Does "Subpart E - Exit Routes and Emergency Planning" Apply to You?
This is usually an automatic yes as most employers have exit routes and will need to plan for emergencies. According to coverage and definitions, subpart E provides the minimum requirements for exit routes that employers must provide in their workplace so that employees may evacuate the workplace safely during an emergency. It also covers the minimum requirements for emergency action plans and fire prevention plans. Note: This subpart does not apply to mobile workplaces such as vehicles or vessels.
Subpart E provides design and construction requirements for exit routes which includes requirements such as permanent exits, limited openings, number of exit routes, exit discharge, exits unlocked, capacity, minimum height requirements, and outdoor exit routes. It also provides the requirements pertaining to maintenance, safeguards and operational features for exit routes which includes exits being free and unobstructed, free of explosives or flammables, adequate lighting and marked, fire retardant properties of paint, alarm systems, and maintenance during construction and repairs.
In addition, the standard, compliance with alternate exit-route codes, states that "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 located in incorporated by reference.
Definitions for this subpart are provided in the standard, coverage and definitions, including:
Exit 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.
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).
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. 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 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.)
More information on exits and exit routes can be found on our A-Z safety and health topics page for exits and exit routes. To find out if you need to have an emergency action plan and/or a fire prevention plan, click on each tab below to see if it applies to you.
Subpart E - Exit Routes and Emergency Planning
To determine whether this applies to you, you need to answer the following questions:
Are fire extinguishers provided but are not intended for employee use?
If yes, you need to have an emergency action plan that complies with the standard on emergency action plans as an emergency action plan is required when fire extinguishers are provided but are not intended for employee use [reference portable fire extinguishers, paragraph (a)]. The emergency action plan standard provides requirements pertaining to oral and written plans, emergency procedures, training, employee alarm systems, and plan review. You must also comply with the standard on employee alarm systems (i.e.; whistles, horns, lights).
Do you need to comply with any of the following OSHA standards?
- Powered platforms for building maintenance
- Process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals
- Hazardous waste operations and emergency response
- Portable fire extinguishers
- Grain handling facilities
- Ethylene oxide
- Methylenedianiline
- 1,3-butadiene
If you answered yes, then you need to have an emergency action plan that complies with the standard on emergency action plans. You must also comply with the standard on employee alarm systems (i.e.; whistles, horns, lights).
Also reference appendix A for guidance information for emergency action plans including floor maps, medical and first aid, wardens, training and coordinating with other employers when a multi-employer facility.
More information can be found on our A-Z safety and health topics page for emergency action plans.
To determine whether this applies to you, you need to answer the following questions:
Are fire extinguishers provided but are not intended for employee use?
If yes, you need to have a fire prevention plan that complies with the standard on fire prevention plans as a fire prevention plan is required when fire extinguishers are provided but are not intended for employee use [reference portable fire extinguishers, paragraph (a)]. The fire prevention plan standard provides requirements pertaining to written and oral plans, list of fire hazards, emergency procedures, and training.
Also reference appendix A for guidance information for fire prevention plans including housekeeping and maintenance of equipment.
Do you need to comply with any of the following OSHA standards?
If you answered yes, then you need to have a fire prevention plan that complies with the standard on fire prevention plans. More information can be found on our A-Z safety and health topics page for fire prevention plans.