Exits and means of egress (Chapters 12‑10 series)

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

• CRSC § 12-7 High relevance — show source text

  Fire tests of building
  construction and materials.|SFM|Part 2, Section 703| |Chapter 12-7-2|Reserved||| |Chapter 12-7-3|Fire-resistive standards.
  Fire testing furnaces.|SFM|Part 9, Section 3001| |Chapter 12-7-4|Fire-resistive standards.
  Fire door assembly tests.|SFM|Part 2, Section 716| |Chapter 12-7-5|Fire-resistive standards. Interior
  finish of decorative material.|SFM|Part 2, Chapter 8
  Part 9, Chapter 8| |Chapter 12-7A|Materials and construction methods for
  exterior wildfire exposure|SFM|Part 7, Chapter 5| |Chapter 12-8-1|Fire-resistive standards for fire protection|SFM|Part 2, Sections 408.14 and 435.6.2| |Appendix 12-8-1A|Calculation of the total rate of heat and carbon
  monoxide or carbon dioxide production|SFM|| |Appendix 12-8-1B|Guide to mounting techniques for wall and
  ceiling interior finish material|SFM|| |Chapter 12-10-1|Exits. Power-operated exit doors.|SFM|Part 2, Sections 408.4.2, 1010.1.4.2, 1010.1.9.1| |Chapter 12-10-2|Exits. Single-point latching or locking devices.|SFM|Part 2, Section 1010.2.2
  Part 9, Section 1010.2.2| |Chapter 12-10-3|Exits. Emergency exit and panic hardware.
  |SFM|Part 9, Section 1009.12| |Chapter 12-11A,
  12-11B|Detectable warning products and directional
  surfaces|DSA|Part 2, Sections 1112A.9, 1116A.5, 11B-247,
  11B-406.5.12, 11B-705, 11B-810.5.2| |Chapter 12-12|Reserved||| |Chapter 12-13|Standards for insulating material|CA/SFM|Part 2.5, Section R302.10.1
  Part 6, Section 110.8
  Part 9, Section 720, Table 721.1(1)
  Part 11, Section A5.504.4.8| |Chapter 12-16-1|California standard for earthquake-actuated
  automatic gas shutoff systems|DSA|Part 2, Chapters 16 and 16A
  Part 5, Section 1211.8| |Chapter 12-16-2|California standard for residential excess flow
  actuated automatic gas shutoff valves|DSA|Part 5, Section 1209.1| |Chapter 12-31C|Radiation shielding|DPH|Part 2, Section 3102C| |Chapter 12-71|Air filters|SFM|Part 4, Sections 401.2, 509.2.3, 509.2.3.4
  Part 6, Section 120.1| |Chapter 12-72-1|Protective signaling systems.
  Standard test procedures.|SFM|| |Chapter 12-72-2|Protective signaling systems.

• CRSC § 402.8.2 High relevance — show source text

  [BE] 402.8.2 Determination of occupant load. The occupant load permitted in any individual tenant space in a covered or open mall building shall be determined as required by this code. Means of egress requirements for individual tenant spaces shall be based on the occupant load thus determined.

  [BE] 402.8.2.1 Occupant formula. In determining required means of egress of the mall, the number of occupants for whom means of egress are to be provided shall be based on gross leasable area of the covered or open mall building (excluding anchor buildings) and the occupant load factor as determined by Equation 4-1.

  Equation 4-1 OLF = (0.00007)( GLA ) + 25

  where:

  OLF = The occupant load factor (square feet per person).

  GLA = The gross leasable area (square feet).

  Exception: Tenant spaces attached to a covered or open mall building but with a means of egress system that is totally independent of the open mall of an open mall building or of a covered mall building shall not be considered as gross leasable area for determining the required means of egress for the mall building.

  [BE] 402.8.2.2 OLF range. The occupant load factor (OLF) is not required to be less than 30 and shall not exceed 50.

  [BE] 402.8.2.3 Anchor buildings. The occupant load of anchor buildings opening into the mall shall not be included in computing the total number of occupants for the mall.

  [BE] 402.8.2.4 Food courts. The occupant load of a food court shall be determined in accordance with Section 1004. For the purposes of determining the means of egress requirements for the mall, the food court occupant load shall be added to the occupant load of the covered or open mall building as calculated in Section 402.8.2.1.

