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 3228 - Number of Exits
Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) Every building or usable portion thereof shall have at least two exits to permit prompt evacuation of employees and other building occupants during an emergency. The exits shall be located as far away as practicable from each other so that if one exit is inaccessible because of fire or smoke, employees can evacuate using the second exit.
EXCEPTION: In accordance with Title 24, Part 2, California Code of Regulations, a single exit shall be permitted where the number of employees, the size of the building, its occupancy or the arrangement of the workplace is such that all employees would be able to evacuate safely during an emergency.
(b) More than two exits must be provided in a workplace if the number of employees, the size of the building, its occupancy, or the arrangement of the workplace is such that all employees would not be able to evacuate safely during an emergency if only two exits were provided. NOTE to subsections (a) and (b): For assistance in determining the number of workplace exits, and the necessary distance between exits, consult Title 24, Part 2, California Code of Regulations, and your local jurisdiction fire department.
1. New
section filed 6-20-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 75, No.
25).
2. Amendment filed 7-16-76; effective thirtieth day thereafter
(Register 76, No. 29).
3. Amendment of subsection (k) filed
12-23-77; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 77, No.
52).
4. Amendment filed 5-25-83; effective thirtieth day thereafter
(Register 83, No. 22). Approved by State Building Standards Commission
1-24-83.
5. Amendment filed 5-26-83; effective thirtieth day
thereafter (Register 83, No. 22). Approved by State Building Standards
Commission 1-24-83.
6. Repealer and new section and repealer of
Table E-1 filed 3-5-2008; operative 4-4-2008 (Register 2008, No. 10). For prior
history of Table E-1, see Register 83, No. 22.
Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code; and Section 18943(c), Health and Safety Code.
