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Points which must be checked are:
• How long will it take for people to escape to a safe place once a fire has been detected?
• Is the escape time reasonable, or is it too long in view of the risk of fire and smoke
spreading?
• Are there enough exits and are they in the right place?
• Are the type and size of exits suitable and of sufficient number for the people likely to
need them?
• Are there any special requirements to preserve the modesty of women, who may be
present?
• Are there special needs that must be catered for such as wheel chair users, the visually
impaired and the hearing impaired?
• Could a fire affect all exits? At least one route from any part of the building should
remain available until everybody has escaped.
• Are all escape routes easily identifiable, free from obstruction and adequately
illuminated?
• Are people trained in using the means of escape?
• Are there instructions posted about the means of escape?
• Are the arrangements for escape included in the Fire Emergency Plan?
• Is a smoke control system required (e.g. smoke duct or extractor)?
If required, refer to the relevant detailed standards and codes for fire safety as provided in
a variety of documents by HSE executive (U.K) and NFPA (U.S).
The Fire Emergency Procedures
The Fire Emergency Procedures must detail the actions that persons in the workplace
should take in the event of fire. It must be kept at the work place and must be available
for perusal by all concerned personnel. The Fire Emergency Plan must be made available
for inspection by independent auditors and assessors, or by INDUSTRY
auditors/inspectors.
The Fire Emergency Plan should form the basis of the training and instruction for INDUSTRY
Group Company employees and others regarding fire safety in the workplace.
The purpose of the Fire Emergency Plan is to ensure that:
• People in the workplace know what to do if there is a fire.
• That the workplace can be safely evacuated in the event of a fire.
ENSIGN | Unit IG2 – Element 10 –Fire 34
