A manual pull station should be within how many feet of an exit door?

• A. 3 feet
• B. 10 feet
• C. 15 feet
• D. 5 feet

Answer: (D)

Having quick access to a manual pull station near an exit is essential for a fast alarm activation during evacuation. Codes require the pull station to be located within five feet of an exit door on the egress path, so someone can trigger the system immediately as they start to exit. If the station were farther away, such as ten or fifteen feet, it could delay alarm activation and slow the evacuation, which is why those distances aren’t acceptable. While being closer, like three feet, would still meet the spirit of quick access, the standard specifies a maximum distance of five feet, making five feet the answer that matches the requirement. Placing the pull station near the door also helps ensure visibility and accessibility even if smoke or crowding makes deeper areas harder to reach.