Classroom Seating Arrangement Minimum Requirements
This document provides a basic guideline for campus classroom seating arrangement for classrooms
without fixed seating. The minimum requirements listed in this document are based on the California
Building Codes (CBC). This document does not intend to cover all legal requirements for building design.
1. Occupancy in existing lecture rooms without fixed seating has been planned at 15 square feet per
occupant per long-standing space standards set by the Legislature (State University
Administrative Manual, 9061). Beginning in 2011, the space standard for new lecture room
construction is 20 square feet per occupant.
2. All classrooms with one legal exit door can accommodate no more than 48 students and 1
instructor. Thus, the maximum occupant load is 49 including instructor.
3. If the occupant load is 50 or more, two exit doors are required. Those two doors need to swing in
the direction of egress travel and must be separated by at least 1/2 of the rooms longest diagonal
distance. See diagrams.
4. The aisle accessways must be at least 19 inches between two rows of tablet armchairs. Aisle
accessways are the portion of an exit system that leads to aisles. See diagram A.
5. The minimum aisle width is 36 inches. The intent of aisle requirements is to provide clear
pathway for building occupants to easily find egress pathways to exit in an emergency. See
diagrams.
6. The distance between the front of the classroom to the first row of tables or tablet arm chairs
varies. 3 feet is the minimum requirement, 6 to 7 feet is often a comfortable distance. See
diagrams.
7. For classrooms furnished with tables and chairs, the minimum distance between two tables is 31
inches. See diagram B.
8. The length of travel in an aisle accessway is limited to 30 feet before the occupant is presented
with a choice of two or more paths of egress travel to separate exits. See diagram A.
The above minimum requirements are illustrated in the following diagrams. Classroom orientation and
layout may vary from room to room; however classroom seating arrangement must meet the minimum
requirements in this document.
Cal State Fullerton
Facilities Management
Effective Date: 4/18/2011