In an emergency, a well-maintained exit route can mean the difference between chaos and a safe evacuation. Exit routes are not just a critical component of workplace safety—they’re also a legal requirement under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. This blog post explains what exit routes are, their requirements, and how to ensure your building remains code-compliant.
What Is an Exit Route?
OSHA defines an exit route as a continuous and unobstructed path that allows occupants to travel from any point within a workplace to a safe location.
An exit route consists of three key components:
- Exit Access: The path leading to the exit.
- The Exit: The actual door or area, separated from other spaces, that provides safe passage during an evacuation.
- Exit Discharge: The portion of the route that leads outside to a street, open space, walkway, or refuge area.
Requirements for Exit Route Compliance
To ensure safety and compliance, exit routes must meet specific requirements:
- Unlocked Doors
- Exit doors must be unlocked from the inside.
- Devices or alarms on doors (e.g., delayed egress) must not restrict use in an emergency unless explicitly approved by your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
- Swing Direction
- Exit doors must swing outwards in the direction of travel during an evacuation.
- Clear Width
- The minimum width of an exit is 36 inches, with a clear opening of at least 32 inches.
- The maximum width of a single opening is 48 inches, but exceptions allow for clear widths as narrow as 28 inches.
- Lighting and Signage
- Emergency lighting and exit signs must be provided and adequate for individuals with normal vision.
- Permanent and Unobstructed Routes
- Exit routes must be permanent, unobstructed by materials, equipment, or debris.
- Chains, deadbolts, or dead-end corridors are prohibited.
- Accessible Exits
- Exit routes must lead to a safe location, such as a street, refuge area, or open space with access to the outdoors.
- Fire-Rated Doors and Labels
- Fire-rated exit doors require labeling from third-party agencies such as Underwriter Laboratories (UL), Warnock Hersey (WH), or Intertek Testing Services (ITS).
Special Considerations for Fire Exits
Fire exits are an essential part of many buildings, often located inside and not part of an external wall. Here are some critical rules for fire exits and fire exit devices:
- Projection Limits
- Exit devices cannot project more than 4 inches from the door (per Section 1003.3.2 of the 2018 International Building Code).
- Fire Door Standards
- Fire exits must be equipped with self-closing fire-rated doors that automatically re-latch or re-lock upon closure.
- Fire exit devices must pass rigorous testing to prove their ability to keep doors secure during a fire emergency.
- Time Ratings
- Fire exit devices must display a time rating from a third-party agency—typically 20 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, or 3 hours.
- Dogging Mechanisms
- Mechanical dogging (which prevents re-latching) is not allowed. However, electric dogging is permitted for fire-rated exit devices.
Did you know?
Many exit routes are overlooked during routine building inspections. Improperly maintained or obstructed exits can result in citations, fines, or worse—endanger lives in an emergency.
Maintaining Exit Route Compliance
To stay compliant and ensure safety:
- Conduct regular inspections of all exit routes, ensuring they are clear and functional.
- Verify that all exit devices meet the appropriate fire-rating standards.
- Consult with your local AHJ to confirm compliance with jurisdiction-specific requirements.
Having proper exit routes is not just about meeting code—it’s about ensuring that everyone in your building has a safe path to escape during an emergency.
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