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When an emergency situation occurs, it is vital to have a workforce that know how to react. Fire drills are a vital way of keeping people safe and well prepared in the event of a fire.
Fire drills are an important part of any building to ensure that the people in the building know how to escape and can safely evacuate. Practice makes it quicker to get out of the building and know where your assembly point is. The more people undergo the fire drill process, the easier it becomes to follow in an emergency.
For this reason, fire drills should be conducted at least every six months, to ensure that every member of staff takes part in at least one fire drill each year.
Why are fire drills so crucial in an emergency?
It’s important to practise fire drills so that in the event of a fire, people don’t automatically take their normal route out of the building. If the fire is on their usual route to the exit, it is important to have a secondary option in order to be able to safely leave. Regular fire drills allow people to get used to using alternative routes to find their way out of the building and get safely to their designated assembly point.
Fire drills protect life by ensuring individuals are familiar with evacuation routes. A practised process can reduce panic, and minimise the response time during a real emergency, both of which can be critical factors for evacuation success and ensuring occupant safety.
A fire drill also tests the effectiveness of fire safety plans, alarm systems, equipment and emergency exits, while fulfilling legal requirements. Regular drills train people to react calmly and efficiently when lives are on the line.
It is also important to consider if any of the workforce require a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) – a bespoke escape strategy designed to support individuals who may not be able to safely exit a building during an emergency without assistance.
In summary
You must train new staff on fire evacuation procedures as part of their induction and inform all employees about any new fire risks. Fire drills should happen regularly, at least every six months and the results should be recorded as part of your fire safety and evacuation plan.
An evacuation plan should show a clear passageway to all escape routes, clearly marked escape routes that are as short and direct as possible and enough exits to ensure everyone can escape.
Fire drills ensure the effectiveness of the evacuation strategy, which should end with a safe meeting point for staff.
For help with your fire safety, contact Acorn Safety Services today at 01604 930380.
