Warehouse Emergency Exit & Lighting Audit Checklist [FREE PDF]

Warehouse emergency exit and lighting compliance is governed by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.37 and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.303, requiring clearly marked, unobstructed exits and minimum illumination of 5 foot-candles in all walking-working areas. NFPA 101 Life Safety Code further mandates emergency lighting systems capable of 90-minute operation during power failure. Regular audits help prevent citations, reduce injury risk, and ensure workers can safely evacuate during emergencies.

Industry: Warehousing
Frequency: Monthly
Estimated Time: 30-45 minutes
Role: Safety Coordinator
Total Items: 34
Compliance: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.37 Maintenance, Safeguards, and Operational Features for Exit Routes, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.303 Electrical General Requirements, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.22 Walking-Working Surfaces General Requirements, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code Chapter 7 Means of Egress, NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems

Exit Door Condition & Operation

Verify all emergency exit doors are functional, unobstructed, and properly labeled per OSHA egress requirements.

Are all emergency exit doors free from obstructions on both sides?
Do all exit doors open in the direction of travel without the use of a key or special tool?
Are all exit doors in good working condition with no damaged hardware or frames?
Are panic bar / push-bar hardware devices functioning correctly on all required exit doors?
Is the exit door self-closing mechanism operational and fully closing the door after release?

Exit Signage & Visibility

Confirm all exit signs are illuminated, properly positioned, and visible from required distances.

Are all exit signs illuminated and clearly visible from the required viewing distance?
Do exit signs have the word EXIT in legible letters no less than 6 inches high with a stroke width of 3/4 inch?
Are directional exit signs posted at all decision points along the egress route?
Are all exit signs free from damage, fading, or obstructions from racking or equipment?
Are 'NOT AN EXIT' signs posted on doors that could be mistaken for an emergency exit?

Emergency Lighting Systems

Inspect all emergency lighting units for functionality, battery backup, and adequate illumination coverage.

Are all emergency lighting units powered on and functioning during normal operations?
Have emergency lighting battery backup units been tested within the last 30 days?
Is the emergency lighting coverage adequate along all egress routes and at exit doors?
Are all emergency lighting fixtures free from physical damage or missing bulbs?
What is the measured illumination level at the furthest point of the primary egress route (foot-candles)?

Egress Route Clearance & Marking

Evaluate aisle markings, floor conditions, and clearance along all designated egress paths.

Are all egress aisles marked with clearly visible floor markings or painted lines?
Is a minimum 28-inch clear width maintained along all egress routes at all times?
Are egress routes free from stored materials, pallets, or equipment encroaching into the aisle?
Are floor surfaces along egress routes free from hazards such as cracks, spills, or uneven surfaces?
Are egress routes clearly distinguishable from storage areas, including at rack ends and intersections?

Fire Suppression & Alarm Integration

Confirm that sprinkler heads, fire alarms, and pull stations are accessible and unobstructed near exit routes.

Are all sprinkler heads near exit routes free from obstructions within the required 18-inch clearance?
Are all fire alarm pull stations visible, accessible, and unobstructed along egress routes?
Are fire extinguishers mounted and accessible within 75 feet of any point along egress routes?
Are all fire extinguishers within their inspection date and properly charged?
Is the audible fire alarm system clearly audible throughout all warehouse zones including near loading docks?

Muster Points & Emergency Assembly Areas

Verify designated assembly points are marked, accessible, and communicated to all personnel.

Are emergency assembly/muster point locations clearly posted at exit doors and throughout the facility?
Are outdoor muster points free from vehicle traffic, loading dock activity, and other hazards?
Are evacuation maps current, posted at key locations, and showing both primary and secondary exit routes?
Has the emergency evacuation plan been reviewed with all staff within the past 12 months?

Documentation & Corrective Actions

Record any deficiencies found during the audit and assign corrective actions with target dates.

Were any deficiencies or non-conformances identified during this inspection?
Please describe all deficiencies identified and their locations?
Have photographs been taken of all identified deficiencies?
Have corrective action work orders been submitted for all identified deficiencies?
What is the target completion date for all corrective actions?

Related Warehouse Checklists

Related Safety Checklists

Why Use This Warehouse Emergency Exit & Lighting Audit Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This warehouse emergency exit & lighting audit checklist [free pdf] helps warehousing teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for safety coordinator professionals, this checklist covers 34 critical inspection points across 7 sections. Recommended frequency: monthly.

Ensures compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.37 Maintenance, Safeguards, and Operational Features for Exit Routes, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.303 Electrical General Requirements, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.22 Walking-Working Surfaces General Requirements, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code Chapter 7 Means of Egress, NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Warehouse Emergency Exit & Lighting Audit Checklist [FREE PDF] cover?

This checklist covers 34 inspection items across 7 sections: Exit Door Condition & Operation, Exit Signage & Visibility, Emergency Lighting Systems, Egress Route Clearance & Marking, Fire Suppression & Alarm Integration, Muster Points & Emergency Assembly Areas, Documentation & Corrective Actions. It is designed for warehousing operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed monthly. Each completion takes approximately 30-45 minutes.

Who should use this Warehouse Emergency Exit & Lighting Audit Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This checklist is designed for Safety Coordinator professionals in the warehousing industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.