A fire evacuation plan for your business can literally save lives. Plus, along with a fire risk assessment, an evacuation plan can help you identify the fastest and safest routes in the event a fire does break out.
If you’re the person responsible for an evacuation plan, be it a facilities manager, marshal or otherwise, you’ll need to ensure a fire evacuation plan is in place to safely escort staff out of a building during a drill
What is a fire evacuation plan?
A fire evacuation plan lays out a set of rules and procedures to safely guide an evacuation in the event the fire alarm rings. The processes laid out are to be followed even in the event of a fire drill, to ensure a building is compliant with fire alarm regulations. The plan will also detail how to escort personnel and visitors out of your building as quickly and as safely as possible.
Fire evacuation plans, while critical, are not a one-size fits all approach. Every building is laid out differently, meaning evacuation routes need to be tailored specifically to the building’s layout, the number of people in the building, the number of fire exits and areas where hazardous materials may be present.
Lastly, in the UK, fire evacuation plans are mandatory by law for non-domestic buildings. Think factories, offices, schools, medical buildings and the like. The fire evacuation plan must also be communicated to everyone in the building so that people can follow the protocols laid out in the event of a fire.
What are the three types of fire evacuation?
Not all evacuations are the same. In fact, different evacuation methods are used depending on the severity of the fire, where it’s occurring and in which setting. Below are the three main categories of fire evacuations.
1. Simultaneous evacuation
A simultaneous fire evacuation, as the name suggests, is an evacuation where everyone is instructed to leave the building at the same time, no matter where they are in the building. This type of evacuation is used to escort people out as fast as possible and is the most common type of evacuation used in a fire drill for regular practice.
It’s also used when the fire hazard is particularly dangerous or in a setting where there’s a large number of people present. An effective simultaneous evacuation plan also needs to keep in mind those who are less able to move, such as those with a disability or the elderly.
2. Vertical or horizontal-phased evacuation
A vertical or horizontal-phased evacuation is a plan that determines two different partial evacuation types, depending on the severity and location of the fire.
A horizontal evacuation is used when staff are in proximity to or directly affected by a fire outbreak, and are evacuated first to an area on the same floor to ensure their safety. It also uses fire doors to contain the fire in one place, so that an entire complex doesn’t need to follow the simultaneous evacuation protocols.
Vertical evacuation plans, like horizontal evacuations, also involve moving people in close proximity to a fire through a stairwell exit in a phased manner. This is typically done floor-by-floor, starting with the floor where the fire is. If the fire is seen to be spreading upwards, there is a risk that people may be trapped in the floors above, hence why vertical evacuation plans typically involve getting higher floors evacuated next.
3. Silent alarm evacuation
Silent alarm evacuations are used to alert others of an imminent evacuation without a fire alarm. Silent signals are used by a dedicated member of staff in these events, to ensure there’s no panic. Think of places like hospitals, shopping centres, care homes or other places where there may be vulnerable people present.
The designated staff will be trained to recognise the signal through some form of code to instruct others to exit the building swiftly. The initial “alarm” will be triggered when smoke or heat is detected by a central system, which then alerts certain members of staff.
Due to the nature of these alarms, it’s important that they’re tested regularly to ensure patients, residents and staff know how to spot the signs of a fire evacuation.
Why do you need an evacuation plan?
Quite frankly – to save lives. Plus, whilst you may run through a fire evacuation procedure with staff during fire drills, it’s unlikely that they’ll remember as they don’t occur at set regular intervals. By having a plan that’s easy to follow, staff, residents and first-time visitors can quickly spot what others are doing and “follow the crowd” to safety.
What should be covered in your fire evacuation plan?
Every part of your fire evacuation plan needs to put the safety of others first. This is to prevent injury and death. To create an effective fire evacuation plan, the following should be considered:
- Emergency plan
- Alarm systems
- Fire exit routes
- Fire signage
- Fire safety equipment
- Assembly points
You’ll also need to conduct a fire risk assessment based on the type of workplace you’re carrying them out for. Government guidelines outline fire risk assessments for these types of workplaces, such as:
- Offices and shops
- Open-air events and festivals
- Factories
- Warehouses
- Sleep accommodation
- Healthcare premises
- …and more.
Let’s dive into each of these further so you know how to create an effective fire evacuation plan for your workplace.
1. Emergency plan
This will involve picking the most suitable evacuation type depending on the circumstances and severity of the fire. You should also have designated fire wardens in place so they can manage the evacuation as quickly and as smoothly as possible.
2. Alarm systems
Fire alarms are critical for raising awareness of fires among staff and visitors alike. For those who are hard of hearing, you may wish to introduce a smoke alarm. All alarms will need to be regularly tested to ensure they work, as this could save lives.
3. Fire exit routes
Dedicated exit routes during the event of a fire will need to be mapped out. After all, how will people know where to exit a building safely in the event of a fire? These routes will need to consider stairwells, and quick access routes to designated fire exit points.
Fire wardens and marshalls must also be trained in alternative routes. This is because unexpected instances may cause a planned route to be unsafe or inaccessible.
4. Fire signage
Clear fire signage for exits and doors is critical in cases where people may not be up to speed with the fire evacuation plan or in a panicked state. Fire safety equipment must also be clearly labelled in cases where they’re needed in an emergency.
5. Fire safety equipment
Designated fire safety equipment will need to be detailed in your evacuation plan. This includes things like fire hoses, extinguishers, blankets, fire curtains and the like (though be sure to know the difference between fire shutters and fire curtains!).
As mentioned previously, fire signage should be clear, particularly with which fire extinguisher should be used. This is because extinguishing a fire requires a specific extinguisher, depending on the type of fire and how it was caused. Lastly, always ensure fire safety equipment isn’t blocked, hidden or inaccessible in some way.
6. Assembly points
Finally, assembly points should be designated so that those evacuating can gather in one place at a safe distance away from the building. Assembly points also ensure everyone is accounted for, and signs for assembly points should be clearly marked so people know where to go.
Why consider fire shutters in your evacuation plan?
When you’ve tested your evacuation plan and have identified areas for improvement, you may want to consider how else you can prevent a fire from spreading.
Fire shutters are useful shutters to install and utilise when a fire alarm system is triggered. They can prevent a fire from spreading for up to four hours, and can significantly increase people’s safety and reduce further damage to a building. Fire shutters need maintenance, just like with any other type of equipment, but their function can literally save lives and other costs.
In summary, fire shutters can:
- Prevent the spread of fire
- Support government legislation
- Form part of your fire risk assessment
- Offer varying levels of protection
- Lower insurance premiums
- Protect your building in different ways
- Offer robust security
- Be customised to your building’s aesthetics.
You can dive deeper into these by reading our guide to reasons why you need fire shutters in your building.
Do you have to have a fire evacuation plan?
Yes. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 must be complied with and ensures the dedicated person for carrying out the assessment does so properly. It should identify fire risks (formed from a fire risk assessment), exit plans, fire hazards and measures a business takes to ensure others’ safety from these hazards. It goes without saying that these procedures must be communicated to everyone through drills, handbooks, signage and other materials that clearly outline the fire evacuation plan.
If a business does not comply with fire safety regulations, legal action can be taken. Not to mention, this endangers the lives of others. This is why fire evacuation plans are essential and must be tested on a regular basis to ensure they’re safe when the time comes.
Need to reinforce your building as part of your fire risk assessment and evacuation plan? SSS Industrial Doors specialises in fire doors, shutters and curtains to keep fires at bay. Contact us today to find out more, or enlist our industrial door repair service if you have an industrial door with us already, to ensure your fire doors are compliant and fit for purpose.
