Section 1006 Numbers of Exits and Exit Access Doorways
Two exits or exit access doorways from any space shall be provided where the design occupant load or the common path of egress travel distance exceeds the values listed in Table 1006.2.1. The cumulative occupant load from adjacent rooms, areas or spaces shall be determined in accordance with Section 1004.2.
Exceptions:
- The number of exits from foyers, lobbies, vestibules or similar spaces need not be based on cumulative occupant loads for areas discharging through such spaces, but the capacity of the exits from such spaces shall be based on applicable cumulative occupant loads.
- Care suites in Group I-2 occupancies complying with Section 407.4 of the International Building Code.
[BE] TABLE 1006.2.1
SPACES WITH ONE EXIT OR EXIT ACCESS DOORWAY
| OCCUPANCY | MAXIMUM OCCUPANT LOAD OF SPACE | MAXIMUM COMMON PATH OF EGRESS TRAVEL DISTANCE (feet) | ||
| Without Sprinkler System (feet) | With Sprinkler System (feet) | |||
| Occupant Load | ||||
| OL ≤ 30 | OL > 30 | |||
| Ac, E, M | 49 | 75 | 75 | 75a |
| B | 49 | 100 | 75 | 100a |
| F | 49 | 75 | 75 | 100a |
| H-1, H-2, H-3 | 3 | NP | NP | 25b |
| H-4, H-5 | 10 | NP | NP | 75b |
| I-1, I-2d, I-4 | 10 | NP | NP | 75a |
| I-3 | 10 | NP | NP | 100a |
| R-1 | 10 | NP | NP | 75a |
| R-2 | 20 | NP | NP | 125a |
| R-3e | 20 | NP | NP | 125a, g |
| R-4e | 20 | NP | NP | 125a, g |
| Sf | 29 | 100 | 75 | 100a |
| U | 49 | 100 | 75 | 75a |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
NP = Not Permitted.
- Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2. See Section 903 for occupancies where automatic sprinkler systems are permitted in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2
- Group H occupancies equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.5.
- For a room or space used for assembly purposes having fixed seating, see Section 1029.8.
- For the travel distance limitations in Group I-2, see Section 407.4 of the International Building Code.
- The common path of egress travel distance shall apply only in a Group R-3 occupancy located in a mixed occupancy building or within a Group R-3 or R-4 congregate living facility.
- The length of common path of egress travel distance in a Group S-2 open parking garage shall be not more than 100 feet.
- For the travel distance limitations in Group R-3 and R-4 equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3, see Section 1006.2.2.6.
Machinery rooms larger than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) shall have not less than two exits or exit access doorways. Where two exit access doorways are required, one such doorway is permitted to be served by a fixed ladder or an alternating tread device. Exit access doorways shall be separated by a horizontal distance equal to one-half the maximum horizontal dimension of the room.
All portions of machinery rooms shall be within 150 feet (45 720 mm) of an exit or exit access doorway. An increase in exit access travel distance is permitted in accordance with Section 1017.1.
Exit and exit access doorways shall swing in the direction of egress travel, regardless of the occupant load served. Exit and exit access doorways shall be tight fitting and self-closing.
Rooms or spaces having a floor area larger than 1,000 square feet (93 m2), containing a refrigerant evaporator and maintained at a temperature below 68°F (20°C), shall have access to not less than two exits or exit access doorways.
Exit access travel distance shall be determined as specified in Section 1017.1, but all portions of a refrigerated room or space shall be within 150 feet (45 720 mm) of an exit or exit access doorway where such rooms are not protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system. Egress is allowed through adjoining refrigerated rooms or spaces.
Exception: Where using refrigerants in quantities limited to the amounts based on the volume set forth in the International Mechanical Code.
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:
- 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.
- Exit access stairways serving and contained within a Group R-3 congregate residence or a Group R-4 facility.
- Exit access stairways and ramps in open parking garages that serve only the parking garage.
- Exit access stairways and ramps serving open-air assembly seating complying with the exit access travel distance requirements of Section 1029.7.
- Exit access stairways and ramps between the balcony, gallery or press box and the main assembly floor in occupancies such as theaters, places of religious worship, auditoriums and sports facilities.
Each story and occupied roof shall have the minimum number of separate and distinct exits, or access to exits, as specified in Table 1006.3.2. A single exit or access to a single exit shall be permitted in accordance with Section 1006.3.3. The required number of exits, or exit access stairways or ramps providing access to exits, from any story or occupied roof shall be maintained until arrival at the exit discharge or public way.
A single exit or access to a single exit shall be permitted from any story or occupied roof, where one of the following conditions exists:
- The occupant load, number of dwelling units and common path of egress travel distance do not exceed the values in Table 1006.3.3(1) or 1006.3.3(2).
- Rooms, areas and spaces complying with Section 1006.2.1 with exits that discharge directly to the exterior at the level of exit discharge, are permitted to have one exit or access to a single exit.
- Parking garages where vehicles are mechanically parked shall be permitted to have one exit or access to a single exit.
- Group R-3 and R-4 occupancies shall be permitted to have one exit or access to a single exit.
Individual single-story or multistory dwelling units shall be permitted to have a single exit or access to a single exit from the dwelling unit provided that both of the following criteria are met:
- 5.1. The dwelling unit complies with Section 1006.2.1 as a space with one means of egress.
- 5.2. Either the exit from the dwelling unit discharges directly to the exterior at the level of exit discharge, or the exit access outside the dwelling unit's entrance door provides access to not less than two approved independent exits.
[BE] TABLE 1006.3.3(1)
STORIES WITH ONE EXIT OR ACCESS TO ONE EXIT FOR R-2 OCCUPANCIES
| STORY | OCCUPANCY | MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DWELLING UNITS | MAXIMUM COMMON PATH OF EGRESS TRAVEL DISTANCE |
| Basement, first, second or third story above grade plane | R-2a, b | 4 dwelling units | 125 feet |
| Fourth story above grade plane and higher | NP | NA | NA |
For SI: 1 foot = 3048 mm.
NP = Not Permitted.
NA = Not Applicable.
- Buildings classified as Group R-2 equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 and provided with emergency escape and rescue openings in accordance with Section 1030.
- This table is used for R-2 occupancies consisting of dwelling units. For R-2 occupancies consisting of sleeping units, use Table 1006.3.3(2).
[BE] TABLE 1006.3.3(2)
STORIES WITH ONE EXIT OR ACCESS TO ONE EXIT FOR OTHER OCCUPANCIES
| STORY | OCCUPANCY | MAXIMUM OCCUPANT LOAD PER STORY | MAXIMUM COMMON PATH OF EGRESS TRAVEL DISTANCE (feet) |
| First story above or below grade plane | A, Bb, E Fb, M, U | 49 | 75 |
| H-2, H-3 | 3 | 25 | |
| H-4, H-5, I, R-1, R-2a, c | 10 | 75 | |
| Sb, d | 29 | 75 | |
| Second story above grade plane | B, F, M, Sd | 29 | 75 |
| Third story above grade plane and higher | NP | NA | NA |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
NP = Not Permitted.
NA = Not Applicable.
- Buildings classified as Group R-2 equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 and provided with emergency escape and rescue openings in accordance with Section 1030.
- Group B, F and S occupancies in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 shall have a maximum exit access travel distance of 100 feet.
- This table is used for R-2 occupancies consisting of sleeping units. For R-2 occupancies consisting of dwelling units, use Table 1006.3.3(1).
- The length of exit access travel distance in a Group S-2 open parking garage shall be not more than 100 feet.