What Do Evacuation Maps Identify? A Complete Guide
Evacuation maps identify critical safety elements that save lives during emergencies. From exit routes and fire equipment to assembly points and hazard zones—learn exactly what every compliant evacuation map must show and why each element matters.
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What Do Evacuation Maps Identify?
Evacuation maps identify the critical safety information that building occupants need to navigate to safety during an emergency. A properly designed evacuation map serves as a visual guide that communicates complex spatial and safety data in an instantly understandable format—even under the stress and confusion of an actual emergency.
According to OSHA standards (29 CFR 1910.36, 1910.37, and 1910.38) and NFPA guidelines (NFPA 101 Life Safety Code and NFPA 170 Fire Safety Symbols), evacuation maps must identify the following categories of information:
Let's explore each of these elements in detail, including why they're required, what standards govern them, and how they should appear on your evacuation maps.
Exit Routes & Emergency Doors
The most critical elements that evacuation maps identify are emergency exit routes and exit doors. These are the pathways and doorways that building occupants must follow to escape the building safely during an emergency.
Primary Evacuation Routes
Evacuation maps identify the primary (preferred) evacuation route from each area of the building. These routes follow the shortest safe path to the nearest exit and are typically shown as solid green arrows or lines on the map. Primary routes must be unobstructed, properly illuminated, and at least 28 inches wide per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.36.
Secondary (Alternate) Routes
Maps also identify secondary evacuation routes as backup paths when the primary route is blocked by fire, smoke, or structural damage. Secondary routes are typically shown as dashed green arrows or a different color to distinguish them from primary routes. OSHA requires at least two exit routes from every occupied space (29 CFR 1910.36(b)).
Exit Door Locations
Every emergency exit door must be clearly identified on the evacuation map. Maps should show the door swing direction (doors must swing outward for rooms with 50+ occupants per OSHA 1910.36(d)), whether the door leads directly outside or to a corridor, and any special features like delayed-egress hardware or panic bar operation.
Stairwell Locations
In multi-story buildings, evacuation maps identify all stairwell locations and indicate which stairwells are designated for emergency egress. Maps should note whether stairwells are enclosed (fire-rated), whether they discharge directly to the exterior, and if they are pressurized for smoke control. Elevator locations should also be shown with a note that elevators should not be used during fire emergencies.
Fire Safety Equipment Locations
Evacuation maps identify the locations of all fire safety equipment throughout the building. This information serves a dual purpose: it helps trained employees respond to small fires before evacuation becomes necessary, and it helps emergency responders quickly locate equipment upon arrival.
Fire Extinguishers
Evacuation maps identify every fire extinguisher location in the building. Per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157, portable fire extinguishers must be placed so that the maximum travel distance for employees is 75 feet for Class A hazards and 50 feet for Class B hazards. Maps should indicate the extinguisher type (A, B, C, D, K) where practical.
Fire Alarm Pull Stations
Manual fire alarm pull stations must be identified on evacuation maps so employees know where to activate the building alarm system. Pull stations are typically located within 5 feet of exit doors and at each floor landing in stairwells. Maps should use the standardized NFPA 170 symbol for manual fire alarm stations.
Emergency Showers & Eyewash
In facilities with chemical hazards, evacuation maps identify emergency shower and eyewash station locations. Per ANSI Z358.1, these must be within 10 seconds of travel from the hazard. Maps help employees locate the nearest decontamination station quickly during chemical exposure events.
First Aid Kits & AEDs
Evacuation maps identify the locations of first aid kits and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). While not strictly required by OSHA on evacuation maps, including these locations is considered best practice and is required by many local codes and accreditation standards, especially for healthcare and educational facilities.
Fire Hose Connections
Standpipe connections and fire hose cabinets should be identified on evacuation maps, particularly in larger buildings and high-rises. These are primarily used by firefighters and trained building fire brigades. Maps help responders quickly identify water supply connection points upon arrival.
Sprinkler Controls
Evacuation maps should identify the locations of fire sprinkler control valves, fire department connections (FDCs), and fire pump rooms. This information is primarily for emergency responders and building maintenance personnel to manage the fire suppression system during an emergency.
Assembly Points & Muster Locations
Evacuation maps identify designated assembly points (also called muster points or rally points) where building occupants gather after evacuating. Assembly points are a critical requirement under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38, which mandates procedures to account for all employees after an evacuation.
