Effective evacuation of an office building

[Gary Howe]

I would like some advice on the evacuation of approximately 1000 office workers from a large office complex. At this moment in time, if the fire alarm activates then they all leave the building and meet at a designated external muster point.

All staff have basic fire safety awareness training on induction, however there are no trained fire marshals, and the full and effective evacuation of ALL staff is more down to luck than judgement.

One problem, they do have, is if the fire alarm activates at say 4.30p.m in the afternoon, rather than go to the designated muster points, a large number of staff just jump in a car and go home. If it is raining they may not leave the building or alternatively go and sit in the car.

Are correctly trained fire marshals the answer in this case, combined with raised awareness/additional training of the staff.

Any ideas or potential solutions to the problems listed above would be most welcome.

Happy New Year


Gary

[colin todd]

Yes.

[AnthonyB]

Yes fire marshals/wardens with an overall evacuation co-ordinator is the way to go.

Not only must they be suitably trained they must be in sufficient number to cover the size & layout of the premises with standby's to cover sickness & holidays

If floors are swept and cleared by these staff, then it doesn't matter if staff go home, at least you know the premises is clear.

For non-evacuees a rigid application of the company discipline code should be applied if education etc fail (although more often than not its the bosses themselves who do not leave!)

[Bill J]

I love Colins answer, concise and straight to the point. Fire Awareness and Training including Wardens is essential.

I look after a number of similar sites, one of which is full of dealers who just will not move, for fear of loss of money.

I find that the answer is to remind the management that if they allow the practice to continue, then they may be considered as encouraging it and therefore liable.

I also strongly indicate on any Fire Drills the areas where persons did not evacuate, or where slow to evacuate, from during fire drills.

This has had 2 effects, 1 the management now are much stronger in relation to ensuring staff leave, and 2, they have changed the Fire wardens in certain areas to managers, who are less likely to be ignored when telling people to leave.

The Sweep System is the preferred method, in my opinion, with Wardens reminded that their role is not to waste time  "discussing" with persons that they should leave, if someone refuses, they are left to their own devices, then it is reported, I note on the evac report, that the premises was not satisfactorily evacuated, and that loss of life would be likely in a fire situation. That gets results.

Bill