  [BE] 402.8.3 Number of means of egress. Wherever the distance of travel to the mall from any location within a tenant space used by persons other than employees is greater than 75 feet (22 860 mm) or the tenant space has an occupant load of 50 or more, not fewer than two means of egress shall be provided.

  [BE] 402.8.4 Arrangements of means of egress. Assembly occupancies with an occupant load of 500 or more located within a covered mall building shall be so located such that their entrance will be immediately adjacent to a principal entrance to the mall and shall have not less than one-half of their required means of egress opening directly to the exterior of the covered mall building. Assembly occupancies located within the perimeter line of an open mall building shall be permitted to have their main exit open to the open mall.

  [BE] 402.8.4.1 Anchor building means of egress. Required means of egress for anchor buildings shall be provided independently from the mall means of egress system. The occupant load of anchor buildings opening into the mall shall not be included in determining means of egress requirements for the mall. The path of egress travel of malls shall not exit through anchor buildings. Malls terminating at an anchor building where other means of egress has not been provided shall be considered as a dead-end mall.

• CRSC § 716.2.6.6 High relevance — show source text

  The doors shall be openable by a simple method without special knowledge or effort from the egress side or sides. 3. The force required to operate the door shall not exceed 30 pounds (133 N) to set the door in motion and 15 pounds (67 N) to close the door or open it to the minimum required width. 4. The door shall be openable with a force not to exceed 15 pounds (67 N) when a force of 250 pounds (1100 N) is applied perpendicular to the door adjacent to the operating device. 5. The door assembly shall comply with the applicable fire protection rating and, where rated, shall be self-closing or automatic closing by smoke detection in accordance with Section 716.2.6.6, shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 80 and shall comply with Section 716. 6. The door assembly shall have an integrated standby power supply. 7. The door assembly power supply shall be electrically supervised. 8. The door shall open to the minimum required width within 10 seconds after activation of the operating device.

  1010.3.4 Security grilles. In Groups B, F, M and S, horizontal sliding or vertical security grilles are permitted at the main exit and shall be openable from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort during periods that the space is occupied. The grilles shall remain secured in the full-open position during the period of occupancy by the general public. Where two or more exits or access to exits are required, not more than one-half of the exits or exit access doorways shall be equipped with horizontal sliding or vertical security grilles.

  1010.4 Gates. Gates serving the means of egress system shall comply with the requirements of this section. Gates used as a component in a means of egress shall conform to the applicable requirements for doors.

  1010.4.1 Stadiums. Panic hardware is not required on gates surrounding stadiums where such gates are under constant immediate supervision while the public is present, and where safe dispersal areas based on 3 square feet (0.28 m [2] ) per occupant are located between the fence and enclosed space. Such required safe dispersal areas shall not be located less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from the enclosed space. See Section 1028.5 for means of egress from safe dispersal areas.

  1010.5 Turnstiles and similar devices. Turnstiles or similar devices that restrict travel to one direction shall not be placed so as to obstruct any required means of egress, except where permitted in accordance with Sections 1010.5.1, 1010.5.2 and 1010.5.3.

  1010.5.1 Capacity. Each turnstile or similar device shall be credited with a capacity based on not more than a 50-person occupant load where all of the following provisions are met:

  1. Each device shall turn free in the direction of egress travel when primary power is lost and on the manual release by an employee in the area.
  2. Such devices are not given credit for more than 50 percent of the required egress capacity or width.
  3. Each device is not more than 39 inches (991 mm) high.
  4. Each device has not less than 16 [1] / 2 inches (419 mm) clear width at and below a height of 39 inches (991 mm) and not less than 22 inches (559 mm) clear width at heights above 39 inches (991 mm).

  10-28 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

• CRSC § 1009.3 High relevance — show source text

  Exceptions:

  1. One accessible means of egress is required from an accessible mezzanine level in accordance with Section 1009.3, 1009.4 or 1009.5, and Chapter 11A or 11B, as applicable.
  2. In assembly areas with ramped aisles or stepped aisles, one accessible means of egress is permitted where the common path of egress travel is accessible and meets the requirements in Section 1030.8 and Chapter 11A or 11B, as applicable.

