This Is Why Fire Drills Are So Important
Many people view fire drills as a nuisance; an unwanted interruption to a busy working day, but they are carried out for a very good reason – in the event of a real fire, a well-rehearsed fire drill saves lives.
Do you know where your nearest fire exit is?
Whenever you enter a building you are not familiar with, get into the habit of making a mental note of the nearest fire exits. They should be clearly signposted with green running man signs and a directional arrow. These should be illuminated in premises that need emergency lighting. Make sure you know where your nearest exit is, not just the one nearest the main entrance as there may be multiple exit points.
How often should I have a fire drill?
Businesses must have a fire drill at least once a year, record the observations and act on areas identified for improvement. We would recommend you have a fire drill every six months. There’s always someone who is absent so practicing your fire drill twice a year should make sure that everyone in the building knows what to do in the event of an emergency.
Do your new starters know what to do in the event of a fire?
What happens if you take on a new employee a few weeks after your annual fire drill? You must make sure they are familiar with your fire evacuation plan. Don’t wait for months to familiarise them with the fire evacuation procedures. Simple things such as a walk through from their base to their allocated assembly point via their nearest fire escape is helpful.
When was the last time you trained your fire marshals?
Each business should have a ‘responsible person’ (England and Wales) or ‘duty holder’ (Scotland) who is responsible for fire safety in the workplace. In a fire drill or other emergency, having fire marshals to help co-ordinate the evacuation of the building is essential. Their role is to make sure everyone is evacuated as quickly and safely as possible. They should be trained and receive refresher training on a regular basis. Make sure your staff know who their fire marshal(s) is (are) and to respect their role during a fire drill. It is recommended that you have at least one fire marshal for every 20 people.
Allocate observers and note areas for improvement
Fire drill observers should be in place before a fire drill takes place. Situate them at strategic locations, eg, stairwells, fire exits, assembly points. Alternatively have them follow people as they are evacuated. Prime them to look out for and note down hazards or behaviours that could endanger life: stopping to collect personal belongings, using lifts, pinch points or bottle necks, people who refuse to participate and don’t take a fire drill seriously are some examples. Fire Marshals will also notice things that could be improved so make sure you have a debrief to collect all the feedback. Whilst it is important to challenge risky behaviours, it is just as important to congratulate people when a fire drill is a text book evacuation.
Where is your nearest assembly point?
Make sure your allocated assembly point is big enough to accommodate everyone who works for you and is a safe distance from your building so people are not in any danger. Make sure people’s nearest assembly point is noted on fire notices that are located on corridors and thoroughfares that lead to fire escapes. It’s also important to make sure your assembly point does not create an obstruction for the fire service as they will need a clear route into the building.
Should I let people know in advance that there will be a fire drill?
We don’t advise giving prior warning of a fire drill. This ensures the reaction and response is authentic. You may want to notify some concerned parties but this should be kept to a minimum.
Have a roll call
Make sure you have a system in place to record who is in the building. When everyone is assembled have a roll call making sure everyone is accounted for.
Don’t re-enter a building until you are told it is safe to do so
In some instances the fire service may remotely silence your company’s fire alarm remotely, but don’t assume it’s safe to go back inside until someone in authority tells you it’s OK.
Let Ezra Safety Group help you prepare for a fire drill
Planning for a real emergency is vitally important. We can oversee and observe your fire drill and report our findings to Fire Wardens and the Incident Team Co-ordinator, so your fire drill can be refined and improved. If you haven’t conducted a risk assessment before, this is also something Ezra Safety Group can help you with. We can also inspect your fire doors and deliver fire safety awareness training.
