In a lodging or rooming house, what is the primary means of escape for a sleeping room above the level of exit discharge?

In a lodging or rooming house, the primary means of escape for a sleeping room located above the level of exit discharge is typically an enclosed stairway. This type of stairway is designed to provide a safe and direct path for occupants to exit the building while minimizing exposure to smoke and fire. Enclosed stairways are protected by fire-rated construction, which helps to maintain the integrity of the escape route in the event of a fire, thus allowing residents to evacuate to safety.

While other options, such as interior stairways, fire escapes, and horizontal exits, may also serve as means of escape, they often do not offer the same level of protection or effectiveness in terms of safety during a fire emergency. Interior stairways may not always be enclosed or fire-rated, which could compromise their use as safe escape routes. Fire escapes can be beneficial but may not be accessible from all rooms, and occupants may not be familiar with their use, potentially leading to confusion during an emergency. Horizontal exits may provide an alternative evacuation route, but they are less common and can be limited based on the building's layout. Therefore, for sleeping rooms above the exit discharge level, an enclosed stairway is the preferred and primary means of egress, aligning with fire safety