OSHA general industry exit routes and emergency planning study guide
Subpart E of OSHA's general industry rules (29 CFR 1910.33 to 1910.39) covers exit routes and emergency planning. This guide sets out what the rule text states on what an exit route is, how many exit routes a workplace needs, exit doors, minimum heights and widths, outdoor exit routes, keeping routes clear, exit lighting and signs, employee alarms, emergency action plans and fire prevention plans. The consensus codes the rule names (NFPA 101 and the International Fire Code) are only named here, not summarized. Every point links to the regulation and quotes its exact words.
Coverage and definitions
Sections 1910.34 through 1910.39 apply to workplaces in general industry, except mobile workplaces such as vehicles or vessels.
“Sections 1910.34 through 1910.39 apply to workplaces in general industry except mobile workplaces such as vehicles or vessels.”
These sections set the minimum requirements for the exit routes employers must provide so that employees may evacuate the workplace safely during an emergency. They also set the minimum requirements for emergency action plans and fire prevention plans.
“cover the minimum requirements for exit routes that employers must provide in their workplace so that employees may evacuate the workplace safely during an emergency. Sections 1910.34 through 1910.39 also cover the minimum requirements for emergency action plans and fire prevention plans.”
An exit route is a continuous and unobstructed path of exit travel from any point within a workplace to a place of safety (including refuge areas). It has three parts: the exit access, the exit and the exit discharge, and it includes all vertical and horizontal areas along the route.
“Exit route means 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.)”
The exit access is the part of an exit route that leads to an exit. The definition's example is a corridor on the fifth floor of an office building that leads to a two-hour fire resistance-rated enclosed stairway.
“Exit access means 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).”
The exit is the part of an exit route that is generally separated from other areas to provide a protected way of travel to the exit discharge, such as a two-hour fire resistance-rated enclosed stairway leading from the fifth floor of an office building to the outside.
“means 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.”
The exit discharge is 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.
“Exit discharge means 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.”
A high hazard area is an area inside a workplace in which operations include high hazard materials, processes or contents.
“High hazard area means an area inside a workplace in which operations include high hazard materials, processes, or contents.”
A refuge area is either a space along an exit route protected from fire by a barrier with at least a one-hour fire resistance-rating, or a floor with at least two spaces separated by smoke-resistant partitions in a building protected throughout by an automatic sprinkler system that complies with 1910.159.
“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; or (2) 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 § 1910.159 of this part.”
Exit route design and construction
OSHA will deem an employer that demonstrates compliance with the exit-route provisions of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, 2009 edition, or of the International Fire Code, 2009 edition, to be in compliance with the corresponding requirements in 1910.34, 1910.36 and 1910.37.
“OSHA will deem an employer demonstrating compliance with the exit-route provisions of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, 2009 edition, or the exit-route provisions of the International Fire Code, 2009 edition, to be in compliance with the corresponding requirements in §§ 1910.34, 1910.36, and 1910.37”
Construction materials that separate an exit from other parts of the workplace must have a one-hour fire resistance-rating if the exit connects three or fewer stories, and a two-hour fire resistance-rating if the exit connects four or more stories.
“Construction materials used to separate an exit from other parts of the workplace must have a one-hour fire resistance-rating if the exit connects three or fewer stories and a two-hour fire resistance-rating if the exit connects four or more stories.”
29 CFR 1910.36, Design and construction requirements for exit routes
An exit may have only the openings needed for access from occupied areas or to the exit discharge. Each opening into an exit must be protected by a self-closing fire door that remains closed or automatically closes in an emergency when a fire alarm or employee alarm system sounds.
“An exit is permitted to have only those openings necessary to allow access to the exit from occupied areas of the workplace, or to the exit discharge. An opening into an exit must be protected by a self-closing fire door that remains closed or automatically closes in an emergency upon the sounding of a fire alarm or employee alarm system.”
29 CFR 1910.36, Design and construction requirements for exit routes
Each fire door, including its frame and hardware, must be listed or approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
“Each fire door, including its frame and hardware, must be listed or approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.”
