What type of egress allows for immediate exit without a key or credential?

The concept of free mechanical egress refers to exit points in a building that can be opened from the inside without requiring any keys, credentials, or electronic access. This is important for safety and compliance with building codes, as it ensures that occupants can quickly and easily exit a building in the event of an emergency, such as a fire or other dangerous situations, where quick evacuation is critical.

In practice, free mechanical egress usually involves hardware such as push bars, panic hardware, or other door mechanisms that allow individuals to exit freely without any additional steps. This approach emphasizes safety and accessibility, as it prioritizes the ability to depart without delays that could arise from needing to unlock a door.

In contrast, controlled exit mechanisms might require specific credentials or authorization to exit, while secure exit options are designed with safety measures that could include alarms and locking systems which are not intended for immediate egress. Mechanical egress may imply a more general form of exit without the implication of rejecting credentials, but it does not specifically guarantee immediate exit without any form of access requirement.