Section 50.21. Definitions

(a) A means of egress is a continuous and unobstructed way of travel from a point in a building or structure to a safe area of refuge outside of the building or structure. A means of egress consists of three separate parts: the way of exit access, the exit, and the way of exit discharge. A means of egress comprises the vertical and horizontal ways of travel and includes intervening room spaces, doorways, hallways, corridors, passageways, balconies, ramps, stairs, enclosures, lobbies, escalators, horizontal exits, courts and yards.

(b) Exit access is a path of travel which leads to an exit.

(c) Exit is the portion of a means of egress which is separated from other spaces of the building or structure by construction as required in Chapters 49-59 (relating to administration—buildings; general requirements—buildings; A-1 assembly; Division A-2 assembly; Division A-3 assembly; Group B educational; Division C-1 health care institutions; Division C-2 hotels, motels, apartment buildings; Division C-3 small group habitation; Division C-4 single exit apartments; Division C-5 prisons, jails, reformatories, and houses of corrections; Division D-O ordinary commercial, industrial, office; and D-H hazardous commercial, industrial, office) to provide a way of travel to the exit discharge.

(d) Exit discharge is the portion of a means of egress between the termination of an exit and a safe area of refuge outside of the building or structure which has direct access to a public street or thoroughfare or an open area with unrestricted access to a public street or thoroughfare.