Chapter 7: Means of Egress

• Chapter 7 addresses means of egress for new and existing buildings.
• It applies to both new and existing buildings.
• Section 4.5.3 provides other relevant details.

Special Definitions

• Section 7.1.2.2 provides a list of special terms used.
• Accessible Area of Refuge addresses section 3.3.25.1.
• Accessible Means of Egress addresses section 3.3.185.1.
• Area of Refuge addresses section 3.3.25.
• Common Path of Travel addresses section 3.3.49.
• Electroluminescent addresses section 3.3.72.
• Elevator Evacuation System addresses section 3.3.73.
• Elevator Lobby addresses section 3.3.74.
• Elevator Lobby Door addresses section 3.3.66.1.
• Exit addresses section 3.3.88.
• Exit Access addresses section 3.3.89.
• Exit Discharge addresses section 3.3.90.
• Externally Illuminated addresses section 3.3.158.1.
• Fire Exit Hardware addresses section 3.3.143.1.
• Horizontal Exit addresses section 3.3.88.1.
• Internally Illuminated addresses section 3.3.158.2.
• Means of Egress addresses section 3.3.185.
• Panic Hardware addresses section 3.3.143.2.
• Photoluminescent addresses section 3.3.224.
• Ramp addresses section 3.3.238.
• Self-Luminous addresses section 3.3.259.
• Severe Mobility Impairment addresses section 3.3.265.
• Smokeproof Enclosure addresses section 3.3.277.

Exit Access Corridors

• Section 7.1.3 discusses means of egress separation.
• Section 8.2 is informative for separation of Means of Egress.
• Exit access corridors that serve areas with occupant loads exceeding 30 must be separated from other parts of the building by walls with at least a 1-hour fire resistance rating per Section 8.3.

Exit Requirements

• The code mandates exit separation from other parts of a building.
• Separating construction must meet Section 8.2 requirements and the following:
• A minimum 1-hour fire resistance rating where the exit connects three or fewer stories.
• The separation must be supported by construction with at least a 1-hour fire resistance rating.
• It requires a minimum 2-hour fire resistance rating where the exit connects four or more stories.
• Existing non-high-rise buildings can maintain existing exit stair enclosures with a minimum 1-hour fire resistance rating.
• Existing buildings with approved, supervised automatic sprinkler systems (Section 9.7) can maintain existing exit stair enclosures with a minimum 1-hour fire resistance rating.
• 1-hour enclosures per specific sections (28.2.2.1.2, 29.2.2.1.2, 30.2.2.1.2, 31.2.2.1.2) are alternative to the 2-hour rating requirement of 7.1.3.2.1(3).

Construction Materials

• The 2-hour fire-resistance-rated separation must be constructed of noncombustible or limited-combustible materials.
• Structural elements that support exit components must be protected to the fire resistance rating required by either 7.1.3.2.1 (1) or 7.1.3.2.1(3).
• Fire-retardant-treated wood enclosed in noncombustible or limited-combustible materials is permitted per NFPA 220.
• Exit enclosure openings limited to door assemblies from occupied areas, corridors, and for egress, with exceptions.
• Vestibules separating unoccupied spaces are allowed if separated by corridor walls/opening protectives or a smoke partition (Section 8.4).
• In Type I or II construction (NFPA 220), fire-protection-rated door assemblies to unoccupied building service equipment areas are allowed if the space is separated from the exit enclosure as per 7.1.3.2.1(3).

Interstitial Spaces

• Openings in mall building exit passageways are permitted as provided in Chapters 36 and 37.
• In Type I or II construction (NFPA 220), existing fire-protection-rated door assemblies to interstitial spaces are allowed if:
• The space is used only for distribution of pipes, ducts, and conduits.
• Contains no storage.
• It is separated from the exit enclosure per Section 8.3.

