1910.36(g)(1): Exit Route Ceiling Height
Employers must make sure the ceiling of an exit route is at least seven feet six inches high. Nothing hanging from the ceiling may reach lower than six feet eight inches from the floor.
Key takeaways
- 1910.36(g)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 9 times in the last 3 years, in 9 inspections, with $17,376 in current penalties.
- Related part: 1910.36(g) An exit route must meet minimum height and width requirements (408 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.36(g)(1) 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
(1) The ceiling of an exit route must be at least seven feet six inches (2.3 m) high. Any projection from the ceiling must not reach a point less than six feet eight inches (2.0 m) from the floor. 9 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.36.
Where and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
- Interpretation when height of exit route corridors are lower than specified. (1981-01-21)
- Clarification of head room requirements for emergency doors and machine guarding. (1975-12-08)
- Interpretation for doorways not complying with exit route requirements. (1975-05-01)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.36(g) An exit route must meet minimum height and width requirements 408 citations
- 1910.36(g)(2) 359 citations
- 1910.36(g)(4) 40 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How high must an exit route ceiling be?
At least seven feet six inches.
Can pipes or signs hang down into the exit route?
Projections are allowed only if they do not reach a point less than six feet eight inches from the floor.
Why does exit route height matter?
People leaving in an emergency need clear headroom so they do not strike objects while escaping.
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 2026-10-21
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.