Purpose of Assembly Points on Maps
- Enable headcount and accountability of all building occupants
- Provide a safe staging area away from the building and emergency operations
- Allow emergency responders to identify if anyone is still inside the building
- Serve as communication points for instructions and status updates
- Prevent evacuees from interfering with fire department operations
Assembly Point Requirements
- Located at least 50 feet from the building (500+ feet for explosion hazards)
- Positioned upwind from the building when possible
- Away from fire lanes, hydrants, and emergency vehicle access points
- Large enough to accommodate all building occupants comfortably
- Accessible to persons with disabilities
- Marked with visible signage at the physical location
- Multiple assembly points for large facilities or buildings with multiple wings
On evacuation maps, assembly points are typically shown with a distinctive symbol (often a green circle with a person icon or the letters "AP") and labeled with the assembly point name or number. Maps should also indicate the distance from the nearest exit to the assembly point for route planning purposes.
Hazards & Special Areas
Evacuation maps identify areas of the building that contain special hazards or require additional precautions during an emergency. Marking these areas helps evacuees avoid danger zones and provides critical information to emergency responders.
Chemical Storage Areas
Rooms or areas containing hazardous chemicals, including cleaning supplies, laboratory reagents, and industrial chemicals. Maps should indicate the general type of hazard (flammable, corrosive, toxic) and reference the facility's Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for detailed information.
Electrical Rooms
High-voltage electrical rooms, transformer vaults, and main distribution panels. These areas pose electrocution and arc flash hazards during emergencies, particularly when water damage from sprinklers or firefighting may be present.
Flammable Storage
Areas storing flammable liquids, gases, or combustible materials. Evacuation routes should direct occupants away from these areas. Maps should identify flammable storage rooms, gas cylinder storage, and any areas with explosion risk per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106.
Radiation Areas
In facilities with radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment (medical facilities, research labs), evacuation maps identify controlled and restricted radiation areas. These zones may require special evacuation procedures or additional monitoring during emergencies.
Confined Spaces
Permit-required confined spaces such as tanks, vaults, silos, and manholes should be identified on evacuation maps. During emergencies, these spaces may trap workers who require specialized rescue teams. Maps help responders locate and prioritize these areas.
Utility Shut-offs
Gas shut-off valves, water main shut-offs, electrical disconnects, and HVAC emergency controls should be identified on evacuation maps. Emergency responders and facility personnel need to quickly locate these controls to prevent additional hazards during an emergency.
ADA-Accessible Routes & Areas of Refuge
Evacuation maps must identify ADA-accessible evacuation routes and areas of refuge for persons with disabilities. Both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and OSHA require that emergency plans account for all building occupants, including those with mobility, visual, hearing, or cognitive impairments.
Accessible Evacuation Routes
Maps must show routes that are accessible to wheelchair users and persons with mobility impairments. These routes avoid stairs, narrow passages, and high-threshold doorways. Accessible routes should be clearly distinguished from standard routes using a distinct color or line style with the international accessibility symbol.
Areas of Refuge
Areas of refuge (also called areas of rescue assistance) are fire-rated spaces where persons who cannot use stairs can safely wait for assistance during an evacuation. These areas must be identified on evacuation maps with the location, capacity, and communication method (two-way communication device) clearly indicated.
Evacuation Chairs & Devices
If your facility provides evacuation chairs, stair descent devices, or other evacuation aids for persons with mobility impairments, these locations must be identified on the evacuation map. Include information about trained operators and how to request assistance during an emergency.
Visual & Audible Alarms
Evacuation maps should identify the locations of visual alarm devices (strobe lights) for deaf or hard-of-hearing occupants and audible alarms. In areas where hearing impairment is common, maps should note the availability of visual notification appliances per NFPA 72 and ADA Accessibility Guidelines.
Orientation & Reference Elements
Beyond safety-specific elements, evacuation maps identify several orientation and reference components that help viewers understand the map and navigate the building effectively.
"You Are Here" Marker
Perhaps the most important orientation element, the "You Are Here" marker shows the viewer's current location within the building. This marker must be unique to each posted copy of the map and accurately positioned. Without it, even the best evacuation map is unusable because occupants cannot determine which direction to travel.
North Arrow / Compass
A north arrow or compass direction helps orient the map to the physical environment and is especially useful for emergency responders who reference compass directions in radio communications. While not strictly required by OSHA, it is a best practice recommended by NFPA and most fire departments.
