A means of escape is the route people take to get out of a building safely when there's a fire. It includes everything from the point where someone realises there's a fire, through corridors and stairways, to the final exit into the open air.
Can everyone in your building reach a safe place in under 2-3 minutes?
This is the key test for an adequate means of escape.
What is a means of escape?
A means of escape is the route from any point in a building to a place of safety outside. It's one of the most fundamental requirements of fire safety law.
The means of escape comprises:
- Initial escape route — from where someone is to the nearest storey exit (e.g., corridor, office area to stairway or final exit)
- Protected route — fire-resisting corridor or stairway that shields people from smoke and flames as they escape
- Final exit — the door or opening that leads directly to open air or a place of total safety
The means of escape must allow everyone to evacuate safely before conditions become untenable — typically within 2-3 minutes. This is faster than you might think, and why escape route design is so critical.
Why means of escape matters
When a fire starts, smoke spreads rapidly. Most fire deaths are caused by smoke inhalation, not burns. An effective means of escape:
- Gives people time to recognise the danger and react
- Provides a clear, safe route away from fire and smoke
- Protects people from flames, heat, and toxic gases
- Allows everyone to reach safety before conditions become dangerous
Without adequate means of escape, people can become trapped, even in buildings where fires are detected early.
In the Grenfell Tower fire (2017), many residents were unable to escape because the single stairway became smoke-logged. The tragedy highlighted the critical importance of proper escape route design and protection.
Travel distances
Travel distance is the actual distance someone has to walk to reach a place of relative or total safety. It's measured along the route they would take, not in a straight line.
Single direction travel vs alternative routes
There are two scenarios:
Single direction (dead end):
- You can only escape in one direction
- Maximum travel distance: 18 metres (in most premises)
- Applies if there's no choice of escape routes
Alternative routes available:
- You can escape in more than one direction
- Maximum travel distance: 45 metres (in most premises)
- Routes must be genuinely independent — not merging too early
Travel Distance Limits
Single Direction (Dead End)
- •Only one way out available
- •18m maximum in most premises
- •12m if high fire risk area
- •9m in sleeping accommodation (some cases)
- •Higher risk = shorter distance
- •Should be avoided where possible
Alternative Routes
Recommended- •Two or more escape routes available
- •45m maximum in most premises
- •32m if high fire risk area
- •18m in sleeping accommodation (some cases)
- •Routes must be genuinely separate
- •Much safer option
Bottom line: Always aim to provide alternative escape routes. Single direction travel creates a critical vulnerability — if that one route is blocked by fire or smoke, there's no way out.
Measuring travel distance
Travel distance is measured:
- From the furthest point someone might be in a room
- Along the actual walking route (around furniture, through doors)
- To the nearest storey exit (usually a fire door leading to a protected stairway or final exit)
Don't measure in straight lines or "as the crow flies". The travel distance is the actual path someone would walk, including diversions around desks, equipment, and partitions.
When shorter distances apply
Some premises require shorter travel distances:
- High fire risk areas — places storing flammable materials, areas with ignition sources
- Sleeping accommodation — hotels, hostels, care homes, HMOs
- Areas with vulnerable people — care homes, hospitals, nurseries
- Basements — often limited to 18m in any direction
Your fire risk assessment should identify if reduced travel distances apply to your premises.
Protected routes and fire doors
A protected route is a corridor or stairway that's separated from the rest of the building by fire-resisting construction. It gives people a safe passage through the building while fire and smoke are contained elsewhere.
What makes a route "protected"?
