Emergency exits must be large enough for occupants to exit and for firefighters to enter. They must be easily accessible and unblocked during an emergency. Building inspectors check for proper emergency exits and changes that eliminate them are viewed unfavorably. Tenants should confirm adequate exits and raise concerns with landlords or building inspectors.
The emergency exit is an exit method that people can safely access in an emergency. Many building codes cover emergency egress in detail to ensure that facilities have exits that safely accommodate people if they need to exit a structure during a fire, chemical spill, or similar emergency. The goal behind the process is to create as much redundancy as possible so that people have many options for getting out of a facility and that these options are easy to use even when people are panicked or confused.
To be considered an emergency exit, an opening must, by law, be large enough for occupants to exit and for a fully equipped firefighter to enter. for people to use; a large opening located well above the height of an average human being, for example, isn’t much use in a hurry.
During an emergency evacuation, people should be able to quickly access and open a window, door, or other opening intended for an emergency exit. If the opening gets blocked, it must be easily unblocked, such as when a latch can be easily operated from the inside. Likewise, screens and other coverings should come out easily so people can clear the opening quickly. Bars and similar covers must swing to the side so people can get out.
When structures are new construction, one of the things the building inspector does during an examination to clear the building for use is check the emergency exit. If the building doesn’t have a proper exit, the inspector won’t vacate the building until the problem has been corrected. Most building inspectors are happy to review current plans and structures to confirm that they meet the most current building code standards.
Likewise, changes to a structure that prevent or eliminate an emergency exit are unlikely to be viewed favorably by building inspectors. Tenants would do well to confirm that they have adequate emergency exits, for their own safety, and if not, they should raise the matter with the landlord. If the landlord does not want to remedy the problem, he can contact the building inspector. Tenants should be aware that building inspectors can issue subpoenas without notifying landlords who notified them, but if a recent complaint has been received from a tenant about the same matter, the landlord may assume that the subpoena is the result of a complaint of the tenant.
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