Purpose
This SOP establishes the procedure for safe evacuation of building occupants in the event of fire or fire alarm activation. It applies to all occupants, visitors, and contractors.
Applicable Standards
- BNBC 2020 Part 4 — Fire Protection and Means of Egress
- NFPA 101 — Life Safety Code
- ISO 23601 — Safety Identification, Escape and Evacuation Plans
- NFPA 1600 — Emergency Management and Business Continuity
Roles and Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility | Training | Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Fire Warden | Overall evacuation coordination, liaise with fire service, declare all-clear | Annual fire warden course + quarterly drills | High-vis vest (red), radio, evacuation plan, torch |
| Floor Wardens | Sweep floor, direct occupants, report floor status, assist disabled persons | Annual fire warden course + quarterly drills | High-vis vest (yellow), whistle, torch |
| Fire Team | First response — assess fire, use extinguisher if safe, guide fire service | Fire extinguisher training + first aid | Fire extinguisher access, radio |
| Security/Reception | Activate alarm if not automatic, control access, direct fire service | Alarm operation + emergency procedures | Alarm panel access, building keys |
| All Occupants | Evacuate immediately via nearest exit, do not use lifts, report to assembly | Induction + annual refresher | Knowledge of nearest exit |
Evacuation Procedure
On Hearing the Alarm
- Stop work immediately. Save work if it takes less than 10 seconds. Do not collect personal belongings.
- Leave by the nearest exit. Follow illuminated exit signs. Walk — do not run. Keep right on stairs.
- Do not use lifts. Lifts should auto-recall to ground floor on alarm activation.
- Close doors behind you (do not lock). Closed doors slow fire spread.
- Proceed to the assembly point. Do not re-enter the building until all-clear is given.
- Report to your floor warden at the assembly point. Report any missing persons.
If You Discover a Fire
- Activate the nearest manual call point (break glass).
- Call reception/security — report location, size, and type of fire.
- If trained and safe to do so — use appropriate extinguisher on small fires (wastebasket-sized only).
- If fire is beyond a single extinguisher — evacuate immediately, close door.
- Never fight a fire alone or if you are between the fire and the exit.
Disabled Persons Evacuation
- Pre-identified: Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for all mobility-impaired occupants.
- Refuge areas: If available, proceed to designated fire-rated refuge area on the floor.
- Evacuation chairs: Trained personnel use evacuation chairs for stairwell evacuation.
- Buddy system: Assign at least two buddies per disabled occupant for each shift.
- Communication: Floor warden reports disabled persons location to Chief Fire Warden immediately.
Drill Requirements
| Type | Frequency | Scope | Target Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full building evacuation | Minimum 2x per year | All occupants, all floors | ≤5 min total evacuation |
| Partial/floor drill | Quarterly (rotating floors) | Single floor or zone | ≤3 min floor clearance |
| Table-top exercise | Annually | Emergency team, management | Scenario-based discussion |
| Night/weekend drill | Annually (if 24/7 operation) | Shift staff, security | Per evacuation plan |
Documentation
- Drill record — date, time, total evacuation time, issues identified, corrective actions
- Evacuation plan — posted on every floor, updated annually
- Floor warden register — names, alternates, training dates
- PEEP register — personal evacuation plans for disabled occupants
References
- NFPA 101 — Life Safety Code
- BNBC 2020 Part 4 — Fire Protection
- ISO 23601 — Escape and Evacuation Plans
- NFPA 1600 — Emergency Management
Insights & Guidance
- Full building evacuation target: ≤5 minutes. Full drills minimum 2x per year.
- Floor wardens are critical: sweep floor, direct occupants, report floor status, assist disabled persons.
- Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) required for all mobility-impaired occupants.
- Never fight a fire beyond wastebasket-size. Never fight if fire is between you and the exit.
- Documentation: drill records, evacuation plans posted per floor, warden register, PEEP register.
In a fire, the difference between a practiced evacuation and chaos can be the difference between life and death. Regular drills, clear roles, and documented procedures ensure every occupant knows exactly what to do when the alarm sounds.
- No practice — untrained occupants panic, block exits, try to use lifts.
- Locked exits — fire exits locked for security defeat the entire evacuation system.
- Disabled persons forgotten — without PEEPs, mobility-impaired occupants are stranded above the fire.
- Drill records with times and corrective actions
- Evacuation plan posted on every floor
- Floor warden training certificates
- PEEP register for disabled occupants
- Are evacuation plans posted and current?
- Are fire exits clear, unlocked, and illuminated?
- Do floor wardens know their roles?
- When was the last full building evacuation drill?
- What was the total evacuation time?
- How many floor wardens are trained?
- Evacuation planning — fire safety consultant.
- PEEP assessment — occupational health + fire safety.
- Drill facilitation — fire safety training provider.