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  MEANS OF EGRESS

  1009.2 Continuity and components. Each required accessible means of egress shall be continuous to a public way and shall consist of one or more of the following components:

  1. Accessible routes complying with Chapter 11A, Sections 1110A.1 and 1119A, or Chapter 11B, Sections 11B-206 and 11B-402, as applicable.
  2. Interior exit stairways complying with Sections 1009.3 and 1023, and Chapter 11A, Section 1123A, or Chapter 11B, Sections 11B-210 and 11B-504, as applicable.
  3. Exit access stairways complying with Sections 1009.3 and 1019.3 or 1019.4, and Chapter 11A, Section 1123A, or Chapter 11B, Sections 11B-210 and 11B-504, as applicable.
  4. Exterior exit stairways complying with Sections 1009.3 and 1027, Chapter 11A, Section 1115A, or Chapter 11B, Sections 11B- 210 and 11B-504, as applicable, and serving levels other than the level of exit discharge.
  5. Elevators complying with Section 1009.4, and Chapter 11A, Section 1124A, or Chapter 11B, Sections 11B-206.6 and 11B-407, as applicable.
  6. Platform lifts complying with Section 1009.5, and Chapter 11A, Section 1124A, or Chapter 11B, Sections 11B-206.7, 11B-207.2 and 11B-410, as applicable.
  7. Horizontal exits complying with Section 1026.
  8. Ramps complying with Section 1012, and Chapter 11A, Sections 1114A and 1122A, or Chapter 11B, 11B-405, as applicable.
  9. Areas of refuge complying with Section 1009.6.
  10. Exterior areas for assisted rescue complying with Section 1009.7 serving exits at the level of exit discharge. 11. Safe dispersal areas where they are allowed under Section 1028.5.

  1009.2.1 Elevators required. In buildings where a required accessible floor is four or more stories above or below a level of exit discharge or where an accessible occupiable roof is above a story that is three or more stories above the level of exit discharge, not less than one required accessible means of egress shall include an elevator complying with Section 1009.4.

  Exceptions:

• CRSC § 12-10 High relevance — show source text

  2025 CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE 79

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  EXITS

  number or letter designation identifying the listed product shall be legibly marked on the latch or case. Such identification may be an approved marking or label on the case.

  FIGURE 12-10-2.1 — STATIC LOADING FIXTURE

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  EXITS

  FIGURE 12-10-2-2—ENDURANCE LIFE TESTING APPARATUS

  2025 CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE 81

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  82 2025 CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE

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  EMERGENCY EXIT AND PANIC HARDWARE

  STANDARD 12-10-3

  STATE FIRE MARSHAL

  SCOPE

  Sec. 12-10-300.

  (a) Exit door hardware. These requirements and methods of test apply to releasing devices actuated by a crossbar for outwardopening doors intended for use on exit doors.

  (b) Fire-exit hardware. Releasing devices intended for use on doors bearing a fire-retardant classification shall also conform to the construction standards and performance tests specified in Fire Door Assembly Tests, SFM 12-7-4, Section 12-7-400.

  (c) Listing by approved listing agency. Listing by an approved listing agency shall not be construed as necessarily indicating compliance in all respects with the requirements of these Construction Standards and Performance Tests for Emergency Exit and Panic Hardware. The test report of the listing agency may be filed for review and after evaluation, if it is found to provide evidence of conformance, the releasing device assembly may be recognized for approval and listing.

  INSTRUCTIONS

  Sec. 12-10-301. Approved installation instructions shall be provided by the manufacturer. Instructions shall be illustrated and shall include directions and information adequate for obtaining proper and safe installation of the equipment.

  DESIGN

  Sec. 12-10-302.

  (a) Releasing pressure. Exit panic hardware mechanisms shall be designed to release the door latch or latches when pressure not to exceed 15 pounds is applied at any point along the cross-bar perpendicular to the door in the direction of exit travel. The cross-bar shall extend across not less than one-half the width of the door.

  (b) Locking device. A locking device employed as part of the mechanism shall not prevent release of the door latch or latches when pressure of not to exceed 15 pounds is applied to the cross-bar in the direction of exit travel.

  (c) Dead locking bolt. A dead locking bolt shall not be provided as a part of the mechanism unless it is released and retracted, and does not prevent release of the door latch or latches, or release of the door to swing outward when pressure not to exceed 15 pounds is applied to the cross-bar in the direction of exit travel.

  (d) Cross bar. The ends of the cross-bar shall be curved, guarded or otherwise designed to prevent catching on the clothing of persons during egress.

