Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The emergency plan for the evacuation of a building
will be based on the fi ndings of the fi re risk assessment
(see Chapter 14). In many small buildings the emergency
plan may merely be a set of simple instructions to staff
as to the actions they are required to take in the event of
a fi re.
However, for most buildings, particularly those that
are shared with others, or have hazardous processes,
it is necessary to develop a more detailed and compre-
hensive plan.
In guidance published jointly by the government and
the HSE (
Fire Safety - An Employers Guide
) the follow-
ing contents of an emergency plan are suggested.
The plan should provide clear instructions on:
The drawing should include:
➤
Essential structural features such as the
layout of the workplace, escape routes
structure and self-closing fi re doors pro-
vided to protect the means of escape
➤
Means for fi ghting fi re (details of the
number, type and location of the fi re
fi ghting equipment)
➤
The location of manually operated fi re
alarm call points and control equipment
for the fi re alarm
➤
The location of any emergency lighting
equipment and any exit route signs
➤
The action employees should take if they discover
a fi re
➤
The location of any automatic fi re fi ghting
system and sprinkler control valve
➤
How people will be warned if there is a fi re
➤
How the evacuation of the workplace should be car-
ried out
➤
Where people should assemble after they have left
the workplace and procedures for checking whether
the workplace has been evacuated
➤
Identifi cation of key escape routes, how people
can gain access to them and escape from them to
places of safety
➤
The location of the main electrical sup-
ply switch, the main water shut-off valve
and, where appropriate, the main gas or
oil shut-off valves.
A clear plan of the building that is available to employ-
ees, visitors, contractors and the fi re service has a
number of important benefi ts including:
➤
The fi re-fi ghting equipment provided
➤
The duties and identity of employees who have spe-
cifi c responsibilities in the event of a fi re
➤
Arrangements for the safe evacuation of people
identifi ed as being especially at risk, such as con-
tractors, those with disabilities, members of the
public and visitors
➤
Where appropriate, any machines/processes/power
supplies which need stopping or isolating in the event
of fi re
➤
Assisting employers to better understand the emer-
gency plan
➤
Facilitating easy management of the means of
escape
Assembly Area
In an emergency evacuation,
exit building at rear or front
and walk over to
assembly area
EXIT
EXIT
Store
➤
Specifi c arrangements, if necessary, for high fi re risk
areas of the workplace
➤
How the fi re service and any other necessary
emergency services will be called and who will be
responsible for doing this
Store
Store
Store
Main Hall
Billiard
Room
EXIT
Barbecue
Area
Stage
➤
Procedures for liaising with the fi re service on arrival
and notifying them of any special risks, e.g. the
location of highly fl ammable materials
➤
What training employees need and the arrange-
ments for ensuring that this training is given.
Kitchen
Store
Foyer
Garden
Covered
Car
Park
Store
Store
Fire
Hose
EXIT
Main
Entrance
Toilets
EMERGENCY EVACUATION
PLAN
Please obey the directions of your Emergency
Controller, who is familiar with the location
of all fire extinguishers and emergency exits.
Toilets
In addition to the written description it is often very use-
ful to produce a simple line drawing of the plan layout of
the building. If the premises are larger or complex, then
it is particularly useful to include a line drawing. This can
also help to check fi re precautions as part of the ongoing
review.
Doyle Street
Figure 10.14
Plan of premises must be included in the
overall emergency plan