Exit Enclosure Elements

• Specific penetrations into, and openings through, an exit enclosure assembly are limited to:
• Door assemblies permitted by 7.1.3.2.1(8).
• Electrical conduit serving the exit enclosure.
• Pathways for security and communication systems installed in metal conduit.
• Required exit door openings.
• Ductwork and equipment necessary for independent stair pressurization.
• Water or steam piping for exit enclosure heating/cooling.
• Sprinkler piping and standpipes.
• Existing penetrations.
• Fire alarm circuit penetrations in metal conduit.
• Penetrations or communicating openings are not allowed between adjacent exit enclosures.
• Fire barrier penetrations separating the exit must be protected per 8.3.4.
• Membrane penetrations are allowed on the exit access side if protected per 8.3.4.7.
• Exit enclosures must provide a continuous protected path to an exit discharge.
• Exit enclosures cannot be used for purposes interfering with egress, or as areas of refuge beyond egress.

Regulations in Brief

• The interior wall and ceiling finish in exit enclosures must comply with Section 10.2 (Class A or Class B materials).
• The new interior floor finish in exit enclosures, including stair treads and risers, should be Class II or higher, according to Section 10.2.
• Headroom must be at least 7 ft 6 in. (2285 mm).
• Ceiling projections should allow at least 6 ft 8 in. (2030 mm), with a tolerance of -3/4 in. (-19 mm), above the finished floor.
• In existing buildings, the ceiling height must be at least 7 ft (2135 mm) from the floor, with projections allowing at least 6 ft 8 in. (2030 mm), with a tolerance of -3/4 in. (-19 mm), above the floor.
• Minimum ceiling height must be maintained for at least two-thirds of a room or space's ceiling area, and the remaining area must be at least 6 ft 8 in. (2030 mm) high.
• Headroom on stairs and stair landings must be at least 6 ft 8 in. (2030 mm), measured vertically from a plane parallel to and tangent with the stair tread's most forward projection.
• Walking surfaces must adhere to sections 7.1.6.2 through 7.1.6.4 and approved existing surfaces are permitted.
• Abrupt elevation changes on walking surfaces must not exceed ¼ in. (6.3 mm).
• Changes from ¼ in. (6.3 mm) to ½ in. (13 mm) require beveling to a 1 in 2 slope and changes to exceed ½ in. (13 mm) shall be according to the requirements of 7.1.7.

Surface Regulations

• Walking surfaces should be nominally level:
• The slope of a walking surface in the direction of travel cannot exceed 1 in 20, unless meeting ramp needs of 7.2.5.
• The slope perpendicular to the direction of travel cannot exceed 1 in 48.
• Vehicle ramps in parking structures (42.8.2.2.6), not accessible for egress use, are exempt from 7.1.6.3.1.
• Walking surfaces must be slip-resistant under foreseeable conditions.
• Level changes that exceed 21 in. (535 mm) must be achieved by an approved means of egress and changes not exceeding 21 in. (535 mm) must be achieved by a ramp (7.2.5) or stair (7.2.2).
• Where a ramp meets the requirements of 7.1.7.2, the presence and location of walkway ramped portions must be readily apparent.
• Steps used to meet the requirements of 7.1.7.2 must have a tread depth not less than 13 in. (330 mm).
• Tread depth in industrial equipment access areas as provided in 40.2.5.3 must be permitted and the presence and location of each step must be readily apparent.
• Guards per 7.2.2.4 are required on open sides of egress routes exceeding 30 in. (760 mm) above the floor or ground, unless specifically exempted in Chapters 11 through 43.
• Devices or alarms restricting improper egress use, and monitoring/recording systems, must not impede or prevent emergency use, unless otherwise provided in 7.2.1.6 and Chapters 18, 19, 22 and 23.

Maintenance Guidelines

• Egress means must be continuously maintained, free of obstructions or impediments to full, instant use for any emergency.
• Furnishings, decorations, or other objects must not obstruct exits, access, egress, or visibility and railings, barriers, or gates must not divide the egress means.
• If travel is obstructed, the authority can require items to be secured or install permanent barriers to protect travel.
• Mirrors cannot be placed on exit door leaves or near exits in a way that confuses egress.
• Sprinkler systems required by the chapter must be installed according to 9.7.1.1 subparts permitted by occupancy chapter.