29 CFR 1910.36, Design and construction requirements for exit routes
At least two exit routes must be available to permit prompt evacuation during an emergency, except where a single exit route is allowed. They must be located as far away as practical from each other, so that if one is blocked by fire or smoke, employees can use the second.
“At least two exit routes must be available in a workplace to permit prompt evacuation of employees and other building occupants during an emergency, except as allowed in paragraph (b)(3) of this section. The exit routes must be located as far away as practical from each other so that if one exit route is blocked by fire or smoke, employees can evacuate using the second exit route.”
29 CFR 1910.36, Design and construction requirements for exit routes
More than two exit routes are required if the number of employees, the size of the building, its occupancy or the arrangement of the workplace is such that all employees would not be able to evacuate safely. A single exit route is permitted where those same factors mean all employees would be able to evacuate safely.
“More than two exit routes must be available in a workplace if the number of employees, the size of the building, its occupancy, or the arrangement of the workplace is such that all employees would not be able to evacuate safely during an emergency. (3) A single exit route. A single exit route is permitted where the number of employees, the size of the building, its occupancy, or the arrangement of the workplace is such that all employees would be able to evacuate safely during an emergency.”
29 CFR 1910.36, Design and construction requirements for exit routes
Each exit discharge must lead directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside, and that place must be large enough for the building occupants likely to use the exit route.
“Each exit discharge must lead directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside. (2) The street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space to which an exit discharge leads must be large enough to accommodate the building occupants likely to use the exit route.”
29 CFR 1910.36, Design and construction requirements for exit routes
Not covered here
The content of NFPA 101-2009 (Life Safety Code) and IFC-2009 (International Fire Code), which Subpart E names as alternate codes and as references for the number of exit routes and occupant load. They are consensus codes and are only named here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Exit doors
Employees must be able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools or special knowledge. A device such as a panic bar that locks only from the outside is permitted on exit discharge doors.
“Employees must be able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge. A device such as a panic bar that locks only from the outside is permitted on exit discharge doors.”
29 CFR 1910.36, Design and construction requirements for exit routes
Exit route doors must be free of any device or alarm that could restrict emergency use of the exit route if the device or alarm fails.
“Exit route doors must be free of any device or alarm that could restrict emergency use of the exit route if the device or alarm fails.”
29 CFR 1910.36, Design and construction requirements for exit routes
An exit route door may be locked from the inside only in mental, penal or correctional facilities, and then only if supervisory personnel are continuously on duty and the employer has a plan to remove occupants during an emergency.
“An exit route door may be locked from the inside only in mental, penal, or correctional facilities and then only if supervisory personnel are continuously on duty and the employer has a plan to remove occupants from the facility during an emergency.”
29 CFR 1910.36, Design and construction requirements for exit routes
A side-hinged door must be used to connect any room to an exit route.
“A side-hinged door must be used to connect any room to an exit route.”
29 CFR 1910.36, Design and construction requirements for exit routes
The door connecting a room to an exit route must swing out in the direction of exit travel if the room is designed to be occupied by more than 50 people, or if the room is a high hazard area (contents likely to burn with extreme rapidity or explode).
“The door that connects any room to an exit route must swing out in the direction of exit travel if the room is designed to be occupied by more than 50 people or if the room is a high hazard area (i.e., contains contents that are likely to burn with extreme rapidity or explode).”
29 CFR 1910.36, Design and construction requirements for exit routes
Exit route capacity, height and width
Exit routes must support the maximum permitted occupant load for each floor served, and the capacity of an exit route may not decrease in the direction of travel to the exit discharge.
“Exit routes must support the maximum permitted occupant load for each floor served. (2) The capacity of an exit route may not decrease in the direction of exit route travel to the exit discharge.”
29 CFR 1910.36, Design and construction requirements for exit routes
The ceiling of an exit route must be at least seven feet six inches (2.3 m) high, and no projection from the ceiling may reach a point less than six feet eight inches (2.0 m) from the floor.
