MEANS OF

EGRESS
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yQLIlIetDM&t=17s
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egh9oQZzH_Y
• https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-08-27/Fire-breaks-out-in-apartment-building-in-NE-China-s-
Liaoning-Province--134KYDbitX2/index.html
 Means of egress
Codes VS Standards
➢“Codes” are documents that are adopted by the legal
authority in your jurisdiction and:
• Establish minimum performance requirements to achieve
life safety and property protection
• Are written in “Mandatory” language indicating what must
be done
➢ “Standards” are documents referenced in the codes
and indicate how to achieve what must be done.
Types of People in the Buildings

Not Alert
Alert unfamiliar
familiar with with
surroundings surroundings

Alert Need
unfamiliar guidance
with and
surroundings assistance
Means of egress
• The architect, contractor
and building owner are
required to comply with
municipal and country
regulations.
• The building code official and
fire official enforce municipal
/local laws. These laws
reference the Civil Defense or
IBC for minimum building
requirements.
Means of egress
What should you show?

➢•Number of occupants using features

➢•Egress width: minimum and calculated
➢•Exit separation distance - measured
➢•Travel distances - measured
➢•Egress plan to show compliance
 Means of egress
• The function of an egress system is to conduct
occupants of a building to a safe place in case
of fire or other emergency.
• A safe place is usually a public way or
other large open space at ground level.
• For the occupants of the upper floors of a tall
building, or for people who are incapacitated
or physically restrained, the safe place may be
a fire-protected area of refuge within a
building.
 Means of egress

Requirements are based on:

• The number of exits required for a structure based on its
intended use and the number of people who could be in the
place at one time as well as their relative locations.
• Special needs, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons
where evacuating people may have special requirements.
• Possible hazards (such as in industries) where flammable
or toxic chemicals will be in use.
Types of Hazards
• Fire
• Earthquake
• Wildfires
• Severe weather
– Snow/Ice
– Flood/Storm Surge
– Tornado/Hurricane/High
Winds
Means of egress
Sprinkler automatic notification

Activation of the sprinkler system

automatically notifies the fire department

Upon arrival the fire department can use

the sprinkler panel to identify the floor
where the fire is happening

Standby power on the elevators allow for

the fire department to move to the fire
floor so they can offer assistance.