NYC Evacuation Zones & Evacuation Map Generator
Understand New York City's 6 hurricane evacuation zones and create FDNY-compliant evacuation maps for your NYC business. Upload your floor plan or hand-drawn sketch and get a professional evacuation map that meets both OSHA and NYC Fire Code requirements in seconds.
No design skills needed. Hand-drawn sketches welcome.
Free NYC Evacuation Map Generator
Upload your NYC floor plan or hand sketch. Get a professional, FDNY-compliant evacuation map instantly.
Create Your NYC Evacuation Map Evacuation Map
Drag & drop your floor plan here
or
PNG, JPG, PDF - Hand-drawn sketches work too!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this evacuation map generator really free?
Yes — you can generate your first OSHA-compliant evacuation map completely free. Just upload a floor plan and our AI creates a professional map in about 30 seconds. No credit card required.
Are the generated maps OSHA-compliant?
Our AI follows OSHA 29 CFR 1910.36–37 and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code standards. Every map includes clearly marked exits, fire extinguisher locations, assembly points, and directional evacuation arrows.
What file formats can I upload?
We accept JPG, PNG, and PDF floor plans. For best results, use a clear, high-resolution image of your floor plan with visible walls, doors, and rooms.
How long does map generation take?
Most maps are generated in 20–40 seconds. Complex multi-floor plans may take slightly longer. You can download your map immediately after generation.
Can I edit the map after generation?
The generated map is a high-resolution image you can download and print. For custom edits or enterprise features like multi-floor support and branded maps, check our pricing plans.
Is my floor plan data secure?
Yes. All uploads are encrypted in transit (TLS 1.3) and processed in secure cloud environments. We do not share your floor plans with third parties.
Understanding NYC Evacuation Zones
New York City's hurricane evacuation zone system protects millions of residents and businesses across all five boroughs
Most vulnerable to storm surge. Includes parts of Lower Manhattan, Coney Island, the Rockaways, and waterfront areas across all boroughs. First zone ordered to evacuate during any hurricane.
Extends inland from Zone 1 with significant flood risk from Category 2+ hurricanes. Includes additional coastal neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.
At risk during Category 3+ hurricanes. Covers broader waterfront areas and low-lying neighborhoods adjacent to rivers, bays, and the ocean across NYC.
Vulnerable during major Category 3-4 hurricanes. Extends further inland from coastal areas, covering additional neighborhoods that could experience storm surge flooding.
At risk only during the most severe Category 4+ hurricanes. Covers areas further from the coast but still within potential storm surge reach during extreme weather events.
Furthest extent of potential storm surge. Only evacuated during the most catastrophic hurricane scenarios. Still requires businesses to maintain evacuation plans for fire and other emergencies.
Find Your Zone: Visit NYC.gov/knowyourzone to look up your exact evacuation zone by address. Regardless of your hurricane evacuation zone, all NYC businesses must maintain building-level evacuation maps for fire and other emergencies per FDNY and OSHA requirements.
NYC-Specific Evacuation Map Requirements
NYC businesses must comply with both federal OSHA standards and city-specific FDNY regulations
FDNY General Requirements
- ✓ Fire Safety and Evacuation Plans (FSEPs) required for all commercial buildings
- ✓ Evacuation maps posted at elevator lobbies, stairwells, and common areas
- ✓ Clear identification of primary and secondary exit routes
- ✓ Fire extinguisher, pull station, and AED locations marked
- ✓ Assembly point designation outside the building
High-Rise Requirements
- ✓ Certified Fire Safety Director required for buildings 100+ feet
- ✓ Deputy Fire Safety Directors for buildings 75-100 feet
- ✓ Fire wardens designated on each occupied floor
- ✓ Written fire safety plans filed with FDNY
- ✓ Evacuation maps on every floor showing stairwell access
Fire Drill Frequency
- ✓ Commercial high-rises: quarterly fire drills (4x/year)
- ✓ Hotels: fire drills every 3 months
- ✓ Residential 4+ stories: annual fire drills
- ✓ All drill results must be documented and filed
- ✓ Records available for FDNY inspection at all times
NYC has some of the most stringent fire safety regulations in the nation. Our AI-powered generator creates evacuation maps that meet both federal OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 standards and NYC-specific FDNY requirements. See the full OSHA evacuation map requirements.
