According to the National Fire Protection Association, over 3,000 fires break out in American workplaces each year. To minimize your business's risk and keep employees safe, you must have fire safety equipment on-site and an evacuation plan in place. Part of that plan should include emergency exit routes that conform to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) guidelines. Below, learn more about these requirements for exits.

What You Need to Know About OSHA's Emergency Exit Requirements

What is an emergency exit route?

OSHA defines an exit route as an unobstructed path of exit from one area of a workplace to a separate safety area. An exit route consists of three parts: the exit access point, which leads to an exit; the exit, which is separated from other work areas to ensure a protected method of travel; and the exit discharge, which leads outside or to a refuge area.

How many exit routes does a workplace need?

Workplaces must have enough fire safety equipment and exits to ensure all people within the building, including employees and visitors, can evacuate quickly and safely. For most businesses, this is at least two emergency exit routes. Additional exits may be required depending on the building's size, the arrangement of its interior, and the number of occupants.

What are some major design requirements for exit routes?

All exit routes must be permanent parts of the building and lead directly outside, to an open space with access to the outside, or to a refuge area. They must be big enough to accommodate the number of people likely to use them, and that capacity can't decrease as people travel toward the exit discharge. Exit doors must also be unlocked from the inside and may not feature alarms or other devices that might restrict access.

Are there rules for keeping exit routes compliant?

Exit routes must remain unobstructed at all times. They can never be blocked by furniture, fire safety equipment, or other objects, and they must be free of flammable materials, such as curtains or rugs. They must also feature adequate lighting and clear signs that are always visible.

For more information about emergency fire exits, reach out to Advanced Fire & Safety. For close to two decades, these licensed, trained, and certified service technicians have provided a wide variety of fire safety equipment to businesses throughout the Dothan, AL, area. Visit their website to learn more about their offerings, and call (334) 671-4596 to schedule an inspection today.