What is the maximum width allowed for a group doorway?

• A. 20 Feet
• B. 16 Feet
• C. 15 Feet
• D. 25 Feet

Answer: (A)

Group doorways are openings intended to serve as a single means of egress for several spaces, so their width is limited to keep egress flow smooth and the hardware manageable. The maximum clear width for such an opening is 20 feet. This allows a wide enough passage for efficient evacuation while still ensuring door hardware like panic devices and closers function reliably and that smoke and heat movement can be controlled. If a wider opening is needed, it should be split into multiple doors or additional openings arranged so each remains within the allowable width. The other numbers are either smaller than the maximum or exceed it (a 25-foot opening would go beyond the limit), so 20 feet is the correct maximum.