What is a key consideration when planning a fire escape route?

When planning a fire escape route, ensuring that there are clear and accessible paths to exits is paramount. This consideration focuses on removing any obstacles that could impede a person's ability to reach an exit safely and quickly during an emergency. The path to safety should be unobstructed, well-marked, and familiar to all occupants of the building.

While visibility of emergency exits, the presence of security alarms, and the quality of emergency lighting are all important factors in an emergency response strategy, they primarily relate to enhancing safety and awareness rather than the fundamental requirement of the escape route itself. The primary goal is to facilitate rapid evacuation, which cannot be achieved if paths to exits are blocked or difficult to navigate. Thus, having clear and accessible escape routes is essential for effective emergency planning and can significantly reduce the risk during a fire incident.