Means of egress requirements

Yes. Under 1926.34(a), exits must be arranged and maintained so occupants at all times have free and unobstructed egress from all parts of the building or structure when it is occupied.

• This means routes to exits should not be blocked, piled with materials, or otherwise impeded while the space is occupied.
• The phrase "at all times when it is occupied" makes clear the obligation applies whenever people are present in the building or structure.

(See 1926.34(a).)

No. 1926.34(a) forbids installing any lock or fastening that prevents free escape from the inside of a building, except for a narrow, specific exception for certain institutions.

• The only permitted exception is for mental, penal, or corrective institutions where supervisory personnel are continually on duty and where effective provisions exist to remove occupants in case of fire or other emergency.

(See 1926.34(a).)

Yes. 1926.34(b) requires that exits be marked by a readily visible sign, and that access to exits be marked when the exit or the way to reach it is not immediately visible to occupants.

• If an exit is behind a corner, down a corridor, or otherwise not obvious from occupied spaces, the route must have visible signs directing occupants to the exit.

(See 1926.34(b).)

Yes. 1926.34(c) requires means of egress to be continually maintained free of all obstructions or impediments so they are ready for full, instant use in case of fire or other emergency.

• "Continually maintained" means these pathways should not be left blocked at any time when the building is occupied.
• Examples of obstructions include stored materials, stacked equipment, or temporary barriers that block corridors, stairs, or doorways used for egress.

(See 1926.34(c).)

It applies to every building or structure. 1926.34 begins by stating, "In every building or structure exits shall be so arranged and maintained...", so the requirement is not limited to new construction.

• The standard's language covers existing buildings and structures as well as new ones while they are occupied.

(See 1926.34.)

No. The exception in 1926.34(a) is limited to mental, penal, or corrective institutions where supervisory personnel are continually on duty and effective provisions exist to remove occupants in an emergency—if supervisory personnel are not continually on duty, the exception does not apply.

• That means facilities that cannot meet both conditions may not install locks or fastenings that prevent free escape from the inside.

(See 1926.34(a).)

The standard requires that access to exits be marked by readily visible signs whenever the exit or the way to reach it is not immediately visible to occupants, per 1926.34(b).

• Practically, this means posting clear signs along corridors or at intersections that direct occupants to the nearest exit when it cannot be seen from the occupied space.

(See 1926.34(b).)

It means egress routes must be kept immediately usable without delay in an emergency, as required by 1926.34(c).

• Doors, stairs, corridors, and exit pathways should not have impediments that would slow or prevent people from leaving quickly in a fire or other emergency.
• Items that would create trip hazards or block passage violate the requirement to keep means of egress ready for "full instant use."

(See 1926.34(c).)

The text of 1926.34(b) requires exits be marked by a "readily visible sign," but it does not specify exact size, wording, or illumination in that provision.

• Because the standard uses the term "readily visible sign," employers should ensure signs are clear and visible under normal conditions (for example, positioned so occupants can see them and adequately contrasted or illuminated).

(See 1926.34(b).)

The standard requires that means of egress "shall be continually maintained free of all obstructions," per 1926.34(c); it places the maintenance obligation on the party responsible for the building or workspace.

• In practice, that means owners, contractors, or employers who control the worksite must ensure egress routes remain clear while the building is occupied.

(See 1926.34(c).)

No. Because 1926.34(a) and 1926.34(c) require free, unobstructed egress and that means of egress be continually maintained free of obstructions, temporary blocking of an egress route while the building is occupied would violate those provisions.

• If work must be done that would obstruct a route, the employer or site controller must take steps (such as scheduling work when areas are unoccupied or providing equally safe, unobstructed alternate routes) to maintain compliant egress.

(See 1926.34(a) and 1926.34(c).)

No. 1926.34(a) requires exits be arranged and maintained to provide free and unobstructed egress from all parts of the building or structure at all times when it is occupied, so the rule applies uniformly to every occupied area of the building.

• Every occupied area must have a clear path to an exit; you cannot apply a laxer standard in some occupied sections.

(See 1926.34(a).)

Access to an exit must be signed whenever the exit or the way to reach it is not immediately visible to occupants, according to 1926.34(b).

• So even if the exit door has an exit sign, you also need directional signs along the route if occupants cannot see the exit from where they normally are.

(See 1926.34(b).)

Yes. The requirement that exits provide free and unobstructed egress "at all times when it is occupied" in 1926.34(a) applies regardless of the time of day—if people are present during night shifts, weekends, or any other period, egress must remain unobstructed.

• Occupancy, not the clock, triggers the obligation to maintain clear egress.

(See 1926.34(a).)

Yes, but only under narrow conditions. 1926.34(a) allows locks or fastenings that would otherwise prevent escape only in mental, penal, or corrective institutions where supervisory personnel are continually on duty and effective provisions are made to remove occupants in case of fire or other emergency.

• Both conditions (continual supervision and effective removal procedures) must be met for the exception to apply.

(See 1926.34(a).)

Yes. While 1926.34(c) uses the general phrase "means of egress," that term includes stairs, corridors, and other passageways used to exit a building; these must be continually maintained free of obstructions for immediate use in an emergency.

• Any element of the normal exit route (doors, stairs, corridors) that would prevent full, instant use in an emergency must be kept clear.

(See 1926.34(c).)

The text of 1926.34(b) only states exits must be marked by a "readily visible sign" and that access must be marked when not immediately visible; it does not provide detailed technical requirements for low-visibility conditions such as smoke or darkness.

• Because the standard expects signs to be "readily visible," employers should consider illumination or materials that remain visible in likely emergency conditions, but the specific measures are not spelled out in 1926.34(b) itself.

(See 1926.34(b).)

Not for that unoccupied period; the duty in 1926.34(a) applies "at all times when it is occupied." If a space is truly unoccupied, the timing requirement in 1926.34(a) would not be triggered; however, general safety practice would still encourage maintaining egress routes.

• Note: when the space becomes occupied again, the requirements immediately apply.

(See 1926.34(a).)