“The ceiling of an exit route must be at least seven feet six inches (2.3 m) high. Any projection from the ceiling must not reach a point less than six feet eight inches (2.0 m) from the floor.”
29 CFR 1910.36, Design and construction requirements for exit routes
An exit access must be at least 28 inches (71.1 cm) wide at all points. Where only one exit access leads to an exit or exit discharge, the exit and exit discharge must be at least as wide as the exit access.
“An exit access must be at least 28 inches (71.1 cm) wide at all points. Where there is only one exit access leading to an exit or exit discharge, the width of the exit and exit discharge must be at least equal to the width of the exit access.”
29 CFR 1910.36, Design and construction requirements for exit routes
An outdoor exit route is permitted. It must meet the minimum height and width requirements for indoor exit routes and must have guardrails to protect unenclosed sides if a fall hazard exists.
“An outdoor exit route is permitted. Each outdoor exit route must meet the minimum height and width requirements for indoor exit routes and must also meet the following requirements: (1) The outdoor exit route must have guardrails to protect unenclosed sides if a fall hazard exists;”
29 CFR 1910.36, Design and construction requirements for exit routes
An outdoor exit route must be covered if snow or ice is likely to accumulate along it, unless the employer can demonstrate that any snow or ice will be removed before it presents a slipping hazard.
“The outdoor exit route must be covered if snow or ice is likely to accumulate along the route, unless the employer can demonstrate that any snow or ice accumulation will be removed before it presents a slipping hazard;”
29 CFR 1910.36, Design and construction requirements for exit routes
An outdoor exit route must be reasonably straight, have smooth, solid, substantially level walkways, and must not have a dead-end longer than 20 feet (6.2 m).
“The outdoor exit route must be reasonably straight and have smooth, solid, substantially level walkways; and (4) The outdoor exit route must not have a dead-end that is longer than 20 feet (6.2 m).”
29 CFR 1910.36, Design and construction requirements for exit routes
Maintenance and safeguards
Exit routes must be kept free of explosive or highly flammable furnishings or other decorations.
“Exit routes must be kept free of explosive or highly flammable furnishings or other decorations.”
29 CFR 1910.37, Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes
Exit routes must be arranged so employees will not have to travel toward a high hazard area, unless the path of travel is effectively shielded from it by suitable partitions or other physical barriers.
“Exit routes must be arranged so that employees will not have to travel toward a high hazard area, unless the path of travel is effectively shielded from the high hazard area by suitable partitions or other physical barriers.”
29 CFR 1910.37, Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes
Exit routes must be free and unobstructed. No materials or equipment may be placed in an exit route, either permanently or temporarily.
“Exit routes must be free and unobstructed. No materials or equipment may be placed, either permanently or temporarily, within the exit route.”
29 CFR 1910.37, Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes
The exit access must not go through a room that can be locked, such as a bathroom, to reach an exit or exit discharge, and it may not lead into a dead-end corridor. Stairs or a ramp must be provided where the exit route is not substantially level.
“The exit access must not go through a room that can be locked, such as a bathroom, to reach an exit or exit discharge, nor may it lead into a dead-end corridor. Stairs or a ramp must be provided where the exit route is not substantially level.”
29 CFR 1910.37, Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes
Safeguards designed to protect employees during an emergency (for example sprinkler systems, alarm systems, fire doors and exit lighting) must be in proper working order at all times.
“Safeguards designed to protect employees during an emergency (e.g., sprinkler systems, alarm systems, fire doors, exit lighting) must be in proper working order at all times.”
29 CFR 1910.37, Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes
During new construction, employees must not occupy a workplace until the required exit routes are completed and ready for use for the portion they occupy. During repairs or alterations, employees must not occupy a workplace unless the required exit routes are available and existing fire protections are maintained, or until alternate fire protection with an equivalent level of safety is furnished.
