Means of Egress
Subpart E
From
29 CFR 1910.35
To
29 CFR 1910.38
Introduction
This Subpart is about ensuring that when
people need to have a safe and efficient
means of leaving a building or facility under
emergency situations, that means will be
there and they will have minimal problems
finding it and using it.
The entire Subpart E is promuglated from
NFPA 101 Life Safety Code.
Most Frequently Cited - 2002
36(b)(4) Obstructed egress (157)
37(k)(2) Means of egress not clear (139)
37(q)(1) Exit marking (127)
38(a)(1) Emergency action plan (103)
37(q)(2) Not an exit Marking (73)
Definitions
29 CFR 1910.35
Means of Egress:
It is a continuous and unobstructed way of
exit travel from any point in a building or
structure to a public way, and consists of
three separate and distinct parts:
1- The way of exit access
2- The Exit,
3- The exit discharge.
Exit Access
Is that portion of a means of egree which leads
to an entrance to an exit
Exit Access
Access to Exits
Mirrors must not be placed on or near exit doors
Routes of exit access must never be toward a high
hazard location, unless effectively shielded
Minimum width of any way of exit access is 28
inches
Exterior Routes of Exit Access
Permanent, reasonably straight route of travel
No obstructions of exterior access route
No dead ends longer than 20 feet
Exit
Is that portion of a means of egress which is separated
from all other spaces of the building or structure by
construction or equipment to provide a protected way of
travel to the exit discharge
Exits
Exits
Exit Discharge
Is that portion of a means of egress between the
termination of an exit and a public way.
Discharge from Exits
The requirements for exit
discharge are the following:
It discharges directly to the
street, or to a yard, court, or
other open space leading to
the street
The discharge area, including
the street, shall be large
enough to accommodate all
who leave the building from
the exit
Headroom
Minimum ceiling height of 7 feet, 6 inches
Projections from the ceiling (lights, etc.) must be
at least 6 feet, 8 inches from the floor
29 CFR 1910.36
General Requirements
Requirements that apply to all buildings:
1- Shall have exits sufficient for prompt
and convenient escape of occupants in
emergency.
2- Building structure shall not cause danger
to occupants during period necessary for
escape.
Continued
3- There shall be no locks or devices to
prevent emergency egress except in
specialized facilities.
4- Means of egress shall be clearly visible
and understandable to occupants who
are physically and mentally capable to
know the direction of escape.
Emergency exit locked
Continued
5- Any doorway or passageway not
constituting an exit or way to occupants
to reach an exit, shall be clearly marked
Not an Exit.
6- Adequate and reliable illumination shall
be provided for all exit facilities in every
building or structure.
Not an Exit
Exit Markings
Signs clearly visible with the word EXIT in plain
letters at least 6 inches high and at least a stroke
width
When the way to an exit is not readily apparent,
signs similar to exit signs will provide directional
information
Exit Markings
Illuminated by a light source at least 5 foot-
candles on the illuminated surface
Exit signs are not to be obscured by furnishings,
decorations, etc.
Maintenance
Maintenance is important to
prevent protective device failures
or impeded travel during an
emergency.
Every required exit, way of
approach thereto, and way of
travel from the exit into the street
or open space shall be
continuously maintained free of all
obstructions or impediments to
full instant use in the case of fire
or other emergency.
Maintenance
Every automatic
sprinkler system, fire
detection and alarm
system, exit lighting, fire
door, and other item or
equipment, where
provided, shall be
continuously in proper
operating condition.
Means of Egress, General
29 CFR 1910.37
Protective Enclosure of Exits:
When an exit is protected by separation from
Other parts of the building, the separating
Construction shall meet the following:
1- Three Stories or less 1hr. Fire resistance
2- Four or more stories 2hrs. Fire resistance
Three Stories or Less
Four Stories or More
Positive Pressure - Stairs
Quiz Question:
Panic, confusion, poor visibility, and lack
of information FREQUENTLY cause more
injuries and fatalities than actual workplace
hazards.
True
False
Width and Capacity of Means of
Egress
Means of egress shall be measured in units of exit
width of 22 inches (56 cm)
Capacity in number of persons per unit of exit
width shall be as follows:
Level Egress Components 100 persons/unit
Inclined Egress Components 60 persons/unit
Class A & B Ramps
Class A Ramps: Class B Ramps:
Width: 44 in. (112 cm) Width: 30 in. (76 cm)
Max. Slope: 1 in 10 Max. Slope: 1 in 8
Max height: 12 ft. (3.7m) Max. height: 12 ft. (3.7m)
Exit Routes Width and Capacity
Capacity is a measure of persons per exit
width. To understand capacity, it is
important to understand the term exit
width.
Means of egress shall be measured in exit
width units of 22 inches.
Fractions of an exit width unit shall be
counted as:
Zero if the fractional unit is less than
12 inches
One-half if the fraction is greater
than 12 inches and less than 22
inches.
