Continental Seating

Another common configuration was a continental arrangement with aisles along the outside of the seating area. This arrangement is not widely used any longer because patrons prefer quicker access to an aisle but it is still seen from time to time, particularly in large performance venues.

Historic safety code for continental layouts specified there could be no more than 49 chairs to an aisle - maximum 99 chairs per row. In addition, code requires additional exits at the end of rows to a ratio of one exit for every five rows. Clear passage requirements are greater than those required for a conventional layout up to a maximum of 24".