When it comes to safety, every business is responsible for keeping its staff and patrons safe. While there are many obvious ways to do this, such as having fire alarms and fire extinguishers, one often overlooked method is posting emergency evacuation signs. An emergency evacuation plan is a map or diagram that shows the safest escape route that people should take in an emergency. These maps are meant to protect the people inside a facility, but are they required in every business? This blog post will help explain the rules and regulations for evacuation plans within various buildings.
For most facilities, determining if evacuation maps are required depends on the type of occupancy involved or the occupancy classification. Buildings can be classified into one or more occupancy groups, which are generally based on the intended purposes of the building. In addition to occupancy classification, plans are further determined by the maximum occupancy load. The maximum occupancy load is the total number of people safely allowed in a room or space within a building, and it’s calculated based on the intended use of that space.
All that said, the question remains, which businesses need evacuation plans? Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer. Evacuation plans are mandatory for certain configurations but not for others, which is why it’s imperative to know where your facility stands.
Which Facilities Require Evacuation Signage?
Whether it’s a government facility, a school, or a religious facility, plans are determined based on the occupancy classification and the maximum occupancy load for those specific businesses. Government facilities, for example, generally fall into two categories: Group A (Assembly) and Group B (Business). Group A consists of assembly occupancies designed for social or civic utility, such as courtrooms. Group B includes professional or service business occupancies, such as civic administration. The main caveat here is that these groups are not limited to the particular examples within the subsections of the IBC. Applying Groups A and B to government facilities will cover most courthouses, city halls, and the like.
Group A occupancies are relatively straightforward. If you fall within the scope of a Group A occupancy, an emergency evacuation plan is the default requirement. However, if you are considered in Group B, an evacuation plan is based on the maximum occupancy load. So if the maximum occupancy load, or the total number of people safely allowed within a building, based on the intended use of that space, exceeds 500 or more people, the IFC requires evacuation plans. The 2021 International Fire Code (IFC), section 403.3, states, “An approved fire safety and evacuation plan… shall be prepared and maintained for buildings containing a Group B occupancy where the Group B occupancy has an occupant load of 500 or more persons….” Considering the volume of professional business in a government facility each day, that facility will fall under these overlapping groups, making evacuation plans necessary.
Let’s say you’ve determined that evacuation plans are required for your area; the next question is who’s responsible for making sure they are in place. While multiple classifications may apply to a single building, the codes require the building containing the occupancies meet the evacuation plan rules. Therefore, it is the city or county’s responsibility to enforce all emergency egress measures necessary to ensure the swift and safe evacuation of all occupants and visitors. Even though employees and regular patrons may know their way around the facility, evacuation plans are created in such a way as to aid a first-time visitor. To that end, floor plans include primary and secondary egress routes, emergency procedures, and any emergency fixtures.
Educational Facilities
Now that we’ve discussed government facilities, another common question is if evacuation maps are required in schools. Educational facilities, 12th grade and lower, fall under Group E (Educational) and require an emergency evacuation plan. Universities and other higher education buildings fall under Group B and R (Residential) and are subject to different requirements.
Religious Facilities
Next, we’ll discuss religious facilities. Are worship centers required to post evacuation plans? Exclusive religious facilities must have evacuation plans if the occupant load exceeds 2,000 persons. The IFC, however, expresses this requirement by stating, “An approved fire safety and evacuation plan in accordance with Section 404 shall be prepared and maintained for Group A occupancies, other than those occupancies used exclusively for purposes of religious worship with an occupant load less than 2,000, ….” In other words, if your facility is used for purposes beyond worship, such as supporting an educational institution or community outreach service, you must comply with the general Group A requirements.
Determining if your facility needs emergency signage can be a bit of a task, especially when understanding building codes. Thankfully, INTERSIGN.com is here to help with all of your emergency signage questions. Once we determine that evacuation maps are needed for your facility, simply send us your floor plans, blueprints, or a copy of your current evacuation plan. We will then take your information and create clean plans showing all emergency information needed and send everything back to you for your review. Still not sure where to start? Contact us today with any questions.