• CRSC § 1010.3.4 High relevance — show source text

  8. The door shall open to the minimum required width within 10 seconds after activation of the operating device.

  [BE] 1010.3.4 Security grilles. In Groups B, F, M and S, horizontal sliding or vertical security grilles are permitted at the main exit and shall be openable from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort during periods that the space is occupied. The grilles shall remain secured in the full-open position during the period of occupancy by the general public. Where two or more exits or access to exits are required, not more than one-half of the exits or exit access doorways shall be equipped with horizontal sliding or vertical security grilles.

  [BE] 1010.4 Gates. Gates serving the means of egress system shall comply with the requirements of this section. Gates used as a component in a means of egress shall conform to the applicable requirements for doors.

  [BE] 1010.4.1 Stadiums. Panic hardware is not required on gates surrounding stadiums where such gates are under constant immediate supervision while the public is present, and where safe dispersal areas based on 3 square feet (0.28 m [2] ) per occupant are located between the fence and enclosed space. Such required safe dispersal areas shall not be located less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from the enclosed space. See Section 1028.5 for means of egress from safe dispersal areas.

  [BE] 1010.5 Turnstiles and similar devices. Turnstiles or similar devices that restrict travel to one direction shall not be placed so as to obstruct any required means of egress, except where permitted in accordance with Sections 1010.5.1, 1010.5.2 and 1010.5.3.

  [BE] 1010.5.1 Capacity. Each turnstile or similar device shall be credited with a capacity based on not more than a 50-person occupant load where all of the following provisions are met:

  1. Each device shall turn free in the direction of egress travel when primary power is lost and on the manual release by an employee in the area.

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  MEANS OF EGRESS

  2. Such devices are not given credit for more than 50 percent of the required egress capacity or width.
  3. Each device is not more than 39 inches (991 mm) high.
  4. Each device has not less than 16 [1] / 2 inches (419 mm) clear width at and below a height of 39 inches (991 mm) and not less than 22 inches (559 mm) clear width at heights above 39 inches (991 mm).

  [BE] 1010.5.1.1 Clear width. Where located as part of an accessible route, turnstiles shall have not less than 36 inches (914 mm) clear width at and below a height of 34 inches (864 mm), not less than 32 inches (813 mm) clear width between 34 inches (864 mm) and 80 inches (2032 mm) and shall consist of a mechanism other than a revolving device.

• CRSC § 1010.3.3 High relevance — show source text

  [BE] 1010.3.3 Special-purpose horizontal sliding, accordion or folding doors. In other than Group H occupancies, specialpurpose horizontal sliding, accordion, or folding door assemblies permitted to be a component of a means of egress in accordance with Exception 6 to Section 1010.1.2 shall comply with all of the following criteria:

  1. The doors shall be power operated and shall be capable of being operated manually in the event of power failure.
  2. The doors shall be openable by a simple method without special knowledge or effort from the egress side or sides.
  3. The force required to operate the door shall not exceed 30 pounds (133 N) to set the door in motion and 15 pounds (67 N) to close the door or open it to the minimum required width.
  4. The door shall be openable with a force not to exceed 15 pounds (67 N) when a force of 250 pounds (1100 N) is applied perpendicular to the door adjacent to the operating device.
  5. The door assembly shall comply with the applicable fire protection rating and, where rated, shall be self-closing or automatic closing by smoke detection in accordance with Section 716.2.6.6 of the California Building Code, shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 80 and shall comply with Section 716 of the California Building Code .
  6. The door assembly shall have an integrated standby power supply.
  7. The door assembly power supply shall be electrically supervised.
  8. The door shall open to the minimum required width within 10 seconds after activation of the operating device.

  [BE] 1010.3.4 Security grilles. In Groups B, F, M and S, horizontal sliding or vertical security grilles are permitted at the main exit and shall be openable from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort during periods that the space is occupied. The grilles shall remain secured in the full-open position during the period of occupancy by the general public. Where two or more exits or access to exits are required, not more than one-half of the exits or exit access doorways shall be equipped with horizontal sliding or vertical security grilles.

  [BE] 1010.4 Gates. Gates serving the means of egress system shall comply with the requirements of this section. Gates used as a component in a means of egress shall conform to the applicable requirements for doors.

  [BE] 1010.4.1 Stadiums. Panic hardware is not required on gates surrounding stadiums where such gates are under constant immediate supervision while the public is present, and where safe dispersal areas based on 3 square feet (0.28 m [2] ) per occupant are located between the fence and enclosed space. Such required safe dispersal areas shall not be located less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from the enclosed space. See Section 1028.5 for means of egress from safe dispersal areas.

