Which statement best describes egress performance in fire safety design?

• A. Building height determines number of stairwells
• B. Fire stopping is only for non-fire-rated assemblies
• C. Egress capacity is a function of occupant load and travel distance
• D. Sprinkler design standards apply to life safety only in healthcare

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is that egress performance is about moving occupants to safety quickly enough during a fire. The key factors that determine whether people can evacuate in time are how many people must be evacuated (occupant load) and how far they must travel to reach an exit (travel distance). Together, these determine how much egress capacity is needed—the number and width of exits, stair capacity, and the layout of corridors to ensure a safe, timely evacuation. If the occupant load is large or the travel distance is long, the egress system must provide greater capacity to prevent crowding and delays.

Other statements miss the core point: building height doesn’t directly set egress capacity; it influences planning but isn’t the primary factor. Fire stopping relates to compartmentalization and smoke control, not how quickly people can exit. Sprinkler design affects life safety and fire growth control, but it isn’t the defining measure of egress performance.