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Maintenance of Means of Egress (Doors, Exits, Paths of Travel)

In an emergency, every second counts. The ability of building occupants to safely and swiftly evacuate hinges on a clear, compliant, and well-maintained means of egress. At Firewize, we specialise in the inspection, maintenance, and documentation of these critical systems in line with the National Construction Code (NCC) requirements.

Russ Porteous
CEO, Firewize
24 Mar, 2025
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Exit Door + Hose Reel + Manual Call Point + Exit Sign

A means of egress, as defined by the National Construction Code (NCC), is a continuous and unobstructed path of travel from any point within a building to a safe place outside.

This encompasses internal routes, exits, and the final discharge to a public road or open space. It is an essential element in ensuring that building occupants can safely evacuate during a fire or other emergency.

  • Paths of Travel to Exits
    These are internal routes such as corridors, aisles, and walkways that lead occupants from occupied areas to an exit. They must meet strict requirements regarding width, ceiling height, direction, and accessibility to ensure unimpeded movement.
  • Exits
    Exits include stairways, ramps, and doors that provide direct access to a place of safety. These may be fire-isolated (protected by fire-rated construction) or non-fire-isolated, depending on the building classification and configuration. The NCC sets minimum standards for the construction, width, fire protection, and accessibility of these exits.
  • Exit Components
    Stair treads, risers, balustrades, handrails, and landings form integral parts of an exit. Each component must comply with specifications for height, depth, slip resistance, spacing, and structural integrity. The objective is to ensure these elements support safe movement, especially under emergency conditions when visibility may be compromised.
  • Discharge from Exits
    The discharge from an exit is the final stage in the means of egress, where occupants move from an internal exit, such as a stairway or ramp, directly to a road or open space outside the building. According to the NCC, this path must be unobstructed, clearly defined, and free of any barriers or hazards that could impede evacuation. It must also provide immediate access to a place of safety, ensuring that once a person exits the building, they can continue moving away from danger without delay or obstruction.

Maintenance of Exits, Paths of Travel & Discharge from Exits

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In most jurisdictions across Australia, legislation mandates the periodic inspection and maintenance of exit provisions to ensure they remain safe, accessible, and compliant at all times. These inspections are essential for verifying that exits—such as stairways, ramps, doors, and discharge paths—are unobstructed, fully operational, and clearly identified. Regular inspections not only safeguard building occupants during an emergency but also ensure ongoing compliance with statutory obligations for building owners and occupiers.

Means of egress must be maintained in a condition consistent with their approved design at all times. Most components are subject to periodic inspection—typically every three months—to verify the following:

  • Exit doors;
    • Unobstructed and capable of opening freely;
    • Free from damage or unapproved, non-compliant hardware;
    • Properly labelled with clear signage indicating they are exit doors.
  • Emergency lighting, exit sign systems
    • Maintained in accordance with Australian Standard AS 2293.2 (every six months);
    • Clearly visible and correctly indicating the direction to the nearest required exit.
  • Warning signs
    • Inspect warning signs to ensure each required sign exists and is free from any condition likely to adversely affect thier function.
  • Directional Exit Signs & Artificial Lighting (including photoluminescent exit signs)
    • Inspect each required directional exit sign to ensure each required sign exists and is free from any condition likely to adversely affect thier visibility and function;
    • For photoluminescent exit signs, inspect each sign to ensure that it is installed in accordance with Specification 25 of the National Construction Code and that each sign is maintained in a continuously charged state by a minimum illumination of 100 lux at the face of the sign by a dedicated light source with a colour temperature not less than 4000 K; and
    • in the event of a power failure, continue to provide a minimum luminance of 30 mcd/m2 for not less than 90
      minutes.
  • Stairways and handrails, ballustrades & treads;
    • Must be inspected to ensure all components are undamaged and in a safe condition;
    • Should not present any risk of injury to persons evacuating the building.
  • Discharge from Exits
    • Ensure that discharge paths from exits are unobstructed and provide direct, clear access to a road or open space.
    • Verify that fencing, gates, or barriers do not impede the path of egress and comply with NCC requirements for emergency egress.
    • Confirm that any required ramps, gradients, or vehicle barriers are properly maintained and do not pose a hazard to occupants evacuating the building.

Failure to perform these inspections may compromise evacuation safety placing people at risk from fire oor other emergencies.

Safe Evacuation

In addition to maintaining clear and accessible exit routes, several related systems play a vital role in supporting safe egress and effective emergency response.

These systems—while sometimes classified under separate essential safety measures—directly impact the performance and reliability of the means of egress during a fire or emergency. The following key elements should be included in any thorough inspection and maintenance regime to ensure holistic compliance and occupant safety.

  • Building Fire Integrity
    • While classified separately as an essential safety measure, fire integrity has a direct impact on the safety of egress paths. Inspect and verify that fire-resistant construction—such as fire-rated walls, doors, and ceilings along egress routes—remains intact, free from penetrations or damage, and compliant with the approved fire-resistance level (FRL).
  • Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
    • Fire detection and alarm systems play a critical role in early warning and occupant evacuation. These systems, which may include smoke detectors, heat detectors, manual call points, and audible/visual alarms, must be regularly maintained to ensure they respond promptly and reliably in an emergency. In accordance with AS 1851, routine inspections, testing, and servicing should confirm that all detection devices are functioning correctly, alarms activate as intended, and control panels and power supplies are in good working order. A well-maintained fire detection and alarm system not only supports safe egress but also provides valuable time for emergency services to respond effectively.
  • Emergency Lights & Exit Sign Systems
    • Emergency lighting and exit sign systems are essential for guiding occupants to safety during a power failure or emergency evacuation. These systems ensure visibility of egress paths and clearly mark the direction and location of exits. Routine inspection and testing—typically every six months in accordance with AS 2293 and AS 1851—should confirm that all emergency luminaires and exit signs are operational, adequately illuminated, securely mounted, and directing occupants correctly to the nearest required exit. Any failed components must be repaired or replaced promptly to maintain compliance and life safety performance.
  • Smoke Hazard Management
    • Confirm that all smoke hazard management systems, including smoke exhaust fans, stairwell pressurisation, and automatic smoke venting systems, are maintained in accordance with AS 1851. Ensure that systems operate effectively, controls and sensors function as intended, and access to key components is unobstructed for servicing and operation.
  • Reentry provisions for fire services
    • Re-entry provisions for fire services are critical to supporting emergency response efforts during a fire event. These provisions ensure that firefighters can safely re-enter a building through designated access points, such as fire-isolated stairwells, without obstruction. During inspections, it is essential to verify that re-entry doors are operable, not locked in a way that restricts internal access, and that signage clearly identifies fire service access points in accordance with the NCC and AS 1851.

In summary, the effectiveness of a building’s means of egress extends beyond clear pathways and compliant exits. Supporting systems—such as fire-resistant construction, fire detection and alarm systems, emergency lighting and signage, smoke hazard management, and re-entry provisions for fire services—are all critical to ensuring safe evacuation and emergency response.

Periodic inspection and maintenance of these essential (fire) safety systems, equipment and measures, in accordance with Australian Standards;

  • AS 1851 – Routine Servicing of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment; and
  • AS/NZS 2293.2 — Emergency lighting and exit signs for buildings Routine service and maintenance.

are essential to maintaining compliance, enhancing life safety, and ensuring the building is ready to perform as intended in the event of a fire or other emergency.

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