Emergency exits are among the most important features of any business or commercial property. If you’re in Jacksonville, FL, Perimeter Glass can help ensure yours are compliant with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. These regulations are critical for employee safety and your business’s legal standing. Neglecting them can result in hefty fines or devastating workplace injuries. Read further for an explanation of OSHA-compliant emergency exit guidelines, maintenance tips, and how our experts can help keep your business safe and up to code.

Why Emergency Exits Matter in Workplaces

Emergency exits are lifelines during unexpected incidents like fires, power outages, and hazardous spills. They give employees safe, clear paths to leave the building quickly. Following OSHA regulations showcases your company’s commitment to the well-being of your staff and visitors. Think of it this way: an ill-prepared exit can cause confusion during critical times, while an OSHA-compliant exit saves lives and reduces risks.

Understanding OSHA Requirements for Emergency Exits

OSHA provides clear regulations to ensure businesses set up safe and functional emergency exits. These rules address how businesses should design, maintain, and operate emergency exit plans. They include:

• Number of Exits – Every workplace must have at least two emergency exits. However, that number may increase depending on workplace size and the number of employees. The key is ensuring everyone can evacuate safely, even if one exit becomes inaccessible.
• Visibility and Accessibility – Exits must remain clear of obstructions and be easy to reach. No one should have to fumble through storage areas or around equipment to use an exit. Proper signage with visible “EXIT” labels is mandatory.
• Exit Doors and Pathways – OSHA requires that exits open outwards to prevent overcrowded doorways. Pathways to these exits must also be free from clutter and hazards. Glass doors must adhere to specific safety standards, such as break-resistant materials and labeled glazing for visibility.
• Emergency Lighting – Escape routes should remain illuminated during power outages. Emergency lighting helps employees locate exits quickly, even in complete darkness.

Design and Construction Standards for Emergency Exits

Meeting OSHA standards is essential when designing or upgrading emergency exits. Here are some critical factors we must consider:

• Durable Construction Materials – Doors, frames, and pathways should be made of sturdy, heat- and fire-resistant materials. Glass components must be shatterproof, and businesses should always act quickly when emergency glass repair is needed.
• Clear Signage – Install clear and glowing exit signs above each emergency door. OSHA specifies that signs must be visible from at least 100 feet away.
• Proper Width and Height – Emergency exit doors and pathways must meet size regulations, typically 28 inches wide. A cramped exit could become a choking point during an evacuation.
• Emergency Glass Safety – Glass used in emergency exits should be safe and secure. Perimeter Glass offers glass that meets OSHA’s safety standards and prevents injuries caused by breakages during emergencies.

Emergency Exit Care and Operation Suggestions

Having well-designed emergency exits isn’t enough if you don’t maintain them. Regular upkeep will ensure they remain functional during critical times. You should:

• Conduct monthly checks to clear pathways and ensure all exits open easily.
• Test emergency lighting systems regularly.
• Replace damaged or cracked glass immediately with emergency glass replacement services.
• Inspect signage for visibility and functionality. Ensure glowing or lit signs are working during power outages.

Tips to Maintain OSHA Compliance and Prepare for Audits

We recommend all of the following actions to our customers so that they can ensure their businesses stay compliant with OSHA guidelines:

• Schedule Inspections – Conduct routine safety audits to identify and fix issues before they escalate. Consistent inspections will help you avoid fines and protect your employees.
• Employee Training – Regular fire drills and training sessions ensure employees understand evacuation routes and safety protocols.
• Quick Repairs – Broken glass along emergency exits is a hazard waiting to happen. Work with the Perimeter Glass experts whenever you need emergency glass repair or replacement.
• Use a Compliance Checklist – Download OSHA’s workplace safety checklist to stay on top of essential safety regulations.

Rely on Our Experts in Jacksonville, FL

Perimeter Glass specializes in emergency glass repair and replacement, among other services in Jacksonville, FL. We provide shatterproof glass solutions and offer OSHA compliance consultations to ensure local businesses are safe and secure. Our team is committed to meeting or exceeding high industry standards to guarantee our customers’ emergency exits are functional and compliant.

