Commercial Building Inspector B2General Administration, Permits, and PlansMedium
A commercial building inspector is reviewing plans for a new 7-story Group R-1 hotel. The building will have a continuous path of travel from guest rooms to the public way. What is the minimum required width for a corridor serving an occupant load of 250 in this building?
- A72 inches
- B36 inches
- C60 inches
- D44 inches
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 44 inches
According to IBC Section 1020.2, the minimum width of a corridor shall be 44 inches. For an occupant load of 250, this basic requirement applies, as greater widths are typically triggered by higher occupant loads (over 500) or specific occupancy types (e.g., healthcare).
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 72 inches is typically for specialized corridors or very high occupant loads, not a standard for 250 occupants.
- B. 36 inches is generally for corridors serving an occupant load of less than 50 or in specific residential occupancies.
- C. 60 inches is often required for accessibility in specific areas or where occupant loads exceed 500, or for certain health care occupancies.
Corridor Width (Egress)
The minimum width of a corridor is a critical component of means of egress, ensuring that occupants can safely and efficiently exit a building during an emergency. The required width is determined by the occupant load served by the corridor and the building's occupancy type.
- Based on occupant load.
- Minimum 44 inches for most commercial buildings.
- Increases for higher occupant loads or specific occupancies.
Memory trick: The 'Corridor Clearance' ensures everyone has room to run.