How to Create Your NYC Evacuation Map
Generate a professional, FDNY-compliant evacuation map in four simple steps
Upload Your NYC Floor Plan
Draw your NYC office or facility floor layout on paper showing walls, doors, and rooms. Take a photo and upload it—even rough sketches work with our AI.
Select New York & Your Industry
Choose New York as your state and select your industry type. Our AI applies NYC-specific FDNY requirements and industry regulations automatically.
AI Creates Your NYC Evacuation Map
Our AI analyzes your layout, identifies optimal evacuation routes, and creates a professional map with all required safety elements meeting OSHA and NYC Fire Code standards.
Download & Post Per FDNY Requirements
Download your print-ready NYC evacuation map. Post at elevator lobbies, stairwells, common areas, and entrances as required by FDNY regulations.
Industries Most Affected in NYC
NYC's diverse economy requires industry-specific evacuation planning across all evacuation zones
Finance & Wall Street
Lower Manhattan's financial district sits in Zone 1, the highest-risk evacuation zone. Banks, trading floors, and financial offices require comprehensive evacuation plans with considerations for data security, trading floor clearance, and multi-story high-rise evacuation procedures.
Healthcare
NYC hospitals and medical facilities face unique evacuation challenges including patient transport, equipment protection, and maintaining critical care during evacuations. Facilities in coastal evacuation zones must have detailed patient movement plans and coordination with NYC Emergency Management.
Hospitality
Hotels, restaurants, and event venues across NYC must account for guests unfamiliar with the building layout. High-rise hotels require quarterly fire drills, multilingual evacuation signage, and maps posted in every guest room and corridor per FDNY regulations.
Retail
NYC retail spaces from flagship stores on Fifth Avenue to neighborhood shops must maintain customer-focused evacuation maps with clear exit routes, occupancy load postings, and staff trained in customer evacuation. Stores in high-rise buildings face additional Local Law 5 requirements.
Media & Entertainment
Studios, theaters, production facilities, and broadcast centers require evacuation plans accounting for large equipment, audience areas, and stage exits. Broadway theaters and concert venues must meet strict assembly occupancy egress requirements under NYC Fire Code.
Ready to Create Your NYC Evacuation Map?
Upload your hand sketch or floor plan and get a professional, FDNY-compliant evacuation map in seconds. Register for 1 free file upload with 5 regenerations—no credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions About NYC Evacuation Zones
Expert answers to common questions about evacuation zones NYC businesses need to know
What are the NYC evacuation zones?
New York City has 6 hurricane evacuation zones, labeled Zone 1 through Zone 6. Zone 1 faces the highest risk of storm surge flooding and is the first to be evacuated during a hurricane. These evacuation zones NYC residents should know cover all five boroughs—Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. The zones were established by NYC Emergency Management based on storm surge modeling and coastal flood risk analysis.
How do I find my evacuation zone in NYC?
You can find your NYC evacuation zone by visiting NYC.gov/knowyourzone and entering your address. The NYC Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder tool shows your exact zone designation (1-6) or confirms you are not in an evacuation zone. You can also call 311 for zone information. Businesses should identify their evacuation zone and incorporate this information into their workplace evacuation plans and posted evacuation maps.
What are the FDNY evacuation map requirements for NYC businesses?
The FDNY requires all commercial buildings in NYC to maintain current fire safety and evacuation plans. Under the NYC Fire Code and Local Law 5, buildings must post evacuation maps showing exit routes, fire extinguisher locations, pull stations, stairwell locations, and assembly points. High-rise buildings (75+ feet) have additional requirements including Fire Safety Directors, fire wardens per floor, and quarterly fire drills. Maps must be posted at elevator lobbies, stairwell entrances, and common areas.
Do NYC high-rises need evacuation maps?
