What Is an Emergency Exit Map?
An emergency exit map is a visual diagram showing the floor plan of your building with all emergency exits, evacuation routes, safety equipment locations, and assembly points clearly marked. These maps help employees and visitors quickly identify the safest path to exit the building during fires, natural disasters, or other emergencies. A well-designed emergency exit map is a critical component of your OSHA-required Emergency Action Plan and is typically posted throughout your facility for easy reference.
Why Every Facility Needs an Emergency Exit Map
During emergencies, people experience stress that impairs decision-making. Smoke, darkness, and unfamiliar surroundings can disorient even people who know the building well. Emergency exit maps provide instant visual guidance that requires no thought or memory recall. Studies show buildings with properly posted evacuation maps achieve faster evacuation times and fewer injuries during emergencies. Beyond safety benefits, these maps are expected by OSHA inspectors and fire marshals as evidence of your emergency planning.
What Your Emergency Exit Map Must Include
- "You Are Here" indicator specific to each posting location
- All emergency exit doors with proper symbols
- Primary evacuation routes marked with green arrows
- Secondary/alternate routes in case primary is blocked
- Fire extinguisher locations (red symbols)
- Fire alarm pull station locations
- First aid kit and AED locations
- Emergency assembly point outside building
- Stairwell and elevator locations (mark elevators DO NOT USE)
- Hazardous material storage areas if applicable
- ADA-accessible routes and areas of refuge
- Legend explaining all symbols used
- Building name, floor number, and revision date
Step-by-Step: How to Create an Emergency Exit Map
- Gather your current floor plan (blueprint, CAD drawing, or sketch)
- Walk the facility to verify the floor plan matches actual layout
- Identify all emergency exits and test that they open properly
- Locate all fire extinguishers, pull stations, and first aid equipment
- Determine primary and secondary evacuation routes from each area
- Mark ADA-accessible routes and areas of refuge
- Designate assembly point(s) at safe distance from building
- Create or generate the map with proper symbols and legend
- Have safety officer or fire marshal review before posting
Where to Post Emergency Exit Maps
- All main building entrances and lobbies
- Near elevators on every floor
- At the entrance to each stairwell
- In break rooms and common areas
- At the end of long corridors (visible from approach)
- Near conference rooms and large meeting spaces
- In areas where 10+ employees regularly work
- Posted at eye level (54-60 inches from floor to center)
Emergency Exit Map Tips by Industry
Office Buildings
- Include maps on each floor with floor-specific routes
- Mark server rooms and electrical closets as potential hazards
- Show accessible routes from all workstation clusters
- Post near coffee stations and copy rooms
Warehouses
- Use larger format maps (18x24 or bigger) for visibility
- Account for high shelving that may block visibility
- Mark loading docks that can serve as exits
- Include hazmat storage and spill kit locations
Retail Stores
- Create versions for both customer and employee areas
- Post in fitting rooms and restroom corridors
- Mark stockroom escape routes clearly
- Consider seasonal layout changes
Stay OSHA Compliant โ Generate Your Map Now
Upload your floor plan and get a print-ready, compliant evacuation map instantly.
Create Your Free MapCommon Emergency Exit Map Mistakes
Avoid these frequent errors: Using a generic template without customizing to your actual layout. Missing the "You Are Here" marker or placing it incorrectly. Forgetting to update after renovations or furniture moves. Using unclear or non-standard symbols without a legend. Posting at incorrect height or in poor visibility locations. Failing to mark ADA-accessible routes.
Create Professional Maps with AI
Creating an emergency exit map traditionally requires hiring a professional consultant ($500-2,000 per map) or spending hours with design software. Our AI-powered tool transforms any floor plan sketch, photo, or PDF into a professional, OSHA-compliant emergency exit map in minutes. Simply upload your floor plan, mark your exits and equipment, and our system generates a print-ready map with proper symbols, routes, and formatting. Updates are instant when your layout changes.