1. Safety Training Presentation
Means of Egress 29 CFR
Speaker’s Notes:
Evacuation and means of egress is a very important, although often overlooked, part of occupational safety and health.
Most workers in general industry are familiar with evacuation procedures and means of egress; however, many workers in office buildings, medical buildings, hotels, and other buildings with multiple floors have never taken the time to learn about the means of egress in their buildings.
In today's training session we will discuss the basic safety requirements of means of egress so that employees can learn to take their evacuation routes more seriously.

2. Means of Egress
Continuous and unobstructed way of exit travel from any point in a building or structure to a public way
Consists of three parts:
the way of exit access
the exit
the way of exit discharge
Speaker’s Notes:
A means of egress is a continuous and unobstructed way of exit travel from any point in a building or structure to a public way. The key words here are continuous and unobstructed. In later slides we will discuss the importance of making sure that workers can easily escape by making the way of exit clear and easy to follow in an emergency.
The means of egress consists of three basic parts, which are comprised of both vertical and horizontal ways of travel.
The way of exit access refers to how employees will travel from their workstation to the exit door. Workers may need to go down hallways, passageways, corridors, open aisle ways, stairwells, through doorways, lobbies, etc., until the exit door is reached.
The exit is the actual door that leads out of the structure. We will talk about how this door needs to be clearly marked and how it must open easily.
The exit discharge refers to where the exit door actually leads. The door may lead out to a parking lot, sidewalk, busy alley, outdoor courtyard, etc.

3. Number of Exit Routes Number of employees Size of building
Arrangement of workplace
Building occupancy
Background for the Trainer:
Discuss the number of exit routes in your building. Use a facility map to show the different exits that can be used from different locations within the building.
Speaker’s Notes:
Building and fire codes require a certain number of exit routes and certain types of exit routes, depending on a number of factors.
The number of employees or workers must be considered. Low-density work-places such as warehouses do not require as many exits. These exits may be built with minimum standards because of the low volume of people. However, high-rise office buildings with thousands of workers must have multiple exits that are all designed to handle the high volume of people.
The size of the building also impacts the number of exits. A large industrial building will have multiple exits because there are multiple work areas, and exits are needed near each area.
The arrangement of the building also impacts the number of exits. A square building with open floor spaces (i.e., office cubicles) probably does not need as many exits as an odd-shaped building with a number of areas, separated by walls and closed or locked doors (i.e., a hospital).
The type of occupancy also impacts the number of exits. A building in which flammable chemicals or materials are stored or used will require more exits because a fire could be started more easily and also spread more quickly. A building used to store or process noncombustible products may not require as many exits.

4. Location of Exit Routes
Minimum of two exit routes
Exit routes must be remote from each other
If one exit route is blocked, the other is available
Single exit is allowed in rare cases
Speaker’s Notes:
From any point in a building, there must be at least two exit routes to provide different ways for employees to leave the workplace safely during an emergency.
Even if the building has multiple exit routes, at least two of the routes must be remote from each other to provide options. If the exit routes on the north side of the building are blocked by a fire, employees have the option of going to the exit routes on the south side of the building.
A single exit route is allowed in some rare cases. The number of employees, the size of the building, and the arrangement of the workplace is such that a single exit will allow all employees to exit safely during an emergency. Other means of escape, such as an accessible window, are required to be provided in case the one exit becomes blocked.

5. Size of Exit Routes
Large enough for maximum occupant load for each floor
Capacity does not decrease at any point
Minimum of 6 feet 8 inches high
At least 28 inches wide
Speaker’s Notes:
The exit route must be large enough to accommodate the maximum permitted occupant load for each floor served by the evacuation route. If a stairwell is designed to serve as an evacuation route for eight floors, it must be able to handle the maximum occupant load of each of those eight floors.
The capacity of an exit route cannot decrease at any point. This may create a bottleneck in the exit route and block the route. It may cause panic as people are wondering why everyone has stopped. Injuries may occur as people try to push forward into the bottleneck.
Do not use exit routes as storage areas, because this results in decreased capacity of the exit route.
Exit routes must always be a minimum of 6 feet 8 inches high at all points. Objects such as ceiling fans or sprinkler heads cannot hang down below this point.
Exit routes must always be a minimum of 28 inches wide at all points. This includes the distance between handrails.

