Best Practices for Project Management, Design, and Construction of ...

means of egress door’s minimum required opening width is identified in CBC Section 1008.1.1 as
“sufficient for the occupant load thereof and shall provide a clear width of 32 inches” and “the
maximum width of a swinging door shall be 48” nominal.” CBC Section 1005.1 provides
multipliers for determining the egress capacities of doors based on occupant loads. Hardware
features and gap clearances for The Joint Commission (TJC) should be incorporated.
Required widths based on “I” occupancies indicated in CBC Section 1008.1.1 states, “Means of
egress doors in a Group I-2 occupancy used for the movement of beds and litter patients shall
provide a clear width not less than 44 inches.” Given that the “clear” width at doors is measured
inside the door stops, the 44-inch requirement is typically accommodated by 4-foot door leafs.
Non-patient areas may use a standard 3-foot door leaf; however, it should be carefully noted
whether the door is located within the overall exit path from the patient room or area, as it
continues through the building and into the exit stair enclosure, to arrive at its safe, exterior
termination. Doors along the exit path must maintain the required means of egress capacity width,
which “shall not be diminished along the path of exit travel” (CBC Section 1003.6 ).
(OSHPD Best Practices) Page 36 DRAFT FINAL, Sept. 2011