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Home / Code Guides / Fire Code Egress Basics

Fire Code Egress Basics — IFC Chapter 10

Egress rules in the International Fire Code (Chapter 10) all start from one number, the occupant load, and then ask how many exits you need, how wide they must be, how far people must travel to reach one, and whether they can find it in the dark. Chapter 10 of the IFC tracks Chapter 10 of the International Building Code closely.

RequirementModel Code StandardSection
Occupant loadFloor area divided by the occupant load factor for the use, using gross or net area as the table says; for example business areas count 150 sq ft gross per person and assembly space with tables and chairs counts 15 sq ft net per personIFC 1004.5, Table 1004.5
Number of exitsSpaces and stories need at least two exits or exit access doorways once the occupant load or travel distance passes the single-exit limits in the tables; very large loads need three or four exitsIFC 1006.2, 1006.3
Egress widthWidth is sized from occupant load: 0.3 in. per person for stairways and 0.2 in. per person for doors and other components, with lower factors allowed in sprinklered buildings that meet the conditionsIFC 1005.3.1, 1005.3.2
Door widthEgress doors need a clear opening width of at least 32 in.IFC 1010.1.1
Travel distanceMaximum distance to an exit depends on occupancy and sprinklers; typical limits are 200 ft without sprinklers and 250 ft with them (300 ft for Group B), with shorter limits for high-hazard usesIFC 1017.2, Table 1017.2
Exit signsExits and exit access doors must be marked by an approved exit sign visible from any direction of egress travel, illuminated at all times the building is occupiedIFC 1013.1, 1013.3
Egress illuminationThe path of egress must be lit, with emergency power taking over if the power fails and lasting at least 90 minutesIFC 1008.1, 1008.3

Worth knowing

  • Occupant load is the number that drives everything else. If a tenant fit-out changes the use from storage to retail, the load, the exit count and the widths can all change with it.
  • Chapter 10 does not apply to a house the way it does a store. One- and two-family dwellings follow the International Residential Code (egress windows, stairs and doors) instead, which is why residential and commercial answers online often disagree.
  • The exact exit-count tables and travel-distance limits vary by occupancy group and sprinkler status. Look up the table for your group rather than relying on the typical figures here.
  • The adopted edition matters. Section numbers were reorganized between the 2018, 2021 and 2024 editions, and state fire codes frequently amend Chapter 10.
  • A fire code official, not this page, decides compliance on a specific building. For an existing building the fire code or the existing building code may apply instead of new-construction rules.

Common questions

What does the code say about occupant load for Fire Code Egress Basics?

Floor area divided by the occupant load factor for the use, using gross or net area as the table says; for example business areas count 150 sq ft gross per person and assembly space with tables and chairs counts 15 sq ft net per person. (IFC 1004.5, Table 1004.5)

What does the code say about number of exits for Fire Code Egress Basics?

Spaces and stories need at least two exits or exit access doorways once the occupant load or travel distance passes the single-exit limits in the tables; very large loads need three or four exits. (IFC 1006.2, 1006.3)

What does the code say about egress width for Fire Code Egress Basics?

Width is sized from occupant load: 0.3 in. per person for stairways and 0.2 in. per person for doors and other components, with lower factors allowed in sprinklered buildings that meet the conditions. (IFC 1005.3.1, 1005.3.2)

Adopted edition by state

Base-code year from BuildSpec’s adoption records. States often amend the base code, and your city or county may differ, so confirm with your building department. Fire codes are usually adopted by the state fire marshal or the local fire district; BuildSpec holds an IFC edition on record for only the states listed here.

This guide is BuildSpec’s own summary, not code text. It cites the International Fire Code (IFC) as a model standard, and NFPA 10 where a rule is cited to it; BuildSpec publishes no NFPA text, which is at nfpa.org. The IFC itself is available from the ICC. Neither is an adoption record: your state may be on a different edition with amendments — check your jurisdiction page or get an Address Report.
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