An egress system for an interior space such as an attic covered by roof decking. In one embodiment, the egress system comprises a steel frame adapted for installation within an opening formed in the roof decking between two adjacent roof joists. A hatch panel is releasably secured within the opening defined by the frame by means of a plurality of removable pins. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an upper surface of the hatch panel is substantially flush with the upper surface of the roof decking, allowing for the uniform application of roofing material, such as composition shingles, overtop the roof decking and the hatch panel, thereby concealing the presence of the egress system beneath the roofing material. Deployment of the egress system is accomplished with the use of a cutting implement inserted from the underside of the egress system inside the interior space into a gap maintained around the periphery of the hatch panel when secured within said frame. The cutting implement cuts or perforates the roofing material sufficiently to permit at least partial release of the hatch panel from the frame, allowing egress from the interior space defined by the frame.