During an emergency, the primary objective is the safe and efficient evacuation of all occupants. Campus corridors, hallways, and exit paths, including pathways leading from large rooms and laboratories, are designed to provide the most direct route out of a building. To maintain these life-safety standards and ensure compliance with the California Fire Code, the Campus Fire Marshal has established the following requirements for corridor usage and equipment placement.
General Restrictions
In accordance with CFC Section 1020.4 (Obstruction) and Section 1032.2 (Reliability), the following rules apply to all campus corridors:
- Zero Obstruction: No items may encroach upon the required minimum width of a corridor. Exit access must be maintained free from impediments for "full instant use."
- Transit Only: Corridors are designated for movement; they may never be used as routine workspaces or "overflow" for offices, classrooms, or laboratory activities.
- Safety Equipment Access: Permanent clearance must be maintained around eyewashes, emergency showers, fire extinguishing equipment, and electrical panels.
- Door Integrity: Exit doors must remain unlocked during building occupancy. The Fire Marshal must approve all special locking devices.
- Fire Doors: Doors leading to corridors and stairwells are "Fire Assemblies." They must never be propped open with wedges, heavy objects, or non-integrated hold-open devices.
- Laboratory Doors: To maintain the pressure differentials required for hazardous material containment and fire separation, laboratory doors must always remain closed.
Minimum Widths & Protrusions
To comply with both Fire Code and ADA Standards for Accessible Design, specific dimensions must be maintained:
- Path of Travel: Minimum widths range from 28 inches (between desks) to 44 to 96 inches for main corridors. Specific requirements vary by building occupant load; contact the Fire Marshal for specific guidance.
- Overhead Clearance: Ceilings in egress paths must be at least 7'6". Any hanging items (signs, lights, decorations) must provide at least 6'7" of vertical clearance.
- Wall Protrusions: Objects mounted between 27" and 80" above the floor (e.g., AED cabinets, monitors) may protrude a maximum of 4 inches into the circulation path to protect visually impaired individuals.
Prohibited Items
The following items are not permitted to be stored or staged in corridors at any time:
- Combustibles: Cardboard boxes, wood pallets, paper products, and upholstered furniture.
- Hazardous Materials: Chemicals, compressed gas cylinders, and cryogenic liquid dewars of any size.
- Mobility Devices: Bicycles, scooters, or any battery-powered electric mobility devices (due to lithium-ion fire risks).
- Appliances: Refrigerators, copy machines, microwaves, water bottle stacks, or portable heaters.
- Electrical Equipment: Any unprotected wires, cables, extension cords, or electrical or gas-powered machinery.
Authorized Equipment & Approval
Only equipment that has been reviewed, authorized, and approved by EH&S Fire Prevention may be placed in a corridor.
Criteria for Authorization
- Seismic Safety: All authorized items with casters or taller than 48 inches must be seismically anchored to a fixed surface to prevent them from sliding or toppling during an earthquake.
- Inert Gas Exchange: Limited numbers of inert gas cylinders (Argon, Helium, Nitrogen, CO2) may be stored temporarily in designated exchange areas.
- Cylinders must be secured with upper and lower chains.
- Full cylinders must be moved into the lab within one workday.
- Full or partially full Dewars are strictly prohibited in corridors.
- Written Approval: Authorization for corridor placement will be granted in writing by the Campus Fire Marshal or their designee. A copy of the approval record shall always be retained by the requestor (or Departmental Building Coordinator) and must be produced upon request during fire safety inspections.
For questions concerning fire and life safety in campus buildings, or to request authorization to place equipment or materials in corridors, please contact the Fire Prevention Division at fireprevention@berkeley.edu or 510-642-3073.