Egress Plan Procedures, Roles & Map Guide
Build a written, site-specific egress plan around applicable emergency-planning duties and adopted codes. Upload your floor plan to draft a supporting egress map, then complete the written plan with evacuation procedures, assigned roles, communication protocols, and training documentation.
No design skills needed. Hand-drawn sketches welcome.
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Restaurant Evacuation Map
Kitchen hood suppression, grease fire routes, and customer/employee exits clearly marked
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Free Egress Plan Map Generator
Upload your hand sketch or floor plan. Generate a professional egress map as the visual foundation of your complete egress plan.
Create Your Egress Plan Evacuation Map
See the safety plan from every angleWatch a sketch become a polished map, then step inside.Need to start from a rough layout?Sketch rooms and exits, then turn it into a clear safety map.
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Move, resize, and recolor every exit sign, route, and icon.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this evacuation map generator really free?
Yes — you can generate your first OSHA-aligned evacuation map draft completely free. Just upload a floor plan and our AI drafts a professional map in about 30 seconds. No credit card required.
Are the generated maps aligned with OSHA?
Our AI drafts maps that follow 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. Supervisor review is required before posting to your facility.
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 see the preview instantly — create a free account (no credit card) to download the file.
Can I edit the map after generation?
Yes — every generated map opens in a free drag-and-drop editor where you can move, resize, and recolor exit signs, routes, and equipment icons. Enterprise features like multi-floor support and branded maps are available on paid 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.
What Is an Egress Plan?
Understanding the difference between an egress plan and an egress map
Egress Plan Definition
An egress plan is a written, site-specific document describing evacuation procedures, route assignments, roles, and communication methods. Where an applicable OSHA standard triggers 29 CFR 1910.38, these topics belong in the EAP. The written procedures go beyond a map and should reflect the actual workplace.
While an egress map shows the visual layout of exit routes and safety equipment, the egress plan is the master document that includes those maps plus written evacuation procedures, role assignments, training schedules, communication protocols, and compliance documentation.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 Requirements
When 29 CFR 1910.38 applies, the EAP addresses evacuation routes, notification, critical operations, and post-evacuation accountability. Employers with more than 10 employees must keep the covered plan in writing; confirm whether another standard triggers the EAP duty.
View OSHA EAP Template →Egress Plan vs Egress Map
An egress map is the visual component showing floor layouts with marked exit routes. An egress plan is the complete document containing egress maps plus written procedures, personnel assignments, training programs, and compliance records. Think of the egress map as one chapter in the larger egress plan book.
Create Egress Maps →Egress Plan Requirements
Federal and state codes that govern egress plan compliance
Emergency Action Plan
- ✓ Written evacuation procedures and exit route assignments
- ✓ Procedures for employees performing critical operations before evacuating
- ✓ Employee headcount procedures at assembly points
- ✓ Rescue and medical duty assignments
- ✓ Employee alarm system for emergency notification
Means of Egress
- ✓ Minimum exits: 2 for up to 500, 3 for 501-1000, 4 for 1000+
- ✓ Maximum travel distances based on occupancy type
- ✓ Dead-end corridor limits (20-50 ft depending on sprinklers)
- ✓ Exit separation of at least half the diagonal distance
- ✓ Emergency lighting minimum 1 foot-candle for 90 minutes
Additional Standards
- ✓ International Fire Code egress capacity calculations
- ✓ ADA accessible means of egress on accessible floors
- ✓ Areas of refuge for persons with mobility impairments
- ✓ Evacuation chair stations and signage
- ✓ Two-way communication at areas of refuge
Address the federal, state, local, and adopted-code requirements that actually apply. The generator creates a visual draft, not a code calculation or compliance certification; verify it with a qualified reviewer and the AHJ. See the OSHA evacuation map guide.
Components of an Effective Egress Plan
Common written-plan elements to evaluate for your workplace
Emergency Action Plan Document
When 29 CFR 1910.38 applies, the written EAP documents evacuation procedures, contacts, and other required plan elements. Add any site-specific provisions required by other applicable authorities.
Egress Maps & Floor Plans
Visual diagrams showing exit routes, safety equipment locations, and assembly points for each floor. Posted at strategic locations throughout the facility.
Exit Route Designations
Primary and secondary exit routes assigned to each area of the building, with clear directional arrows and distance markers ensuring the shortest safe path to exits.
Assembly Point Procedures
Designated outdoor gathering locations at least 50 feet from the building, with headcount procedures and accountability systems to verify all occupants have evacuated.
Communication Systems
Employee alarm systems, PA announcements, two-way radios for wardens, and notification chains that ensure every occupant receives the evacuation alert promptly.
Employee Training Program
Train covered employees when the plan is developed, when their responsibilities change, and when the plan changes. Add any recurring schedule required by another applicable rule or facility policy.
Special Needs Accommodation
Individualized evacuation plans for persons with disabilities, including designated assistants, areas of refuge locations, evacuation chairs, and alternative communication methods.
Regular Drill Schedule
Set a drill schedule from the adopted code, occupancy, permit, license, insurer, facility policy, and AHJ direction. Record observations and use them to correct plan or route problems.
How to Create Your Egress Plan
Build a written plan and verify its supporting map for your facility
Assess Your Facility
Walk through your entire building documenting all exits, corridors, stairwells, and potential hazards. Note occupancy loads for each area and identify any dead-end corridors or bottlenecks that could impede evacuation.