Protected routes must have:
- Fire-resisting walls and floors — typically 30 or 60 minutes fire resistance
- Fire doors — self-closing doors with appropriate fire resistance (FD30 or FD60)
- Limited use — should only be used for circulation/escape, not storage or other activities
- Smoke control — may need mechanical ventilation or smoke venting
- Fire-resisting glazing — if windows or vision panels are installed
Fire doors: the weak point
Fire doors are critical to maintaining the integrity of protected routes:
✓ Must be self-closing (unless held open by automatic release mechanisms linked to the fire alarm) ✓ Must close fully against the frame with no gaps ✓ Must have working intumescent strips and smoke seals ✓ Must not be wedged or propped open (unless on automatic release) ✓ Must not be damaged, altered, or have holes drilled through them ✓ Must be checked regularly as part of maintenance
Hotel fined £100,000 after guest trapped by wedged fire door
A 23-room hotel experienced a fire in a ground floor kitchen. A guest on the first floor was trapped because a fire door protecting the escape stairway had been wedged open with a doorstop.
- ✗Fire door to stairway propped open
- ✗Smoke filled the stairway within seconds
- ✗Guest could not use stairs to escape
- ✗Fire brigade had to rescue guest via ladder
- ✗No fire risk assessment identified the door was wedged
- ✗No staff training on fire door importance
The hotel operator was prosecuted and fined £100,000 plus £20,000 costs. The court noted that the wedged door 'could easily have resulted in a fatality'.
Never wedge fire doors open. If doors need to be kept open for operational reasons, install automatic door closers linked to the fire alarm system.
Protected lobbies
A protected lobby is a small protected space between a fire door and a stairway, or between different areas of a building. It provides extra separation and reduces the risk of smoke entering the escape route.
Protected lobbies are required:
- When the escape stairway serves multiple storeys with higher fire risk
- In sleeping accommodation protecting the stairway
- Where a single stairway serves many people
- In some basements and plant rooms
The lobby must be:
- Enclosed by fire-resisting construction
- Accessed by self-closing fire doors at both ends
- Clear of stored items and obstacles
- Adequately lit
Final exits
The final exit is the last door on the escape route — the one that leads to a place of total safety (open air or a protected area open to the air).
Final exit requirements
Final exits must:
✓ Be clearly identifiable and marked with illuminated signage ✓ Open easily in the direction of escape (no keys, no complicated mechanisms) ✓ Provide sufficient width for the number of occupants (minimum 750mm, usually wider) ✓ Lead to a safe place — not a dead end, enclosed yard, or area that could trap people ✓ Be available at all times the premises are occupied ✓ Not be locked or obstructed ✓ Be obvious to anyone unfamiliar with the building
Final exit doors must open in the direction of escape if more than 60 people use them, or if they serve a high fire risk area. For smaller occupancies, they may open inwards, but this is poor practice for emergency exits.
The assembly point
Where people gather after evacuating (the assembly point) should be:
- Far enough from the building (safe from falling debris, collapse, smoke)
- Large enough for everyone expected to evacuate
- Away from fire service access routes
- Clearly marked and communicated to all occupants
Number of exits required
The number of escape routes and exits depends on:
- Occupancy — how many people are in the building
- Floor area — larger floors need more exits
- Travel distances — must be achievable with the exits provided
- Type of use — sleeping accommodation, high risk areas need more exits
As a general guide:
- Under 60 people: Usually one escape route acceptable (but two is better)
- 60+ people: At least two independent escape routes required
- Over 600 people: Three or more exits typically needed
Even if one exit is technically sufficient, two independent exits are always better. If one is blocked by fire, the other provides an alternative. Always aim for alternative escape routes where reasonably practicable.
Escape route maintenance
Means of escape are only effective if properly maintained.
Regular checks required
Escape Route Maintenance Schedule
Quick visual check at start of day — doors open freely, routes clear
Test self-closers, check for damage, ensure no doors are wedged
Visual inspection of illuminated signs and emergency lights
Walk entire routes, check signage, lighting, doors, clear routes
Discharge test to ensure batteries provide adequate duration
Competent person inspects and tests all fire doors
What to check
During routine inspections, verify:
- All escape routes are clear and unobstructed
- Fire doors close fully and self-closers work
- Emergency exit signs are illuminated and visible
- Emergency lighting works
- Final exits are unlocked and open easily
- Floor surfaces are in good condition (no trip hazards)
- Visibility is good (adequate lighting, clean windows/glazing)
- Signage is clear and up to date
Signage and emergency lighting
People must be able to find their way out in an emergency, even if they're unfamiliar with the building or if the power fails.