  [BE] 1010.5 Turnstiles and similar devices. Turnstiles or similar devices that restrict travel to one direction shall not be placed so as to obstruct any required means of egress, except where permitted in accordance with Sections 1010.5.1, 1010.5.2 and 1010.5.3.

• CRSC § 12-7 High relevance — show source text

  CHAPTER 12-7-1 FIRE-RESISTIVE STANDARDS. . . . . . . . . . 13

  CHAPTER 12-7-2 FIRE-RESISTIVE STANDARDS

  RESERVED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

  CHAPTER 12-7-3 FIRE-RESISTIVE STANDARDS. . . . . . . . . . 25

  CHAPTER 12-7-4 FIRE-RESISTIVE STANDARDS. . . . . . . . . . 31

  CHAPTER 12-7-5 FIRE-RESISTIVE STANDARDS. . . . . . . . . . 35

  CHAPTER 12-7A MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION

  METHODS FOR EXTERIOR WILDFIRE

  EXPOSURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

  CHAPTER 12-8-1 FIRE-RESISTIVE STANDARDS FOR

  FIRE PROTECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

  APPENDIX 12-8-1A CALCULATION OF THE TOTAL RATE

  OF HEAT AND CARBON MONOXIDE OR

  CARBON DIOXIDE PRODUCTION . . . . . . . 63

  APPENDIX 12-8-1B GUIDE TO MOUNTING TECHNIQUES FOR

  WALL AND CEILING INTERIOR FINISH

  MATERIAL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

  CHAPTER 12-10-1 EXITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

  CHAPTER 12-10-2 EXITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

  CHAPTER 12-10-3 EXITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

  CHAPTERS 12-11A AND 12-11B

  BUILDING AND FACILITY ACCESS

  SPECIFICATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

  CHAPTER 12-12 RESERVED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

  CHAPTER 12-13 STANDARDS FOR INSULATING

  MATERIAL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

  CHAPTER 12-16-1 ENGINEERING REGULATIONS—QUALITY

  AND DESIGN OF THE MATERIALS OF

  CONSTRUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

  CHAPTER 12-16-2 ENGINEERING REGULATIONS—QUALITY

  AND DESIGN OF THE MATERIALS OF

  CONSTRUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

• CRSC § 8-5 High relevance — show source text

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  8-5 MEANS OF EGRESS

  SECTION 8-501 — PURPOSE, INTENT AND SCOPE

  8-501.1 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum means of egress regulations for qualified historical buildings or properties. The CHBC requires enforcing agencies to accept reasonably equivalent alternatives to the means of egress requirements in the regular code.

  8-501.2 Intent. The intent of these regulations is to provide an adequate means of egress.

  8-501.3 Scope. Every qualified historical building or portion thereof shall be provided with exits as required by the CHBC when required by the provisions of Section 8-102.

  SECTION 8-502 — GENERAL

  8-502.1 General. The enforcing agency shall grant reasonable exceptions to the specific provisions of applicable egress regulations where such exceptions will not adversely affect life safety.

  8-502.2. Existing door openings and corridor widths of less than dimensions required by regular code shall be permitted where there is sufficient width and height for the occupants to pass through the opening or traverse the exit.

  8-502.3 Stairs. Existing stairs having risers and treads or width at variance with the regular code are allowed if determined by the enforcing agency to not constitute a distinct hazard. Handrails with nonconforming grip size or extensions are allowed if determined by the enforcing agency to not constitute a distinct hazard.

  8-502.4 Main entry doors. The front or main entry doors need not be rehung to swing in the direction of exit travel, provided other means or conditions of exiting, as necessary to serve the total occupant load, are provided.

  8-502.5 Existing fire escapes. Existing previously approved fire escapes and fire escape ladders shall be acceptable as one of the required means of egress, provided they extend to the ground and are easily negotiated, adequately signed and in good working order. Access shall be by an opening having a minimum width of 29 inches (737 mm) when open with a sill no more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the adjacent floor, landing or approved step.

