ADAAG Manual

Emergency Egress

ADAAG requires that accessible seating be located on an accessible route which also serves as a means of egress. Recommendations: Considerations beyond this basic requirement may be advisable in large assembly areas since they usually have several required exits. According to research sponsored by the Access Board ("Access to Assembly Areas" by the Center for Accessible Design, 1992), it may be prudent to provide more than once accessible means of egress route from accessible seating. Consider:

• more than one accessible means of egress from accessible seating to accessible exits or areas of rescue assistance

• locating wheelchair spaces to minimize the distance to accessible exits or areas of rescue assistance

• accessible egress routes that coincide with other exit routes to avoid forcing a person using a wheelchair to travel against the general flow

• increased aisle widths along accessible egress routes to allow passing and easier maneuvering

Building or life safety codes specify the minimum distances between rows of fixed seating in consideration of the number of seats per row, exit aisle widths, and the arrangement and location of exit doors. Recommendations: "Continental" seating can facilitate access to and from mid-row seats for all people, including those who walk with difficulty since row spacing and exit door requirements are increased in order to achieve a greater number of seats per row. Wider row spacing and aisle widths can accommodate wheelchair seating so that unobstructed required exit widths are maintained.