Egress Capacity and Occupant
Load
When capacity has been determined for
each means of egress, the projected
occupant load for the means of egress must
be calculated.
Capacity of means of egress shall be
sufficient for occupant load of any space
served.
Continued
Occupant Load is the maximum number of
persons that may be in a space at any time.
The occupant load in any building thereof
shall not be assumed to be less than the
number determined by dividing the floor
area assigned to that use by the occupant
load factor for individual occupancies.
Continued
Capacity of the exits at a floor can be based
on individual floor occupant loads (not
additive).
Some important occupant load factors:
- Classroom area 20 Ft2 1.9 m2
- Research Labs 50 Ft2 4.6 m2
- Offices 100 Ft2 9.3 m2
Number of Means of Egress
The minimum number of means of egress
from any story or portion thereof shall be
Two. (Remote from each other)
The minimum number of means of egress:
Occupant Load more than 500 but less than
1000: 3
Occupant Load more than 1000: 4
Number of Means of Egress
Arrangements of Exits
When multiple exits are
required for a floor, at
least two of the exits
shall be separated from
each other as far as
possible to minimize
chances of more than
one being blocked.
Travel Distance to Exits
Distance to exits shall be measured from the
most remote point subject to occupancy.
Travel distance to at least one exit shall not
exceed 200 Ft. (60 m) in buildings not
sprinklered or excedd 250 Ft. (76 m) in
buildings protected through out by
approved supervised Sprinkler System.
Travel Distance
Exit Marking
Every exit shall be marked by a clearly
visible sign with the word EXIT in plainly
legible letters at least 6 inches high and with
at least a stroke width.
When the way to an exit is not readily
apparent, signs or markings similar to exit
signs shall be provided which also provide
directional information.
Continued
Doors, passageways, and stairways which
are not means of egress shall be clearly
marked NOT AN EXIT.
Exit signs shall be illuminated either by
internal or external means by a reliable
light source giving a value of not less than 5
foot candles on the illuminated surface.
Employee Emergency Action
Plans - Introduction
In addition to the requirements
for means of egress
components, Subpart E
requires an Employee
Emergency Action Plan in the
workplace.
The information in this section
applies to all emergency action
plans required by a particular
OSHA standard.
During this section we will
cover the topics listed on the
left.
Elements
The emergency action plan must be in writing; except
for employers with 10 or fewer employees, where the
plan may be communicated orally to employees. The
plan must include, at a minimum, the following
elements:
Escape procedures and escape route assignments
Critical operations shutdown procedure
Procedure to account for all personnel
Rescue and medical duties assignment
Means of reporting fires and emergencies
Identification of responsible persons for further
information.
The emergency action plan should address all potential
emergencies that can be expected in the workplace.
Elements
The employer should make a
detailed list of the procedures to be
taken by those employees who
must remain behind to care for
essential plant operations until
their evacuation becomes
absolutely necessary.
This may include monitoring plant
power supplies, water supplies, and
other essential services that cannot
be shut down for every emergency
alarm.
Elements
For emergency evacuation, floor
plans or workplace maps that
clearly show the emergency
escape routes and safe or refuge
areas should be included in the
plan.
All employees must be told what
actions they are to take in the
emergency situations that may
occur in the workplace.
Alarm System
Employers shall establish an
employee alarm system which
complies with 29 CFR 1910.165.
Alarms should be audible or seen by
all people in the plant and should
have an auxiliary power supply in
the event electricity is affected.
The alarm should be distinctive and
recognizable as a signal to evacuate
the work area or perform actions
designated under the emergency
action plan.
Evacuation
The employer shall establish the types
of evacuation to be used in emergency
circumstances in the emergency action
plan. At the time of an emergency,
employees should know what type of
evacuation is necessary and what their
role is in the plan.
In some cases where the emergency is
very grave, total and immediate
evacuation of all employees is
necessary. In other emergencies, a
partial evacuation of nonessential
employees with a delayed evacuation
of others may be necessary for
continued plant operation.
Evacuation
Sometimes only those employees in
the immediate area of the fire may be
expected to evacuate or move to a
safe area such as when a local
application fire suppression system
discharge employee alarm is
sounded.
Employees must be sure that they
know what is expected of them in all
such emergency possibilities which
have been planned, in order to
provide assurance of their safety
from fire or other emergency.
Evacuation
In addition to the types of
evacuation plans, the
designation of refuge or safe
areas for evacuation should be
determined and identified.
In a building divided into fire
zones by fire walls, the refuge
area may still be within the
same building but in a different
zone from where the emergency
occurs.
Evacuation
Exterior refuge or safe areas may
include parking lots, open fields
or streets which are located away
from the site of the emergency
and which provide sufficient space
to accommodate the employees.
Employees should be instructed to
move away from the exit
discharge doors of the building,
and to avoid congregating close to
the building where they may
hamper emergency operations.
