Egress
Egress refers to the means of exiting a building safely in an emergency — the continuous, unobstructed path from any occupied point in a building to a public way outside. Building codes dictate the number, width, lighting, and signage of egress components based on occupant load and building use. Adequate egress is a life safety requirement enforced at every inspection.
Updated July 13, 2026
Key Facts
- 1The IBC requires a minimum of two means of egress for any space with an occupant load above 49 people — meaning most commercial restaurants, retail stores, and offices
- 2Egress door minimum clear width is 32 inches; most commercial codes require 36 inches for primary egress in new construction
- 3Emergency exit lighting and exit signs must maintain a minimum 1 foot-candle of illumination for 90 minutes during a power failure — powered by battery backup or emergency generator
Components of a Commercial Egress System
- Exit access: the path from any occupied space to an exit (corridors, aisles, doorways within the space)
- Exit: a protected path of travel — typically a rated corridor or exit stairway — leading from the exit access to the exit discharge
- Exit discharge: the path from the exit to the public way (typically the sidewalk or an open space outside the building)
- Exit signs: illuminated signs identifying the exit route, visible from all points in the space
- Emergency lighting: battery-backed lighting along the egress path ensuring 1 foot-candle minimum illumination
- Exit door hardware: must be operable from the egress side without special knowledge or keys (panic hardware for assembly occupancies)
Common Egress Issues in Commercial Buildouts
The most common egress problem in commercial tenant improvements is a proposed layout that obstructs or eliminates required egress paths from a prior configuration. When wall locations change, furniture arrangements are finalized, or new equipment is added, the egress path must be re-evaluated. Architects are required to document egress compliance on the code sheet of the construction drawings.
Exit signs and emergency lighting are commonly missed in initial budgets. Every commercial buildout needs code-compliant exit signage at each exit and emergency lighting fixtures along all egress paths — typically $200–$600 per fixture installed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many exits does a restaurant require?
A restaurant with an occupant load of 50 or more requires a minimum of two exits. The two exits must be separated by a distance of at least half the diagonal of the space (or one-third if sprinklered). Each exit must be a minimum 32 inches clear width.
Can furniture block an egress path?
No. Egress paths must be kept clear of all obstructions at all times during business operation. Fixed furniture, equipment, display racks, or storage placed in egress paths are fire code violations. The clear width must be maintained even when the space is fully occupied.
What is a 'travel distance' requirement in egress?
Travel distance is the maximum allowable path length from the most remote point in a space to the nearest exit. For unsprinklered business occupancies, the IBC allows 200 feet; for sprinklered spaces, 250–300 feet. Assembly occupancies (restaurants, bars) have different limits. Exceeding travel distance may require adding a third exit.