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March 2008 

Storage in Corridors and Exit Pathways


Storage in exit pathways and corridors 

is a persistent problem on Capitol 

Hill. While corridors are a seemingly 

convenient space to store items during 

office moves or renovations, storing 

materials in exit corridors creates a 

serious hazard. Because employees must

have clear exit pathways or routes and 

enough space to exit a building in an

emergency, the Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration (OSHA) and 

National Fire Protection Association 

(NFPA) require a minimum width for

exit pathways. 

Any portion of a building that is open 

to the public or has employees who

are protected by the Americans with 

Disabilities Act (ADA) is required to

have exit access of at least 36 inches; 

the minimum clear width for doors is 

32 inches (28 CFR Part 36 secs. 4.3.3

and 4.13.5). Both OSHA and NFPA 

101, the Life Safety Code, require that 

Figure 1: Pull station and Fire Extinguisher 

Blocked by Stored Furnituire in Corridor 

exit routes not decrease in width going

toward the exit. Also, exit routes may 

not be used for any purpose other than 

an exit, may not be obstructed by any

means, and any objects that project into 

an exit route may not reduce the width 

of the exit route to less than its minimum 

required width (29 CFR 1910.36(g)(4) 

and (f)(2), .37(a)(3); NFPA 101 sections 

4.5.3.2, 4.5.7, 7.1.3.2.3, 7.1.10.2.1, 

7.1.10.2.2, and 7.2.2.5.3). 

When items are stored in corridors, 

they often will be placed along the wall; 

however, important safety devices such 

as fire extinguishers, automated external 

defibrillator (AED) wall mounted units, 

some escape masks, and fire alarm pull

stations, are often mounted on walls. 

Access to safety devices must not be 

obstructed by improperly stored or 

placed items. Important signs that show

exits and evacuation routes, as well as 

brailled exit and staging area signage,

must also be clear of improperly stored

items. Blocking such signage may 

prevent individuals with disabilities from

safely evacuating the building. Similarly, 

persons who use a wheelchair may be 

hindered by storage in the halls. 

The Office of Compliance encourages

all offices to make sure all exit routes are 

kept clear so potential evacuations can

be as safe and swift as possible. Keep 

www.compliance.gov


Figure 2: Storage completely blocking a corridor 

in mind when temporarily relocating 

furniture that entire exit access routes 

must be a minimum of 36 inches for 

wheelchair users, and greater clearances 

for employees and visitors in areas that 

will have large numbers exiting in the 

event of an emergency. This 36 inch 

width cannot decrease anywhere along 

the exit route. 

Figure 3: Storage blocking an exit pathway in a 

stairwell 
Figure 4: Even temporary storage is considered a potential hazard 

fast stats 

Standards to reference: 

• 28 CFR Part 36 sections 4.3.3 and 4.13.5

• 29 CFR 1910.36(g)(4) and (f)(2), .37(a)(3)

• NFPA 101 sections 4.5.3.2, 4.5.7,		7.1.3.2.3, 7.1.10.2.1, 7.1.10.2.2, and 7.2.2.5.3

Items that should never be blocked include: 

• Fire extinguishers

• Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

• Escape masks

• Fire alarm pull stations

• Wall-mounted firefighter phones

• Wall-mounted floor plans with exit routes, nearest exit, or Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

			exiting information

• Room identification signs

• ADA emergency staging area and staging area signs

• Brailled exit information signage

• Brailled signage in exit stairwells and at all building exits.

• Electrical panelboards with circuit breakers inside.

Peter Ames Eveleth 

General Counsel 

Rachel Berg Scherer 

Editor 

If you spot a safety hazard in your legislative branch 

workplace, contact the Office of Compliance to report it: 

Room LA 200, John Adams Building 

110 Second Street, SE 

Washington, DC 20540 

t/ 202-724-9250; tdd/ 202-426-1912; f/ 202-426-1913 

Recorded Information Line/ 202-724-9260 

www.compliance.gov 

The Office of Compliance advances safety, health,

and workplace rights in the U.S. Congress and the 

Legislative Branch. Established as an independent

agency by the Congressional Accountability Act of 

1995, the Office educates employees and employing 

offices about their rights and responsibilities under the 

Act, provides an impartial dispute resolution process,

and investigates and remedies violations of the Act. 

This information does not constitute advice or an official ruling of the Office of Compliance or the Board of Directors and is intended for educational 

purposes only. For further information, please refer to the Congressional Accountability Act (2 U.S.C 1301 et seq.) and the regulations issued by the 

Board, or you may contact the Office of Compliance.