Hallway Width

[Chris Brown]

Hello everyone,

How wide does an office hallway have to be to be ada compliant, 5'??

[moak]

http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm

[Chris Brown]

Thanks Kevin, I have not been able to find hallways yet. I did an internet search and found a diagram. I believe that if I make it 42" wide I will be ok as it is a straight hallway with no turns.

[Chris Brown]

Well, now I am as confused as ever after reading the ada rules. Does anyone that knows the real answer care to advise here, I would greatly appreciate it.

[moak]

Chris - Look at 4.3 Accessible route. Among other things, it's going to depend on the doors to and from the hall.

[Chris Brown]

Thanks Kevin, after reading that I believe that since all of the doors in the hallway swing into the offices or into the bathroom that this hallway width will be ok at 42" does anyone agree or dissagree?

[Architex]

I believe it is a minimum of 36" and you cannot have it more than 200' feet long without passing spaces. I would do 42" min. due to door handles and door trim from the offices.

4.3.3 Width. The minimum clear width of an accessible route shall be 36 in (915 mm) except at doors (see 4.13.5 and 4.13.6). If a person in a wheelchair must make a turn around an obstruction, the minimum clear width of the accessible route shall be as shown in Fig. 7(a) and (b).

Also states have more restrictive things like CA -

1133B.3.1 Corridor and hallway widths. Every corridor and hallway serving an occupant load of 10 or more shall not be less than 44 inches (1118 mm) in width. Corridors and hallways serving an occupant load of less than 10 shall not be less than 36 inches (914 mm) in width.

So you need to check the code in your city as well.

[Chris Brown]

Thanks Jay and Kevin. I will definately check that out. I am going to try to make my hallways 48" wide. But I will check with the city on this.

[rongobong]

I believe that hallway widths are dependent upon occupancy and type of use. There are formulas in the building code that allow you to calculate the minimum width you will need to design for. It might end up being wider than the ADA minimum.

[William H Lynch]

I believe that hallway widths are dependent upon occupancy and type of use. There are formulas in the building code that allow you to calculate the minimum width you will need to design for. It might end up being wider than the ADA minimum.

You are correct. There is a minimum, but depending on egress requirements due to the occupancy and type of use, it may need to be wider. Contact your local inspector or fire marshall, they may be of help. Codes vary by jurisdiction.

Bill

[William H Lynch]

Be wary of the dead end corridor rule!

[Chris Brown]

Thanks Bill. I do not have a dead end, there is an outswing exit door at one end and a lobby at the other. I contacted my inspector today and he said that 42" was my limit and I told him that I was using 48" and that made him happier.

[moak]

Confirm your ADA clearances at the exterior door at the end of the plan.

[Chris Brown]

By what I read, I am ok. I have a 36" opening in a 48" wide hallway.

[moak]

There are door clearances in the ada link. They differ depending on the hinge side and the approach.
Have a look here: http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/ht...res/fig25.html