MEANS OF EGRESS

Means of Egress Components - Means of Egress Width and Capacity

Capacity is a measure of persons per exit width. To understand capacity, it is important to understand the term exit width. Means of egress shall be measured in exit width units of 22 inches. Fractions of an exit width unit shall be counted as:

Zero if the fractional unit is less than 12 inches

One-half if the fraction is greater than 12 inches and less than 22 inches.

Exit width units shall be measured at the narrowest point of the means of egress in which:

Handrails project no more than 5 inches
Stair stringers project no more than 1½ inches.

An exit or exit access door swinging into an aisle or passageway shall not restrict the effective width at any point during its swing to less than the specified minimum widths.

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