Keeping your business’s emergency exits clear may not be the most glamorous task, but it’s one of the most important. These exits help make evacuations during a crisis or unexpected event smoother. Additionally, poor upkeep creates liability issues and can result in fines. Protect both your employees and customers with these practical tips for keeping business emergency exits safe and clear.
Keep Routes Unobstructed
Escape routes often become storage areas if no one’s paying attention. Make it a policy to keep these pathways free of furniture, boxes, or equipment at all times. According to OSHA regulations, emergency exit pathways should be at least 28 inches wide.
Designating these areas as “no storage” zones is a simple yet effective way to prevent blockages. Communicate the importance of these routes with your team. You can hang signs or reminders to reinforce the message that these zones must stay clear.
Test Exit Doors and Storefront Shutters
Exit doors and storefront shutters must operate smoothly to allow people to leave the space quickly. Regularly test all exit doors, along with their handles, latches, and surrounding hardware, to ensure they operate without a hitch.
Exit doors and storefront shutters should also comply with the latest safety standards. One of the best ways to customize security shutters is to pair them with an emergency pull handle. In an evacuation, you can pull the handle, and the shutter will open immediately.
Update Signage and Lighting
Another tip for keeping business emergency exits safe and clear is to have signage and proper lighting. These tools direct people safely out of the building. Ensure that all exit signs are clearly visible and point people to the correct escape route. Place them along escape routes and above or near doorways, stairwells, and intersections.
Emergency lighting improves visibility, even in smoke-filled or dim spaces. Replace flickering or burned-out emergency lights as soon as possible. The easier it is for people to see their way out, the faster and safer evacuations will be.
You can keep your workers and customers safe by keeping exit routes unobstructed, testing doors and shutters for smooth movement, and using the correct signage and lighting. If you want to know more about escape route requirements, take a look at your local fire department’s website or safety code documents.
