Muster Point Travel Distances

[Ricardo]

I have been asked on 2 seperate occassions today by different organisations if there is a minimum and maximum distance for locating muster points for employees, one a very large multi occ office and one an art school. My response for both enquiries was that I did not know of any laid down distances and that it would depend on both building layout/size and site location as to where best to have muster points, but I did not believe there was anything in legislation or otherwise, a bit of thought and common sense would best decide locations, I think with one of the enquiries that there had been some moaning from staff relating to the distance they have to travel to reach their designated muster point(100metres or thereabouts) any views would be appreciated.

[Chris Houston]

Good question, not sure if there is any specific rules.  When asked I always say at least 100m, but sometimes this would involve crossing roads and perhaps exposing people to other dangers regularly for drills.  I have accepted a "drill" muster point on the basis that in a real fire there would be a real one accross a road.  Not ideal to practise things differently, but sometimes compromises have to be made to ensure health and safety.

[kurnal]

Theres a few pointers depending on nature of risk.
First port of call may be Approved document B1 which IIRC gives an example of the minimum dimensions of an enclosed yard into which exits may discharge- was it  at least as deep as 1.5 times the height of the building?

I always gave a minimum of 18metres as a starting point but other important factors are of course
traffic hazards
prevailing wind
other risks on site- eg bulk LPG stores-
sufficiently close to enable liaison with emergency services ( I remember a national chain store  once wanted to rationalise all their stores and have a standard muster point for fire and bomb alerts- half a mile away. They never did answer my question on how they would report to emergency services or stop persons entering the danger area- their only duty was to their staff they told me!)

For bomb scares there was a case in which terrorists called in a false alarm about a bomb in an army barraks  but actually placed it at the assembly point with serious loss of life.

[Ricardo]

Thanks for the responses so far gents, I am not familiar with (approved doc B, or IIRC) being from north of the border, I always would advise that a risk assessment be carried out of any surrounding hazards that may be encountered during the evac walk to muster, in fact the large office complex I mentioned actually use a member of their security team to stop any traffic from entering their site(with the exception of course to the emergency services) during an evacuation so that persons can walk on the roadway as well as pavements to reach their muster points, and the road is not reopened until person are safely back in the building.

 I have also encountered as you mention Chris, our local city council headquarters have a fair distance to go to reach their muster point(i would reckon about 200metres) crossing a busy road on the way,and another office complex I know of require their staff who evacuate using two particular exits to walk down one road and up another till they reach everyone else at the front of the building, which can take several minutes.

[messy]

It's worth bearing in mind, the more difficult you make the journey, the less likely it is that everyone's going to bother.  

I have just had a case where, due to a major construction project in central London, an assembly point from an adjoining large building has been moved over 250m. It means crossing three roads, but there is no other appropriate space for 3000 people.

There were 2,900 rather pi**ed off workers who took part in a drill to test the new procedures (in the rain). Virtually all said they wouldn't bother again and would go to a variety of coffee shops and bars instead!!

[barrhump]

I am unaware of any minimum distance being prescribed.

Common sense should prevail with the assembly area being sufficiently far enough away from the premises so as not to obstruct fire fighting operations or expose persons to falling debris etc; but be sufficiently close enough to permit liaison with the fire brigade where necessary.

Other factors should be considered such as the hazards within the premises. Are they used to manufacture fireworks or just fillet wet fish? The issue of roads is a good point where rubbernecking drivers are likely to add considerably to any risk.