Life Safety & Egress Consulting
Every building has to get people out safely. DGA Consulting evaluates occupant load, travel distance, and egress capacity per NFPA 101 and the IBC, giving architects and owners clear answers on what the code requires and practical paths to compliance.
What’s included
What life safety and egress consulting includes
DGA Consulting’s life safety consultants evaluate new designs, renovations, and existing buildings across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The firm gives architects and owners clear answers on what the code requires and practical paths to compliance.
Occupant load calculations
Per use and space, per NFPA 101 and IBC.
Egress analysis
Number of exits, exit separation, travel distance, and common path evaluation.
Exit capacity calculations
Stair and door widths checked against occupant loads.
Life safety plans
Code-compliant life safety drawings for permit submissions.
Existing building evaluations
Egress assessments for renovations, change of occupancy, or due diligence.
When it applies
When life safety and egress consulting applies
When you need it
- New construction or major renovation requiring life safety drawings for permit.
- Change of occupancy or increased occupant load triggering egress re-evaluation.
- Plan review comments on exits, travel distance, or occupant load.
- Assembly, educational, or healthcare occupancies with complex egress requirements.
Process
The consulting process
01
Gather
Drawings, occupancy program, and the applicable code editions for the client’s jurisdiction.
02
Calculate
Occupant loads, travel distances, and exit capacities worked through systematically.
03
Document
Life safety plans and a written analysis with code references for every conclusion.
04
Resolve
Plan review responses and AHJ coordination until approval.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between NFPA 101 and the IBC for egress?
Both address means of egress but with different structures and some different requirements. Most jurisdictions adopt one as primary with amendments, and the firm works in whichever the AHJ enforces and flags where they differ.
Can the firm evaluate an existing building?
Yes. Existing-building egress evaluations are a core service, for renovations, change of use, or pre-purchase due diligence.
What if the design cannot meet prescriptive travel distance?
Options include design modifications, additional exits, or a performance-based approach demonstrating equivalent safety. The firm advises which path fits.
Which states are you licensed in?
The firm’s engineers are licensed fire protection engineers in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Related services
Related services
Fire Code Consulting Services
Code interpretation and application across NFPA, state, and municipal frameworks.
Smoke Control System Design & Testing
Smoke control design, analysis, and acceptance testing.
Fire Protection Engineering Design
Integrated sprinkler, alarm, and hydraulic design for new and existing buildings.
For life safety and egress consulting, contact DGA Consulting. The firm responds within one business day.