Rule ID: SOL/248/1.0
This article describes how the Free Space Around Component Rule works and how you can configure the rule.
The article covers the following topics:
This rule verifies that a required clear area exists around selected components. It ensures that the defined space in front, behind, or on the sides of a target component remains unobstructed, supporting accessibility, usability, safety, and regulatory compliance.
This rule can be typically used for fixtures such as toilets, washbasins, showers, doors, equipment, … where standards or operational needs define a minimum clearance zone.
The rule checks:
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If the required free space dimensions are met.
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Whether obstacles intrude into this space.
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If the clearance is within the space or not (“Restrict checks within spaces”)
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[optional] Whether the clearance zone is allowed to protrude into the target component
This ensures that accessible circulation, reachability, and functional operation around the component are maintained.
This rule checks the clearance around a component against user-defined accessibility parameters. It checks for free space in front, behind, and on the sides of the component and checks for any obstacles that block access or movement. It issues a result whenever the required clearance is not met or is obstructed.
Choose Targets: Define which component should have clear space around it.
Choose Obstacles: Specifies which components are treated as obstacles (e.g. walls, furniture, columns…).
Tip
Spaces are excluded by default.
Restrict Checks Within Spaces: When selected, the rule checks for free space only inside the spaces defined by your space filter. It checks that the required clearance stays within the selected space boundaries and checks whether any part of the free space extends outside those spaces.
When this option is not selected, the rule checks for clearance purely based on geometry and ignores space boundaries. It still checks space relations for reporting, but it does not restrict the free space to stay inside a specific space.
Tip
This restriction also follows the space–component relations. If a component lies inside a space but is not actually related to that space, the rule checks the clearance but issues the result: “The component is not associated with any of the spaces defined or filtered by your space filter.”
Filter Spaces: Select the spaces to be checked. Typically, the “Space” class is used.
Merge Adjacent Spaces: When enabled, the rule checks for free space in merged spaces where directly adjacent spaces are treated as one continuous area. It checks spaces as connected if the distance between them is within a tolerance of 250 mm and checks the clearance across the combined area rather than breaking it by space boundaries.
When this option is disabled, the rule checks each space separately and checks that the free space is valid within each individual space only.
Checking Modes
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Free Space in Front/Back: Checks the clearance in Front/Back of the component.
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(1) Front/Back clearance length: Length of unobstructed space required in front/Back.
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(2) Clearance width: Width of the clearance area
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Free Space on Side: Checks the side clearance.
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Relative to Target Component: Define how the side length is measured.
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Absolute Measurement: Defines the total length using absolute values.
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Require Both Sides of Target Component: When selected, free space is required on both sides of the target component; otherwise, free space is needed on only one side.
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(1) Front clearance/Total length, (2) Back clearance, (3) Side clearance: Define distances for horizontal clearance around the component.
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Start from Component’s Edge: Checks side clearance starting from the outer edge of the component.
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Start from Component’s Mid-line: Checks side clearance starting from the mid-line of the component.
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Bottom/Top Elevation: Define the bottom and top heights of the free space (relative to the component’s top, footprint, or floor).
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(3a/3b/3c): Select the starting measurement point.
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(4) Bottom offset: Extends the vertical search below the set elevation.
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(5) Top offset: Extends the vertical search above the set elevation.
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Tip
Applies only to "Free space in front."
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Allowed Target Component to Protrude Over Free Space: When enabled, the rule tests for protrusions by the target component.
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(6) Minimum protrusion length: Minimum allowed extension beneath the target component.
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(7) Additional allowed protrusion length: Additional allowed extension beyond the minimum.
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The rule produces results that follow the same naming format as the Solibri Results panel. Depending on the selected checking mode and the issue detected, the following types of outcomes may appear:
Free space in front (From edge): Obstacles found
Issued when obstacles intersect the required front-clearance volume.
Free space in back: Obstacles found
Issued when the back clearance contains obstacles.
Free space on side (One side, Midline): Obstacles found
Issued when checking a single side from the component’s midline and obstacles are present in the required side-clearance area.
Free space on side (Both sides, Edge): Obstacles found
Issued when both sides must be clear, measured from the component’s edge, and one or both sides contain obstacles.
Required protrusion is exceeded
Issued when the target component intrudes into the free-space area beyond the allowed minimum or additional protrusion limits.
Free space exceeds the space boundary
The required free space extends beyond the limits of the checked space.
The component is not associated with any of the spaces defined or filtered by your space filter
The component is physically inside the space, but there is no model relation linking it to any of the spaces selected by the space filter (as noted earlier in the component–space relation description).
Each result includes:
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The target component name or identifier
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The clearance type that failed (front, side, back, protrusion)
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The actual dimensions used (clearance length, width, elevations, offsets)
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A short description of the obstruction
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The location (floor + space name),
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Checking front clearance requirements for toilets and sanitary fixtures
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Verifying side approach space next to toilets or washbasins
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Ensuring knee/toe space under washbasins
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Checking required free space beside appliances
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Verifying unobstructed areas next to showers or bathtubs
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Ensuring maintenance access clearance around equipment
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Confirming accessibility requirements in bathrooms and service spaces