Egress requirements in the Building Code
Provide a minimum of two exits from each
floor separated by a travel distance equal to not less than 1/2 of the length
of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the floor to be served.
What does it mean?
Let's understand the intent of the code.
If the code would only ask the architect
to provide two exits without saying anything about how far apart the two exists
need to be, the designer can--theoretically--provide two exits, side by side,
on just one elevation of the building, and meet the code. So, there was a need to say that the two
exits need to be very far apart so that in case of an emergency people can run in
either direction. But then how far is
'very far'? Enter the diagonal. Measure the diagonal and then take half of
that measurement. Your two exits need to
be equal to or more than that number.
Say, the diagonal is 100 feet.
Then the exits should be anywhere between 50 and 100 ft--two exits only
49 ft. apart will not work.
