Final answer:
The truthfulness of the statement regarding fire exit clearance must be evaluated against specific local building codes, which may vary. While 24 inches might be a guideline, each jurisdiction may enact different standards for fire exit clearance. It's crucial for safety access points to comply with these standards to prevent tragic incidents during emergencies like fires.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that fire exits need to have at least 24 inches of clearance on either side is not completely accurate. Building codes usually specify minimum clearance requirements for fire exits, but the exact dimensions can vary based on local laws and the type of building. These regulations are in place to ensure that exits are readily accessible during emergencies, such as when a fire erupts. If fire exits do not comply with these safety measures, it can lead to tragic outcomes where people might suffer from smoke inhalation, get trapped, or even lose their lives.
In incidents such as the one you described, where locked doors and inadequate fire escape options had devastating effects, modern building codes have been updated to prevent such tragedies by requiring easily accessible and sufficiently wide fire exits. For example, some codes might stipulate 28 to 36 inches for exit routes in commercial buildings.
However, it's important to note that specifying a wood stove or efficient device to prevent most heat from just escaping through the chimney relates more to energy efficiency and has no direct impact on the clearance required for fire exits.