Thread: Minimum Hallway Width

Saw a new construction house with a width between adjacent wall surface of 34.5". Is the minimum 36"?

From the 2012 IRC:
- R311.6 Hallways. - - The minimum width of a hallway shall be not less than 3 feet (914 mm).

Thanks Jerry.

Oops, somebody forgot to add in the drywall dimension when they calculated the layout of the wall framing....

Originally Posted by Scott Patterson

Oops, somebody forgot to add in the drywall dimension when they calculated the layout of the wall framing....

Those lots are getting smaller and smaller.... they've got to make up the space somewhere

Some of the "garages" in new houses around my area are laughable. I think they are designed for Bo and Luke Duke since there is no way you could even dream of opening the car doors once you're inside.

Originally Posted by Matt Fellman

......
Some of the "garages" in new houses around my area are laughable. I think they are designed for Bo and Luke Duke since there is no way you could even dream of opening the car doors once you're inside.

C'mon Matt. Who really cares if Bo or Luke could ever get out of that car as long as Daisy was still on full display. Her character alone is the name-sake for those really short jean shorts on girls.

Ahhhhh.....Friday nights of my youth.

Originally Posted by Nick Ostrowski

C'mon Matt. Who really cares if Bo or Luke could ever get out of that car as long as Daisy was still on full display. Her character alone is the name-sake for those really short jean shorts on girls.

Ahhhhh.....Friday nights of my youth.

So as to not get caught in the weeds I will need to cast my lot with Nick!!!

That is his last comment!!!

Originally Posted by Jim Abram

Exception: Items such as baseboards, chair rails, pilasters, etc., are limited to protruding over the required width of the corridor a maximum of 1¹/₂ inches (38 mm).

So it appears that a hallway width could be 33" and still comply.

Not if one measures the width of the hallway at the hallway confines - the walls - that minimum is just as I stated = 36".

Your continued posting of nonsense is not helpful to the forum or its members. All it does is make for distractions and makes you look more foolish and incompetent with each additional nonsense post.

Not sure why Brian continues to put up with it.

By the way - that Exception is not part of the code section I posted - would be good if you stated where you got that, and post the rest of what THAT code says.

Originally Posted by Jim Abram

............
If one would measure a hallway between two opposing doors with trims the width may be reduced. The reduction in width has been determined to be acceptable is the reduction is 1 1/2 " or less on each side.

I'll bite, " reduction in width has been determined to be acceptable", where/who does it come from? You interjected doors, so I will take both source clarifications on hall and doors.

I'm really getting tired of this site and the bickering.

Originally Posted by Nick Ostrowski

I'm really getting tired of this site and the bickering.

I've volunteered to stay off as needed if that's what it takes for Jim's plug to be pulled ... while Jim will argue with everyone about anything, I'll step over the cliff and leave with him if that will help Brian cut Jim's parachute off Jim.

Originally Posted by Jim Abram

Garry - Design guide to the IBC 1004.3.3.2

First, yet again a non-applicable code reference to the IBC.

Second, the section 1004.3.3.2 does not exist in the IBC (except in the 2000 IBC, and which was completely different than that ("1004.3.3.2 Openness. The long side of an egress balcony shall be at least 50 percent open, and the open area above the guards shall be so distributed as to minimize the accumulation of smoke or toxic gases.").

Thirdly, how old is that design guide? Not that it much matters as it is a non-applicable reference, just curious about your oddity references as you don't state where they are from or when they are from.

[QUOTE=Jim Abram;244787]

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

Not if one measures the width of the hallway at the hallway confines - the walls - that minimum is just as I stated = 36".[/QUOTE

Well Jerry - Then what do you tell some one who asks ,if a hallway that is 34 1/2 " wide at an intrusion of trim complies with Code?

Well Jim - Then why would you do anything any different than for other aspects of the inspection and the report.

Fist, I would base my report statements on factual and applicable information, not made up stuff or stuff you pulled from some out-of-date, off-the-wall, source which is not even applicable.

Second, I would state - 'Okay, but how wide is the hallway measured at the width of the hall, from wall-surface-to-wall-surface?' You know, Jim ... the parts which really matter to the answer to the question. Jim, when did you stop beating your dog?

For what it's worth, in BC, the following applies per the 2012 Building Code. Personally if I was having a new house built, I'd want wider as I might need a wheelchair some day:

9.5.4.1. Hallway Width
1) The unobstructed width of a hallway within a dwelling unit shall be not less than 860 mm, except that the hallway width is permitted to be 710 mm where
a) there are only bedrooms and bathrooms at the end of the hallway furthest from the living area, and
b) a second exit is provided
i)in the hallway near the end farthest from the living area, or
ii) in each bedroom served by the hallway.


also
9.5.1.1. Method of Measurement
1) Unless otherwise indicated herein, dimensions of rooms or spaces shall be measured between finished wall surfaces and between finished floor and ceiling surfaces.


Note the US/Imperial equivalent of 860 mm is 2.82 ft, or 33.85 in, as you prefer. A 1 yard wide hallway would be 914.4 mm.

The width being measured "between finished wall surfaces" plus the reasonable view that baseboards and door trim are not obstructiions, should mean that typical baseboards and trim do not need to be taken into account in the measurement. Please correct me if this is wrong.

Originally Posted by Frank Norman

For what it's worth, in BC, the following applies per the 2012 Building Code. Personally if I was having a new house built, I'd want wider as I might need a wheelchair some day:

9.5.4.1. Hallway Width
1) The unobstructed width of a hallway within a dwelling unit ...
.
.
.
The width being measured "between finished wall surfaces" plus the reasonable view that baseboards and door trim are not obstructiions, should mean that typical baseboards and trim do not need to be taken into account in the measurement. Please correct me if this is wrong.

Frank,

Is there a Residential Code up there? I ask because the way that is worded in 9.5.4.1.1) indicates to me that it would apply to apartments, condos, etc., and that there is another code which applies to 1 & 2 Family Dwellings and Townhouses.

I agree with the way you are reading it "between finished wall surfaces".