6. Unobstructed Access Maintain exit routes free of obstructions
Exit route cannot require travel to a dead end
Exit route cannot go through a room that might be locked
Speaker’s Notes:
Maintain exit routes free of obstructions. Remember they are not just the doors or stairwells that lead outside. Exit routes start at any point in the building. That means that exit doors cannot be blocked, and stairwells cannot be used for extra storage. Keep file cabinets and bookshelves out of main aisles or hallways that are used as access ways to exit doors. Do not store janitorial equipment or extra paper for the copy machine in exit routes. Keep routes clear of all obstructions.
Exit routes cannot require employees to travel to a dead end where they may become trapped by a fire. Make sure exit signs pointing to the exit door along the exit route do not point employees in the wrong direction, especially into a dead end.
Exit routes cannot go through rooms that might be locked. If access to the door that leads outside requires employees to go through an office, lunchroom, or some other room with lockable doors, that is not an exit route and should not be labeled as such. For this to be an official exit route, the lock on the door to the room must be removed.

7. Minimize Danger No explosive or flammable items
No materials that burn quickly
No materials that emit poisonous fumes when burned
Speaker’s Notes:
Minimize potential danger to employees while they are going along an exit route. Do not require employees to travel toward areas where high-hazard materials are stored unless the exit route is protected by partitions or other physical barriers.
Keep exit routes free of explosive or highly flammable chemicals, furnishings, decorations, etc. These items could be ignited just by the high temperature of a nearby fire, causing this exit to become blocked off in an emergency.
Keep exit routes free of combustible materials such as cardboard or paper that might also be easily ignited and burn quickly and hot.
Keep exit routes free of materials that might emit poisonous fumes when burned.
Remember, exit routes include hallways, aisle ways, walkways, stairwells, lobbies, and other areas that must be passed through on the way to the exit door that leads outside. Do not store high-hazard materials in or near any of these access ways.

8. Marking Exits Clearly visible sign reading “EXIT”
Exit sign in distinctive color
Signs indicating direction to nearest exit
No obstructions or decorations
Background for the Trainer:
Describe the distinctive color of the EXIT signs in your workplace, or bring a sign in for display.
Speaker’s Notes:
Each exit, or doorway leading outside, must be marked with a clearly visible, distinctive sign that reads EXIT.
The exit signs must have distinctive colors so that they do not blend into the background and can be seen easily from a distance.
Signs must be posted along the exit routes that indicate the direction of travel to the nearest exit. These signs will often have the word EXIT with an arrow pointing to the left or right. In most buildings, there will be a series of EXIT signs with arrows that point out the direction of the exit route before the door that leads to the outside is actually reached.
The exit signs cannot be obstructed or concealed in any way that might prevent people from seeing them. Additional signs on the exit doors may cause confusion. Be careful not to put holiday decorations on or near exit signs. Never put a mirror near an exit door because it will cause confusion on the direction of travel.

9. Nonexit Doors
Any doorway or passage that might be mistaken for an exit
Mark with “NOT AN EXIT”
Mark doors to indicate actual use
Background for the Trainer:
Give specific examples of doorways that would be considered NOT AN EXIT and might be mistaken for an exit.
Speaker’s Notes:
A nonexit door is any doorway or passage that might be mistaken for an exit. Examples include doors to closets, basements, storage rooms, offices, mechanical or electrical rooms, etc.
These doors must be marked with a sign that reads NOT AN EXIT or with a sign indicating the door’s actual use, such as “Basement,” “Closet,” etc.

10. Adequate Lighting Exit routes illuminated
Exit signs illuminated or made of reflective material
Self-lighting signs maintained
No brightly lit objects near exit sign
Speaker’s Notes:
Each exit route must be illuminated in such a way that even during a power outage, emergency lighting is available. The lighting must be adequate and reliable and should be checked regularly to ensure that it is in working condition.
Exit signs themselves must be illuminated. This lighting must also be reliable and should be checked on a regular basis.
Exit signs that are not self-lighting must be made of a reflective material so that they are easy to see when illuminated by the emergency lighting.
Exit signs that are self-lighting must also be checked on a regular basis to ensure that the lighting is always in good working order.
Brightly lit signs, displays, decorations, or other objects should not be used near exit signs where they may distract attention. This includes holiday decorations and neon signs.

