1910.36(e)(2): Exit Doors Must Swing Out
The door connecting a room to an exit route must swing out in the direction of exit travel if the room is designed for more than 50 people, or if it is a high hazard area with contents likely to burn very fast or explode.
Key takeaways
- 1910.36(e)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 20 times in the last 3 years, in 20 inspections, with $27,570 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MA (3), PA (2), VA (2).
- Related part: 1910.36(e) A side-hinged exit door must be used (45 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.36(e)(2) is one requirement inside 1910.36 Design and construction requirements for exit routes, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart E). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(2) The door that connects any room to an exit route must swing out in the direction of exit travel if the room is designed to be occupied by more than 50 people or if the room is a high hazard area (i.e., contains contents that are likely to burn with extreme rapidity or explode). 20 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.36.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: MA (3), PA (2), VA (2), TX (1), AZ (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PIEDMONT AIRLINES, INC. | NORFOLK, VA | $4,565 |
| DEER PARK LUMBER INC | TUNKHANNOCK, PA | $3,500 |
| TIGHE WAREHOUSING & DISTRIBUTION INC | WINCHESTER, MA | $3,500 |
| SUMMIT TRAILERS, LLC. | SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, PA | $3,165 |
| SOUNDOWN CORPORATION | SALEM, MA | $3,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.36(e)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.36(e)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.36(e) A side-hinged exit door must be used 45 citations
- 1910.36(e)(1) 25 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
When must a door swing out toward the exit?
When the room is designed to be occupied by more than 50 people, or is a high hazard area.
What is a high hazard area?
An area containing contents that are likely to burn with extreme rapidity or explode.
Which door does this apply to?
The door that connects the room to an exit route.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.36 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.