What is true about horizontal exits?

Horizontal exits are an essential aspect of building safety and egress planning. The statement that they may not provide more than one-half of the required number of exits is based on safety codes and guidelines established in building and fire safety regulations. This is to ensure that there is a sufficient number of exit routes available in an emergency situation, allowing for safe and efficient evacuation.

Horizontal exits are intended to facilitate movement from one building space to another, or even from one building to an adjacent building, often without requiring occupants to use stairs or escalators. However, relying on horizontal exits alone as a primary means of egress is not sufficient. Regulations stipulate that at least half of the total number of required exits must consist of standard exit routes, such as stairs, to ensure occupants can escape quickly and safely from a facility under various emergency scenarios.

This requirement is crucial for risk management and safety planning in case of fire or other emergencies, where horizontal exits cannot serve as a substitute for adequate vertical escape routes.