What Must Be Included on an OSHA Evacuation Map?

The 9-element evacuation map checklist

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 requires a written Emergency Action Plan with evacuation procedures and exit-route assignments, but it does not enumerate the visual symbols a posted map must show. The widely accepted working checklist — the one fire marshals, insurers, and AHJs expect — is assembled from NFPA 101 §7, ISO 23601, and OSHA 1910.37 read together.

1. YOU ARE HERE marker — a clearly contrasting star or dot anchored at the position where the map is posted.
2. Primary exit — the closest unobstructed exit from the YOU ARE HERE point, labeled EXIT with a directional pill.
3. Secondary (and tertiary) exits — required by 1910.36(b)(1); numbered EXIT 1 / EXIT 2 / EXIT 3 when more than one is shown.
4. Evacuation route arrows — a continuous line from YOU ARE HERE to each exit, color-coded so the primary route is the most prominent.
5. Outdoor assembly point — placed outside the building footprint with a clearly distinct icon.
6. Fire equipment — fire extinguishers (NFPA 10 + OSHA 1910.157), alarm pull stations, hose reels, sprinkler control valves where present.
7. Medical / accessibility equipment — AEDs, first-aid kits, eyewash stations, areas of refuge in multi-story buildings.
8. Legend — plain-language key explaining every icon used on the map.
9. Orientation + identification — north arrow, building/floor identifier, posting date, version number, and the name of the person responsible for the EAP.

A draft that includes all nine elements satisfies a typical OSHA inspection and the matching local fire-code requirement at the same time. For a more detailed breakdown of each element, see our fire evacuation map requirements guide and the OSHA exit-sign requirements page.

Exits and routes — the rules behind the symbols

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.36 requires at least two exit routes from most workplaces, located as far apart as practical, and 1910.37 requires those routes to be unobstructed and adequately lit. On the map this translates to two visible EXIT pills minimum, with a continuous route line tracing the actual corridor a person would walk. NFPA 101 §7.6 sets occupancy-specific travel-distance limits (commonly 200 ft for unsprinklered business occupancies, 250–300 ft sprinklered) — if a route on the map exceeds those distances, the floor plan needs another exit, not a longer arrow.

Color-code the primary route differently from the secondary so an occupant reads the safest path in under two seconds. ISO 23601 recommends ISO 7010 safety green for the primary egress line and a contrasting accent (often white-on-green or a lighter green) for backup routes.

Fire equipment and assembly point

The posted map should mark every required piece of fire-response equipment: extinguishers (NFPA 10 sizing and travel-distance rules apply — typically 75 ft max travel for Class A and 50 ft for Class B), manual alarm pull stations, hose reels, and sprinkler control valves where present. Specialty environments add their own equipment: Class K extinguishers and hood-suppression pull stations in restaurant kitchens; eyewash and safety showers in labs and chemical handling; LOTO stations near electrical and mechanical rooms.

The assembly point belongs outside the building footprint — far enough from the structure to be clear of falling glass and emergency-vehicle access. NFPA 101 §7.7 and OSHA 1910.38(c)(3) (accounting for all employees after evacuation) make the assembly point the place where headcount happens. On the map it should be the most visually distinct icon on the page so people orient to it instantly.

Labels, legend, and accessibility

Every icon used on the map should be defined once in a plain-language legend. Use a sans-serif typeface, high contrast against the floor color, and avoid decorative fonts that fail at typical posting distance (8–10 feet). ISO 23601 specifies minimum sign sizes based on viewing distance — A3 (11.7" × 16.5") is the practical floor for posted maps in offices and corridors, with larger formats for lobbies and assembly areas.

Accessibility matters: the international symbol of accessibility belongs at every accessible exit, area of refuge, and the assembly point. For multilingual workforces, repeat the legend in the primary languages spoken on site. For healthcare facilities, the map should mark smoke compartments and defend-in-place zones — see our clinic evacuation plan maps page for the occupancy-specific overlay.

Where to post the map (and how often to update it)

The map is only useful where people see it before an emergency. The typical posting locations are conspicuous wall positions near every employee entry point, in corridors at decision points, near elevator lobbies, inside guest rooms for hotels, behind classroom doors for K-12, and at every nurse station for healthcare. Mount at 5–6 ft from the floor to the center of the map. For a full breakdown by occupancy type, see our where to post evacuation maps guide.

Update the map whenever the floor plan changes — walls moved, doors sealed, suites combined, fire equipment relocated — and at minimum during the annual review of the written EAP. The single most common inspector finding is a posted map that no longer matches the building. Regenerating from an updated floor plan should take minutes, not weeks.

Generate a draft that includes every element

Upload a floor plan, sketch, PDF, or photo to the free evacuation map generator. OSHAMap returns an OSHA-aligned draft with exits, evacuation arrows, YOU ARE HERE, assembly point, equipment markers, and a legend — designed to support the visual portion of your 29 CFR 1910.38 EAP. Final review by a qualified safety professional, fire marshal, or authority having jurisdiction is required before posting.

Frequently asked questions