Fire Evacuation SOP Template

1.Purpose

To make sure everyone evacuates the building safely and quickly when a fire alarm sounds, and that all persons are accounted for at the assembly point.

2.Scope

Applies to all employees, contractors and visitors in the building, for both fire drills and real fire alarm activations.

Definitions

Fire warden

A trained employee assigned to sweep an area, direct evacuation and report to the assembly point that their area is clear.

Assembly point

The designated outdoor location where everyone gathers after evacuating, used for roll call.

Personal emergency evacuation plan

A specific evacuation arrangement prepared in advance for an employee who needs assistance to evacuate safely.

3.Responsibilities

Employee

Stops work, evacuates via the nearest safe exit and reports to the assembly point for roll call.

Fire Warden

Sweeps their assigned area, assists anyone needing help, and reports their area clear at the assembly point.

Safety Officer

Coordinates with emergency services, confirms roll call is complete and authorizes re-entry.

Department Manager

Supports headcount for their team and helps identify anyone unaccounted for.

RACI matrix

R = Responsible, A = Accountable, C = Consulted, I = Informed

4.Materials and PPE

Materials, tools and systems

• →Fire alarm call points and alarm system
• →Evacuation route maps posted throughout the building
• →Assembly point sign-in sheet or headcount list
• →Personal emergency evacuation plans for employees needing assistance
• →Fire warden vests or identification

5.Procedure

1. 5.1

   Alert others and raise the alarm

   Employee

   On discovering a fire or smoke, alert people nearby and activate the nearest fire alarm call point immediately.

2. 5.2

   Stop work and evacuate

   Employee

   On hearing the fire alarm, stop work immediately, leave belongings behind, and move to the nearest safe exit route.

   Warning: Never use elevators during a fire evacuation. Use the stairs only.

3. 5.3

   Assist people who need help evacuating

   Employee

   Employees with a personal emergency evacuation plan are assisted by their designated buddy or the nearest fire warden following the plan on file.

4. 5.4

   Proceed to the assembly point

   Employee

   Walk directly to the designated assembly point without stopping at vehicles, other buildings or gathering points along the way.

5. 5.5

   Sweep the assigned area

   Fire Warden

   Each fire warden quickly checks their assigned area, including restrooms and meeting rooms, for anyone who has not evacuated, without putting themselves at risk.

6. 5.6

   Close doors while leaving

   Fire Warden

   Close office and room doors behind you while sweeping or evacuating, since closed doors can slow the spread of fire and smoke.

7. 5.7

   Take roll call at the assembly point

   Fire Warden

   At the assembly point, each department manager or fire warden checks attendance against their team list and confirms who is present.

   Checkpoint: Every person normally on site that day is accounted for as present, evacuated to another location, or reported missing.

8. 5.8

   Report missing persons immediately

   Fire Warden

   If anyone cannot be accounted for, report their name and last known location to the safety officer or fire warden coordinator right away.

   Warning: Report a missing person immediately. Do not re-enter the building yourself to search for them.

9. 5.9

   Coordinate with emergency responders

   Safety Officer

   Meet arriving fire or emergency services personnel, provide the roll call status and any information about missing persons or the fire's location.

10. 5.10

    Wait for the all-clear

    Employee

    Everyone remains at the assembly point until the safety officer or emergency services confirm it is safe to re-enter the building.

11. 5.11

    Authorize re-entry

    Safety Officer

    Once emergency services or the safety officer confirm the building is safe, announce re-entry and direct people back through the normal entrances.

12. 5.12

    Debrief after the evacuation

    Safety Officer

    Hold a short debrief with fire wardens to capture what went well and any issue with alarms, exits or roll call accuracy.

13. 5.13

    Schedule the next fire drill

    Safety Officer

    Schedule the next fire drill based on the review cycle and update evacuation plans or maps if the debrief identified any needed change.

6.Quality checks

• →Roll call at the assembly point accounts for every person expected on site.
• →Fire wardens complete their area sweep and report status before leaving the assembly point.
• →No one re-enters the building before the safety officer or emergency services give the all-clear.
• →Fire drills are held on the scheduled frequency and issues found are corrected before the next drill.

7.Records

• →Assembly point roll call sheets
• →Fire drill records and debrief notes
• →Personal emergency evacuation plans
• →Fire warden assignment list

8.KPIs

• →Time from alarm activation to completed roll call
• →Percentage of employees accounted for on first roll call
• →Number of fire drills completed against the annual schedule

9.Common mistakes

• →Stopping to collect belongings before evacuating.
• →Using an elevator during an evacuation.
• →Re-entering the building to look for a missing person instead of reporting it.
• →Not updating the personal emergency evacuation plan when an employee's needs change.

10.Revision history