  8-502.6 New fire escapes and fire escape ladders. New fire escapes and fire escape ladders which comply with this section shall be acceptable as one of the required means of egress. New fire escapes and new fire escape ladders shall comply with the following:

  1. Access from a corridor shall not be through an intervening room.
  2. All openings within 10 feet (3048 mm) shall be protected by three-fourths-hour fire assemblies. When located within a recess or vestibule, adjacent enclosure walls shall be of not less than one-hour fire-resistive construction.
  3. Egress from the building shall be by a clear opening having a minimum dimension of not less than 29 inches (737 mm). Such openings shall be openable from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort. The sill of an opening giving access shall not be more than 30 inches (737 mm) above the floor, step or landing of the building or balcony.
  4. Fire escape stairways and balconies shall support the dead load plus a live load of not less than 100 pounds per square foot (4.79 kN/m [2] ) and shall be provided with a top and intermediate handrail on each side. The pitch of the stairway shall not exceed 72 degrees with a minimum width of 18 inches (457 mm).
• CFC § 701 High relevance — show source text

  Chapter 7 Fire and Smoke Protection Features

  The maintenance of assemblies required to be fire-resistance rated is a key component in a passive fire protection philosophy. Chapter 7 sets forth requirements to maintain required fire-resistance ratings of building elements and limit fire spread. Section 701 addresses the basics of what construction elements such as fire barriers and smoke barriers need to be maintained as well as defining the owner’s responsibility. Sections 703 through 708, deals with various fire and smoke protection features that must also be maintained.

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  Chapter 8 Interior Finish, Decorative Materials and Furnishings

  The overall purpose of Chapter 8 is to regulate interior finishes, decorative materials and furnishings in new and existing buildings so that they do not significantly add to or create fire hazards within buildings. This chapter is consistent with Chapter 8 of the CBC, which regulates the interior finishes of new buildings.

  Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems

  Chapter 9 prescribes the minimum requirements for active systems of fire protection equipment to perform the following functions: detect a fire, alert the occupants or fire department of a fire emergency, and control smoke and control or extinguish the fire. Generally, the requirements are based on the occupancy, the height and the area of the building because these are the factors that most affect firefighting capabilities and the relative hazard of a specific building or portion thereof. This chapter parallels and is substantially duplicated in Chapter 9 of the CBC; however, this chapter also contains periodic testing criteria that are not contained in the CBC. In addition, the special fire protection system requirements based on use and occupancy found in CBC Chapter 4 are duplicated in CFC Chapter 9 as a user convenience.

  Chapter 10 Means of Egress

  The criteria in Chapter 10 regulating the design of the means of egress system are established as the primary method for protection of occupants by allowing timely relocation or evacuation. Both prescriptive and performance language is utilized for determination of a safe exiting system. It addresses all portions of the means of egress system (i.e., exit access, exits and exit discharge) and includes design requirements as well as provisions regulating individual components. The requirements detail the size, arrangement, number and protection of means of egress components. The means of egress protection requirements work in coordination with other sections of the code, such as protection of vertical openings (see Chapter 7 of the CBC), interior finish (see Chapter 8 of the CBC), fire suppression and detection systems (see Chapter 9) and numerous others, all having an impact on life safety. Chapter 10 of the CBC is duplicated in Chapter 10 of the CFC; however, the CFC contains one additional section on the maintenance of the means of egress system in existing buildings.

  Chapter 11 Construction Requirements for Existing Buildings

  Chapter 11 applies to existing buildings constructed prior to the adoption of the code and intends to provide a minimum degree of fire and life safety to persons occupying existing buildings by providing for retroactive requirements to install or upgrade fire safety features to such buildings that do not comply with the minimum requirements of the CBC. Prior to the 2009 edition, its content existed in the CFC but in a random manner that was neither efficient nor user-friendly. In the 2007/2008 International Code Council (ICC) code development cycle, a code change (F294-07/ 08) was approved that consolidated the retroactive elements of CFC into a single chapter for easier and more efficient reference and application to existing buildings.

  Chapter 12 Energy Systems

• CRSC § 1006.2.2.7 High relevance — show source text

  1006.2.2.7 Large family day-care home. Every story or basement of a large family day-care home shall be provided with two exits which are remotely located from each other. Every required exit shall be of a size to permit the installation of a door not less than 32 inches (813 mm) in clear width and not less than 6 feet 8 inches (2,032 mm) in height. A manually operated horizontal slid- ing door may be used as one of the two required exits.

  Where basements are used for day-care purposes, one of the two required exits shall provide access directly to the exterior without entering the first story. The second exit from the basement may either pass through the story above or exit directly to the exterior.

  Rooms used for day-care purposes shall not be located above the first story.

  Exception: Buildings equipped with an automatic sprinkler system throughout and which have at least one of the required exits providing access directly to the exterior. NFPA 13R may be used in large family day-care homes. The sprinkler omissions of NFPA 13R shall not apply unless approved by the enforcing agency.

