterior doors specified in this exception are required to be at ground level.
    2. A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors contained within a dwelling unit or sleeping unit in an occupancy in Groups I-1 and R.
    3. A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors in open parking garages.
    4. A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors in an occupancy in Group B that is a space requiring only a single means of egress complying with Section 1006.2.
    5. Corridors adjacent to the exterior walls of buildings shall be permitted to have unprotected openings on unrated exterior walls where unrated walls are permitted by Table 705.5 of the California Building Code and unprotected openings are permitted by Table 705.9 of the California Building Code . 6. A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors within suites in a Group I-2 constructed in accordance with Section 407.4.4 or 407.4.5 of the California Building Code.
  • CBC § 1020.3 Medium relevance — show source text

    Exception: In Group I-2 occupancies, corridors are not required to have a clear width of 96 inches (2438 mm) in areas where there will not be stretcher or bed movement for access to care or as part of the defend-in-place strategy.

    TABLE 1020.3—MINIMUM CORRIDOR WIDTH Col2
    OCCUPANCY MINIMUM WIDTH (inches)
    Any facility not listed in this table 44
    Access to and utilization of mechanical, plumbing or electrical systems or equipment 24
    With an occupant load of less than 50 36
    Within a dwelling unit 36
    In Group E with a corridor having an occupant load of 100 or more 72
    In corridors and areas serving stretcher traffic in ambulatory care facilities 72
    Group I-2_ and I-3_ in areas where required for bed movement 96
    Corridors in Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies serving any area caring for one or more nonambulatory persons.a 72
    For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
    a. See Section 1224.4.7.1 for Group I-2.    		 For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
    a. See Section 1224.4.7.1 for Group I-2.

    1020.4 Obstruction. The minimum width or required capacity of corridors shall be unobstructed.

    Exception: Encroachments complying with Section 1005.7.

    1020.5 Dead ends. Where more than one exit or exit access doorway is required, the exit access shall be arranged such that deadend corridors do not exceed 20 feet (6096 mm) in length.

    Exceptions:

    1. In Group I-3, Condition 2, 3 or 4, occupancies, the dead end in a corridor shall not exceed 50 feet (15 240 mm).

    2. In occupancies in Groups B, E, F, M, R-1, R-2, R-2.1, R-2.2, S and U, where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, the length of the dead-end corridors shall not exceed 50 feet (15 240 mm).

    3. 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.

    4. In Group I-2 occupancies, where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, the length of dead-end corridors that do not serve patient rooms or patient treatment spaces shall not exceed 30 feet (9144 mm).

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    1020.6 Air movement in corridors. Corridors shall not serve as supply, return, exhaust, relief or ventilation air ducts.

    Exceptions:

    1. Use of a corridor as a source of makeup air for exhaust systems in rooms that open directly onto such corridors, including toilet rooms, bathrooms, dressing rooms, smoking lounges and janitor closets, shall be permitted, provided that each such corridor is directly supplied with outdoor air at a rate greater than the rate of makeup air taken from the corridor.
  • CBC § 3006.2 Medium relevance — show source text

    Elevator hoistway doors shall also be protected in accordance with Section 3006.2 of the California Building Code .

    [BE] 1020.3 Width and capacity. The required capacity of corridors shall be determined as specified in Section 1005.1, but the minimum width shall be not less than that specified in Table 1020.3.

    Exception: In Group I-2 occupancies, corridors are not required to have a clear width of 96 inches (2438 mm) in areas where there will not be stretcher or bed movement for access to care or as part of the defend-in-place strategy.

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    [BE] TABLE 1020.3—MINIMUM CORRIDOR WIDTH Col2
    OCCUPANCY MINIMUM WIDTH
    (inches)
    Any facility not listed below 44
    Access to and utilization of mechanical, plumbing or electrical systems or equipment 24
    With an occupant load of less than 50 36
    Within a dwelling unit 36
    In Group E with a corridor having a occupant load of 100 or more 72
    In corridors and areas serving stretcher traffic in ambulatory care facilities 72
    Group I-2_ and I-3_ in areas where required for bed movement 96
    Corridors in Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies serving any area caring for one or more nonambulatory personsa 72
    For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
    a. See California Building Code Section 1224.4.7.1 for Group I-2.    		 For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
    a. See California Building Code Section 1224.4.7.1 for Group I-2.

