Building Code Glossary
Accessible Means OF Egress: Building Code Definition
How the IBC 2009, IFC 2009 define accessible means of egress, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.
On this page
Last updated September 7, 2026 · Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) publishes the current model text and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control.
Direct answer
Accessible means OF egress is a defined term in the International Building Code (IBC) 2009, in Means of Egress. The code's own words are: “A continuous and unobstructed way of egress travel from any accessible point in a building or facility to a public way” The IFC 2009 carries the same definition word for word, so the term means the same thing in each. The term is used in 10 chapters of this corpus, most often in Means of Egress (IBC 2009), Means of Egress (IFC 2009), Building Services and Systems (IFC 2009). These pages transcribe the 2009 model text; verify the definition against the edition and amendments your authority having jurisdiction has adopted. Record the jurisdiction, the adopted edition, the application date and any local amendment that rewrites the definition before you use it on a live project, because a term redefined by amendment changes every requirement that depends on it.
Content and cited inputs reviewed by Scott Barrington, Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-09-07 · Updated 2026-09-07.
What does this term mean?
Accessible Means OF Egress — IBC 2009, Means of Egress:
A continuous and unobstructed way of egress travel from any accessible point in a building or facility to a public way
What must be verified before using this guidance?
Two of the I-Codes in this corpus define Accessible Means OF Egress, in identical words.
| Code | Where it is defined | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| IBC 2009 | Means of Egress | A continuous and unobstructed way of egress travel from any accessible point in a building or facility to a public way |
| IFC 2009 | Means of Egress | A continuous and unobstructed way of egress travel from any accessible point in a building or facility to a public way: |
Where accessible means of egress is used in the code
The term appears in 10 chapters of the 2009 I-Codes hosted here. The chapters that lean on it hardest are the ones to read next.
| Chapter | Code | Mentions |
|---|---|---|
| Means of Egress | IBC 2009 | 38 |
| Means of Egress | IFC 2009 | 31 |
| Building Services and Systems | IFC 2009 | 9 |
| Electrical | IBC 2009 | 8 |
| Accessibility | IBC 2009 | 2 |
| Elevators and Conveying Systems | IBC 2009 | 2 |
| Construction Requirements for Existing Buildings | IFC 2009 | 2 |
| Definitions | IBC 2009 | 1 |
| General Building Heights and Areas | IBC 2009 | 1 |
| Definitions | IFC 2009 | 1 |
The term in use
How the code actually writes about accessible means of egress, quoted from the 2009 text hosted here:
Accessible means of egress shall comply with this section.
In buildings where a required accessible floor is four or more stories above or below a level of exit discharge, at least one required accessible means of egress shall be an elevator complying with Section 1007.4.
Standby power shall be provided for elevators that are part of an accessible means of egress in accordance with Section 1007.4.
The terms accessible means OF egress is built out of
The definition above leans on 4 other defined terms. Each carries its own code definition, and a local amendment to any of them changes what accessible means OF egress covers:
- Public Way — IBC 2009: A street, alley or other parcel of land open to the outside air leading to a street, that has been deeded, dedicated or otherwise permanently appropriated to the public for public use and which has a clear width and height …
- Accessible — IBC 2009: A site, building, facilityor portion thereof that complies with this chapter.
- Building — IBC 2009: Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.
- Facility — IBC 2009: All or any portion of buildings, structures, site improvements, elements and pedestrian or vehicular routes located on a site.
Accessible Means OF Egress: what to open, and in what order
Every row is a document this term depends on. The ICC code library and the ICC adoption maps cover the middle rows.
| Check | Where | Confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Read the definition in the adopted IBC | Means of Egress | |
| Read the definition in the adopted IFC | Means of Egress | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Means of Egress (IBC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Means of Egress (IFC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Building Services and Systems (IFC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Electrical (IBC 2009) | |
| Confirm the dependent definition | Public Way | |
| Confirm the dependent definition | Accessible | |
| Confirm the dependent definition | Building | |
| Local amendment to any of the above | Jurisdiction's amendment list |
A research aid, not a code determination. The authority having jurisdiction decides which edition and which amendments apply.
Where can you explore related guidance?
- Explore all glossary guidance
- Public Way: Building Code Definition
- Accessible: Building Code Definition
- Facility: Building Code Definition
- Building: Building Code Definition
Sources and method
Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The ICC code library publishes the current model text and the ICC adoption maps show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control.
Source links
Frequently asked questions
What is the code definition of accessible means of egress?
The International Building Code (IBC) 2009 defines it in Means of Egress as: “A continuous and unobstructed way of egress travel from any accessible point in a building or facility to a public way” The 2009 model text is reproduced here; the definition that binds your project is the one in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted, as amended locally.
Which parts of the code depend on accessible means of egress?
In this corpus the term is used across 10 chapters, led by Means of Egress in the IBC 2009. Those are the sections whose scope moves if the definition is amended locally, so read them together with Chapter 2 rather than on their own.
What is an accessible means of egress?
In the 2009 I-Codes hosted here it is a defined term rather than a description. The IBC 2009 states, in Means of Egress: “A continuous and unobstructed way of egress travel from any accessible point in a building or facility to a public way” It is defined in IBC 2009, IFC 2009. Because it is a defined term, whatever the adopted edition says it means is what every section using it means — so check Chapter 2 of that edition and any local amendment before relying on this wording.
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