Which of the following is not considered a component of a required means of egress from normally occupied spaces?

• A. Fire escapes
• B. Access stairs
• C. Escalators
• D. Protected stairs

Answer: (C)

Required means of egress must provide a reliable, protected path from a normally occupied space to a place of safety. This path typically includes stairways that are protected (fire-rated enclosures) and access stairs that connect the space to an exit, as well as external options like fire escapes in some designs. Escalators, while convenient for everyday movement, are powered and rely on mechanical systems; if power is lost or a fire occurs, they may stop or become unusable, making them an unreliable part of the required exit path. Because of that dependence on electricity and movement mechanisms, escalators are not counted as a component of the required means of egress. So the option that does not fit as a required means of egress from normally occupied spaces is the escalator.