The travel distance from any point in an occupancy to an exit can be extended by which protection?

• A. Automatic sprinkler protection.
• B. Solar panels.
• C. None; it cannot be extended.
• D. Exterior lighting only.

Answer: (A)

Automatic sprinkler protection can extend the distance people can safely travel to an exit because the system controls the fire early, limits heat and smoke, and keeps the path to an exit tenable. With sprinklers actively protecting the space, occupants have more time and safer conditions to reach an exit even if the travel distance is longer. Exterior lighting helps visibility but does not change the fire conditions along the travel path, and solar panels don’t affect egress protection. So the protection that allows extending travel distance to an exit is automatic sprinkler protection.