Generate Egress Maps
Upload your floor plans or hand-drawn sketches to our AI generator to create professional egress maps with marked exit routes, safety equipment, and assembly points. Generate maps for each floor of your building.
Define Procedures & Roles
Document evacuation procedures including alarm response protocols, floor warden assignments, critical operation shutdown sequences, and special assistance arrangements for persons with disabilities.
Establish Communication
Set up employee alarm systems, define notification chains, assign two-way radios to floor wardens, and establish protocols for communicating with emergency responders upon their arrival.
Train & Drill
Review the applicable plan with covered employees, conduct exercises at the required or locally approved frequency, document results, and update procedures based on lessons learned.
Review & Maintain
Review the plan when the workplace, routes, roles, hazards, alarm system, or applicable requirements change. Keep the records required by the governing standard, adopted code, permit, license, or policy.
Egress Plan vs Emergency Action Plan
Understanding how these documents work together
Egress Plan
Focus: Building evacuation procedures
- Exit route assignments and maps
- Evacuation procedures and sequences
- Assembly point locations and accountability
- Floor warden roles and responsibilities
- Special needs evacuation procedures
- Drill schedules and documentation
The evacuation-specific component of your EAP
Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
Focus: All workplace emergencies
- Egress plan (evacuation component)
- Shelter-in-place procedures
- Severe weather response protocols
- Chemical spill and hazmat procedures
- Medical emergency response
- Active threat/lockdown procedures
The comprehensive document covering all emergency types
Written evacuation procedures can form part of a broader Emergency Action Plan when an applicable OSHA standard requires one. Use maps as supporting visual aids, not substitutes for procedures, roles, communication, and training. Use our OSHA EAP template as a starting framework.
Ready to Build Your Egress Plan?
Draft a supporting egress map from your floor plan, then complete the written procedures, roles, communication, and training provisions. A free account includes 5 free floor-plan uploads per month, with up to 5 regenerations per upload—no credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions About Egress Plans
Expert answers to common egress plan questions
What is an egress plan?
An egress plan is a written, site-specific set of evacuation procedures, route assignments, roles, communication methods, and training provisions. An egress map is only a visual aid. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 specifies Emergency Action Plan content when an applicable OSHA standard requires an EAP; it does not create one universal document called an “egress plan” for every workplace.
What is the difference between an egress plan and an egress map?
An egress plan is the comprehensive written document describing evacuation procedures, roles, responsibilities, communication systems, and training schedules. An egress map is the visual component—a floor plan diagram showing exit routes, safety equipment, and assembly points. A complete egress plan includes egress maps as one of its key components, but also covers procedures, personnel assignments, and compliance documentation that maps alone cannot convey.
What must be included in an OSHA egress plan?
When 29 CFR 1910.38 applies, the EAP must address evacuation and exit-route assignments, critical operations before evacuation, accounting for employees, designated rescue or medical duties, and contacts for plan information. It also addresses alarm systems and employee review. Employers with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally.
How often should an egress plan be updated?
Review the plan when the layout, routes, hazards, operations, roles, alarm system, or applicable requirements change, and after exercises reveal a problem. OSHA 1910.38 requires review with covered employees when the plan is developed, when responsibilities change, and when the plan changes; other review frequencies may come from adopted codes, permits, licenses, or policy.
What are NFPA 101 egress plan requirements?
NFPA 101 contains means-of-egress provisions that may apply when adopted or otherwise required. The applicable edition, occupancy chapter, construction, protection features, and local amendments affect exit number and arrangement, travel distance, capacity, signs, illumination, and accessible egress. Confirm the plan and any diagram with the AHJ.
Who is responsible for creating an egress plan?
Under OSHA regulations, the employer is responsible for creating and maintaining an egress plan. In practice, facility managers, safety officers, or fire safety consultants typically develop the plan. Building owners are responsible for common area egress in multi-tenant buildings. The plan should be developed in consultation with the local fire authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) and reviewed by qualified safety professionals.
Do small businesses need an egress plan?
Not under one universal federal OSHA rule. An EAP is required when another applicable OSHA standard triggers 29 CFR 1910.38. If it applies, employers with 10 or fewer employees may communicate it orally. State-plan rules, adopted fire codes, permits, licenses, and AHJ direction may add duties.
What is the difference between an egress plan and an emergency action plan?
An EAP is the workplace plan described by 29 CFR 1910.38 when that section is triggered. “Egress plan” is a practical term for the written evacuation procedures and route assignments within a broader emergency program. A separate egress map is a visual aid and does not replace the written procedures.
How do I create an egress plan for a multi-story building?
Start with the actual floor layouts, exit stairs, alarm strategy, accessible-egress provisions, occupant characteristics, and accountability procedures. Floor-specific maps, phased evacuation, areas of refuge, elevator procedures, and posting locations may apply depending on the adopted code, occupancy, building systems, emergency program, and AHJ direction.
Expert-Reviewed Content
Michael Rodriguez, CSP, CHST
Senior OSHA Compliance Specialist
Michael Rodriguez is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) with over 18 years of experience in occupational safety and OSHA compliance. He has conducted safety assessments for Fortune 500 companies and helped over 2,000 businesses achieve and maintain OSHA compliance. Michael specializes in emergency action planning, workplace hazard analysis, and regulatory interpretation under 29 CFR 1910.
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