Q: How wide must an exit route be?
Quick Answer:
OSHA requires exit routes to be at least 28 inches wide at any point. Routes must be wide enough for the expected occupant load and cannot decrease in width toward the exit.
Everything you need to know about OSHA exit route standards, from dimensions to signage to common violations.
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OSHAMap creates an OSHA-aligned draft for review. Your safety team or AHJ should verify the final map before posting.
No design skills are required. Our AI understands hand-drawn floor plans, smartphone photos, scanned blueprints, and PDF documents. Simply upload any representation of your facility layout and receive a professional-grade emergency evacuation map instantly.
OSHAMap is designed to help users organize key evacuation-planning information commonly associated with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 โ clearly marked exit routes, fire extinguisher locations within 75-foot travel distance, assembly points, YOU ARE HERE markers, and accessibility accommodations per ADA guidelines. Each draft must be reviewed and verified for the actual workplace by the employer, safety officer, or AHJ before posting.
Yes. If you renovate your office or add an emergency exit, re-upload the updated floor plan and create a new draft for review. Free accounts include up to 5 regenerations per upload; verify each revision against the workplace before posting.
Our generator works for any building type including warehouses, manufacturing plants, healthcare facilities, schools, retail stores, and office buildings. The AI adapts to any facility size and layout, generating appropriate exit routes, fire safety equipment placement, and assembly point locations.
OSHA requires at least two exit routes in most workplaces to ensure one remains available if the other is blocked. More exits may be required based on: occupancy load, floor size, travel distance to exit, and specific hazards present. Exits should be located as far apart as practical to minimize the chance both are blocked.
Evacuation maps demonstrate exit route compliance by showing: all available exits, primary and secondary routes from each area, exit widths where relevant, and clear paths free of obstructions. Maps help employees identify the nearest exits and alternate routes if primary exits are blocked.
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Create Your Free MapOSHA requires all exit routes to be at least 28 inches wide at any point
Battery backup must power emergency lights for at least 90 minutes
EXIT signs must be visible from at least 100 feet away
Exit route obstructions are the 3rd most common OSHA citation
The biggest mistake I see is treating exit route compliance as a one-time setup. Exit routes need weekly inspections. I recommend appointing a "route warden" on each shift who walks every exit path before operations begin. Check for blocked doorways, propped-open fire doors, and stored materials in corridors. A 30-second daily walk-through prevents 90% of the exit violations I cite. Also, test emergency lighting monthly - dead batteries are inexcusable when they're the difference between safe evacuation and tragedy.
A 150,000 sq ft distribution center received 4 OSHA citations totaling $62,500 for blocked exits, non-illuminated signs, and exit routes that narrowed below 28 inches due to pallet storage. Operations had gradually encroached on exit paths over 3 years.
The facility painted bright yellow floor markings designating "no storage" zones around all exit routes, installed motion-sensor emergency lighting, added weekly exit route inspections to the supervisor checklist, and used our tool to create updated evacuation maps showing proper clearance zones.
The facility documented its corrective actions, kept exit paths clear, and incorporated route checks into routine supervision. Actual inspection, insurance, and drill outcomes depend on the workplace and reviewing authority.
OSHA requires exit routes to be at least 28 inches wide at any point. Routes must be wide enough for the expected occupant load and cannot decrease in width toward the exit.
At least two exit routes are required in most workplaces. Additional exits may be required based on occupancy, distance, and hazards. Exits should be placed far apart so one remains usable if the other is blocked.
Yes. Exit doors must swing in the direction of exit travel (outward) so they do not impede evacuation. This is required for all occupied spaces.
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Yes โ 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.
Our AI drafts maps that follow OSHA 29 CFR 1910.36โ37 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.
We accept PNG, JPG, GIF, WebP, BMP, TIFF, AVIF, HEIC, SVG, PDF, DOC/DOCX, PPT/PPTX, XLS/XLSX, ODT, ODP, ODS, DXF, and DWG floor plans. Office and CAD files are converted securely before processing; PDF uploads let you choose the source page.
Most maps are generated in 20โ40 seconds. Complex multi-floor plans may take slightly longer. You see the preview instantly โ create a free account (no credit card) to download the file.
Yes โ 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.
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.
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.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, OSHAMap, its owners, operators, affiliates, and licensors shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from use of this service, including but not limited to workplace injuries, OSHA violations, regulatory fines, property damage, or any other losses.
Cost comparisons and savings estimates are based on industry averages for professional safety consultant fees and are provided for informational purposes only. Actual costs, savings, and results may vary significantly based on your specific situation.
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