Emergency exit route

An emergency exit route is the prescribed passage that persons inside a building must be able to use to reach safety outside during emergencies such as fire or other incidents. In commercial real estate—office, industrial, and retail spaces—emergency exit routes are legally mandatory and detailed in building plans and safety regulations.

Routes must meet strict requirements: unobstructed corridors, clear signage, emergency lighting, and defined maximum distances to emergency exits. Larger properties typically require multiple independent exit routes so no single route serves as the sole means of egress. Owners and occupiers are responsible for maintaining, inspecting, and keeping emergency exit routes and doors clear at all times.