Exits

Scope

OSHA’s exit route requirements apply to all general industry employers. There are some exceptions to specific aspects of the requirements for certain institutions (such as prisons).

Regulatory citations

• 29 CFR 1910.34 — Coverage and definitions
• 29 CFR 1910.35 — Compliance with alternate exit-route codes
• 29 CFR 1910.36 — Design and construction requirements for exit routes
• 29 CFR 1910.37 — Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes

Key definitions

• Electroluminescent: A light-emitting capacitor. Alternating current excites phosphor atoms when placed between the electrically conductive surfaces to produce light. This light source is typically contained inside the device.
• Exit: That portion of an exit route that is generally separated from other areas to provide a protected way of travel to the exit discharge. An example of an exit is a two-hour fire resistance-rated enclosed stairway that leads from the fifth floor of an office building to the outside of the building.
• Exit access: That portion of an exit route that leads to an exit. An example of an exit access is a corridor on the fifth floor of an office building that leads to a two-hour fire resistance-rated enclosed stairway (the Exit).
• Exit discharge: The part of the exit route that leads directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside. An example of an exit discharge is a door at the bottom of a two-hour fire resistance-rated enclosed stairway that discharges to a place of safety outside the building.
• Exit route: A continuous and unobstructed path of exit travel from any point within a workplace to a place of safety (including refuge areas). An exit route consists of three parts:
  • The exit access;
  • The exit; and,
  • The exit discharge. (An exit route includes all vertical and horizontal areas along the route.)
• High hazard area: An area inside a workplace in which operations include high hazard materials, processes, or contents.
• Occupant load: The total number of persons that may occupy a workplace or portion of a workplace at any one time. The occupant load of a workplace is calculated by dividing the gross floor area of the workplace or portion of the workplace by the occupant load factor for that particular type of workplace occupancy. Information regarding the “Occupant load” is located in NFPA 101-2009, Life Safety Code, and in IFC-2009, International Fire Code (incorporated by reference, see 1910.6).
• Refuge area: A refuge area may be a space along an exit route that is protected from the effects of fire by separation from other spaces within the building by a barrier with at least a one-hour fire resistance-rating. A refuge could also be a floor with at least two spaces, separated from each other by smoke-resistant partitions, in a building protected throughout by an automatic sprinkler system that complies with OSHA’s requirements at 1910.159.
• Self-luminous: A light source that is illuminated by a self-contained power source (e.g., tritium) and that operates independently from external power sources. Batteries are not acceptable self-contained power sources. The light source is typically contained inside the device.

Summary of requirements

Employers must:

• Provide exit routes that are permanent.
• Separate exits using fire resistant materials.
• Limit openings into an exit.
• Ensure the number of exit routes is adequate.
• Ensure there are at least two exit routes unless the exception under 1910.36(b)(3) applies.
• Provide adequate exit discharge to a place of safety for employees.
• Make sure exit doors are unlocked from the inside at all times.
• Use only side-hinged exit doors.
• Ensure the capacity of exit routes is adequate to allow prompt evacuation of all employees.
• Provide exit routes that meet minimum height and width requirements.
• Keep exit routes free of explosive or highly flammable furnishings or other decorations.
• Make sure exit routes are free and unobstructed.
• Ensure lighting and marking is adequate and appropriate.
• Maintain exit routes during construction, repairs, or alterations.
• Ensure that an employee alarm system is operable.