“During new construction, employees must not occupy a workplace until the exit routes required by this subpart are completed and ready for employee use for the portion of the workplace they occupy. (2) During repairs or alterations, employees must not occupy a workplace unless the exit routes required by this subpart are available and existing fire protections are maintained, or until alternate fire protection is furnished that provides an equivalent level of safety.”
29 CFR 1910.37, Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes
Employers must install and maintain an operable employee alarm system with a distinctive signal to warn employees of fire or other emergencies, unless employees can promptly see or smell a fire or other hazard in time to provide adequate warning. The system must comply with 1910.165.
“Employers must install and maintain an operable employee alarm system that has a distinctive signal to warn employees of fire or other emergencies, unless employees can promptly see or smell a fire or other hazard in time to provide adequate warning to them. The employee alarm system must comply with § 1910.165.”
29 CFR 1910.37, Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes
Exit lighting and signs
Each exit route must be adequately lighted so that an employee with normal vision can see along the exit route.
“Each exit route must be adequately lighted so that an employee with normal vision can see along the exit route.”
29 CFR 1910.37, Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes
Each exit must be clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit," and each exit route door must be free of decorations or signs that obscure its visibility.
“Each exit must be clearly visible and marked by a sign reading “Exit.” (3) Each exit route door must be free of decorations or signs that obscure the visibility of the exit route door.”
29 CFR 1910.37, Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes
If the direction of travel to the exit or exit discharge is not immediately apparent, signs must be posted along the exit access showing the direction to the nearest exit and exit discharge. The line-of-sight to an exit sign must clearly be visible at all times.
“If the direction of travel to the exit or exit discharge is not immediately apparent, signs must be posted along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit and exit discharge. Additionally, the line-of-sight to an exit sign must clearly be visible at all times.”
29 CFR 1910.37, Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes
Each doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit must be marked "Not an Exit" or a similar designation, or be identified by a sign indicating its actual use (for example, closet).
“Each doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit must be marked "Not an Exit" or similar designation, or be identified by a sign indicating its actual use (e.g., closet).”
29 CFR 1910.37, Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes
Each exit sign must be illuminated to a surface value of at least five foot-candles (54 lux) by a reliable light source and be distinctive in color.
“Each exit sign must be illuminated to a surface value of at least five foot-candles (54 lux) by a reliable light source and be distinctive in color.”
29 CFR 1910.37, Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes
Self-luminous or electroluminescent exit signs with a minimum luminance surface value of at least .06 footlamberts (0.21 cd/m2) are permitted.
“Self-luminous or electroluminescent signs that have a minimum luminance surface value of at least .06 footlamberts (0.21 cd/m2) are permitted.”
29 CFR 1910.37, Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes
Each exit sign must have the word "Exit" in plainly legible letters not less than six inches (15.2 cm) high, with principal strokes not less than three-fourths of an inch (1.9 cm) wide.
“Each exit sign must have the word “Exit” in plainly legible letters not less than six inches (15.2 cm) high, with the principal strokes of the letters in the word “Exit” not less than three-fourths of an inch (1.9 cm) wide.”
29 CFR 1910.37, Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes
Emergency action plans
An employer must have an emergency action plan whenever an OSHA standard in Part 1910 requires one, and 1910.38 applies to each such plan.
“An employer must have an emergency action plan whenever an OSHA standard in this part requires one. The requirements in this section apply to each such emergency action plan.”
An emergency action plan must be in writing, kept in the workplace and available to employees for review. An employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally.
“An emergency action plan must be in writing, kept in the workplace, and available to employees for review. However, an employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally to employees.”
At a minimum, the plan must include procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency, and procedures for emergency evacuation, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments.
“An emergency action plan must include at a minimum: (1) Procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency; (2) Procedures for emergency evacuation, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments;”
It must also include procedures for employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate, and procedures to account for all employees after evacuation.
“Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate; (4) Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation;”
It must also include procedures for employees performing rescue or medical duties, and the name or job title of every employee who may be contacted for more information about the plan or an explanation of duties under it.
