Key Elements of a Fire Emergency Plan

• Warning Systems: Procedures for how people will be alerted if there is a fire.
• Initial Actions: Steps staff should take if they
• discover a fire.
• Evacuation Procedures: Detailed instructions on how to evacuate the premises safely.
• Assembly Points: Designated areas where people
• should gather after leaving the building
• and procedures for checking that everyone has evacuated.
• Escape Routes: Identification of key escape routes, how to access them, and how to reach a place of total safety.
• Firefighting Arrangements: Plans for fighting the fire, including the use of fire extinguishers and other equipment.
• Staff Responsibilities: Duties and identities of staff members who have specific responsibilities during a fire.
• Special Evacuation Arrangements: Procedures for safely evacuating individuals at higher risk, such as those with disabilities, lone workers, and young persons.
• Shutdown Procedures: Instructions for stopping or isolating machines, appliances, processes, and power supplies in the event of a fire.
• High-Risk Areas: Specific arrangements for areas
• with a higher risk of fire.
• Contingency Plans: Plans for when life safety systems, such as evacuation lifts, fire-detection and warning systems, sprinklers, or smoke control systems, are out of order.
• Emergency Services Notification: Procedures for calling the fire and rescue service and other necessary services, and identifying who is responsible for doing this.
• Meeting Emergency Services: Procedures for meeting the fire and rescue service upon their arrival and notifying them of any special risks, such as the location of highly flammable materials.
• Employee Training: Training requirements for employees and arrangements for ensuring this training is provided.
• Phased Evacuation Plans: Plans for evacuating some areas while alerting but not evacuating others until later.
• Post-Evacuation Plans: Plans for dealing with people once they have left the premises, including:
  • Unaccompanied children.
  • Individuals with personal belongings still in the
• building.
  • People wishing to rejoin friends.
  • Arrangements for transporting people away from the building.
  • Considerations for inclement weather.