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10.3

Part 10.3 Room heights

Part 10.3 Room heights

(1) Heights of rooms and other spaces (see Figure 10.3.1) must be not less than—

  1. in a habitable room excluding a kitchen — 2.4 m; and
  2. in a kitchen — 2.1 m; and
  3. in a corridor, passageway or the like — 2.1 m; and
  4. in a bathroom, shower room, laundry, sanitary compartment, airlock, pantry, storeroom, garage, car parking area or the like — 2.1 m; and
  5. in a room or space with a sloping ceiling or projections below the ceiling line within—
    1. a habitable room—
      1. in an attic — a height of not less than 2.2 m for at least two-thirds of the floor area of the room or space; and
      2. in other rooms — a height of not less than 2.4 m over two-thirds of the floor area of the room or space; and
    2. a non-habitable room — a height of not less than 2.1 m for at least two-thirds of the floor area of the room or space; and
  6. in a stairway, ramp, landing, or the like — 2.0 m measured vertically above the nosing line of stairway treads or the floor surface of a ramp, landing or the like.

(2) For the purposes of (1)(e), when calculating the floor area of a room or space, any part that has a ceiling height of less than 1.5 m is not included.

Figure 10.3.1 Measurement of heights of rooms and other spaces
image-10-3-1-measurement-of-heights-of-rooms-and-other-spaces.svg
Figure Notes

The letters in the diagram represent the following minimum dimensions:

A = 2.4 m In a habitable room (excluding a kitchen).

B = 2.4 m In a habitable room with a sloping ceiling for at least two-thirds of the floor area of the room or space.

C = 2.1 m In a non-habitable room with a sloping ceiling for at least two-thirds of the floor area of the room or space.

D = 2.2 m In an attic with a sloping ceiling for at least two-thirds of the floor area of the room or space.

E = 1.5 m For the purpose of calculating the floor area of a room or space, any ceiling height of less than 1.5 m is excluded.

F = 2.0 m In a stairway (measured vertically above the nosing line).

The combined dimensions of G must not exceed one-third of the floor area (see E above) of the room or space.

Explanatory information

  • Where a room or space has no ceiling lining, the measurement is taken from the floor to the underside of the floor or roof above.
  • In areas unlikely to be occupied for long periods, such as non-habitable rooms, a reduced height of 2.1 m is permitted.
  • 10.3.1(1)(f) permits a reduced height of 2.0 m above stairways, ramps and landings, as these are used for transient purposes and therefore a reduction from the required height in corridors and rooms (2.1 and 2.4 m generally) will not adversely affect occupant safety, health or amenity