What term refers to a continuous and unobstructed route of exit from one point of a building to a public way?

The term that refers to a continuous and unobstructed route of exit from one point of a building to a public way is "means of egress." This concept is central to building safety standards and fire codes, ensuring that individuals can safely exit a building in the event of an emergency. A means of egress encompasses the entire path from the location within the building, through the exit, and all the way to a point of safety in the public domain.

This definition is important because it highlights the need for such routes to be clearly defined, maintained, and free from any obstructions that could impede a swift exit during an emergency. Egress routes must be adequately marked and accessible, thereby playing a crucial role in overall fire safety and emergency preparedness in building design.

Other terms, while they may seem related, do not encapsulate the complete definition. An "access route" generally refers to pathways for entering or navigating a space and does not exclusively address exit routes. "Exit pathway" and "escape route" may imply some level of exit management but do not formally define the standardized egress requirements as "means of egress" does. Therefore, "means of egress" is the most accurate and formal term used in building codes to describe the