Egress Analysis AI

Egress analysis is among the most critical code compliance tasks in building design. The consequences of getting it wrong are severe — insufficient egress capacity can delay permitting, require expensive redesign, or in the worst case, endanger building occupants. The analysis involves calculating occupant loads, travel distances, exit capacities, exit separation distances, and common path of travel limits — all of which interact with the building's occupancy classification and sprinkler status.

AI-powered egress analysis begins by identifying each room's occupancy type and calculating the occupant load using the applicable load factor from the building code. It then traces all available egress paths, measuring travel distances to the nearest exit, common path of travel to a point where two distinct paths become available, and the total travel distance to the exit discharge. Each measurement is compared against the applicable code limit.

Where AI excels is in handling the interactions between requirements. Adding a sprinkler system increases the allowable travel distance, which might make a previously non-compliant layout acceptable. Changing a room's occupancy classification changes its load factor, which changes the exit capacity requirements for every exit serving that space. The AI recalculates all of these dependencies instantly, allowing designers to explore options and understand the code implications of design decisions in real time.