Doorgangsgebied

Doorgangsgebied is a Dutch term for spaces in buildings or outdoor facilities that are intended for the passage of people or goods. Typical examples are corridors, hallways, stairwells, foyers, and walkways that connect rooms and areas within a building, as well as access routes in public spaces such as stations or shopping centers.

Purpose: The primary function is to provide safe, unobstructed movement and access. It supports everyday use and emergency egress, enabling occupants and services to reach rooms, exits, or facilities without impediment.

Design and safety: Doorgangsgebieden should be unobstructed and clearly arranged, with sufficient width, headroom, and a non-slip surface. They require adequate lighting, signage, and wayfinding. Accessibility considerations require step-free access where possible and accommodations for users with mobility impairments or vision and hearing needs. In case of emergencies, these areas are part of the vluchtweg (evacuation route) and must remain free from obstacles or temporary storage.

Regulatory context: In the Netherlands, the design and maintenance of doorgangsgebieden are governed by national building and fire safety regulations, such as Bouwbesluit and related NEN standards, and may be supplemented by local codes. Requirements vary with building type, occupancy, and risk level.

Applications and terminology: The term can refer to indoor passages as well as outdoor pedestrian thoroughfares within complexes. It is closely related to, but not identical to, terms like ontsluitingsroutes and vluchtwegen, which focus specifically on evacuation paths.

See also: Ontsluitingsroute, Vluchtweg, Brandveiligheid, Toegankelijkheid