What Door Signs Are Required by OSHA for Businesses

Shop Door Safety Signs:

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  Exit Sign

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  Illuminated Exit Signs

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  Not an Exit Signs

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  Fire Door Keep Closed Signs

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  Confined Space Warnings

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  Authorized Personnel Only Door Signs

4 Key Door Signs Every Facility Needs

To meet OSHA and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards, you must address these four primary categories of door labeling.

1. Emergency Exit Signs

This is the most critical requirement. Every required exit route must be visible and clearly marked. The Requirement: An “EXIT” sign must be placed at every exit door. The letters must be at least 6 inches high with a stroke width of 0.75 inches. Additionally, if the direction of travel to the exit is not immediately apparent, you must use directional signs (arrows) to guide people to the door.

2. Not an Exit Signs

It is equally important to tell people where not to go. The Requirement: OSHA Standard 1910.37(b)(5) states that any door, passage, or stairway that is neither an exit nor a way to an exit, but is located where it could be mistaken for one, must be identified. You must mark these doors with a sign reading “Not an Exit” or identify their actual use, such as “Closet,” “Electrical Room,” or “Restroom.”

3. Fire Door Warnings

Fire doors are heavy, self-closing barriers designed to slow the spread of smoke and flames. They only work if they are closed. The Requirement: To prevent employees from propping these doors open for convenience, fire codes require specific signage. The most common is “Fire Door – Keep Closed.” If the door is held open by an automatic magnetic release, the sign should read “Fire Door – Do Not Block.”

4. Confined Space & Hazard Warnings

Some doors lead to areas that require permits or specific PPE to enter. The Requirement: If a door leads to a permit-required confined space (like a boiler room or tank access), it must be labeled “DANGER: Confined Space. Enter by Permit Only.” Similarly, doors leading to chemical storage or high voltage areas must bear the appropriate ANSI hazard headers to prevent unauthorized entry.

Incorporate the Right Signs Into Your Safety Strategy

Correctly labeling your doors is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve facility safety. It ensures that in a crisis, your employees flow smoothly toward safety rather than struggling with dead ends and locked doors.

Read through some of the other articles published on our blog to get more expert advice on emergency egress and OSHA compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Are “Not an Exit” signs mandatory?

A. Yes, if the door can be mistaken for an exit. OSHA requires that any door that could likely be confused for an exit route must be marked “Not an Exit” or identified by its actual function (e.g., “Storeroom” or “Office”). This prevents confusion during a rapid evacuation.

2. What color should Exit signs be?

A. Red or Green are both acceptable. OSHA does not specify a color, but NFPA and local fire codes usually dictate whether Red or Green is required in your specific municipality. Red is the most common color in the United States because of its association with fire hazards, while Green is the international standard for “Go” and safety.

3. How often do I need to check my exit signs?

A. Monthly and Annually. If you have battery-powered illuminated exit signs, fire codes typically require a quick 30-second functional test every month and a full 90-minute battery drain test once a year to ensure the lights will stay on during a prolonged power outage.

4. Can I prop open a fire door?

A. Generally, no. Fire doors must remain closed and latched to prevent the spread of fire. The only exception is if the door is equipped with an automatic magnetic hold-open device that is tied to the fire alarm system. In this case, the door will automatically release and close when the alarm sounds. Signs for these doors must read “Fire Door – Do Not Block.”