In NFPA 101, which statement correctly describes high-rise egress beyond basic means of egress?

In NFPA 101, which statement correctly describes high-rise egress beyond basic means of egress?

• A. A single exit is sufficient for all floors.
• B. Stairs do not need closure devices.
• C. Use of only one means of egress if there is a protective corridor.
• D. More than one means of egress and may require pressurized stair enclosures.

Answer: (D)

In high-rise buildings, safety relies on redundancy and keeping escape routes tenable during a fire. You don’t rely on a single path to safety because that route could be blocked or filled with smoke. Therefore, high-rise egress requires more than one means of egress, typically including protected interior stairs that separate occupants from the fire area. These stair enclosures may be mechanically pressurized to create a barrier against smoke, helping maintain a tenable path for occupants to evacuate and for responders to operate. The other statements don’t fit because a single exit is not acceptable for high-rise safety, stair doors must be designed to close to maintain the enclosure, and having a protective corridor does not eliminate the need for multiple egress paths—the pressurization option is an added measure that may be used to enhance safety.

In high-rise buildings, safety relies on redundancy and keeping escape routes tenable during a fire. You don’t rely on a single path to safety because that route could be blocked or filled with smoke. Therefore, high-rise egress requires more than one means of egress, typically including protected interior stairs that separate occupants from the fire area. These stair enclosures may be mechanically pressurized to create a barrier against smoke, helping maintain a tenable path for occupants to evacuate and for responders to operate. The other statements don’t fit because a single exit is not acceptable for high-rise safety, stair doors must be designed to close to maintain the enclosure, and having a protective corridor does not eliminate the need for multiple egress paths—the pressurization option is an added measure that may be used to enhance safety.