What is an Emergency Procedure?

This is the procedure that must be implemented in the event that the building needs to be evacuated due to fire.

Why?

The Fire Safety Order 2005 requires the ‘responsible person’ to have appropriate procedures (e.g. fire evacuation) to be followed in the event of serious and imminent danger to relevant persons

In addition, the Fire Safety Order also requires the ‘responsible person’ to appoint a sufficient number of ‘competent person’ to implement the procedures. Persons responsible for implementing the procedures are commonly referred to as ‘Fire Wardens’.

If you employ five or more people then your emergency procedure must be documented.

What should the Emergency Procedure include?

The extent of your emergency procedure will depend on factors such as the size and use of your premises and the number of and type of occupants. Your emergency procedure should be developed from the finding of your fire risk assessment.

The guidance notes supporting the Fire Safety Order suggest that your emergency procedure should address some of the following issues;

What staff should do if they discover a fire.

How the evacuation of the premises should be carried out.

Where people should assemble after they have been evacuated.

Identification of key escape routes, how people can gain access to them and escape from

them to a place of total safety.

1. What staff should do if they discover a fire.
   

2. How the evacuation of the premises should be carried out.
   

3. Where people should assemble after they have been evacuated.
   

4. Identification of key escape routes, how people can gain access to them and escape from them to a place of total safety.
   

5. Arrangements for fighting the fire.
   

6. The duties and identity of staff who have specific responsibilities if there is a fire.
   

7. Arrangements for the safe evacuation of people identified as being especially at risk, such as those with disabilities, lone workers and young persons.
   

8. Any machines/ appliances/ processes/ power supplies/ that need to be stopped or isolated if there is a fire.
   

9. Specific arrangements, if necessary, for high-fire-risk areas.
   

10. Contingency plans for when life safety systems such as evacuation lifts, fire-detection and warning systems, sprinklers or smoke control systems are out of order.
    

11. How the fire and rescue service and any other necessary services will be called and who will be responsible for doing this.
    

12. Procedures for meeting the fire and rescue service on their arrival and notifying them of special risks, e.g. the location of gas supplies etc.
    

13. Highly flammable materials.
    

How can RST Consultancy help you?

From the findings of your fire risk assessment, we can assist you in the preparation of your emergency procedure to ensure that all the relevant issues recommended in current fire safety guidance are considered.

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