Exits

1
Exits
2
Purpose of the regulation

• The workplace must have adequate exit routes and
  exits to use in an emergency
• Review 29 CFR 1910 Subpart E - Means of Egress

1a
3
Exit routes and exits

• Exit routes are continuous and unobstructed paths
  of exit from any point within a workplace to a
  safe area

2a
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Exit routes and exits

• Exit routes consist of the following three parts
• Access to the exit
• The exit
• Way from the exit to the outside

2b
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Exit routes and exits

• Exit routes include all vertical and horizontal
  areas
• Stairs
• Ramps
• Aisles

2c
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Exit routes and exits

• An exit is the portion of the exit route that
  generally is separated from other areas to
  provide a protected way of travel out of the
  workplace

2d
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Exit route and exit requirements

• At least two exit routes that are remote from
  each other must be available
• Single exit routes are allowed in some cases

3a
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Exit route and exit requirements

• Other means of escape should be available if
  there is only one exit route
• Fire escapes
• Accessible windows
• More than two exit routes may be needed in some
  cases

3b
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Exit route and exit requirements

• When determining the number of exit routes
  needed, consider
• the size of the building
• building occupancy
• the arrangement of the workplace

3c
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Fire-resistance requirements for exits

• There must be a separation between the exit and
  the rest of the workplace
• Exits must be protected by a self-closing fire
  door

4a
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Fire-resistance requirements for exits

• The fire door must be approved by a nationally
  recognized testing laboratory
• Fire doors must not be blocked open

4b
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Exit routes must be kept safe

• Exit routes must be kept free of obstructing
  material or equipment
• Exit routes must have adequate lighting
• Stairs or ramps can be part of the exit route

5a
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Exit routes must be kept safe

• The purpose of the exit route is to reach an exit
• Exit routes cannot lead employees toward a dead
  end, or through a room that can be locked

5b
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Exit routes must be kept safe

• Exit routes must be free of highly flammable
  furnishings or decorations
• Signs along the exit route indicate the
  direction of travel to the nearest exit

5c
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Requirements to ensure that exits are safe

• Exits must lead directly outside or to an open
  space with access to the outside
• The area beyond the exit has to have enough room
  for the people most likely to use the exit

6a
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Requirements to ensure that exits are safe

• Exit doors must be easy to open without keys or
  special instructions
• Exit doors cannot have any alarm/device that
  would restrict emergency use of the exit should
  the device fail

6b
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Requirements to ensure that exits are safe

• When exit route stairs continue beyond the floor
  where people exit, there must be doors or
  partitions at the exit discharge floor
• A side-hinged exit door must be used to connect
  any room to an exit route

6c
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Requirements to ensure that exits are safe

• Doors must swing out from the room into the exit
  route if a room
• may be occupied by more than 50 people or
• contains highly flammable or explosive materials

6d
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Exit routes must have adequate capacity size

• Exit routes must be able to support the
  maximum-permitted occupant load for each floor of
  the building
• The exit routes capacity must not decrease along
  the direction of exit travel

7a
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Exit routes must have adequate capacity size

• Exit routes must be at least
• 6 feet, 8 inches high
• 28 inches wide

7b
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Exit routes must have adequate capacity size

• Exits must be wider if necessary to accommodate
  the occupant load
• Minimum sizes must be met even if objects project
  into the exit route

7c
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Requirements for outdoor exit routes

• Outdoor exits must meet the same requirements as
  indoor exit routes
• Outdoor exit routes must have guardrails to
  protect unenclosed sides

8a
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Requirements for outdoor exit routes

• Routes must be covered if accumulation of snow or
  ice is likely

8b
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Requirements for outdoor exit routes

• Routes must be reasonably straight with smooth,
  solid, substantially level floors
• Routes must have no dead ends longer than 20 feet

8c
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Exit routes must be marked

• Each exit must be clearly visible and marked with
  a sign that says

9a
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Exit routes must be marked

• The line of sight to the exit must be free of
  displays and objects
• Exit signs must be properly illuminated

9b
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Exit routes must be marked

• Exit doors must be free of decorations or other
  signs that obscure visibility
• Doorways/passageways that could be mistaken for
  an exit must be marked

9c
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Requirements for alarm systems

• Workplaces must have operable employee alarm
  systems
• Alarms must have distinctive signals to warn
  employees of fire or other emergencies

10a
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Maintenance requirements

• When the workplace contains fire retardant
  paints/coatings, fire retardant properties must
  be maintained

11a
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Maintenance requirements

• Keep the following in proper working order
• Sprinkler systems
• Alarm systems
• Fire doors
• Exit lighting
• Other safeguards to protect employees

11b
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Maintaining exits during construction/repair

• Exits must be available before employees are
  allowed in a workplace under construction
• Fire protection must be provided if employees are
  in a workplace during repair activities

12a
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Maintaining exits during construction/repair

• When flammable/explosive materials are used
  during construction
• employees may not be exposed to hazards that are
  otherwise not present
• employee escape may not be impeded by the use of
  these materials

12b