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FreeIBC 2024 Ch. 10Decision router

Reviewed IBC 2024 model-code workflow

IBC Means of Egress Decision Router

The former calculator has been replaced by this bounded decision router. It returns no combined occupant-load, exit-count, width, or travel-distance answer.

Who it's for: architects and code consultants working through an IBC 2024 means-of-egress question who need to route to the right bounded calculator for occupant load, exit count, capacity, component minimums, or path limits, instead of one combined tool that mixes those scopes, at construction documents or permit review.

Why the checks remain separate

Chapter 10 coordinates multiple scopes and components. Collapsing them into one form previously caused the route to use story count as a component switch, treat sprinkler protection alone as sufficient for reduced capacity factors, and apply a universal exit-count table. Those outputs remain removed.

  1. 1

    Determine function of space and occupant load

    Occupant load starts with the actual function of each space and its gross/net basis—not one factor per occupancy group.

  2. 2

    Determine required exits for the correct scope

    Choose whether the analysis concerns an individual space or a story/occupied roof. Do not apply one generic occupant-load threshold table to both.

  3. 3

    Calculate component capacity

    Capacity factors depend on the egress component and all conditions for any reduction. Capacity is not the same as a component’s prescriptive minimum dimension.

  4. 4

    Check each component minimum

    Doors, corridors, stairs, ramps, and other components have separate dimensional, projection, arrangement, and accessibility provisions.

  5. 5

    Check path and arrangement limits separately

    Common path, exit-access travel distance, dead ends, separation, distribution, discharge, and accessible means of egress are distinct checks.

Bounded methodology worksheet and limits

Each linked calculator implements only its stated, tested rule scope. Unsupported occupancies, arrangements, exceptions, local amendments, and project conditions return an unresolved result or remain outside the method. Passing every linked preview still does not establish complete means-of-egress compliance.

Primary source: ICC — 2024 IBC Chapter 10, Means of Egress

Need the complete drawing set reviewed?

The bounded tools support individual preliminary questions. A complete assessment must also coordinate geometry, occupancy, fire protection, accessibility, construction type, adopted amendments, and the authority having jurisdiction.

Explore Drawing Review by DataDrivenAEC

Router scope reviewed 29 August 2026. No legacy deterministic result is rendered.

How to use this calculator

1
Start with occupant load
Open the occupant-load calculator (step 1) and enter the function of space and gross floor area — every downstream exit-count and capacity check needs this figure first.
2
Follow the numbered steps in order
Each step links to a bounded calculator or guide for one scope: exit count, capacity, component minimums, or path limits.
3
Treat each linked result as a separate, bounded answer
The router returns no combined occupant-load, exit-count, width, or travel-distance figure of its own — read each linked tool's own result and limits.

The formula

Chapter 10 coordinates several separate scopes — occupant load, exit count, capacity, component minimums, and path limits — each with its own governing section and conditions. The router links the occupant-load result from step 1 to the required-exits and egress-capacity calculators in steps 2–3; you carry that value across yourself, rather than one combined formula deriving all three.

Worked example

Example
A 5,000 sq ft business area: step 1 (occupant-load calculator) gives 5,000 sq ft ÷ 150 sq ft per occupant (Table 1004.5) = 33.3, rounded up to 34 occupants; that figure then becomes the occupant-load input to the step-2 required-exits and step-3 capacity calculators.

When this estimate will be off

  • Returns no combined occupant-load, exit-count, width, or travel-distance answer of its own.
  • Each linked calculator implements only its stated, tested rule scope; unsupported occupancies, arrangements, exceptions, local amendments, and project conditions return an unresolved result or remain outside the method.
  • Passing every linked tool still does not establish complete means-of-egress compliance.

Frequently asked questions

A common mistake: Returns no combined occupant-load, exit-count, width, or travel-distance answer of its own.

Chapter 10 coordinates several separate scopes — occupant load, exit count, capacity, component minimums, and path limits — each with its own conditions and exceptions. Combining them previously caused this route to use story count as a component switch and treat sprinkler protection alone as sufficient for reduced capacity factors.

With occupant load: it sets the basis for every downstream exit-count and capacity check (step 1).

No. Each linked tool implements only its own tested rule scope; component-specific minimums, local amendments, and full means-of-egress compliance remain separate checks.

Methodology and limitations

Sources and method basis

  • IBC 2024 Chapter 10 and the separate occupant-load, required-exits, capacity, component-minimum, and path-limit methods
  • https://codes.iccsafe.org/

Limitations

  • Decision router only; returns no combined calculation and does not establish jurisdiction, occupancy, exceptions, component compliance, arrangement, accessibility, amendments, or complete means-of-egress compliance.

This free Egress decision router is built and maintained by DataDrivenAEC, using the relevant codes and standards. It does not substitute for professional judgment.