Fire exit signs
Fire exit signs must:
- Be provided at every exit and along escape routes where the route isn't obvious
- Be illuminated (either externally lit or internally illuminated)
- Use the standard running man symbol (BS EN ISO 7010)
- Include directional arrows where needed
- Be visible at all times (not obscured by doors, decorations, or furniture)
Emergency lighting
Emergency lighting ensures escape routes remain lit if the power fails:
- Escape route lighting — illuminates corridors, stairways, and changes in level
- Emergency exit signs — internally illuminated signs that stay lit during power failure
- Open area lighting — anti-panic lighting in large open areas
Emergency lighting must:
✓ Activate automatically when power fails ✓ Provide adequate illumination (minimum 1 lux along escape routes) ✓ Last at least 3 hours (1 hour minimum in some small premises) ✓ Be tested monthly (brief function test) and annually (full discharge test)
Modern LED emergency lighting is more reliable and cost-effective than older fluorescent systems. If you're upgrading, consider LED units with self-test functionality — they monitor themselves and flag faults automatically.
Access for people with disabilities (PEEPs)
Your means of escape must consider everyone who uses the building, including those who may need assistance.
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)
For anyone who cannot evacuate unaided (mobility impairments, visual or hearing impairments, cognitive disabilities), you should prepare a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP).
A PEEP sets out:
- How the person will be alerted to a fire
- What assistance they need to evacuate
- Who will provide that assistance
- Where they will wait if they cannot evacuate immediately (refuge area)
- How they will be evacuated (carried, evacuation chair, assistance down stairs)
Refuge areas
In multi-storey buildings, you may need designated refuge areas — protected spaces where people can wait temporarily if they cannot use stairs. Requirements:
- Located in protected stairways or lobbies
- Fire-resisting construction (30-60 minutes)
- Emergency communication system to contact fire service
- Clear signage
- Not used for storage or other purposes
Don't assume people with disabilities will tell you they need assistance. Proactively ask employees, residents, and regular visitors if they require a PEEP. Review PEEPs regularly — people's needs can change.
Common deficiencies
Fire authorities frequently find these problems:
1. Escape routes obstructed
- Storage in corridors, stairways, or lobbies
- Deliveries left blocking fire exits
- Furniture, equipment, or waste obstructing routes
- "Temporary" obstructions that become permanent
Fix: Keep escape routes clear at all times. Mark routes with coloured tape if necessary to prevent encroachment.
2. Fire doors wedged open
- Doors propped with fire extinguishers, doorstops, or furniture
- Self-closers disabled or removed
- Damaged doors that don't close properly
Fix: Never wedge fire doors. If doors need to be open, install automatic closers linked to the fire alarm.
3. Inadequate signage
- Exit signs missing or broken
- Non-illuminated signs in dark areas
- Signs obscured by shelving, displays, or doors
- Old signs using outdated symbols
Fix: Install compliant illuminated signs at all exits and decision points along escape routes.
4. Emergency lighting failures
- Flat batteries (not tested regularly)
- Units missing or damaged
- Insufficient coverage of escape routes
- Not covering changes in level or potential trip hazards
Fix: Test emergency lighting monthly and keep test records. Replace failed units promptly.
5. Locked or difficult-to-operate exits
- Final exits locked with keys
- Panic bars that don't work properly
- Doors that stick or require excessive force
- Complex locking mechanisms unfamiliar to users
Fix: Final exits must open easily without a key. Install panic hardware if required.
6. Inadequate travel distances
- Dead ends longer than permitted
- Single escape route where alternative routes needed
- Furniture layout creating excessive travel distances
- Changes in use increasing occupancy without reviewing escape
Fix: Redesign layouts to reduce travel distances or provide additional exits.
7. Poor maintenance of fire doors
- Gaps around door frames
- Missing or damaged intumescent strips
- Damaged door surfaces (holes, broken panels)
- Faulty or missing self-closers
Fix: Inspect fire doors regularly and repair immediately. Don't alter fire doors (no holes for cables, no removing closers).
