Level of Exit Discharge is defined as which of the following?

• A. The lowest story from which not less than 50 percent of the required number of exits and not less than 50 percent of the required egress capacity discharge directly outside at grade.
• B. The story with the smallest elevation change to reach grade where no story has 50 percent of the required exits.
• C. The topmost story of the building.
• D. The story immediately above grade.

Answer: (A)

Level of Exit Discharge defines the floor level from which occupants can exit directly to the outdoors at grade. It is determined by identifying the lowest story on which not less than 50 percent of the required number of exits and not less than 50 percent of the required egress capacity discharge directly outside at grade. This ensures that a substantial portion of the building has a direct path to the exterior, helping to prevent congestion and slowdowns during evacuation. The other options miss the essential point: some describe elevation changes or locations that aren’t tied to exits discharging to grade, or place the discharge at the top or just above grade without guaranteeing direct outdoor exit for a defined portion of exits and capacity.