When a locker room needs a second exit

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

August 9, 1976

Mr. Robert C. Harris
Manager of Personnel
Beloit Corporation
Paper Machinery Div.
[Recipient address omitted]

In re: Your letter dated July 30, 1976,
Means of Egress 1910.36

Dear Mr. Harris:

Your letter to Milwaukee Area Director Robert Hanna has been referred to this office for response.

Your letter asks if a locker - washroom in your plant requires more than one means of egress. OSHA standard 1910.36(b)(8) reads as follows:

"Every building or structure, section, or area thereof of such size, occupancy, and arrangement that the reasonable safety of numbers of occupants may be endangered by the blocking of any single means of egress due to fire or smoke, shall have at least two means of egress remote from each other, so arranged as to minimize any possibility that both may be blocked by any one fire or other emergency conditions."

This paragraph does not automatically require at least two means of egress; a second (or more) means of egress would be required if the area were occupied by a large number of employees, or if hazardous processes were being carried out, or for similar reasons.

We suggest you ascertain if local building codes require additional means of egress.

Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.

Very truly yours,

EDWARD J. LARGENT
Assistant Regional Administrator
for Technical Support