Door Assembly

• A door assembly in egress means must conform to Section 7.1 general and 7.2.1 special needs to allow for an obvious and direct egress travel path.
• Windows with door-like designs or constructions must be made occupant-inaccessible by railing or barriers and a building is considered occupied under the following conditions:
• If open for general occupancy or to the public.
• If it is occupied by more than 10 persons.
• If egress doors are locked in a non-occupied building, occupants should not be locked beyond their control, save Section 22.4.6 and 23.4.6 lockups, detention/correctional/health care occupancies.
• Clear width measurement for swinging door assemblies will be as follows:
• The measurement taken at opening's narrowest point and between the leaf face and frame stop and with new doors at 90 degrees or existing with open leaf.
• Hinge side projections up to 4 in. (100 mm) are unconsidered, given they serve panic/fire exit hardware between 34 in. (865 mm) and 48 in. (1220 mm) off the floor.
• Projections exceeding 6 ft 8 in. (2030 mm) above the floor are unconsidered.

Door Assembly Measurement

• For non-swinging door assemblies, clear width measurement will be as follows:
• The measurement is taken at the door opening's narrowest point and with the leaf fully open and projections exceeding 6 ft 8 in. (2030 mm) are unconsidered.
• For swinging door assemblies, egress capacity width measurement will be as follows:
• The measurement is taken at opening's narrowest point and between leaf face and frame stop.
• New swinging doors = 90 degrees fully open and any existing door assembly = full position with projections up to 3½ in. (90 mm) at that side of the openings at heights of 38 in. (965 mm) unconsidered.
• Non-swinging door assemblies egress width will measured as follows:
• At the door opening's narrowest point and with the leaf at the full position, with projections up to 3½ in. (90 mm) at each side of door openings at heights not more than 38 in. (965 mm) unconsidered.
• Projections exceeding 6 ft 8 in. (2030 mm) above the floor shall not be considered reductions in egress capacity width.
• With minimum opening width, clear width per 7.2.1.2.1 is used unless leaf width is detailed and egress door openings should = or exceed 32 in. (810 mm) in clear width, except:
• A door leaf pair can be installed where on leaf provides ³32 in. (810 mm) opening.
• Exit access door assemblies that serve a room = 70 ft² (6.5 m²) and do not require severe mobile impairment access need ³24 in. (610 mm) in door leaf width.

Door Width Rules of Thumb

• Door openings serving a building or portion thereof not required to be accessible to persons with severe mobility impairments shall be permitted to be 28 in. (710 mm) in door leaf width.
• In existing buildings, the existing door leaf width must be at least 28 in. (710 mm).
• Door width regulations do not apply in detention/correctional (Chapters 22/23) or dwelling units (Chapter 24) occupancies.
• The leaves within a two-leaf and power-operated opening are exempt from the 32 in. (810 mm) single-leaf minimum under 7.2.1.9.1.8 and revolving door assemblies in 7.2.1.10 are exempt from 32 in. (810 mm) opening width minimum.
• Where a single door opening discharges 56 minimum in (1420 mm) requires two-thirds the stairway's minimum width with floor surfaces on openings that shall not vary by over ½ in. (13 mm).
• 7. 2.1.3.5 , 7.2.1.3.6, or 7.2.1.3.7. levels needed to be maintained on both sides for at least the widest leaf width and to a minimum of 36 in. (915 mm) on new installations and thresholds shall not exceed ½ in. (13 mm) in height.

Alternative Regulations

• Raised levels in excess of ¼ in. (6.3 mm) at door need beveling at a ratio of 1 in 2.
• Within existing buildings, if the door opens towards to the outside or an exterior access, the outside floor is permitted to be a step lower than the inside (maximum 8 in. (205 mm)).
• In existing buildings, doors next to stairs can open directly at the stair, does not swing over, and door serves <50 people and doors serving infrequent areas can be less then the door but be no more then 8 in (205 mm).
• Any door route for egress must be side-hinged/pivoted-swinging type, opens from any direction.
• A horizontal-sliding or vertical-rolling is permitted when locked and secured in the full place during public occupancy only and has a readily visible sign adjacent that reads.
• Door leaves/grilles shall not be brought to the position and shall be operable from the space without any special knowledge or effort.
• For requirements of 7.2.1.4.1 - doors must comply with requirements for door operation.