Emergency Exit Routes & Fire Escape Routes — OSHA Requirements & Compliance Guide (2026)
Everything you need to know about emergency exit routes and fire escape routes — OSHA's 10 essential requirements under 29 CFR 1910.36-37, EXIT sign specifications, route width minimums, emergency lighting standards, and an interactive compliance checklist. Plus, generate professional exit route maps from your floor plan.
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10 OSHA Exit Route Requirements
Every requirement under 29 CFR 1910.36 and 1910.37 for compliant fire escape routes
Minimum Number of Exit Routes
29 CFR 1910.36(b)At least two exit routes must be available in a workplace to permit prompt evacuation. More than two may be required for large buildings, high occupancy, or complex layouts.
Exit Route Separation
29 CFR 1910.36(d)Exit routes must be located as far apart as practical so that if one is blocked by fire or smoke, employees can still evacuate via the other route.
Unobstructed Exit Routes
29 CFR 1910.37(a)Exit routes must be free of obstructions, combustible materials, and decorations at all times. No furniture, equipment, or storage in exit paths.
EXIT Signs
29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2)Each exit must be clearly marked with an illuminated EXIT sign visible from the exit access corridor. Signs must have letters at least 6 inches high with 3/4-inch stroke width.
Directional EXIT Signs
29 CFR 1910.37(b)(4)Where the exit or path to the exit is not immediately apparent, directional EXIT signs must be posted along the route to guide occupants toward the nearest exit.
NOT AN EXIT Signs
29 CFR 1910.37(b)(5)Doors or passages that could be mistaken for exits but do not lead outside must be marked "NOT AN EXIT" or identified by their actual use (e.g., "STORAGE," "BASEMENT").
Emergency Lighting
29 CFR 1910.37(b)(6)Exit routes must have adequate lighting so that an employee with normal vision can see along the exit route. Emergency backup lighting must activate automatically during power failures.
Exit Route Width
29 CFR 1910.36(g)Exit routes must be wide enough to accommodate all occupants. The minimum width is 28 inches. The capacity depends on occupant load calculations per NFPA 101.
Exit Doors Must Open Outward
29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3)Exit doors in rooms with more than 50 occupants must swing in the direction of egress travel. Doors must be side-hinged and cannot require special knowledge to open.
Exit Discharge
29 CFR 1910.36(c)Each exit route must lead directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, or open space with access to the outdoors. At least 50% of exits must discharge directly outside.
Exit Route Compliance Checklist
Check each item to track your compliance status
Most-Cited Exit Route Violations (FY 2025 OSHA Inspection Data)
The egress-related findings that show up most often in OSHA inspections — and how to avoid each one in your facility.
Generate Exit Route Maps From Your Floor Plan
Upload your floor plan to automatically generate maps showing exit routes, EXIT signs, fire equipment, and assembly points
Create Your Evacuation Map
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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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions — Emergency Exit Routes
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