1910.36(a): Exit Route Design and Construction
Employers must make exit routes a permanent part of the workplace. Exits must be separated by fire resistant materials, with a one-hour rating if the exit connects three or fewer stories and a two-hour rating if it connects four or more, and openings into an exit are limited and protected by self-closing, listed or approved fire doors.
Key takeaways
- 1910.36(a) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 18 times in the last 3 years, in 18 inspections, with $30,217 in current penalties.
- Most citations: PR (5), IL (3), MA (3).
- Related part: 1910.36(a)(3) Openings into an exit must be limited (13 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.36(a) ("Basic requirements") is one requirement inside 1910.36 Design and construction requirements for exit routes, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart E). It includes 3 sub-paragraphs. 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
(a) Basic requirements. Exit routes must meet the following design and construction requirements: 18 citations
(1) An exit route must be permanent. Each exit route must be a permanent part of the workplace. 1 citations
(2) An exit must be separated by fire resistant materials. 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 three or fewer stories and a two-hour fire resistance-rating if the exit connects four or more stories. 4 citations
(3) Openings into an exit must be limited. An exit is permitted to have only those openings necessary to allow access to the exit from occupied areas of the workplace, or to the exit discharge. An opening into an exit must be protected by a self-closing fire door that remains closed or automatically closes in an emergency upon the sounding of a fire alarm or employee alarm system. Each fire door, including its frame and hardware, must be listed or approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Section 1910.155(c)(3)(iv)(A) of this part defines “listed” and § 1910.7 of this part defines a “nationally recognized testing laboratory.” Open (a)(3) 13 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.36.
Export the list: 18 inspections cited 1910.36(a) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Top states: PR (5), IL (3), MA (3), RI (1), NV (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| AMBERCARE | SANTA FE, NM | $6,622 |
| AGI POST, INC. | EAST BOSTON, MA | $5,700 |
| MUNICIPIO AUTONOMO DE COAMO | COAMO, PR | $3,000 |
| SOH-JUD - HOME MALUHIA | HONOLULU, HI | $2,954 |
| DDEC | COAMO, PR | $2,550 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.36(a).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.36(a)(3) Openings into an exit must be limited 13 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Can an exit route be temporary?
No. Each exit route must be a permanent part of the workplace.
What fire rating must exit separations have?
One-hour if the exit connects three or fewer stories, two-hour if it connects four or more stories.
What openings are allowed into an exit?
Only openings needed for access from occupied areas or to the exit discharge, protected by a self-closing fire door that stays closed or closes automatically in an emergency.
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 2026-11-06
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.