Safe Fire Drill Requirements

Routes

• Making a plan is the first step in proper fire safety. You need to lay out the procedures for how people will exit the building, including different routes to take depending on various conditions and where to meet on the outside. Maps should be drawn of the inside of the building and posted in each room or area showing the main route out of the building from that location. An alternate route can also be shown in a different color in case the main route is blocked.

Assignments

• Individuals should be designated for certain tasks so there is no confusion. Have at least two people near the back of the building check rooms on their way out to ensure that everyone has left and make note of anyone still inside. This doesn't mean that you require them to stay and help everyone that needs it, since that might result in even more people being trapped inside. They would make note of those still working their way out and where they were, so that they could give the information to firefighters. There might also be someone to take names as people leave the building so that you are sure everyone made it out, someone to shut down certain equipment or someone help those that cannot get out of the building quickly such as the elderly or disabled.

Practice

• Have fire drills regularly so that everyone knows what to do. You can set up scheduled and surprise drills to test everyone and watch to see what needs more work.