Non Fire Emergency Evacuation

[Gasmeter]

Does anyone have a set policy for dealing with non fire emergency evacuation?  In an ideal world PA systems would be available to direct people out through a safe route, but in most of the buildings I deal with, this is not available.  Many local managers believe misguidedly, that they should use the fire alarm to evacuate the building, but of course this may involve people entering the area of greatest risk, in the event of a toxic gas release or bomb warning.  In some cases the safest option may be to require people to stay put.  I have considered placing air horns in appropriate locations, but of course these depend on someone being there to use them.  Any help and advice would be most welcome.

[nearlythere]

Does anyone have a set policy for dealing with non fire emergency evacuation?  In an ideal world PA systems would be available to direct people out through a safe route, but in most of the buildings I deal with, this is not available.  Many local managers believe misguidedly, that they should use the fire alarm to evacuate the building, but of course this may involve people entering the area of greatest risk, in the event of a toxic gas release or bomb warning.  In some cases the safest option may be to require people to stay put.  I have considered placing air horns in appropriate locations, but of course these depend on someone being there to use them.  Any help and advice would be most welcome.

Being from a former troublesome apart of the UK the issue of bombs is well known to me and my former colleagues. The problem with bombs is that their effect is not localised and contained as usually a fire is in its early stages. When one goes off there is usually considerable damage to the entire building and as such any evacuation plan has considerable risk attached.
I don't have an answer to this issue just an appreciation of the problem, but evacuation has to occur and generally one has to hope that the building can be cleared before detonation.
One saving grace was that the terrorists usually treated buildings as commercial targets and their devices had delayed action to allow persons to escape, usually.
Had there been no concern for people the incidents of death would have been considerable. This would have resulted in an erosion of financial support from their supporters and backers here and in the USA.

[Martin]

We are a local authority with two main admin buildings about 800 employes in each. Our suspect package procedure has an evacuation plan. There is a phone tree to alert fire wardens. Ths phone tree also includes a list of senior managers who are trained as Building evacuation manger. The system involves the fire wardens on each floor using whistles to get staff attention and then evacuating in a phased manner avoidng reception, post room, or identified risk area etc. Reception/front line staff would clear public.

That's the plan but we have never tried it beyond table-top. Perhaps we ought to see how much chaos it causes if we try it instead of our normal fire evacuation drill.

[Gasmeter]

Thanks for your replies, my plea for help was prompted by a recent incident involving the release of vapour from a harmless but unpleasant stenching agent in a very large building; occupants were very concerned, but there was no indication of the source of the smell and consequently no clue as to a safe direction of escape.

[nearlythere]

We are a local authority with two main admin buildings about 800 employes in each. Our suspect package procedure has an evacuation plan. There is a phone tree to alert fire wardens. Ths phone tree also includes a list of senior managers who are trained as Building evacuation manger. The system involves the fire wardens on each floor using whistles to get staff attention and then evacuating in a phased manner avoidng reception, post room, or identified risk area etc. Reception/front line staff would clear public.

That's the plan but we have never tried it beyond table-top. Perhaps we ought to see how much chaos it causes if we try it instead of our normal fire evacuation drill.

I can't see why the FA system sounders could not be utilised in some way, like a pulsed alarm signal, operated from a few other emergency actuation points strategically placed. This could alert persons to a different type of emergency which has a specific emergency plan.

[Galeon]

We are a local authority with two main admin buildings about 800 employes in each. Our suspect package procedure has an evacuation plan. There is a phone tree to alert fire wardens. Ths phone tree also includes a list of senior managers who are trained as Building evacuation manger. The system involves the fire wardens on each floor using whistles to get staff attention and then evacuating in a phased manner avoidng reception, post room, or identified risk area etc. Reception/front line staff would clear public.

That's the plan but we have never tried it beyond table-top. Perhaps we ought to see how much chaos it causes if we try it instead of our normal fire evacuation drill.

I can't see why the FA system sounders could not be utilised in some way, like a pulsed alarm signal, operated from a few other emergency actuation points strategically placed. This could alert persons to a different type of emergency which has a specific emergency plan.

As a suspect package/device is going to be left anywhere (not neccassarily structural / public ) may be incendiary, you cant therefore have any relation to audible alarms to specifically alert staff only.
Possible detonation of a device can occur if the alarm sounders are used due to the attenuation , bomb alert by fire system hasn't been used for years , there is a Home Office document on this matter if memory serves me right ,.

[Martin]

We have enough problems getting staff to move away from building and to assembly points. Yes we do brief on induction and send global e-mails but we still have plonkers.

If we tried a system of signals on the Fire Alarm I would place a large bet on it going wrong! Also some of our fire evac routes pass through the front  reception door. I.e a likely area for a suspect package. Our aim is to be able to move people out avoiding the "danger zone" .

This is backed up with guidance on isolating areas cutting the air con etc if we get a "powder package" etc.  Hence the need for a building evac. manager to be in the loop quickly. Our Building Evac Managers are at senior level and if it really goes wrong they start the business continuity system.

[nearlythere]

We are a local authority with two main admin buildings about 800 employes in each. Our suspect package procedure has an evacuation plan. There is a phone tree to alert fire wardens. Ths phone tree also includes a list of senior managers who are trained as Building evacuation manger. The system involves the fire wardens on each floor using whistles to get staff attention and then evacuating in a phased manner avoidng reception, post room, or identified risk area etc. Reception/front line staff would clear public.

That's the plan but we have never tried it beyond table-top. Perhaps we ought to see how much chaos it causes if we try it instead of our normal fire evacuation drill.

I can't see why the FA system sounders could not be utilised in some way, like a pulsed alarm signal, operated from a few other emergency actuation points strategically placed. This could alert persons to a different type of emergency which has a specific emergency plan.

As a suspect package/device is going to be left anywhere (not neccassarily structural / public ) may be incendiary, you cant therefore have any relation to audible alarms to specifically alert staff only.
Possible detonation of a device can occur if the alarm sounders are used due to the attenuation , bomb alert by fire system hasn't been used for years , there is a Home Office document on this matter if memory serves me right ,.

My point was Galeon that should a specific audible alarm sound then that could be a signal to assemble at a certain position on each floor or in the building when the safest evacuation route could be determined. Are we saying that one must never, ever use a fire alarm sounder for any thing else other than fires.
Would a clown on a bicycle with a hooter maybe satisfy the Home Office?
Maybe we could send someone around with a note.
Maybe we could stay put and hope it is a hoax.

[Galeon]

I can't see why the FA system sounders could not be utilised in some way, like a pulsed alarm signal, operated from a few other emergency actuation points strategically placed. This could alert persons to a different type of emergency which has a specific emergency plan.

As a suspect package/device is going to be left anywhere (not neccassarily structural / public ) may be incendiary, you cant therefore have any relation to audible alarms to specifically alert staff only.
Possible detonation of a device can occur if the alarm sounders are used due to the attenuation , bomb alert by fire system hasn't been used for years , there is a Home Office document on this matter if memory serves me right ,.

My point was Galeon that should a specific audible alarm sound then that could be a signal to assemble at a certain position on each floor or in the building when the safest evacuation route could be determined. Are we saying that one must never, ever use a fire alarm sounder for any thing else other than fires.
Would a clown on a bicycle with a hooter maybe satisfy the Home Office?
Maybe we could send someone around with a note.
Maybe we could stay put and hope it is a hoax.

I now understand where you are coming from , but you see where I am coming from ,in relation to The Home Office , this could be confirmed , as you well know Coco could fill this role if he is not to busy at the circus.