Yes, NYC high-rise buildings (75 feet or taller) have some of the most stringent evacuation map requirements in the country. Under Local Law 5 and NYC Fire Code Chapter 4, high-rises must maintain comprehensive Fire Safety and Evacuation Plans (FSEPs), appoint certified Fire Safety Directors, designate floor wardens, conduct quarterly fire drills, and post evacuation maps on every floor showing primary and secondary exit routes, stairwell locations, and areas of refuge.
What is NYC Local Law 5 and how does it affect evacuation planning?
NYC Local Law 5 of 1973 (amended multiple times, most recently as part of the NYC Fire Code) establishes fire safety requirements for commercial office buildings. It mandates Fire Safety Directors for buildings over 100 feet, fire wardens on each occupied floor, written fire safety plans filed with FDNY, quarterly fire drills with documented attendance, and posted evacuation procedures including maps at key locations throughout the building.
How often must NYC businesses conduct fire drills?
NYC fire drill requirements vary by building type. Commercial high-rise office buildings must conduct fire drills quarterly (4 times per year) under Local Law 5 and NYC Fire Code §404. Residential buildings with 4+ stories must hold annual drills. Hotels must conduct drills every 3 months. All drill results must be documented and records kept on file for FDNY inspection. Failure to conduct required drills can result in violations and fines.
What special evacuation requirements apply to NYC restaurants and retail?
NYC restaurants and retail establishments must comply with NYC Fire Code Chapter 4 requirements including posted evacuation maps showing all exits, occupancy load postings at entrances, unobstructed egress paths maintained at all times, and staff training on evacuation procedures. Restaurants with outdoor dining must include those areas in evacuation plans. Retail spaces in high-rise buildings face additional requirements under Local Law 5.
How do I create an OSHA-compliant evacuation map for my NYC office?
Creating an OSHA-compliant evacuation map for your NYC office is simple with our AI-powered generator. Upload your floor plan or hand-drawn sketch, select New York as your state and your industry type, and our AI generates a professional map with all required elements: exit routes, fire extinguishers, pull stations, AED locations, You Are Here markers, and assembly points. The map meets both federal OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 standards and NYC-specific FDNY requirements.
What is the difference between NYC evacuation zones and building evacuation maps?
NYC evacuation zones are city-wide geographic designations used during hurricanes and major flooding events—they indicate which neighborhoods should evacuate based on storm surge risk. Building evacuation maps are facility-specific documents showing internal exit routes, safety equipment, and assembly points for emergencies like fires. Both are critical: businesses in NYC evacuation zones should integrate zone awareness into their building-level evacuation plans.
Are there penalties for not having evacuation maps in NYC?
Yes. NYC businesses that fail to maintain proper evacuation maps and fire safety plans face significant penalties. FDNY violations for missing or inadequate evacuation plans can range from $500 to $10,000 per violation. OSHA fines for Emergency Action Plan deficiencies start at $16,131 per violation and can reach $161,323 for willful violations. Buildings may also face insurance premium increases and liability exposure in the event of an emergency.
Professional Maps for Every Industry
Our AI creates OSHA-compliant maps tailored to your specific industry requirements
Restaurant Evacuation Map
Kitchen hood suppression, grease fire routes, and customer/employee exits clearly marked
Free preview • OSHA compliant • Print-ready in 30 seconds
Important Legal Disclaimer
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not approve, endorse, recommend, or certify any commercial products or software. This platform is a compliance assistance tool only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by OSHA or any government agency.
All AI-generated evacuation maps, safety plans, and compliance documents must be reviewed, verified, and approved by a qualified safety professional, fire marshal, licensed engineer, or appropriate authority before being posted, distributed, or used for emergency planning purposes.
Employers retain full legal responsibility for workplace safety under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act). Users are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations. This software does not guarantee OSHA compliance.
This software does not constitute legal, safety consulting, engineering, or professional advice. Content is for informational purposes only. Users should consult qualified safety professionals and legal counsel for compliance guidance specific to their operations.
While we strive for accuracy, workplace safety regulations change frequently. We make no warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or current validity of any information. Users must independently verify all regulatory requirements applicable to their specific circumstances.
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