What is the term for the actual unobstructed opening size of an exit?

What is the term for the actual unobstructed opening size of an exit?

• A. Net opening
• B. Clear width
• C. Exit width
• D. Clear height

Answer: (B)

Clear width is the actual unobstructed horizontal size of an exit opening—the space a person can pass through, measured in a vertical plane and free from obstructions such as door hardware, trim, or the door leaf itself when opened. In fire and life-safety codes this measured width is what determines whether people can evacuate safely, so it focuses on the passage available rather than the overall doorway size or height. The other terms aren’t the standard way to express this egress dimension: height is vertical, and while “net opening” or “exit width” might be used in some contexts, they don’t convey the precise, unobstructed passage width that codes require for exits.

Clear width is the actual unobstructed horizontal size of an exit opening—the space a person can pass through, measured in a vertical plane and free from obstructions such as door hardware, trim, or the door leaf itself when opened. In fire and life-safety codes this measured width is what determines whether people can evacuate safely, so it focuses on the passage available rather than the overall doorway size or height. The other terms aren’t the standard way to express this egress dimension: height is vertical, and while “net opening” or “exit width” might be used in some contexts, they don’t convey the precise, unobstructed passage width that codes require for exits.