Design & Construction Requirements

There are minimum requirements employers must meet regarding exit routes in order to make sure employees are able to safely evacuate the workplace during an emergency. These exit requirements apply to all workplaces, with the exception of mobile workplaces such as vehicles and vessels.

Basic Requirements

An exit route must meet certain basic requirements, as follows:

• An exit route must be a permanent part of the workplace.
• An exit route must be separated by fire resistant materials. If the exit connects three or fewer stories, the construction materials used to separate an exit from other parts of the workplace must have a one hour fire-resistance rating. If the exit connects four or more stories it must have a two hour fire-resistance rating.
• Openings into an exit must be limited. Openings into exits must meet certain requirements, such as:
  • Openings may only allow access to the exit from occupied areas or to the exit discharge.
  • Openings must be protected by a self-closing fire door that remains closed or automatically closes in an emergency when the fire alarm or employee alarm system sounds.
  • Fire doors must be listed or approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.

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