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Travel Distance To Exit Calculator

Work out travel distance to exit instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Travel Distance To Exit Calculator

Travel distance is measured along the actual walking route to the nearest exit and is capped by code, with a substantial increase permitted where the building is sprinklered, commonly a third longer. Dead end travel, where escape is possible in only one direction, is limited far more tightly because a single fire can block the only route.

Formulas

Permitted distance

Permitted = base distance x 1.33 where sprinklered

Dead ends

Typically 6 m unsprinklered, up to 15 m sprinklered

Worked example

With the default values below, Travel Distance To Exit Calculator returns Margin against the permitted distance of 17.85. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Actual travel distanceminimum 0.1 m
42 m
Permitted travel distance unsprinkleredminimum 1 m
45 m
Sprinkler protectionone of Sprinklered, Not sprinklered
Sprinklered
Dead end travel distanceminimum 0 m
8 m

Results

Margin against the permitted distance
17.85 m
Permitted distance applied
59.9 m
Travel distance assessment
Within the permitted travel distance
Dead end assessment
Dead end within the permitted length

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Permitted distance
  3. 3Dead ends
  4. 4Margin against the permitted distance= 17.85 m
  5. 5Permitted distance applied= 59.9 m
  6. 6Travel distance assessment= Within the permitted travel distance
  7. 7Dead end assessment= Dead end within the permitted length

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Preliminary estimate only. Travel distance and dead end limits must be taken from the fire and building code adopted locally.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Preliminary estimate only. Travel distance and dead end limits must be taken from the fire and building code adopted locally.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Travel Distance To Exit figure worked out?

Permitted = base distance x 1.33 where sprinklered. Travel distance is measured along the actual walking route to the nearest exit and is capped by code, with a substantial increase permitted where the building is sprinklered, commonly a third longer.

How is travel distance measured?

Along the centre line of the actual route people would walk, around furniture and partitions, not in a straight line through walls. Measuring it as the crow flies understates it substantially.

What values do I need to enter?

This calculator takes 4 inputs: Actual travel distance, Permitted travel distance unsprinklered, Sprinkler protection, Dead end travel distance. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic worked example — replace them with your own site or project figures.

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