California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 7 - General Industry Safety Orders
Group 1 - General Physical Conditions and Structures
Article 2 - Standard Specifications
Section 3215 - Means of Egress

(a) These regulations contain general fundamental requirements essential to providing a safe means of egress from buildings in the event of fire and other emergencies. Nothing in these regulations shall be construed to prohibit a better type of building construction, more exits, or otherwise safer conditions than the minimum requirements specified in these regulations.

(b) Exits from vehicles, vessels, or other mobile structures are not covered under these regulations except when in fixed locations and occupied as buildings.

(c) In every building or structure of such size, arrangement, or occupancy that a fire may not itself provide adequate warning to occupants, fire alarm facilities or procedures, including an evacuation plan, shall be provided where necessary to warn occupants of the existence of fire so that they may escape or to facilitate the orderly conduct of fire exit drills.

(d) Any device or alarm installed to restrict the use of an exit shall be so designed and installed that it cannot, even in cases of failure, impede or prevent emergency use of such exit. (Title 24, Part 2, Section 2-3301.)

(e) Whenever the building is occupied, exit paths shall be lighted so that they may be easily recognized and all exit and directional signs shall be clearly visible. Artificial lighting sufficient to enable objects to be seen and egress made under emergency conditions shall be provided when natural lighting is inadequate.

(Title 24, Part 2, Section 2-3312(a).)

(f) No building or structure under construction shall be occupied in whole or in part until all exit facilities required for the part occupied are completed and ready for use.

(g) No existing building shall be occupied during repairs or alterations unless all existing exits and any existing fire protection, or equivalent exits and fire protection is provided and maintained.