    [BE] 1020.4 Obstruction. The minimum width or required capacity of corridors shall be unobstructed.

    Exception: Encroachments complying with Section 1005.7.

    [BE] 1020.5 Dead ends. Where more than one exit or exit access doorway is required, the exit access shall be arranged such that dead-end corridors do not exceed 20 feet (6096 mm) in length.

    Exceptions:

    1. In Group I-3, Condition 2, 3 or 4 occupancies, the dead end in a corridor shall not exceed 50 feet (15 240 mm).

    2. In occupancies in Groups B, E, F, I-1, M, R-1, R-2, R-2.1, R-2.2, S and U, where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, the length of the dead-end corridors shall not exceed 50 feet (15 240 mm).

    3. 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.

    4. In Group I-2 occupancies, where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, the length of dead-end corridors that do not serve patient rooms or patient treatment spaces shall not exceed 30 feet (9144 mm).

  • CBC § 0.74 Medium relevance — show source text

    Te (inches)|MINIMUM REQUIRED EQUIVALENT THICKNESS FOR FIRE-RESISTANCE
    RATING OF CONCRETE MASONRY PROTECTION ASSEMBLY,****Te (inches)| |COLUMN SIZE|     CONCRETE MASONRY**
    DENSITY POUNDS
    PER CUBIC FOOT|** 1 hour**|** 2 hours**|** 3 hours**|** 4 hours**| |W14 × 82|80|0.74|1.61|2.36|3.04| |W14 × 82|100|0.89|1.85|2.67|3.40| |W14 × 82|110|0.96|1.97|2.81|3.57| |W14 × 82|120|1.03|2.08|2.95|3.73| |W14 × 68|80|0.83|1.70|2.45|3.13| |W14 × 68|100|0.99|1.95|2.76|3.49| |W14 × 68|110|1.06|2.06|2.91|3.66| |W14 × 68|120|1.14|2.18|3.05|3.82| |W14 × 53|80|0.91|1.81|2.58|3.27| |W14 × 53|100|1.07|2.05|2.88|3.62| |W14 × 53|110|1.15|2.17|3.02|3.78| |W14 × 53|120|1.22|2.28|3.16|3.94| |W14 × 43|80|1.01|1.93|2.71|3.41| |W14 × 43|100|1.17|2.17|3.00|3.74| |W14 × 43|110|1.25|2.28|3.14|3.90| |W14 × 43|120|1.32|2.38|3.27|4.05| |W12 × 72|80|0.81|1.66|2.41|3.09| |W12 × 72|100|0.91|1.88|2.70|3.43| |W12 × 72|110|0.99|1.99|2.84|3.60| |W12 × 72|120|1.06|2.10|2.98|3.76| |W12 × 58|80|0.88|1.76|2.52|3.21| |W12 × 58|100|1.04|2.01|2.83|3.56| |W12 × 58|110|1.11|2.12|2.97|3.73| |W12 × 58|120|1.19|2.23|3.11|3.89| |W12 × 50|80|0.91|1.81|2.58|3.27| |W12 × 50|100|1.07|2.05|2.88|3.62| |W12 × 50|110|1.15|2.17|3.02|3.78| |W12 × 50|120|1.

  • CBC § 903.3.1.1 Medium relevance — show source text

    Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 where allowed.
    d. Group R-3 and R-4 buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3. See Section 903.2.8 for occupancies where auto-
    matic sprinkler systems are permitted in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3.
    e._ [SFM]_See Section 1030.|a. For requirements for occupancies in Group I-2, see Sections 407.2 and 407.3 of the_California Building Code_.
    b. For a reduction in the fire-resistance rating for occupancies in Group I-3, see Section 408.8 of the_California Building Code_.
    c. Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 where allowed.
    d. Group R-3 and R-4 buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3. See Section 903.2.8 for occupancies where auto-
    matic sprinkler systems are permitted in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3.
    e._ [SFM]_See Section 1030.|

    [BE] 1020.2.1 Hoistway protection. Elevator hoistway doors in elevators hoistway enclosures required to be fire-resistance rated shall be protected in accordance with Section 716 of the California Building Code .