  Exit doors, including manually operated horizontal sliding doors, shall be openable from the inside without use of a key or any special knowledge or effort.

  Tables 1006.3.3(1) and 1006.3.3(2) are not applicable to this occupancy classification.

  1006.2.2.8 Group I-4 means of egress. Group I-4 facilities, rooms or spaces where care is provided for more than 10 children that are 36 months of age or less shall have access to not less than two exits or exit access doorways.

  [BE] 1006.3 Egress from stories or occupiable roofs. All spaces located on a story or occupiable roof shall have access to the required number of separate and distinct exits or access to exits based on the aggregate occupant load served in accordance with this section.

  [BE] 1006.3.1 Occupant load. Where stairways serve more than one story, or more than one story and an occupiable roof, only the occupant load of each story or occupiable roof, considered individually, shall be used when calculating the required number of exits or access to exits serving that story.

  [BE] 1006.3.2 Path of egress travel. The path of egress travel to an exit shall not pass through more than one adjacent story.

  Exception: The path of egress travel to an exit shall be permitted to pass through more than one adjacent story in any of the following:

  1. In Group R-1, R-2 or R-3 occupancies, exit access stairways and ramps connecting four stories or fewer serving and contained within an individual dwelling unit or sleeping unit or live/work unit.

  2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE 10-13

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

  MEANS OF EGRESS

  2. Exit access stairways serving and contained within a Group R-3 congregate residence or a Group R-4 facility.

  3. Exit access stairways and ramps within an atrium complying with Section 404 of the California Building Code .

  4. Exit access stairways and ramps in open parking garages that serve only the parking garage.

  5. Exit access stairways and ramps serving smoke-protected assembly seating and open-air assembly seating complying with the exit access travel distance requirements of Section 1030.7.

• CRSC § 1001.1 High relevance — show source text

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

  10 MEANS OF EGRESS

  User notes:

  About this chapter: Chapter 10 provides the general criteria for designing the means of egress established as the primary method for protection of people in buildings by allowing timely relocation or evacuation of building occupants. Both prescriptive and performance language is utilized in this chapter to provide for a basic approach in the determination of a safe exiting system for all occupancies. It addresses all portions of the egress system (exit access, exits and exit discharge) and includes design requirements as well as provisions regulating individual components. The requirements detail the size, arrangement, number and protection of means of egress components. Functional and operational characteristics that will permit the safe use of components without special knowledge or effort are specified.

  The means of egress protection requirements work in coordination with other sections of the code, such as protection of vertical openings (see Chapter 7), interior finish (see Chapter 8), fire suppression and detection systems (see Chapter 9) and numerous others, all having an impact on life safety. Chapter 10 is subdivided into four main sections: general (Sections 1003–1015), exit access (Sections 1016–1021), exit (Sections 1022–1027) and exit discharge (Sections 1028–1029). Special allowances for the unique requirements for assembly spaces (Section 1030) and emergency escape and rescue openings (Section 1031) complete the chapter. Chapter 10 of this code is duplicated in Chapter 10 the California Fire Code; however, the California Fire Code contains one additional section on maintenance of the means of egress system in existing buildings.

  SECTION 1001—ADMINISTRATION

  1001.1 General. Buildings or portions thereof shall be provided with a means of egress system as required by this chapter. The provisions of this chapter shall control the design, construction and arrangement of means of egress components required to provide an approved means of egress from structures and portions thereof.

  1001.2 Minimum requirements. It shall be unlawful to alter a building or structure in a manner that will reduce the number of exits or the minimum width or required capacity of the means of egress to less than required by this code.

  SECTION 1002—MAINTENANCE AND PLANS

  [F] 1002.1 Maintenance. Means of egress shall be maintained in accordance with the California Fire Code .

  [F] 1002.2 Fire safety and evacuation plans. Fire safety and evacuation plans shall be provided for all occupancies and buildings where required by the California Fire Code . Such fire safety and evacuation plans shall comply with the applicable provisions of Sections 401.2 and 404 of the California Fire Code .

  SECTION 1003—GENERAL MEANS OF EGRESS

  1003.1 Applicability. The general requirements specified in Sections 1003 through 1015 shall apply to all three elements of the means of egress system, in addition to those specific requirements for the exit access, the exit and the exit discharge detailed elsewhere in this chapter.