What is a circulation route?

In the Dutch Building Works (Living Environment) Decree (Bbl), a circulation route is a “route that begins at a doorway of a space, runs only over floors, stairs or ramps and ends at the doorway of another space”. In other words, it is the way you travel inside a building to get from one space to another. In Dutch it is called a verkeersroute. Since 1 January 2024, the Bbl has replaced the Dutch Building Decree 2012 (Bouwbesluit 2012), which used almost the same definition.

Outside building regulations, the Dutch word simply means the route that cars or cyclists have to follow, for example on a diversion.

Difference from circulation space and escape route

Circulation route: the route itself, as a line from doorway to doorway.
Circulation space: a space intended for reaching another space, such as a hall, corridor or landing. A circulation route can run through a circulation space, but also through a habitable area.
Escape route: a route that begins in a space for people and ends at a safe place, without using a lift. Fire safety requirements apply to it.

Requirements for new build

For new build, the Bbl sets requirements for clear passage (articles 4.180 and 4.181):

A circulation route runs through a space with a clear width of at least 0.85 m. This does not apply to the part over a stair; stairs have separate requirements.
The clear height for a dwelling (other than a mobile home) is at least 2.3 m, and 2.1 m for many other use functions.
If the route runs through a shared circulation space, such as the corridor of an apartment building, the clear width is at least 1.2 m.
In an accessibility sector, the circulation route is at least 1.2 m wide and 2.1 m high.

Minimum clear widths for new build under the Dutch Building Works (Living Environment) Decree (Bbl), articles 4.180 and 4.181, in force since 1 January 2024. The 0.85 m does not apply to the part over a stair; stairs have separate requirements. For existing buildings and alterations, lower requirements often apply.

Application

The term matters mainly when designing and altering a building: when placing a cupboard in a corridor, lowering a ceiling or moving a wall, check that the route is still wide and high enough. For existing buildings and alterations, lower requirements often apply; in that case, look at the sections of the Bbl for existing buildings.

Common mistakes

A dropped ceiling or service duct in the corridor that brings the clear height below the requirement.
Built-in cupboards or a meter cupboard door that reduce the clear width of a shared corridor.

Related terms

Circulation space
Habitable area
Habitable room
Stairs
Building Decree (Bouwbesluit)

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