Gym member warns staff about 2 blocked exit doors. Then he calls the fire marshal 24 hours later: ‘rules and regulations are written in blood’

In a TikTok video posted to his account, Nathan (randompersonscrolling1) said he reported his gym after repeated complaints about two blocked emergency exits went unheeded. He said, “So I reported my gym to the fire marshal because two emergency exit doors are blocked, right?”

Nathan said gym equipment allegedly blocked the first emergency exit, leaving people in the space with no way to escape a fire except through the main door. He said the second door led to the backyard, which functioned as an outdoor workout area but had no exit. This meant people could enter the backyard but couldn’t leave, creating another major fire-safety hazard. However, a garage door led people inside, and the emergency exit door right beside it was again blocked. 

Nathan also emphasized the importance of his action, noting, “And these rules and regulations are written in blood.” He added, “Before you guys come at me for saying I’m a narc or whatever, if something were to happen and people were trying to escape, uh, and anyone died because of this.”

“You completely did the right thing”

Nathan’s video received tens of thousands of comments. Some people passed judgment, affirming his actions and arguing it would prevent future tragedies. One person said, “It’s better to say something before a tragedy happens so you completely did the right thing.”  Another highlighted how the safety precaution could help in other cases too. They wrote, “And it’s not just in the event of a fire, it’s in the event of ANY emergency where people need to get out. im glad you called.”

A few reported being in similar situations. One person wrote, “I reported my work for chaining the emergency exit shut. hello osha fine.” Another mentioned, “My old job called me annoying for being so strict on safety rules, but guess who had an unannounced walkthrough at all our stores in the area, and guess who was the only store to pass?! I got a $500 visa gift card and $1000 store credit.”

According to Inspect Point, NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) requires at least two emergency exit doors for most floors and large rooms, three for rooms with over 500 occupants, and four for rooms with over 1,000. Single exits are allowed only where the occupancy chapter permits. Additionally, the two required exits must be at least half the diagonal of the area they serve apart, or one-third of the diagonal in a sprinklered building, so that a single fire cannot block both doors. 

In a video update, Nathan showed that all the doors, including the garage door, were now unobstructed. Nathan’s story is a reminder that fire safety regulations are more than formalities. They are there to protect lives. Emergency exits must always remain accessible, and businesses must put the well-being of their members ahead of convenience or negligence. As the saying goes, “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

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