As a business owner, property manager, building occupant or anyone else with control of a non-domestic premises, ensuring that you have a fire evacuation plan in place is a legal obligation.
A fire evacuation plan is essential in an emergency, as it provides clear instructions on how to safely and effectively evacuate the building.
In this article, we are going to look at why it is necessary for businesses to create comprehensive fire evacuation plans for 2023 that are both effective and compliant with fire regulations.
What Is A Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan (FEEP)?
A fire emergency evacuation plan (FEEP) is a document that outlines the procedures to follow in the event of a fire emergency. It should include detailed instructions on how to evacuate the building safely and effectively, as well as what to do in the aftermath of the evacuation. It’s usually covered by the role of the fire warden and evacuation is an important part of their duties. This is clearly outlined in our infographic about fire warden duties.
The plan should be easily accessible to all staff and customers, and should receive regular updates to ensure that it is up to date with the latest fire safety regulations.
Fire emergency evacuation plans should be on display in prominent locations around the building.
What Are the Benefits of a Fire Evacuation Plan?
An effective plan helps to ensure that your business is compliant with fire safety legislation. This is particularly important as all businesses are legally required to carry out fire risk assessments. Having an up to date fire evacuation plan can help to demonstrate that the business is taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety of its staff and customers.
One example of a plan that worked effectively in the UK was during a fire at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London in 2018. The fire evacuation plan was put into action, and all guests and staff were safely evacuated from the building without any injuries.
The effective implementation of their evacuation plan serves as a good example of the benefits of having a well-designed and well-practiced plan in place.
It can also reduce the financial costs associated with a serious incident, as it can mitigate any potential damage caused by the fire.
What Should Be Included in A Fire Evacuation Plan?
When creating a fire evacuation plan, it is important to ensure that the document includes all of the relevant information.
This should include:
- Location of fire exits and escape routes
- Contact details of the fire department
- Name and contact details of the person responsible for the evacuation.
- How to respond to a fire alarm
- Location of fire extinguishers
- Location of assembly points
- How to respond to a fire alarm and how to safely and effectively evacuate the building
What Are Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)?
In some cases, certain individuals may require a personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP). This is a plan that outlines the actions to be taken for individuals who may require additional assistance in the event of a fire emergency, such as those with disabilities or mobility issues.
This plan takes into account the individual’s specific needs and abilities and is designed to ensure their safe evacuation from the building.
The PEEP should also include information on any special equipment or assistance the individual may require, as well as the contact details of the person responsible for the evacuation.
The individual should have easy accesse to the PEEP and it must be updated regularly to comply with the latest fire safety regulations.
Ensure Your Staff Can Evacuate Safely
Having a well-defined fire evacuation plan can help to reduce the risk of injury or death in the event of a fire emergency, as well as the amount of damage caused by the fire.
Human Focus offers a range of fire awareness training courses that can help you create a comprehensive plan and carry out fire risk assessments. Training provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to ensure your business complies with fire safety regulations.
A fire awareness training course ensures that everyone in your building knows exactly how to respond in the event of a fire so they can evacuate quickly and safely.
