Implementing a Fire Drill in the workplace is not only a legal requirement, but is also essential to protect individuals and their companies from being charged with major fire safety breaches, resulting in unlimited fines and up to 2 years imprisonment.
In this article, users will learn why implementing a fire drill is so important, how to implement one, and what procedures they must introduce to uphold these standards long term.
Regular fire drills
It is not only essential to conduct regular fire drills, but is also incredibly important that as the employer/ responsible person, conduct a fire safety assessment of the premises, to help educate the staff about the potential dangers and risks within the workplace.
A&E's Managing and Implementing Fire Safety course will benefit Health & Safety representatives, Departments Heads, Managers, or any designated responsible person to understand how to implement fire strategies in the workplace.
What Is A Fire Drill?
To help ensure that a fire drill is maintained, users must conduct practice runs at least twice a year
A Fire Drill is an annual or biannual practice of emergency procedures to be followed in the instance of a fire alarm sounding within a premise. In most cases, the building’s fire alarm will sound, signaling all those within the building to leave the premises using the designated fire exit routes. These routes should be labeled with ‘fire exit’ signs.
To help ensure that a fire drill is maintained, users must conduct practice runs at least twice a year. This will allow new employees/residents to stay educated on the procedure in case of a REAL fire emergency. A&E would also recommend that users change the day of the week that these are practiced, as employees may have set days in the office, for example, and it is essential everyone is trained.
Why Are Fire Drills Necessary In The Workplace?
Fire Drills are crucial procedures within the workplace. They do not only keep staff safe in the possible eventuality of a fire but also ensure that users, as the ‘relevant’ or ‘responsible’ person, are safe from the penalties that incur from neglect of employee/resident health and safety.
Possible penalties that may encounter from improper integration of fire safety management include:
- Unlimited Fines
- Up to 2 Years in Prison
What Will The Fire Service Need When They Arrive?
It is not only important for users' self-awareness and protection to implement a fire drill in the workplace, but also to help the fire service protect and serve when they are called to a location in the instance of a fire breaking out.
When the fire service attends the premises, they will ask the responsible person for a list of all the employees, students, etc. who are present and evacuated, as well as the fire evacuation pack.
What Should A Fire Evacuation Pack Include?
A fire evacuation pack should include:
- A Zone Plan of the entire building that helps them navigate (especially important in larger properties such as schools and hospitals),
- A copy of Fire Risk Assessment and,
- All other important door keys, keycodes, etc. mean the fire service can be efficient and thorough.
Responsibilities of Fire Drills
The main responsibilities of the fire drill setup and maintenance, fall on the designated ‘responsible person'
The main responsibilities of the fire drill setup and maintenance, fall on the designated ‘responsible person' or fire safety employee/staff. They will be responsible for organizing ‘Fire Warden/Marshall’ training and organizing regular practices of the Fire Evacuation Drill.
The trained Fire Wardens/ Marshalls will then carry the responsibility of ensuring all staff/residents are evacuated properly in the instance of a fire alarm sounding.
How To Set Up Effective Fire Drills In The Workplace
The best way to ensure users set up an efficient and effective Fire Drill is to make sure all staff/occupants are aware of the procedure. This means making the drills occur regularly and in a thorough manner.
If users start a fire drill and find flaws in the system they currently use, they will need to reassess the way they run the drill and amend it accordingly. Creating guidelines in premises such as schools can be incredibly crucial.
Education/Schools:
Allocating children's specific places in line and outside on the playground, for example, will allow teachers to identify if someone is missing.
Moreover, keeping children silent during the drills will not only encourage a sense of urgency and formality but means that teachers and staff can call names and be heard when instructions are laid out.
Hospitals/Health Care Premises:
In locations where occupants may have disabilities, vulnerabilities, or are mobility impaired, we recommend creating and implementing GLEEPS & PEEPS.
- GLEEPS = General Emergency Evacuation Plan: Useful for visitors with restricted mobility, or those who cannot evacuate unaided. Identify designated staff that can aid these people out of the building using more available routes etc.
- PEEPS = Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan: Bespoke escape plan for individuals who may not be able to reach safety unaided. Something more set in stone for those who work, or are regularly in the building. This can be from anything from installing an ‘Evac-chair’, to appointing an ‘Evacuation buddy’ system.
How Often Should Fire Drills Be Undertaken?
It is important that all those who work or live within premises are aware of the features of the fire evacuation procedure
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Fire Drills should be practiced at least once a year, however, most organizations carry them out twice a year.
It is incredibly important that all those who work or live within premises are aware of all the features of the fire evacuation procedure, including correct routes to the Fire Evacuation Point and what to do in the instance of the alarm sounding; for example, leaving belongings behind and aiding those who are less able-bodied than themselves in the process.
What More Should Users Do For Fire Awareness?
Although it is easy enough to implement an individual's own fire safety procedures, it is highly recommended that users obtain fire awareness training from a trusted, proficient company.
This will not only help the employees gather all the relevant information to help themselves and others out of the building, but ensure that the ‘responsible person can rest easy, knowing that they have covered all bases in the protection of their employees and/or residents.