When Does an Office Need Two Fire Escapes?

When Does an Office Need Two Fire Escapes?

When planning an office fit out, fire safety might not be the most exciting part of the process, but it is one of the most important. The right number of fire escapes isn’t just about meeting council requirements. It’s about protecting your team and ensuring your workspace is safe and legally compliant.

So, how do you know if one escape route is enough or if you need two?

The Short Answer

In most commercial offices, two independent fire escapes are required. A single escape route is only acceptable in very limited cases, typically for small, simple, low risk spaces with 50 people or fewer and a short, direct route to the outside. Once your office grows in size, adds more levels, or becomes more complex, you will almost certainly need two separate ways out.

What the Building Code Says

Under the New Zealand Building Code Clause C4 – Movement to a Place of Safety, every occupied space must allow people to move safely to an exit in the event of a fire. You can read more about this on the Building Performance website here: NZBC Clause C4.

The detailed rules come from the Acceptable Solution C/AS1, which applies to most office buildings in Risk Group WB. You can find the document here: C/AS1 – Protection from Fire.

In simple terms, C/AS1 says that most offices must have two escape routes. A single escape route can only be used if the office meets very specific criteria. The space must have no more than 50 occupants, travel distances to the exit must be short (around 20 metres for an unsprinklered office), the layout must be straightforward with no dead ends or internal rooms, and the fire risk must be low, such as normal office use rather than kitchens, workshops, or storage areas. If your office does not meet every one of these points, you will need two independent escape paths.

When One Escape Route Might Be Enough

A single escape route may be acceptable if your office is on the ground floor, has 50 or fewer people, and provides a short and direct exit to the open air. The layout should be simple and easy to navigate, and the activities in the space should not increase fire risk. Even then, this decision should always be confirmed by a chartered fire engineer or your local council’s building officer.

When Two Escape Routes Are Required

You will need two escape routes if your office holds more than 50 people, includes multiple floors or mezzanines, or has long travel distances to exits. You also need two routes if there are dead ends, enclosed rooms without direct exits, or complex open plan layouts where a single path could easily be blocked by smoke or fire. Each escape route must be fully independent so that if one becomes unusable, the other remains safe and accessible.

Designing for Safety and Compliance

When planning an office redesign or fit out, it is essential to check your existing escape routes before moving walls, partitions, or furniture. Never block or narrow a designated escape path, and make sure exit signs and emergency lighting are clearly visible. Keep escape paths clear of storage, plants, or any obstacles. It is also wise to involve a fire engineer early in the design process, as it is much easier and more cost effective to build compliance into your plan than to correct issues later.

Our Take

At Workspace Interior Design, we believe fire safety is a key part of great design. A well planned office layout should guide people naturally toward safe exits while still feeling open, connected, and inspiring. The best results come when safety, comfort, and creativity work together.

If you are unsure whether your office layout meets the current fire escape requirements, get in touch with us. Our team can assess your space, collaborate with fire engineers, and ensure your fit out is safe, compliant, and ready for sign off.

Workspace Interior Design — creating safe, inspiring, and compliant workplaces.www.workspaceinteriordesign.co.nz