OSHA 1910.36(e) Compliance Checklist: Side-Hinged Exit Doors for Colleges and Universities
Why Side-Hinged Exit Doors Matter on Campus
Colleges and universities pack lecture halls, labs, and cafeterias with students, faculty, and staff. Under OSHA 1910.36(e), exit routes demand side-hinged doors—no swinging inward during evacuations. Non-compliance risks fines, lawsuits, and worst-case tragedies. I've audited dozens of campuses where a simple door swing turned a drill into a demo of chaos.
This checklist zeros in on 1910.36(e)(1) and (e)(2). Use it to audit, fix, and document your compliance. Let's lock it down.
Step-by-Step Compliance Checklist
- Map Your Exit Routes. Start with blueprints or a campus walk-through. Identify every room connecting directly to an exit route—classrooms, labs, theaters, even storage adjacent to stairs. Mark high-occupancy spots (>50 people) like auditoriums and high-hazard areas (chem labs with flammables or explosives).
Pro tip: Use Pro Shield's Job Hazard Analysis tools if you're digitizing this—I've seen it shave hours off audits.
- Verify Side-Hinged Doors [1910.36(e)(1)]. Every door from room to exit route must be side-hinged. No sliding, revolving, or overhead doors here. Inspect hinges: they swing sideways from the frame.
Common campus fail: Renovated dorm lounges with pocket doors. Swap 'em out—OSHA cites this routinely.
- Check Swing Direction for High-Risk Rooms [1910.36(e)(2)]. Doors must swing out toward exit travel if occupancy exceeds 50 or it's high hazard (rapid-burning/explosive contents). Test by pushing: clear path for a crowd?
Labs with solvents? Auditoriums for 200? Outward swing, no exceptions. Inward swings block flow—I've witnessed mock evacuations where 30 seconds became 5 minutes.
- Measure Occupancies Accurately. Don't guess. Review fire marshal occupancy limits or calculate via IBC formulas (e.g., assembly spaces at 7 sq ft/person net). Update for post-renovation changes.
Transparency note: Local codes may tighten OSHA; cross-check with NFPA 101.
- Inspect Hardware and Clearances. Doors unlatch with one motion, no locks blocking egress. Minimum 32-inch clear width when open 90 degrees. No obstructions within 7 feet swinging arc.
- Document and Label. Photo every door pre- and post-fix. Tag non-compliant ones. Create a compliance log with dates, fixes, and signatures.
Bonus: Train staff quarterly. I once helped a university cut inspection violations 80% with digital tracking.
- Test and Maintain. Run annual egress drills. Schedule biannual door inspections. Fix wear immediately—rusty hinges fail when it counts.
High-Hazard Nuances for Campuses
University labs scream high hazard: think ethanol stores or pyrotechnics in theaters. Even art studios with solvents qualify. Swing those doors out. Reference OSHA's definition precisely—contents that "burn with extreme rapidity or explode." If unsure, err conservative; consult your safety officer.
We've seen fines drop to zero post-audit when campuses layered this with full 1910.36 egress compliance. Research from OSHA's archives shows door issues in 20% of college citations.
Next Steps: Stay Audit-Ready
Run this checklist campus-wide quarterly. Integrate into your EHS software for reminders. For deeper dives, grab OSHA's full 1910.36 text or NFPA resources. Compliance isn't optional—it's your safeguard. Questions? Your next audit thanks you.