    Elevator hoistway doors shall also be protected in accordance with Section 3006.2 of the California Building Code .

    [BE] 1020.3 Width and capacity. The required capacity of corridors shall be determined as specified in Section 1005.1, but the minimum width shall be not less than that specified in Table 1020.3.

    Exception: In Group I-2 occupancies, corridors are not required to have a clear width of 96 inches (2438 mm) in areas where there will not be stretcher or bed movement for access to care or as part of the defend-in-place strategy.

    10-44 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

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

    MEANS OF EGRESS

    [BE] TABLE 1020.3—MINIMUM CORRIDOR WIDTH Col2
    OCCUPANCY MINIMUM WIDTH
    (inches)
    Any facility not listed below 44
    Access to and utilization of mechanical, plumbing or electrical systems or equipment 24
    With an occupant load of less than 50 36
    Within a dwelling unit 36
    In Group E with a corridor having a occupant load of 100 or more 72
    In corridors and areas serving stretcher traffic in ambulatory care facilities 72
    Group I-2_ and I-3_ in areas where required for bed movement 96
    Corridors in Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies serving any area caring for one or more nonambulatory personsa 72
    For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
    _a.
  • CBC § 414.2.4 Medium relevance — show source text

    Fire-resistance rating 414.2.4 Maximum allowed quantities 414.2.2 Number 414.2.3 Conventional Light-frame Construction 2302.1, 2308 Additional seismic requirements 2308 Braced wall lines 2308.10 Design of elements 2308.8 Floor joists 2308.8.2 Foundation plates or sills 2308.7 Girders 2308.8.1 Roof and ceiling framing 2308.11 Wall framing 2308.9 Conveying System S3004 Cornices

    Definition 202 Draftstopping 718.2.6 Live load Table 1607.1

    Masonry 2104.1.2 Projection 705.2, 705.2.3.1 Public right-of-way encroachments 3202.3.2, 3202.3.3 Correctional Treatment Centers

    [OSHPD 4] 1227 Application 1227.2 Ceiling heights 1227.8 Corridors 1227.5

    Definitions 1227.3 Doors and door openings 1227.6 Elevators 1227.10 Garbage-soiled waste and trash storage 1227.11 General construction 1227.4

    Interior finishes 1227.9

    Scope 1227.1 Windows and screens 1227.7

    Interior finishes 1227.9

    Correctional Treatment Centers—Basic

    Services Administration space 1227.16 Central sterile supply 1227.17 Dietetic service space 1227.14 Employee dressing rooms and lockers 1227.19 Housekeeping room 1227.20 Nursing service space 1227.12 Offices 1227.15

    Pharmaceutical service space 1227.13 Storage 1227.18 Correctional Treatment Centers—

    Optional Services 24-hour mental health care

    services 1227.23

    Outpatient services 1227.22 Service spaces 1227.21 Corridor (see Corridor Protection, Exit Access, Fire Partitions and Service Corridors) 1020 Air movement 1020.5

    Continuity 1020.6 Covered and open mall buildings 402.8.1, 402.8.6 Dead end 1020.4 Elevation change 1003.5 Encroachment 1020.3

    Group H-5 415.11.2 Group I-2 407 Group R-2.1 420 Headroom 1003.2, 1003.3 HPM service 903.2.5.2

    Live load Table 1607.1

    Walls 708.1, 1020.1 Width/capacity 1003.3.3, 1003.6, 1005.3.2, 1005.7, 1020.3, 1020.4 Corridor Damper 202 Corridor Protection, Exit Access Construction, fire protection 708.1, Table 1020.2, 1020.7

  • CBC § 5704.3 Medium relevance — show source text

    Construction and Demolition Fire Safety (see Fire Safety during Construction and Demolition) Construction Documents 106, 202 Construction Equipment, Motorized (see Motorized Construction) Container

