Evacuation Maps - Posting Requirements
Are evacuation maps required to be posted in health care organizations?
Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.
Evacuation maps and life safety drawings may be confused as the same, and sometimes the terms used interchangeably. These are in fact 2 different drawings. Life safety drawings which are part of the floor plans for a facility include all the details of the building construction and infrastructure, but do not indicate emergency egress routes.
Evacuation maps are a basic floor plan indicating rooms, exits and stairwells, and include the emergency escape route that is easy to follow-up in an emergency. These are no longer required by The Joint Commission. Way finding has been proven highly effective through the use of lighted exit signage.
If you choose to continue to use evacuation maps be sure to keep them up-to-date and accurate, so they reflect the current state of the area.
In some cases, local or state fire marshals have required evacuation maps. Check with them prior to removing the evacuation maps. If your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) mandates the posting of such maps, then the Joint Commission would expect compliance.
Evacuation maps and life safety drawings may be confused as the same, and sometimes the terms used interchangeably. These are in fact 2 different drawings. Life safety drawings which are part of the floor plans for a facility include all the details of the building construction and infrastructure, but do not indicate emergency egress routes.
Evacuation maps are a basic floor plan indicating rooms, exits and stairwells, and include the emergency escape route that is easy to follow-up in an emergency. These are no longer required by The Joint Commission. Way finding has been proven highly effective through the use of lighted exit signage.
If you choose to continue to use evacuation maps be sure to keep them up-to-date and accurate, so they reflect the current state of the area.
In some cases, local or state fire marshals have required evacuation maps. Check with them prior to removing the evacuation maps. If your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) mandates the posting of such maps, then the Joint Commission would expect compliance.
Manual:
Hospital and Hospital Clinics
Chapter:
Life Safety LS
First published date: April 11, 2016
This Standards FAQ was first published on this date.
This page was last updated on October 25, 2021
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