The place or means of going out; exit.
Helpful Advice
Clearly marked exit signs must follow local building regulations prior to building occupancy.
Codes and standards that regulate a building’s means of egress system will vary depending on the use of the particular building, area, or room, and can be complicated. Egress means exit and is an important part of all building codes for the safety of the occupants.
Some of these requirements include (but are not limited to) the following determining maximum occupant load depending on the number of exits; determining direction of door swings (typically out) based on maximum occupant load; doors that require panic hardware; the location and required number of automatic sprinklers; the requirement that exit doors have direct adjacency to exit corridors or stairwells (and not to pass through adjacent spaces); calculating size of exit doors based on occupant load; the placement of exit and entry signs; and the installation of luminous path markings.
Some of these calculations fall outside the role of an interior designer, so code consultants should be engaged. Nevertheless, the designer should be aware of and involved in the necessary precautions and the impact of the design of the space.