“Procedures to be followed by employees performing rescue or medical duties; and (6) The name or job title of every employee who may be contacted by employees who need more information about the plan or an explanation of their duties under the plan.”
The employer must have and maintain an employee alarm system that uses a distinctive signal for each purpose and complies with 1910.165.
“An employer must have and maintain an employee alarm system. The employee alarm system must use a distinctive signal for each purpose and comply with the requirements in § 1910.165.”
The employer must designate and train employees to assist in a safe and orderly evacuation of other employees.
“An employer must designate and train employees to assist in a safe and orderly evacuation of other employees.”
The employer must review the plan with each covered employee when the plan is developed or the employee is first assigned to a job, when the employee's responsibilities under the plan change, and when the plan is changed.
“An employer must review the emergency action plan with each employee covered by the plan: (1) When the plan is developed or the employee is assigned initially to a job; (2) When the employee's responsibilities under the plan change; and (3) When the plan is changed.”
Fire prevention plans
An employer must have a fire prevention plan when an OSHA standard in Part 1910 requires one. It must be in writing, kept in the workplace and made available to employees for review, but an employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate it orally.
“An employer must have a fire prevention plan when an OSHA standard in this part requires one. The requirements in this section apply to each such fire prevention plan. (b) Written and oral fire prevention plans. A fire prevention plan must be in writing, be kept in the workplace, and be made available to employees for review. However, an employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally to employees.”
The plan must include a list of all major fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources and their control, and the type of fire protection equipment necessary to control each major hazard.
“A fire prevention plan must include: (1) A list of all major fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources and their control, and the type of fire protection equipment necessary to control each major hazard;”
It must include procedures to control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials, and procedures for regular maintenance of safeguards installed on heat-producing equipment to prevent accidental ignition of combustible materials.
“(2) Procedures to control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials; (3) Procedures for regular maintenance of safeguards installed on heat-producing equipment to prevent the accidental ignition of combustible materials;”
It must name, by name or job title, the employees responsible for maintaining equipment to prevent or control sources of ignition or fires, and those responsible for the control of fuel source hazards.
“The name or job title of employees responsible for maintaining equipment to prevent or control sources of ignition or fires; and (5) The name or job title of employees responsible for the control of fuel source hazards.”
The employer must inform employees, upon initial assignment to a job, of the fire hazards they are exposed to, and must review with each employee the parts of the plan necessary for self-protection.
“An employer must inform employees upon initial assignment to a job of the fire hazards to which they are exposed. An employer must also review with each employee those parts of the fire prevention plan necessary for self-protection.”
The appendix to Subpart E, which serves as a nonmandatory guideline, explains that the housekeeping requirement does not necessarily mean each room has to be swept each day; its intent is that hazardous accumulations of combustible waste are controlled so that a fast developing fire, rapid spread of toxic smoke, or an explosion will not occur.
“It is the intent of this standard to assure that hazardous accumulations of combustible waste materials are controlled so that a fast developing fire, rapid spread of toxic smoke, or an explosion will not occur. This does not necessarily mean that each room has to be swept each day.”
Not covered here
The employee alarm system requirements of 29 CFR 1910.165 and the automatic sprinkler requirements of 1910.159, which Subpart E points to. They are in Subpart L (Fire Protection). We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Sources
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.34, Coverage and definitions (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.35, Compliance with alternate exit-route codes (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.36, Design and construction requirements for exit routes (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.37, Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.38, Emergency action plans (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.39, Fire prevention plans (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR Part 1910, Appendix to Subpart E, Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, and Fire Prevention Plans (nonmandatory guideline) (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
Other OSHA General Industry study guides: Walking-working surfaces, Fire protection, Electrical safety, Personal protective equipment, Hazardous materials, Permit-required confined spaces, Lockout/tagout, Machine guarding, Welding, cutting and brazing, Electric power generation, transmission and distribution, Powered industrial trucks (forklifts), Materials handling and storage, Bloodborne pathogens, Occupational noise exposure