Is your Business Prepared for an Emergency Evacuation?

The importance of having an emergency evacuation plan for your business cannot be overestimated.

You never know when an emergency situation will arise, and for this reason it is important that you have an emergency evacuation plan and that all employees, visitors and contractors are aware of the procedures. This article will discuss some of the key points that you and those in your business need to be aware of to ensure an efficient emergency evacuation.

Recognising Potential Disasters

If those in your building are adept at spotting hazardous situations then the efficiency of any evacuation is likely to increase, or disaster may be avoided altogether as the situation can be spotted and eliminated before it develops. Survey your employees to find out their knowledge of potential disaster situations and consider whether they may need extra training.

Assign Responsibility

It is important that every individual in your building knows that their responsibilities are if an emergency situation arises. Your business should have designated fire wardens whose responsibility it is to assess fire risks, apply first aid where necessary, report any hazardous situations and ensure that any evacuation is efficient and safe.

A fire drill should be carried out within your business at least once a year. By performing fire drills, you can make sure each individual knows the correct procedure for an emergency situation. Anything that is not up to standard in the fire drill must be worked on, so as to ensure maximum safety and efficiency in the event of a real fire.

Ease of Escape

Any designated escape routes must not be obstructed at any time. They must be quick and simple to navigate for every individual in your building or environment, including those with disabilities. Having a clear, unobstructed escape route could be the difference between life and death.

Safe Meeting Point

Once everyone has safely left the building in the event of an emergency, they should all congregate at a designated safe meeting point so a head count can be taken. This is vital keeping track of who has been evacuated, and not following this rule can lead to a lot of confusion as to who is present and who is not.

 

Here at City Fire, we are one of the country’s leading independent fire safety companies. We supply, install, maintain and repair fire safety equipment of the highest standard, from fire alarms to dry risers, ensuring your business is fully prepared for an emergency situation. We also offer fire safety training courses, so if you feel you and your employees are in need of fire safety training or refresher courses, get in touch with us today.