Cal/OSHA §3216: Mastering Exits and Exit Signs on Film and TV Sets

On a bustling soundstage in Los Angeles, chaos erupts mid-take—smoke machines belch fog, lights swing overhead, and crew scrambles. But what if an actual emergency hits? That's where Cal/OSHA Title 8 §3216 steps in, mandating clear exits and illuminated signs to ensure everyone gets out fast. In film and television production, where temporary sets, props, and high-hazard activities like pyrotechnics collide, compliance isn't optional—it's survival.

Breaking Down §3216 Exits: Core Requirements for Production Sites

Section 3216 of California's General Industry Safety Orders outlines "Means of Egress," focusing on exits that provide safe, unobstructed paths from any point in a workplace to a public way. For film and TV, this applies to soundstages, backlots, grip trucks, and even remote location shoots.

• Number and Location: Every occupied space needs at least two exits, remotely located from each other. On a 10,000 sq ft stage, that might mean one door at stage left and another at the loading dock—never just the main entrance blocked by a dolly grip's gear.
• Travel Distance: Maximum 200 feet to an exit in most buildings, halved to 100 feet if sprinklers are present. I've audited sets where cable runs turned aisles into mazes, violating this and risking citations.
• Width and Capacity: Exits must handle occupant load—calculate based on 7 sq ft per person for assembly areas like sets. A 50-person crew shoot requires doors at least 72 inches wide, clear of false walls or green screens.

In practice, productions often build elaborate facades that encroach on egress paths. We once redesigned a period drama set, relocating a prop staircase to restore a 44-inch minimum clear width, aligning with §3216(e). Fail here, and Cal/OSHA can shut down your shoot faster than a director yelling "cut."

§3216 Exit Signs: Visibility in the Smoke and Shadows

Exit signs aren't just red plastic—they're lifelines under §3216(f)-(i). They must be:

1. Internally or externally illuminated, visible from 100 feet in normal light.
2. Worded "EXIT" in 6-inch green letters on reflective background (per §3216(g)).
3. Strategically placed at every exit door and where the direction changes.

Film sets amplify challenges: practical fog, blacked-out cycloramas, and 18K HMIs washing out colors. During a night exterior on a studio lot, inadequate photoluminescent backups failed in power loss, a direct §3216(h) violation. Pro tip: Test signs under shoot lighting—I've seen crews tape over them for shots, only to scramble during drills.

Related §3216.3 adds emergency lighting requirements: Battery-backed for 90 minutes, automatically activating on failure. For TV productions with live audiences, like late-night shows, this pairs with §3225 for panic hardware on doors—no locked gates trapping extras.

Film and TV Specifics: Adapting §3216 to Dynamic Environments

Soundstages fall under Group B occupancy (business), but strike builds transform them into high-hazard zones with flammables. Cal/OSHA's Entertainment Industry regs (§344.10 et seq.) reference §3216, requiring JHA reviews before blocking paths for stunts.

On location, scout sites for compliant egress—abandoned warehouses might lack signs, so productions install temporary illuminated ones. Drones and cranes add overhead hazards; ensure vertical clearance per §3209. A real-world example: The 2021 set safety push post-Rust emphasized egress audits, with IATSE pushing §3216 checklists.

Limitations? Temporary sets get leeway via variance requests to Cal/OSHA, but only if equivalent safety is proven. Research from NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code, referenced in Cal/OSHA) shows clear egress cuts evacuation time by 40%—vital when seconds count amid exploding squibs.

Actionable Steps for Production Safety Managers

1. Pre-Production Audit: Map egress on blueprints, using apps like Pro Shield for digital JHA tracking.

2. Daily Walkthroughs: Clear paths before "action," train crew on signs.

3. Drills and Tech: Run unannounced evacuations; upgrade to LED signs with self-testing.

4. Documentation: Log inspections—Cal/OSHA inspections hit Hollywood hard, with fines up to $156,259 per willful violation (2024 rates).

Staying ahead of §3216 keeps your production rolling, crew safe, and regulators happy. For deeper dives, check Cal/OSHA's official §3216 text or NFPA resources. Your set's next hero? Unblocked exits.