Introduction:
Fire drill means a practice rehearsal of the evacuation of the occupants of a building
according to a plan designed to accomplish such an evacuation as quickly as possible and
to avoid panic, injury, or loss of life. All offices, schools, and buildings are required to
have fire drills, which help prepare you for a real emergency. Behaving correctly in a fire
drill will train you to respond calmly and safely in the unlikely event of a real fire.
Importance of fire drill:
How people behave in high-pressure situations, such as fires, can vary but this factor can
be hugely important when it comes to effective evacuation. Fire drills allow staff to
practice evacuation procedures in a simulated situation to ensure they are fully aware of
how to safely exit the building.
The more familiar staff are with fire drill procedures, the higher the chance that staff
remain safe and well during an emergency. Regular fire drills will help to underpin the
correct procedures, removing panic and uncertainty for all concerned.
Fire drills are also an important opportunity to analyses how effective the evacuation
procedure is and how effective the exit routes were, so that changes can be made to
improve the strategy in the future.
But perhaps the most important thing to remember is that fire drills are a legal
requirement for all businesses.
Fire drills are super useful if a real fire does happen,
Fire drills allow occupants of the building to get familiar with the escape route
from the room / flat they are in. So, when a real fire comes they don't have to
spend time looking for the closest exit.
Fire drills test how well and clear the occupants can hear the fire alarm, in case of
when a real fire comes someone can't hear the alarm and get burned alive.
Fire drills can test she occupants' reactions in general, dependent on their
accessibility, for example, if it is proven it takes a younger or older person more
time to make to an exit, then maybe they should be situated closer to the exit.
Having these reaction tests occasionally remind the occupants that they should be
alert for a real fire.
No matter how easy it seems, some people could not escape effectively (maybe
they're carrying stuff, trying to put out the fire, etc.). Fire drills are a way to find
and teach those people how to escape effectively.
How frequent should fire drills be:
As an employer, you are legally obliged to carry out fire drills at least once a year, though
it’s advisable to carry them out more regularly, particularly if your workplace has many
risk factors.
Each time they are carried out, the results must be recorded.
Ideally, we should involve ALL personnel in at least one fire drill per year, and if we
operate various shift patterns (even into the night), each shift should be covered too, as
fires don’t just break out during the day!
How to practice fire drill:
Legally, we should carry out at least one fire drill per year and record the results. One
must keep the results as part of one’s fire safety and evacuation plan.
As part of the role of a responsible person, this person, or team of people will need to
carry out regular checks to make sure that:
All fire alarm systems are working.
The emergency lighting is working (if applicable)
You record any faults in systems and equipment (remember to get them repaired!)
All escape routes are clear, and the floor is in good condition.
All fire escapes can be opened easily.
Automatic fire doors close correctly.
Fire exit signs are in the right place.
As part of this process, the responsible individual will also ensure that the procedures laid
down in the company fire evacuation policy are actioned.
This plan must include the following and consider the needs of people who may have
mobility issues:
A clear passageway to all escape routes
Clearly marked escape routes that are as short and direct as possible.
Enough exits and routes for all people to escape.
Emergency doors that open easily
Emergency lighting where needed.
Training for all employees to know and use the escape routes.
A safe meeting point for staff
What should we do during a fire drill:
There are a few things we can do to ensure that you get the most use out of your fire drill.
Here are a few tips:
Time it: Record the time it takes for the building to be evacuated and for everyone to be
congregated at the fire assembly points. If the process is taking too long, you may wish to
investigate ways to speed up the process whilst not encouraging rushing.
Make observations: Fire drills happen infrequently, so it’s important you use this
invaluable opportunity to take note of any key observations about the effectiveness of the
procedure.
Record your drill: Keep records of all fire drills and the people involved in them as part
of your fire safety regime. You may be asked to provide evidence of fire drills by a Fire
Safety Inspector.
The fire drill checklist:
Have a written and approved fire safety drill procedure and ensure it is displayed
prominently around buildings.
Ensure all staff are trained in the procedures they must follow during a fire drill
Appoint a suitable number of fire wardens and ensure they are trained and fully
understand their responsibilities.
