Are escalators considered part of the means of egress?

Escalators are not considered part of the means of egress primarily due to safety concerns in emergency situations. The means of egress is intended to provide a safe and efficient path for occupants to exit a building in an emergency, such as a fire. Stairways and exits designed specifically for evacuation are essential because they allow for rapid descent and are less likely to be obstructed during an emergency.

An escalator can pose hazards in the context of fire or other emergencies. For example, escalators may not operate during a power failure and can create a bottleneck if a large number of people attempt to use them simultaneously. Therefore, building safety codes typically do not include escalators as part of the designated means of egress to ensure that occupants can evacuate quickly and safely under emergency conditions.

While some jurisdictions may have specific provisions regarding the use of escalators in commercial buildings or under specific conditions, in general, they do not serve the essential purpose that stairways and designated exits fulfill in an egress plan.