    Defined 202 Container and Portable Tank Storage 5704.3, Table 5704.3.6.3(4), Table 5704.4.2 Containment Pallets

    Flammable and combustible liquids 5704.4.3

    Hazardous materials 5004.2.3 Containment System Defined 202 Continuous Gas Detection System (see Gas Detection System, Continuous) Control Areas 202, 5003.8.3 Cooking Appliances, commercial, defined 202 Commercial, automatic sprinkler systems 903.2.11.5 Commercial, fire-extinguishing systems 904.14 Commercial, hoods 606 Commercial, oil storage tank systems 607 Commercial, portable fire extinguishers 906.4 Devices, open-flame 4104.2 Domestic 904.15

    Group I-2 904.15 Mobile food trucks 4106

    On balconies 4104.2 Portable fuel-fire cooking appliances 4101, 4104.1 Corridor 202, 1020, 1104.17 Elevation change 1003.5 Headroom 1003.2, 1003.3 Open-ended (see Open-Ended Corridor) Width/capacity 1003.3.3, 1003.6, 1005.3.2, 1005.7, 1020.3, 1020.4 Corrosion Protection Cryogenic fluid containers 5503.1.3.2 Cryogenic fluid piping 5505.1.2.5 General 5703.6.5 Tanks and piping 5704.2.7.9, 5706.7.1 Corrosive 202 Corrosive Materials Chapter 54 Indoor storage 5404.1 Indoor use 5405.1 Outdoor storage 5404.2 Outdoor use 5405.2

    Requirements 5403 Cotton, Baled 202, 3705, Table 5003.1.1(1) Defined 202

    Cotton, Densely Packed Baled Table 5003.1.1(1) Defined 202

    Cotton, Seed 3703.4 Defined 202

    Court, Egress (see Yards or Courts) 202, 1029.1 Covered and Open Mall Buildings 202 Automatic sprinkler system 914.2.1 Emergency planning 403.10.1

    Emergency voice/alarm communication system 907.2.20, 914.2.3 Permit 105.5 Standpipe system 905.3.3, 914.2.2 Tenant identification 403.10.1.5

    Travel distance 1006.2.1, 1006.3,

    1017.2

    Unoccupied tenant spaces 311.6, 403.10.1.6 Crankcase Oil (see Waste Oil) Critical Areas 202

  • CBC § 1030.1.1 Medium relevance — show source text

    Means of Appeals 112 Means of Egress Chapter 10, 1104, 3312 Accessible means of egress 1009 Assembly 1030 Bleachers 1030.1.1 Buildings under construction or demolition 3312

    Corridors 1020, 1104.17 Defined 202

    Egress court 202, 1029.1 Elevators, escalators and moving walks 1003.7, 1104.2 Emergency escape and rescue 1031 Existing buildings 1104 Exit access 1016 Exit discharge 1028 Exits 1006

    Guards 1015, 1104.6 Handrails 1014

    Illumination 1008, 1104.3 Locks, latches 1010.2.4 Maintenance of 1032

    Membrane structures 3103.11 Monitoring and recording of 1010.2.9 Obscuration of 316.4, 1032.4, 1032.6

    Obstructions 1032.3, 1032.3.1 Outdoor assembly events 3107.3 Ramps 1012 Signs 1013 Sizing 1005 Stairways 1023, 1027 Tents 3103.11 Mechanical Refrigeration (see Refrigeration System) Mechanical Stocking Methods 3206.10.1.1 Defined 202 Medical Care (see Institutional Occupancies) 202, 203 Medical Gas Systems 5306.5 Medical Gases 5306 Membrane Structure Chapter 31 Defined 202 Membrane-Penetration Firestop System

    202

    Merchandise Pad 202, 1018.4 Metal Hydride and Metal Hydride Storage Systems 5807 Defined 202 Metal Hydride Storage System 202 Meters, Gas 605.8 Mezzanine 1004.2.2 Ceiling height 1003.2 Guards 1015.1