11. Outdoor Exit Routes Balcony, porch, roof
Guardrails to protect unenclosed sides
Covered if snow/ice likely to accumulate
Straight with level floor
No dead ends that branch off exit route
Background for the Trainer:
Describe any outdoor exit routes in use at your facility.
Speaker’s Notes:
Sometimes exit routes will take you outside, and although you are outside, you have yet to safely exit the building or structure. A common example of an outdoor exit route is a fire escape on the outside of many older buildings. Although outside, you may have to transcend the many flights of stairs and finally go down a ladder before actually exiting the building.
Outdoor exit routes might also include travel along a balcony, porch, roof, courtyard, etc.
Outdoor exit routes must have guardrails to protect unenclosed sides.
If outdoor exit routes are likely to have snow or ice accumulate, making passage difficult, the outdoor area must be covered.
No dead ends longer than 20 feet are allowed to branch off the exit route. A guardrail, or some other barricade should be installed to prevent employees from going in the wrong direction when trying to evacuate.

12. Doors Readily Open Doors open from the inside
No keys, tools, or special knowledge required
Free of device that could restrict emergency use
Speaker’s Notes:
All doors along the exit route, including the final door that leads outside, must open readily. Doors must open from the inside so that evacuating employees just need to push them open as they go along the exit route. If doors had to be pulled open, a bottleneck could be created, and employees could be injured.
The doors along the exit route must open without the use of keys, tools, or any other special knowledge. A device that locks only from the outside, such as a panic bar, is permitted.
Sometimes exit doors are equipped with an emergency device such as an alarm that will sound when the door is opened. The use of a door with this type of device will trigger a fire alarm. When an exit door is equipped with this type of device, the door must still open easily even if the alarm or emergency device is not functioning correctly.

13. Exit Route Leads Outside
Directly outside to a street or walkway
To an open space with access to the outside
Clearly show how to leave the building
Paths barricaded along exit route that lead elsewhere
Speaker’s Notes:
The exit route that employees follow must eventually lead outside.
The last exit door should lead directly outside to a street or walkway that allows the employees to easily move away from the building or structure.
The last exit door may also lead to an open space with easy access to the outside so that employees can easily move away from the building or structure. If it is unclear in which direction employees should go once they reach the open space, additional exit signs are needed to point the direction.
Exit routes must clearly show the most direct path to leave the building.
Paths along the exit route that lead elsewhere should be barricaded. For example, if the stairs in your exit route lead past the exit to a basement or some other location, then install a gate, door, partition, or some other barricade at the point that leads down to the basement. The barricade route will help employees stay on the exit route taking them out of the building, rather than take a path that leads elsewhere.

14. Emergency Action Plan Escape routes Alarm systems
Evacuation procedures
Training
Background for the Trainer:
Bring a copy of your company’s Emergency Action Plan.
OSHA’s requirements for the Emergency Action Plan can be found in 29 CFR
Speaker’s Notes:
OSHA requires employers to develop an Emergency Action Plan with the following elements:
Escape routes must be identified in the Emergency Action Plan. We have already thoroughly discussed escape routes.
Alarm systems must be identified and discussed in the Emergency Action Plan.
Evacuation procedures must be described in the Emergency Action Plan.
Employee training requirements are also described in the Emergency Action Plan.
The Emergency Action Plan will also have more details regarding the use of fire fighting equipment such as fire extinguishers, what to do in the case of a natural disaster, and other employee responsibilities besides evacuation in the case of an emergency.

