Means of Egress

Means of Egress

Getting in and out of any building or structure is important, especially in the case of an emergency. The way in which emergency exits are designed and specified is just as critical to how quickly they lead occupants to safety. As a designer, it is our job to recognize, establish, and correctly design these spaces according to code and jurisdiction.

Means of Egress System

The codes divvy up the means of egress into 3 main categories. These categories are known as exit access, exit, and exit discharge. The exit access is a part of a means of egress leading from any occupied area to the entrance of an exit. The exit is the part of egress that is between the exit access and the exit discharge, or public way. The exit discharge is the part of egress between the termination of an exit and the public way. A public way is the space outside of a building that is legally considered public. In addition, areas of refuge are established as a space or area that is available for people with mobile disabilities to stay temporarily while waiting for further instructions or assistance during an evacuation.

An area of refuges is typically known as the end point for the accessible means of egress. Accessible means of egress meet similar requirements in regard to exit access, exit, and exit discharge, and is usable by persons of mobile limitations who can’t exit a building using the stairs. It's important, especially as designers, to understand that the typical means of egress assumes occupants are able to exit a building without any special assistance or help, however, at least one accessible means of egress is mandatory.

Signage

It is relatively important to know that not all signage will be required by code and can, instead, be requested by a client. Specifying signage products is helpful and crucial in making sure requirements of the jurisdiction are met, including accessibility standards.

Exit signs are required wherever a space or floor has two or more exits. This helps identify exits and lead occupants to the nearest exit in case of an emergency. These types of signage must be installed in the exit access and, as a designer, it is important to make sure that the path of the means or egress and view of occupant along it are considered. This is due to the fact that code requires these signs to “not be readily apparent” and instead guide the occupants to the exits in order to prevent time being wasted going in the wrong direction.

While traditional exit signs lead the occupants visually to the exit, it is required that exits also have a room identification sign that is a tactile sign at the door to the stairwell for those whoa re visually impaired. All areas of refuge require a sign on the door that needs to meet the visual and tactile requirements for a room identification signs of the ADA Standards and ICC A117.1. Some buildings, and codes, require an emergency evacuation diagram that indicates the emergency egress or escape routes – also known as a fire or safety plan.