Florida Building Code — Means of Egress Requirements

A means of egress consists of three components: the exit access (the portion of the egress path within the tenant space, leading to the exit), the exit (a protected path of travel — typically a stairway, exit passageway, or exterior door), and the exit discharge (the path from the exit to the public way). Each component has specific requirements for width, headroom, travel distance, and construction.

The number of exits required depends on the occupant load: one exit is permitted for occupant loads of 49 or fewer in most occupancies; two exits are required for occupant loads of 50 or more; three exits are required for occupant loads of 501–1,000; and four exits are required for occupant loads over 1,000. Some occupancies (Assembly, High Hazard) have more stringent requirements.

Exit doors in Florida must be equipped with hardware that allows egress without special knowledge or effort. For Assembly occupancies with occupant loads over 49, panic hardware (a horizontal push bar that releases the latch when pushed) is required. For other occupancies, lever hardware or push-pull hardware is acceptable. Pineland Engineering specifies appropriate exit door hardware for each project.