What is the maximum common path of travel permitted in a sprinklered educational occupancy?

According to NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, the maximum common path of travel for both new and existing educational occupancies is 75 ft (23 m). However, an exception is permitted for buildings that are protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system. In such sprinklered buildings, the maximum common path of travel is extended to 100 ft (30 m). The presence of sprinklers provides an increased level of life safety, justifying the longer travel distance before a choice of egress paths becomes available.

A. 20 ft (6 m) is a common limit for dead-end corridors in some occupancies, not the common path of travel for a sprinklered educational building.

B. 75 ft (23 m) is the maximum common path of travel permitted in an unsprinklered educational occupancy, not a sprinklered one.

D. 200 ft (61 m) is the maximum total travel distance to an exit in a sprinklered educational occupancy, not the limit for the common path portion of that travel.

1. NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®, 2021 Edition. Section 14.2.5.3.2 (for New Educational Occupancies).

2. NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®, 2021 Edition. Section 15.2.5.3.2 (for Existing Educational Occupancies).

3. Cote, A. E., & Harrington, G. P. (Eds.). (2021). Fire Protection Handbook (21st ed.). National Fire Protection Association. Volume 1, Chapter 15, Section 15.5, "Educational Occupancies," pp. 15-20 to 15-21.