California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 7 - General Industry Safety Orders
Group 1 - General Physical Conditions and Structures
Article 2 - Standard Specifications
Section 3226 - Corridors and Exterior Exit Balconies

(a) General. This section shall apply to every corridor serving as a required exit for an occupant load of 10 or more. For the purposes of the section, the term "corridor" shall include "exterior exit balconies" and any covered or enclosed exit passageway, including walkways, tunnels and malls. Partitions, rails, counters and similar space dividers not over 5 feet, 9 inches in height above the floor shall not be construed to form corridors. (Title 24, Part 2, Section 3304(a).)

(b) Exit corridors shall be continuous until egress is provided from the building and shall not be interrupted by intervening rooms.

EXCEPTION: Foyers, lobbies or reception rooms constructed as required for corridors shall not be construed as intervening rooms.

(Title 24, Part 2, Section 3304(a).)

(c) Height. Corridors and exterior exit balconies shall have a clear height of not less than 7 feet measured to the lowest projection from the ceiling. (Title 24, Part 2, Section 3304(c).)

(d) Projections. The required width of corridors shall be unobstructed.

EXCEPTION: Handrails and doors, when fully opened, shall not reduce the required width by more than 7 inches. Doors in any position shall not reduce the required width by more than one-half. Other nonstructural projections such as trim and similar decorative features may project into required width 1 1/2 inches on each side.

(Title 24, Part 2, Section 3304(d).)

(e) Access to Exits. Exits shall be so arranged that it is possible to go in either direction from any point in a corridor to a separate exit, except for dead ends not exceeding 20 feet in length. This subsection shall apply to all occupancies regardless of occupant load.

(Title 24, Part 2, Section 2-3304(e).)

(f) Changes in Elevation. When a corridor or exterior exit balcony is accessible to an elevator, changes in elevation of the floor shall be made by means of a ramp.

(Title 24, Part 2, Section 2-3304(f).)

(g) Where accumulation of snow or ice is likely because of the climate, the exterior way of exit shall be protected by a roof, unless it serves as the sole normal means of access to the rooms or spaces served, in which case it may be assumed that snow and ice will be regularly removed in the course of normal occupancy. (Title 24, Part 2, Section 2-3304(i).)

(h) Exterior ways of exit shall have smooth, solid floors, substantially level, and shall have guardrails on the unenclosed sides.

(i) A permanent, reasonably straight path of travel shall be maintained over the required exterior way of exit. There shall be no obstruction by railings, barriers, or gates that divide the open space into sections appurtenant to individual rooms, or other uses. Where the Division finds the required path of travel to be obstructed by furniture or other movable objects, the division may require that they be fastened out of the way or the division may require that railings or other permanent barriers be installed to protect the path of travel against encroachment.