What percentage of capacity can horizontal exits not exceed?

The correct answer indicates that horizontal exits should not exceed a 50% capacity. This percentage is established to ensure safety and effective evacuation during emergencies. By limiting the capacity to 50%, it allows for a more manageable flow of people moving through horizontal exits, reducing the risk of congestion and potential injuries in a panic situation.

The importance of this restriction lies in the need to maintain clear and accessible paths for individuals to safely evacuate. If more than 50% of the occupied space were to utilize the horizontal exits, it could lead to overcrowding, which may hinder the escape process and increase the likelihood of accidents or fatalities during an emergency.

Recommendations and codes concerning exit capacities are based on research and fire safety standards that focus on maximizing safety, ensuring that buildings are designed to facilitate swift evacuations without creating bottlenecks. Thus, the 50% maximum capacity for horizontal exits plays a crucial role in fire safety planning and is critical for effective emergency management.