    Occupant load 1004.2.2 Stairways 1011.14, 1019, 1023.2 Mills

    Composite Board 2805 Plywood 2805 Process 2806

    Veneer 2805

    Mirrors 1010.1, 1032.6 Miscella 202, 3903.4 Mixtures (Hazardous materials) 5001.2.1 Mobile Food Preparation Vehicles 4106 Permit 105.5.34 Mobile Fueling 5706.5.4.5 Defined 202 Mobile Fueling, Hydrogen 202 Mobile Fueling Operations [see On-Demand Mobile Fueling Operations Modifications (of code requirements)] 104.2.4 Monitoring (sprinkler and fire alarm systems) 903.4.2, 907.6.6 Hazardous materials 5004.2.2.5

    Termination of 907.6.6.3 Motion Picture Projection Rooms and Film

  • CBC § 1020.5 Medium relevance — show source text

    Pharmaceutical service space 1227.13 Storage 1227.18 Correctional Treatment Centers—

    Optional Services 24-hour mental health care

    services 1227.23

    Outpatient services 1227.22 Service spaces 1227.21 Corridor (see Corridor Protection, Exit Access, Fire Partitions and Service Corridors) 1020 Air movement 1020.5

    Continuity 1020.6 Covered and open mall buildings 402.8.1, 402.8.6 Dead end 1020.4 Elevation change 1003.5 Encroachment 1020.3

    Group H-5 415.11.2 Group I-2 407 Group R-2.1 420 Headroom 1003.2, 1003.3 HPM service 903.2.5.2

    Live load Table 1607.1

    Walls 708.1, 1020.1 Width/capacity 1003.3.3, 1003.6, 1005.3.2, 1005.7, 1020.3, 1020.4 Corridor Damper 202 Corridor Protection, Exit Access Construction, fire protection 708.1, Table 1020.2, 1020.7

    Doors 716.2.2.1 Elevator hoistway opening 3006.2.1 Glazing 716.2.5.3 Group I-2 407.3 Group R-2.1 420 Interior finish Table 803.13, 804.4 Opening protection 716 Ventilation 1020.6, 1020.6.1 Corrosives 307.2, 307.6, Table 414.2.5.1, 414.3, 415.10.3, Table 415.11.1.1 Courts (See Yards or Courts) Covered and Open Mall Buildings 402 Alarms and detection 402.7.4, 907.2.21, 2702.2 Anchor buildings 402.4.1.2, 402.4.2.2, 402.4.2.3, 402.5, 402.8.2.3, 402.8.4.1 Construction type 402.4 Fire department 402.3, 402.7.5 Interior finish 402.6.1

    Kiosk 402.6.2 Means of egress 402.8 Occupant load 402.8.2 Open mall construction 402.4.3 Open space 402.2

    2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE INDEX-5

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

    INDEX

    Special inspection 1705.5.1, 1705.12.1, 1705.13.2 Wood 2305, 2306.2

    Doors 1010

    Atrium enclosures 404.6 Configuration 1007 Delayed egress 1010.2.12 Dwelling unit separations 406.3.2, 412.4.1

    Education 1010.2.7

Frequently asked questions

Do egress balconies count as corridors for width and dead-end limits?

Yes. Balconies used for egress must conform to the same requirements as corridors for minimum width, required capacity, headroom, dead ends and projections (§ 1021.1) .

Can a corridor be used as an HVAC return plenum?

Only in limited conditions: for example if the corridor is not required to be fire‑resistance rated, if separated from the plenum by rated construction, if the HVAC serving the corridor shuts down on smoke detection or sprinkler activation, or if the plenum is part of an engineered smoke control system (§ 1020.6.1) .

What is the maximum allowable dead-end corridor length?

Generally 20 feet (6096 mm). There are specific exceptions (some I‑3 conditions, a variety of occupancy groups in sprinklered buildings, and where dead‑end length is less than 2.5 times the least width) (§ 1020.5) .

Are there exceptions for very narrow aisles in retail?

Yes — nonpublic aisles serving fewer than 50 people and not required to be accessible may be as narrow as 28 inches (711 mm) (§ 1018.3 / § 1018.5) .

How open must an egress balcony be?

The long side of an egress balcony must be at least 50% open; openings above guards should be distributed to minimize smoke/toxic gas accumulation (§ 1021.3) .

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