As a business owner, you have a legal duty under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for providing a safe and efficient evacuation plan tailored to the specific needs and risks of their premises. This ensures that all occupants can evacuate safely in the event of a fire. Here are some important points to consider for evacuation.
Understanding Your Responsibilities
The Fire Safety Order requires the "responsible person"(typically the business owner, employer, or landlord) to:
- Develop an evacuation strategy that suits the building’s layout and the activities within it.
- Ensure that evacuation routes are accessible, well-marked, and regularly maintained.
- Communicate evacuation procedures to all occupants and train staff to respond effectively in an emergency.
Failure to implement and maintain an evacuation strategy that meets legal standards can result in penalties, especially if it leads to injuries or unsafe conditions during an emergency.
Types of Evacuation Strategies
A suitable evacuation strategy for your business depends on the size, complexity, construction and risk level of the premises. A fire risk assessment will determine the most appropriate strategy. Common strategies include:
- Simultaneous Evacuation: The entire building evacuates as soon as the alarm is raised. This is the most common strategy for small to medium-sized premises where occupants can evacuate quickly.
- Phased Evacuation: Some areas are evacuated before others, typically used in larger buildings. For example, occupants closest to the fire leave first, while others wait for further instructions. This is sometimes used in hospitals and is supported by suitable construction methods to prevent smoke and fire spread.
- Stay-Put Policy: In some buildings, like purpose-built blocks of flats, the building is built to prevent the spread of smoke and fire from a flat, occupants may be safe to stay in their flat. This approach is typically reserved for premises specifically built to support it and may not be suitable for smaller businesses. Please consider the appropriate guidance that is suitable for you. For more information please see the UK Government guidance here.
Which is the Right Evacuation Strategy?
Selecting the correct strategy depends on a number of factors including:
- Building Layout and Capacity: The number of exits, floors, and rooms affects the flow of an evacuation.
- Occupant Profile: Consider who uses the premises, including employees, customers, or visitors with mobility needs.
- Fire Risk Level: High-risk areas, such as kitchens or storage for flammable materials, may require immediate and complete evacuation.
A simultaneous evacuation strategy is most common for small and medium sized businesses but a fire risk assessment can help identify potential hazards and determine the best evacuation approach. You can perform this assessment yourself if your premises are straightforward, or you may need a professional assessor for larger or complex buildings.
Implementing and Maintaining Your Evacuation Strategy
Some key features of an evacuation strategy/plan are:
- a clear passageway to all escape routes
- clearly marked escape routes that are as short and direct as possible
- enough exits and routes for all people to escape
- emergency doors that open easily
- emergency lighting where needed
- training for all employees to know and use the escape routes
- a safe meeting point for staff
You should also make special arrangements for people with mobility needs, for example make sure there are people to help wheelchair users get downstairs if there’s a fire. This will be necessary in businesses that welcome the public, such as retail stores or hotels.
Remember, the goal is to get everyone out safely and efficiently so take the time to create and practice your evacuation plan.