Egress limit
/ˈiːɡrɛs ˈlɪmɪt/
B2
Definition
Egress limit refers to the highest number or size allowed for exits (ways to leave) in a building or area. It is often used in safety rules to make sure people can leave quickly and safely during emergencies like fires or other dangers.
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⚡ See It in Action
Safety rule for maximum exits or exit size in buildings
- •The fire code sets an egress limit to ensure enough doors for safe evacuation.
- •The theater's egress limit was increased after renovations added more exits.
- •The building inspector checked if the egress limit met safety standards.
Maximum allowed exit capacity in other contexts (like vehicles or rooms)
- •The bus had an egress limit to control how many doors could open during travel.
- •Emergency plans consider the egress limit to avoid overcrowding at exits.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "egress limit" like "exit rule," but more formal and specific about the maximum allowed amount or size
- ✓Picture a room with doors; the egress limit is how many doors or how big they can be to let people out safely
- ✓It's the feeling of safety knowing there are enough exits so everyone can leave quickly if needed
- ✓Sounds like "E-GRESS" (like 'eggs' but with 'gress' from 'go') + "LIMIT" → imagine eggs trying to get out of a box but only a certain number can leave at once
- ✓Imagine a fire drill where everyone must leave through doors that follow the egress limit rules to avoid crowding
- ✓NOT like "entrance" (ways to get in), egress is about going out
- ✓NOT like "open door" (just any door), egress limit controls the number or size for safety
- ✓NOT like "capacity" (how many people fit inside), egress limit is about how many can leave safely
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Exit limit: maximum allowed exits or size (Use in informal or general situations)
- •Egress capacity: how many people can safely leave (Use when focusing on number of people rather than doors)
- •Escape route limit: restrictions on paths to leave (Use when emphasizing paths or routes, not just doors)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "egress" (Latin root meaning "going out") + "limit" (English word meaning boundary or maximum)
- •Etymology: "Egress" comes from Latin "egressus," meaning "a going out"; "limit" from Latin "limitem," meaning boundary
- •Historical development: "Egress" used in English since the 1600s to mean exit or way out; combined with "limit" in safety and building codes to specify maximum allowed exits or sizes
- •Modern usage: Common in architecture, safety regulations, fire codes, and emergency planning to ensure safe building design
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How does knowing about egress limits change the way you think about building safety?
•Can you think of places you have been where egress limits might be very important? Why?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The egress limit in the theater was set ___ to make sure everyone could leave quickly during an emergency.
2.When the building was renovated, the egress limit was ___ to add more exit doors.
3.Unlike entrances, the egress limit controls the ___ and number of ways to leave a place.
4.Emergency workers check the egress limit because if it is too ___, people might get stuck inside.
5.The fire safety plan includes the egress limit to avoid ___ at the exits during evacuation.
6.The egress limit often pairs with rules about maximum ___ inside a room or building.
7.If a room does not follow the egress limit, the building may not ___ a safety inspection.