Practice the fire drill on a regular basis such that staff are kept prepared.
Hold impromptu fire drills that include a full building evacuation so that staff can
practice a full fire drill.
Keep your fire logbook up to date and ensure the date and time of all fire drills is
recorded.
Document any issues or faults and report to management and your fire alarm
maintenance company.
How to Act During a Fire Drill:
Part-1
Responding to the Fire Alarm
Step 1
Stay calm: Do not panic when you hear the fire alarm. Also, it's important to stay
quiet so you can hear any instructions.
In fact, it's important to be quiet and calm the whole time the fire drill is happening,
not just when it starts.
Step 2
Treat the alert as if it were a real fire: Though you may think the fire alarm is just
for practice, you should always treat it as there actually is a fire. You have to practice
the drill seriously to learn the proper procedure so that when a fire does happen, you
won't panic.
In fact, even if a drill is scheduled, something could have happened to cause a real
emergency. Always treat the drill as if it were the real thing.
Step 3
Stop what you're doing: When you hear the alarm, you must stop anything you are
doing at the time. Don't take time to finish a sentence on your paper or send an email.
Don't take time to gather your things. Respond to the alarm immediately.
Step 4
Start moving out of the building: Consider where the nearest exit is. Leave the room
you are in going in that direction.
Try to be as orderly as possible as you leave the room. Line up to exit the room. Don't
start running.
If possible, know the route to the nearest fire exit before a fire drill happens. It's
always a good idea to check for your route when you're in a new building, especially
one you will spend a good deal of time in. For instance, hotels are required to have the
fire exit on the back of your hotel door.
Under no circumstances should you ever use an elevator in an emergency evacuation.
Step 5
Close your door: If you are the last person in a room, close the door behind you.
Make sure it doesn't lock, however.
When you close the door, it helps slow the fire because not as much oxygen can get in
the room as quickly. It also blocks smoke and heat from entering other rooms as
much.
Step 6
Leave the lights on: Do not turn the lights off as you exit the room. Leaving the
lights on will help firefighters see better.
Part-2
Making Your Way Through the Building
Step 7
Move to the nearest exit: Go along the prescribed route for evacuating the building.
If you don't know where the nearest exit is, look for "Exit" signs as you move down
the hallways. These signs will usually be in red (or green in the UK) and sometimes
will be lighted.
Step 8
Check doors for heat: When you're in a real fire, you must check doors for heat as
you come up to them. Look for smoke coming under the door and place your hand
near the door to see if it is radiating heat. If you see neither of these signs, try lightly
touching the door handle to see if it is hot. In a real fire, if you find any of these signs,
you must go another route.
Step 9
Take the stairs: You should not use elevators during a fire drill. During a real fire,
elevators are used by the firefighters to help fight the fire. Plus, elevators can be
dangerous during a fire.
In addition, stairways are usually pressurized, meaning they will not be as smoky as
other areas.
Step 10
Watch for "smoke" signs: Sometimes, the people doing the drill will put up
"smoke" signs in certain hallways to simulate what happens in a real fire. If you see a
smoke sign, you need to find an alternative route out of the building.
If that's the only way out, practice crawling low. When there's smoke, getting down
low can help you see better.
Descend to the designated meeting point. This will usually be in a sky lobby or main
lobby. If a total evacuation is ordered, walk all the way down to the ground floor and
exit the building via the emergency exits or through the main entrances.
Part-3
Leaving the building
Step 11
Clear the sidewalks: Make sure to leave the sidewalks clear for the firefighters to do
their work. If there are too many people clumped on the sidewalks, firefighters cannot
get through.
Be sure to listen for people in authority giving directions. Teachers or building
emergency coordinators will likely be looking to take a head count, so they will want
to get everyone in the same area, which is why it's important to stay quiet.
Step 12
Move to a safe distance: If there really is a fire, the building could eventually
collapse. You should move a safe distance away from the building. Generally, across
the street is fine.
Step 13
Wait for the all-clear: Don't assume that because the fire alarm has stopped, you can
re-enter the building. Wait until the firefighters or someone else in charge tells you it's
fine to go back inside. Once you hear that, you can resume normal activities.
