A means of egress for all building occupants is defined in Section 1002.1 of the IBC as a “continuous and unobstructed path of vertical and horizontal egress travel from any occupied portion of a building or structure to a public way.”[1]

As defined in Section 1002.1, a means of egress consists of three separate and distinct components:

• The exit access
• The exit
• The exit discharge

These requirements are essentially the same as those prescriptive ‘Deemed-to-Satisfy’ requirements of the BCA and other prescriptive building codes from around the world.

[1] International Code Council, International Building Code, Section 1002.1, http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/ibc/2012/icod_ibc_2012_2_sec002.htm, viewed 23 August 2015