Map Legend
A clear legend explaining all symbols used on the map ensures universal understanding. While NFPA 170 standardizes many fire safety symbols, including a legend is essential because symbol recognition varies among building occupants, especially visitors and contractors.
Building & Floor Information
Maps must display the building name or address, floor number or level, and any wing or zone designations. This information helps emergency responders identify the specific location when receiving calls and helps occupants confirm they are reading the correct map for their location.
Emergency Contact Information
Evacuation maps should include emergency phone numbers (911, building security, facility manager), the building's physical address (for reporting to 911), and any facility-specific emergency numbers. This information must be prominently displayed and easily readable.
Revision Date
Every evacuation map should display the date of the last revision. This helps facility managers track map currency and demonstrates compliance during OSHA inspections. An outdated revision date may trigger an inspector to verify whether the map still reflects the current building layout.
Visual Symbol Guide for Evacuation Maps
Understanding the standardized symbols used on evacuation maps is essential for both creating and reading these life-saving documents. The following guide covers the most common NFPA 170 symbols that evacuation maps use to identify safety elements.
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Frequently Asked Questions: What Evacuation Maps Identify
Expert answers about evacuation map elements and requirements
What do evacuation maps identify?
Evacuation maps identify the following critical safety elements: emergency exit locations, primary and secondary evacuation routes, fire extinguisher positions, fire alarm pull station locations, assembly points outside the building, 'You Are Here' indicators, ADA-accessible routes and areas of refuge, first aid kit and AED locations, hazardous material storage areas, utility shut-off locations, stairwell and elevator positions, emergency phone locations, and building address and floor information.
What elements must an OSHA-compliant evacuation map identify?
An OSHA-compliant evacuation map must identify: at least two evacuation routes from every occupied area (per 29 CFR 1910.36), all emergency exit doors and their swing direction, fire extinguisher locations within 75-foot travel distance (per 29 CFR 1910.157), fire alarm pull station positions, designated assembly points for post-evacuation accountability, emergency lighting locations, and any areas with special hazards requiring additional precautions.
Why do evacuation maps identify assembly points?
Evacuation maps identify assembly points because OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 requires employers to have procedures for accounting for all employees after evacuation. Assembly points serve as designated gathering locations where supervisors can conduct headcounts, identify missing persons, and coordinate with emergency responders. Assembly points should be at least 50 feet from the building, away from fire department operations, and large enough to accommodate all building occupants.
How do evacuation maps identify fire safety equipment?
Evacuation maps identify fire safety equipment using standardized NFPA 170 symbols. Fire extinguishers are shown with a red symbol, fire alarm pull stations with a red alarm icon, fire hose connections with specific markings, sprinkler controls with valve symbols, and AED/first aid stations with medical symbols. These standardized symbols ensure universal recognition regardless of language barriers, which is critical in diverse workplaces.
Do evacuation maps identify hazardous areas?
Yes, evacuation maps should identify hazardous areas including chemical storage rooms, high-voltage electrical rooms, areas with flammable or combustible materials, radiation zones, confined spaces, and any area requiring special protective equipment. Identifying these hazards on evacuation maps helps occupants avoid dangerous areas during an emergency and helps emergency responders understand the facility's risk profile.
What is the 'You Are Here' marker that evacuation maps identify?
The 'You Are Here' marker is a critical element that evacuation maps identify to show the viewer's current location within the building. This marker must be accurately placed for each posted copy of the map and oriented to match the viewer's perspective (heads-up orientation). Without an accurate 'You Are Here' marker, occupants cannot determine which exit route to follow, making the map ineffective during an emergency.
Do evacuation maps identify ADA-accessible routes?
Yes, evacuation maps must identify ADA-accessible routes for persons with disabilities. This includes wheelchair-accessible exit routes (no stairs), areas of refuge where persons can wait for assistance, evacuation chair or device locations, accessible elevators approved for emergency use (if any), and ramp locations. The ADA and OSHA both require that emergency plans account for all building occupants, including those with mobility, visual, or hearing impairments.
How often should the elements identified on evacuation maps be updated?
The elements identified on evacuation maps should be reviewed and updated whenever changes occur in the facility. This includes after renovations or remodeling, when fire safety equipment is relocated, when new hazards are introduced, when exits are added or removed, when assembly points change, and at minimum annually as part of the Emergency Action Plan review. OSHA requires retraining employees whenever the evacuation plan changes per 29 CFR 1910.38(e).
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