Subpart E - Exit Routes and Emergency Planning

Subpart E provides the requirements for exit routes and emergency planning provides the requirements for exit routes, emergency action plans and fire prevention plans.

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 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.)

To learn if subpart E applies to you, go to Does "Subpart E - Exit Routes and Emergency Planning" Apply to You?

Special Requirements

Tab/Accordion Items

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for exit design and construction.

Special Requirements: Emergency plan

1910.36(d)(3) - 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.

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.)

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.

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for maintenance and operational features for exit routes.

Special Requirements: Markings, exit signs, employee alarm system, distinctive signals, references other standards

1910.37(b) - Lighting and marking must be adequate and appropriate.

  • 1910.37(b)(2) - Each exit must be clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit."
  • 1910.37(b)(3) - Each exit route door must be free of decorations or signs that obscure the visibility of the exit route door.
  • 1910.37(b)(4) - 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.
    1910.37(b)(5) - 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).
  • 1910.37(b)(6) - 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. Self-luminous or electroluminescent signs that have a minimum luminance surface value of at least .06 footlamberts (0.21 cd/m2) are permitted.
  • 1910.37(b)(7) - 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.

1910.37(e) - An employee alarm system must be operable. 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 - Employee alarm systems.

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for an emergency action plan.

Special Requirements: Emergency action plan (written), procedures, training, employee alarm system, plan review, responsibilities, designated employees, distinctive signal, references other standards

1910.38(b) - Written and oral emergency action plans. 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.

1910.38(c) - Minimum elements of an emergency action plan. An emergency action plan must include at a minimum:

  • 1910.38(c)(1) - Procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency;
  • 1910.38(c)(2) - Procedures for emergency evacuation, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments;
  • 1910.38(c)(3) - Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate;
  • 1910.38(c)(4) - Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation;
  • 1910.38(c)(5) - Procedures to be followed by employees performing rescue or medical duties; and
  • 1910.38(c)(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.

1910.38(d) - Employee alarm system. 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 – Employee alarm systems.

1910.38(e) - Training. An employer must designate and train employees to assist in a safe and orderly evacuation of other employees.

1910.38(f) - Review of emergency action plan. An employer must review the emergency action plan with each employee covered by the plan:

  • 1910.38(f)(1) - When the plan is developed or the employee is assigned initially to a job;
  • 1910.38(f)(2) - When the employee's responsibilities under the plan change; and
  • 1910.38(f)(3) - When the plan is changed.

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for a fire prevention plan.

Special Requirements: Fire prevention plans (written), communication, procedures, review, information, inform, responsibilities, list of hazards

1910.39(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.

1910.39(c) - Minimum elements of a fire prevention plan. A fire prevention plan must include:

  • 1910.39(c)(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;
  • 1910.39(c)(2) - Procedures to control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials;
  • 1910.39(c)(3) - Procedures for regular maintenance of safeguards installed on heat-producing equipment to prevent the accidental ignition of combustible materials;
  • 1910.39(c)(4) - The name or job title of employees responsible for maintaining equipment to prevent or control sources of ignition or fires; and
  • 1910.39(c)(5) - The name or job title of employees responsible for the control of fuel source hazards.

1910.39(d) - Employee information. 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.

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