What is the purpose of having a secondary means of egress?

Having a secondary means of egress serves a critical safety function in buildings, particularly in emergency situations. The primary purpose of this alternative route is to ensure that occupants can exit safely even if the main exit becomes inaccessible due to fire, smoke, debris, or other hazards. This redundancy is essential in minimizing the risk of entrapment and facilitating a swift evacuation, thereby enhancing the overall safety and survival chances of individuals within the structure.

While training drills and limiting re-entry during emergencies are important aspects of overall emergency preparedness, they do not directly address the primary concern of immediate safe evacuation. Increasing the size of the building is unrelated to the concept of egress and would not serve the fundamental purpose of providing an escape route. Therefore, the primary function of a secondary means of egress is clearly to provide an alternative route in case the main exit is blocked.