How a simple escape route audit prevented a tragedy
A manufacturing company engaged a fire risk assessor for an annual review. The assessor walked the escape routes and timed evacuation from the furthest point.
- ✗Travel distance from new mezzanine storage area was 52m (limit: 45m)
- ✗Single direction travel for 23m (limit: 18m)
- ✗Emergency exit at far end had been locked after a break-in
- ✗New racking had been installed creating a maze-like layout
- ✗Staff weren't aware of the problem
The company immediately removed the lock from the emergency exit, reconfigured the racking to reduce travel distances, and installed a second exit from the mezzanine. Total cost: £3,500. Potential cost of a fire with inadequate escape: incalculable.
Don't assume your means of escape is adequate just because it was OK last year. Changes in layout, use, or storage can create escape route deficiencies. Regular professional review is essential.
Key requirements summary
An adequate means of escape must provide:
✓ Alternative escape routes — two ways out wherever possible ✓ Appropriate travel distances — 18m single direction, 45m with alternatives (in most premises) ✓ Protected routes — fire-resisting corridors and stairways where needed ✓ Effective fire doors — self-closing, well-maintained, not wedged open ✓ Clear routes — no obstructions, storage, or trip hazards ✓ Clear signage — illuminated exit signs at all exits and decision points ✓ Emergency lighting — adequate illumination if power fails ✓ Easy-to-operate exits — final exits that open easily without keys ✓ Suitable for all users — consideration of people who may need assistance (PEEPs) ✓ Properly maintained — regular checks and prompt repairs
Frequently asked questions
No. Escape routes must be kept clear at all times. This includes corridors, stairways, lobbies, and areas immediately inside and outside final exits. Even temporary storage creates an obstruction that could trap people in a fire.
Yes, fire exits can be used for day-to-day access. In fact, it's good practice — people are more familiar with exits they use regularly. But the exit must always remain usable as an emergency exit (unlocked, unobstructed, opens easily in direction of escape).
Yes. Emergency lighting is required because fires can occur at night, windows may be obscured by smoke, or power may fail. You can't rely on daylight being available during an emergency.
Only if the lock releases automatically when the fire alarm sounds, or if it's a simple push-pad mechanism that anyone can operate without prior knowledge. Complex codes or locks requiring a key are not acceptable on final exits.
Minimum widths depend on occupancy. Generally: 750mm minimum for corridors, 1050mm for stairs serving more than 50 people, wider for higher occupancies. Doorways should generally match the corridor/stairway width. Your fire risk assessment should specify required widths.
Yes, unless they're held open by automatic devices linked to the fire alarm. Fire doors only work when closed. If operational needs require doors to be open, install automatic hold-open devices — never wedge or prop fire doors.
This depends on use, occupancy, and travel distances. Generally, a single stairway is acceptable for small premises (under 3-4 storeys) with limited occupancy. Larger buildings typically need at least two independent stairways. Your fire risk assessment should determine what's required.
Generally, no. Escape routes should not pass through rooms that could be locked, occupied by only one person, or present a fire risk. There are limited exceptions (e.g., escaping through a reception area during occupied hours), but this should be avoided where possible.
Historic buildings can present challenges, but fire safety law still applies. You may need to use alternative or compensating measures (enhanced detection, sprinklers, reduced occupancy, staff training). Work with a fire risk assessor experienced in heritage buildings and consult your local fire authority.
Check fire doors weekly as part of general premises checks (do they close properly, any damage, nothing wedged open). Have a competent person carry out detailed inspection at least annually. More frequent inspection may be needed in high-traffic areas.
Next steps
Understanding means of escape is just one part of fire safety compliance. To get a complete picture of your duties:
What is a Fire Risk Assessment? →
Not sure if your escape routes are adequate? Use our fire safety self-check tool:
Concerned your means of escape may not be adequate? A qualified fire risk assessor can evaluate your premises, measure travel distances, and recommend improvements to ensure compliance.
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