15. Alarm Systems Distinctive signal that warns employees of emergencies
Noticeable above surrounding noise and lights
Alarm heard/seen in entire facility
Manual actuation devices
Backup alarm systems
Background for the Trainer:
Discuss the specifics of your company’s alarm system(s). Describe the sound of the audible alarm and what the visual alarm will look like.
OSHA’s alarm requirements can be found in 29 CFR
Speaker’s Notes:
Alarm systems must have a distinctive signal that warns employees of emergencies. The key word here is “distinctive.” The alarm cannot sound like other common noises in the facility, such as buzzers or alarms that machinery might make during normal production. Also, the visual signal must be different from the other lights in the facility. The alarm system must be so distinctive that employees will know or assume that the alarm signal indicates an emergency and not just another noise or light in the workplace.
Both the audible and visual alarm must be noticeable above the surrounding workplace noise and lights.
The alarm must be seen and heard in every area of the facility so that employees, no matter where they are working, will know there is an emergency.
Many alarm systems have components that are automatically triggered, such as detection systems on fire suppression systems. However, OSHA also requires manual activation devices.
Backup alarm systems are also required by OSHA in case the main alarm system malfunctions or is disabled.

16. Sounding Alarm Procedures
Manual pull box alarm
Public address system
Phones or radios
Air horns
Yell for help
Background for the Trainer:
Discuss how the employees at your company can sound the alarm(s).
Speaker’s Notes:
When discussing the procedures for sounding alarms, we will talk about the manual alarms only. Automatic alarms will sound if their sensors or detection systems think a fire is present.
Manual pull box alarms are usually located on walls in open areas such as hallways or near doorways. Pulling the lever will cause the alarm to sound.
A public address (PA) system is commonly used in many workplaces. If an employee discovers a fire, he or she can use the PA system to warn other employees. The specific location of the fire should be stated so that evacuating employees know which direction to avoid.
Phones or radios may also be used to warn others of a fire.
Air horns may also be sounded to warn others of a fire or other emergency. These are often used for backup alarms in case the main alarm or the PA system is not functional.
Yelling for help is the universal backup alarm. If all else fails, it is very natural and effective to yell for help or to yell for others to evacuate. As employees vacate the fire area, they can yell for others to leave, pound on office doors, etc.

17. Test Alarm Systems: At least every two months
Annually for monitored systems
To ensure reliability
To ensure adequacy
Speaker’s Notes:
Regular testing of alarm systems is very important. Alarm systems are rarely used; however, when they are needed, it is important that they work.
Alarm systems must be tested at least every two months. A different trigger device should be used each time a system is tested. If the alarm system has six pulldown boxes, each pulldown box will be tested at least once during the year.
Monitored alarm systems that send a signal to an outside alarm monitoring company must be tested at least annually to make sure the monitoring company is receiving the signal on a timely basis. Monitoring companies will inform the police and fire departments when they receive a signal from a company’s alarm system.
Alarm testing is done to make sure the alarm is reliable and will work when it is needed.
Alarm testing is also done to make sure the alarm can be adequately heard and seen in the workplace. If not, adjustments must be made.

18. Emergency Numbers Post near phones
Post on employee notification boards
Post in supervisors’ offices
Include fire, police, hospital
Include emergency response personnel
Background for the Trainer:
Discuss where your emergency phone numbers are posted.
Speaker’s Notes:
Post emergency phone numbers so that all employees, supervisors, and managers can have easy access to the numbers.
Post emergency numbers near all phones.
Post emergency numbers on employee notification boards.
Post emergency numbers in supervisors’ offices.
Emergency numbers to post should include fire department, police, hospital, etc.
Emergency numbers might also include the phone numbers of emergency response personnel such as those employees on an emergency response team or fire brigade.

19. Evacuation Assignments
Evacuation coordinators
Head count
First aid and CPR
Equipment shutdown
Fire responders
Evacuation of employees who need assistance
Background for the Trainer:
Discuss the specific evacuation assignments that are described in your company’s Emergency Action Plan.
Speaker’s Notes:
An evacuation coordinator is usually in charge of making sure all personnel are out of a specific area. The evacuation coordinator might check offices, bathrooms, breakrooms, etc., to make sure the area is all clear before evacuating themselves. The evacuation coordinator would do this only if it were safe to do so.
Once everyone has evacuated the building and reported to a designated assembly area, a count should be done to make sure everyone is safely out. If not, fire department personnel must be informed that someone is missing. A manager, supervisor, or human resources representative should be assigned to do a head count.
Designate employees trained in first aid and CPR to grab a first-aid kit before evacuating so that supplies are available in case someone is injured during the evacuation.
If safe to do so, it is important to shut down equipment before evacuating—especially in a manufacturing environment. In some cases, employees will be designated to stay behind and shut down critical equipment, but only if safe to do so.
Some personnel might be trained to respond to small incipient fires with fire extinguishers or fire hoses.
Employees might be assigned to assist any employees who may need help evacuating. A co-worker in a wheelchair will need assistance down the stairs to the exit door. Someone on crutches will also need assistance to evacuate.
If employees do not have any specific assignment during evacuation, their only role is to get out of the building safely.

