---
title: "What are OSHA exit route design requirements for a facility? Answer in under 100 words. Cite only eCFR sources."
canonical: https://www.m-i-n-d.ai/minds/warehouse-logistics/osha-exit-route-requirements
jurisdiction: "US Federal"
last_verified: 2026-08-26
license: CC BY 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
attribution: "Source: MIND (m-i-n-d.ai)"
---

# What are OSHA exit route design requirements for a facility? Answer in under 100 words. Cite only eCFR sources.

Under OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.36, every exit route must be a permanent part of the workplace and separated by fire-resistant materials—a one-hour rating for exits connecting three or fewer stories, two-hour for four or more. At least two exit routes must be available so employees can evacuate promptly if one is blocked. Ceilings must be at least 7 feet 6 inches high, exit access at least 28 inches wide, and doors must open from the inside without keys, tools, or special knowledge.

## Details / How it works

Exit routes (means of egress) must be permanent parts of the facility, separated from other areas by one-hour fire-resistant construction for three or fewer connected stories or two-hour construction for four or more stories. Openings into an exit are limited and must be protected by self-closing fire doors whose frames and hardware are listed or approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.

A workplace generally needs at least two exit routes located as far apart as practical; more than two are required if employee numbers, building size, occupancy, or arrangement prevent safe evacuation. Each exit discharge must lead directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside. Route capacity must support the maximum permitted occupant load of each floor served and may not decrease toward the exit discharge.

## Numbers & thresholds

| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Fire-resistance rating, exit connects ≤3 stories | 1 hour |
| Fire-resistance rating, exit connects ≥4 stories | 2 hours |
| Minimum ceiling height | 7 ft 6 in (2.3 m) |
| Ceiling projections (lights, pipes) may not reach below | 6 ft 8 in (2.0 m) |
| Minimum exit access width | 28 in (71.1 cm) |
| Door swing-out trigger | Room occupied by >50 people or high-hazard area |
| Max outdoor dead-end length | 20 ft (6.2 m) |

## Exceptions & edge cases

- **Single exit route:** Permitted where the number of employees, building size, occupancy, or arrangement lets everyone evacuate safely.
- **Locked doors:** Employees must be able to open exit doors from inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge; a device locking only from the outside (e.g., panic bar) is allowed on exit discharge doors. Inside-locking doors are allowed only in mental, penal, or correctional facilities with continuous supervisory personnel and an emergency removal plan.
- **Outdoor exit routes:** Must meet indoor height/width minimums plus guardrails where fall hazards exist, snow/ice protection, reasonably straight smooth level walkways, and no dead end longer than 20 feet.
- **Fire doors:** Each self-closing fire door, including frame and hardware, must be listed per §1910.155(c)(3)(iv)(A) by an NRTL per §1910.7.

## Sources

- [1] U.S. National Archives, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations — 29 CFR 1910.36 — Design and construction requirements for exit routes · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1910.36 · as of 2026-08-26