Contact Perimeter Glass Today

No business can predict emergencies, but every business can prepare for them. Having OSHA-compliant emergency exits is necessary for safety and peace of mind. Let Perimeter Glass help with emergency exit upgrades, glass repairs, and more. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Commercial glass storefronts can help businesses save money on utilities, increase curb appeal, boost sales, and customize their displays.

Between marketing and inventory, a lot goes into maintaining a retail business. One aspect that gets less attention is the storefront appearance. Having an inviting storefront is important to attracting customers. The best way to draw customers at a glance is through a new commercial glass storefront.

Increased Curb Appeal

The outward appearance of a business says a lot about how the owner feels about it. Dark and dingy storefronts make customers think the owner doesn't care much about their business or that the products are low quality. With a custom commercial glass storefront, potential customers can pass by the business reassured that it is an integral part of the community and that the owner takes pride in it. Improving the outward appearance of a business may also encourage neighboring businesses to improve their storefronts, thus increasing the amount of retail business in the area.

Better Sales

By inviting more natural light and showcasing a clean and organized store, commercial glass storefronts visually appeal to customers. When customers find spaces more visually appealing, they are more likely to spend money there. If they already shop there, it encourages them to buy more.

Save Money on Utilities

If the exterior of a business consists of outdated windows, the owners may be losing money each month to excess utility costs. With a new commercial glass storefront, owners can reduce utility costs and increase their bottom line. Money saved on utilities can be put toward increased advertising and marketing.

Versatility of Displays

Commercial glass storefronts provide owners with endless ways to customize the exterior of their businesses. Glass storefronts allow owners the ability to easily change their signage with each season or sale. They also allow owners to modify product displays to keep customers engaged. Glass storefronts also pair well with digital signage, increasing the customizability of displays and further easing any signage changes.

Installing a commercial glass storefront is a great way to boost retail sales. The experienced commercial glass specialists at Perimeter Glass in Jacksonville, FL offer the highest level of workmanship in commercial glass installation and repairs. Contact us online or call us at 904-699-7492 for a free estimate.

When adding access doors to a building, it's important to consider the benefits of different materials. Here's why industries should choose steel over wood.

From serious security needs to heavy foot traffic, industrial buildings have unique requirements to consider when it comes to enhancing the building's access doors. When adding an entry door to an industrial facility, there’s more to consider than aesthetics. Read these five reasons property owners should go for steel doors in place of wooden ones.

Increased Fire Rating

The best steel doors and frames are fire-resistant to improve safety in an industrial facility. 20-gauge steel doors have a 20-minute fire rating, which gives occupants in a building more time to escape to safety in case of fire. These doors also meet stringent Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requirements for emergency exit doors.

A More Durable Door

Steel is rust-resistant, scratch-resistant, and doesn’t crack or bow under pressure. The same can’t be said for wood. In an industrial setting, exterior facing doors face the elements, physical exertions, and other rugged conditions that steel can easily withstand. In addition, steel doors have better blast resistance than wooden ones. These doors pass all blast resistance standards, including ASTM F2247, ASTM F2927, and UFC 4010-01.

Reducing Sound

Some industrial facilities require sound-resistant building materials. Steel doors have excellent sound-reducing properties, offering the highest STC (Sound Transmission Coefficient) rating of STC 32 to STC 55. This feature makes these doors better than wooden ones for sound reduction.

Enhanced Security Against Forced Entry

Industries and commercial premises often contain expensive machinery and important items. A strong door is required to avert financial losses through breaking and entering or other events that might require door repairs. Steel doors perform better than wooden ones in forced-entry resistance tests, making them ideal for enhancing security on industrial properties.

Resilient in High-Traffic Areas

Industrial buildings see a lot of traffic in and out, meaning that an access door on such a property should be strong and flexible enough to withstand frequent use. In the "million cycle” tests to evaluate the performance of doors, steel doors perform better than wooden doors.

For the most reliable commercial and industrial doors in Jacksonville, FL, and the surrounding area, Perimeter Glass is the one to call. Since 2001, we've been offering the highest level of workmanship and quality materials. Contact us today for an initial free estimate and exceptional commercial steel door installation services.