Training
Training is important to the
emergency action plans
effectiveness.
Training for each type of disaster
response is necessary so that
employees know what actions are
required.
The employer shall review with each
employee upon initial assignment
those parts of the plan which the
employee must know to protect
themselves in the event of an
emergency.
Training
The employer shall review the plan
with each employee covered by the
plan at the following times:
Initially when the plan is
developed
Whenever the employee's
responsibilities or designated
actions under the plan change
Whenever the plan is changed.
Before implementing an
emergency action plan, a sufficient
number of people must be trained
to assist in the safe and orderly
evacuation of employees.
Training
The employer should assure that an adequate
number of employees are available at all times
during working hours to act as evacuation
wardens so that employees can be swiftly
moved from the danger location to the safe
areas.
Generally, one warden for each twenty
employees in the workplace should be able to
provide adequate guidance and instruction at
the time of a fire emergency.
The employees who are selected or volunteer to
serve as wardens should be trained in the
complete workplace layout and the various
alternative escape routes from the workplace.
Training
Before leaving, wardens should check rooms and other
enclosed spaces in the workplace for employees who
may be trapped or otherwise unable to evacuate the
area.
After the desired degree of evacuation is completed, the
wardens should be able to account for or otherwise
verify that all employees are in the safe area.
In addition to the wardens, all employees should be
made aware of handicapped employees who may need
extra assistance.
A buddy system may be used for handicapped
employees and all employees should be aware of
hazardous areas to be avoided during emergencies.
Personal Protection
Effective personal protection is
essential for any person who
may be exposed to potentially
hazardous substances.
In emergency situations,
employees may be exposed to a
wide variety of hazardous
circumstances. It is extremely
important that employees be
adequately protected in these
situations
Medical Assistance
In a major emergency, time is a
critical factor in minimizing injuries.
Most small businesses lack a formal
medical program, but are required
to have the medical and first-aid
services identified in the paragraphs
below.
In the absence of an infirmary,
clinic, or hospital in close proximity
to the workplace suitable to treat all
injured employees, the employer
must ensure that a person or persons
are adequately trained to render
first aid.
Medical Assistance
Where the eyes or body of any
employee may be exposed to injurious
corrosive materials, eye washes or
suitable equipment for quick
drenching and flushing must be
provided in the work area for
immediate emergency use.
Employees must be trained to use the
equipment.
The employer must ensure the ready
availability of medical personnel for
advice and consultation on matters of
employee health.
Introduction
Along with an Employee
Emergency Action Plan, a
Fire Protection Plan should
be in place.
This section applies to all
fire prevention plans
required by a particular
OSHA standard.
During this section we will
cover the topics listed on
the left.
Elements
The following elements, at a minimum, shall be
included in a fire prevention plan:
A list of all major work place hazards and their
proper handling and storage procedures, potential
ignition sources, and type of fire equipment or
systems to control a fire involving them
Names or job titles responsible for maintenance of
equipment and ignition prevention or control
systems
Job titles or names of persons responsible for control
of fuel source hazards.
Housekeeping
The employer shall control
accumulations of flammable and
combustible waste materials and
residues so that they do not
contribute to a fire emergency.
These procedures shall be included
in the fire prevention plan.
Training & Maintenance
The employer shall provide training to
apprise employees of the fire hazards
and processes to which they are
exposed.
Upon initial assignment, the employer
shall review those parts of the fire
prevention plan which each employee
must know to protect themselves in the
event of an emergency.
The written plan shall be kept in the
work place and available to the
employee.
British System
Means of Escape
The standard of means of escape can be
assessed by considering 5 factors:
Occupancy
Construction
Time (for evacuation)
Exits Available
Travel Distance
Occupancy
Type of peoples
Trained or not trained
Familiar with the evacuation procedure
The number of population
Density factor:
No. of persons = Area of room (m)
Floor space per person (m)
Construction
Three classes of construction are used:
1- Non-combustible (brick and concrete)
2- Traditional; (brick walls, timber floors)
3- Combustible; (wooden buildings)
Time (for evacuation)
The time for evacuation is related to the
first two factors, occupancy and
construction.
The time for Class A = 3 minutes
The time for Class B = 2.5 minutes
The time for Class C = 2 minutes
Exits
Exits width are measured in units (525 mm
or 21 inches)
1 unit = 525 mm
2 units = 1050 mm
In excess of 2 units (450 mm) (18 inches)
3 units = 1500 mm
4 units = 1950 mm
Continued
One unit will allow the passage of 40
persons per minute.
Units required = Number of persons
40 x Evacuation time
Exit required = U + 1
4
Example
A single story department store is to be
erected and will measure 50 m x 28 m.
Assume a density factor of 2 meter square
and evacuation time of 2.5 minutes.
Determine how many exits required?
Travel Distance
The distance to be traversed in order to
reach a place of safety.
For Class A = 36 m
For Class B = 30 m
For Class C = 24 m
