What is the minimum egress door height in inches from the top of the threshold to the bottom of the stop?

What is the minimum egress door height in inches from the top of the threshold to the bottom of the stop?

• A. 80 inches
• B. 72 inches
• C. 78 inches
• D. 84 inches

Answer: (C)

Door height for safe egress is about ensuring enough headroom for people to pass through without ducking or snagging on the door hardware or threshold. The important measurement is from the top of the threshold to the bottom of the stop because that point defines the lowest part of the doorway when the door is closed, which is the clearance that matters during an exit. The minimum height of 78 inches (6 feet 6 inches) provides adequate clearance for most occupants while still accommodating typical thresholds and door stops. Heights taller than this are permissible but not required, which is why other options like 80 or 84 inches exceed the minimum, and a height like 72 inches would be too low for comfortable egress.

Door height for safe egress is about ensuring enough headroom for people to pass through without ducking or snagging on the door hardware or threshold. The important measurement is from the top of the threshold to the bottom of the stop because that point defines the lowest part of the doorway when the door is closed, which is the clearance that matters during an exit.

The minimum height of 78 inches (6 feet 6 inches) provides adequate clearance for most occupants while still accommodating typical thresholds and door stops. Heights taller than this are permissible but not required, which is why other options like 80 or 84 inches exceed the minimum, and a height like 72 inches would be too low for comfortable egress.