20. Evacuation Procedures
Recognize the evacuation signal
Listen for instructions
Shut down equipment
Follow the nearest exit route
Proceed to the assembly area
Speaker’s Notes:
Evacuation procedures are pretty simple.
Recognize the evacuation signal. It might be an audible alarm, visual signal, PA announcement, air horn, or someone yelling.
Listen for any specific instructions. An evacuation might be required in only part of the building. Or instructions might tell you where the fire is located so that you know to follow an exit route that goes in the opposite direction.
Shut down any nearby equipment with the emergency stop.
Follow the nearest exit route.
Once out of the building, proceed to the designated assembly area.

21. Employee Training Location of evacuation routes Alarm signals
Assembly areas
Evacuation assignments
Drills
Speaker’s Notes:
Employee training in means of egress is very important.
Employees must be trained in the location of the evacuation routes as well as the importance of keeping exit routes clear.
Employees must learn to recognize alarm signals.
Train employees on the assembly area locations.
If employees have evacuation assignments, they require additional training so that they can successfully complete their assignment during an emergency.
Conduct regular drills so that employees become very familiar with the evacuation process.

22. Exits at Home Determine exits Develop evacuation plan
Train your family
Know the location of exits in public places
Speaker’s Notes:
Take this knowledge of exits and evacuation and use it to make your home safer.
If you live in a house, make sure your family has a few different exits. Most homes have a front door and a back door that can be used as exits. If not, designate a window on the opposite side of the house as your main door. Make that window your exit. Keep it clear and have a chair or step stool available so that the window can be climbed through easily.
If your home has a second floor, make sure you have another exit from the second floor besides the stairs. Designate a window that your family can climb through and have an escape ladder that can be thrown out the window.
If you live in an apartment, find at least two nearby exit routes that your family can take if necessary.
Develop an evacuation plan. Include alarms, location of fire extinguishers, exit routes, assembly areas, and other emergency supplies.
Train your family. Conduct several drills per year so that your family knows what to do in an emergency.
Know the locations of exit routes in public areas such as stores, shopping malls, sporting venues, hotels, etc., so that you are mentally prepared to exit in case of an emergency.

23. Summary Know the location of your exit routes
Keep exit routes clear of obstructions
Keep exit signs clearly visible
Recognize alarm signals
Take evacuation drills seriously

24. Quiz
1. Describe the exit route that is nearest to your normal workstation.
2. Describe an alternate exit route from your normal workstation.
3. Name some items that you have seen obstructing exit routes.
4. Signs along the exit route only need to say “EXIT.” True or False
5. Some doors might be mistaken for an exit; how should those doors be marked?
Speaker’s Notes:
Just relax. This quiz will help us review the information as well as make sure you understand what we discussed today.

25. Quiz (cont.)
6. Exit doors cannot be locked from the inside True or False
7. Once you exit the building, where should you go?
8. Describe what the emergency alarm in your building looks and sounds like.
9. Describe how you would sound the alarm in your building if you discovered a fire.
10. What is the minimum number of exit routes for any work area?

26. Quiz Answers 1. Various answers, depending on location of workstation
3. Various answers: file cabinets, storage boxes, janitorial supplies, old furniture, etc.
4. False; the signs also need to point to the direction of the exit.
5. “NOT AN EXIT”

27. Quiz Answers (cont.) 6. True 7. Go to the designated assembly area.
8. Example: police siren and flashing white lights
9. Manual pull box, PA system, phone, air horn, yelling
10. Two exit routes that are remote from each other