Which term describes a building housing any occupancy having low or ordinary hazard contents and having direct access to a mall building, but having all required means of egress independent of the mall?

• A. Building
• B. Apartment Building
• C. Existing Building
• D. Anchor Building

Answer: (D)

Anchor building describes a separate structure that houses an occupancy with low or ordinary hazard contents and has direct access to the mall while maintaining independent means of egress from the mall. This separation of egress paths ensures that evacuat ion routes are not shared with the mall, which is a key life-safety principle in mall design. By having its own exits and egress system, the anchor building can evacuate independently if needed, even though it is connected to the mall. This term specifically fits situations where a store or building at the mall’s edge serves as an anchor and remains structurally and functionally distinct for egress purposes. It isn’t just any building, nor is it a residential apartment building, and it doesn’t refer to an existing building within a project scope, which is why this is the correct term.