Having a building evacuation plan in place can prevent disasters and minimize harm. An evacuation plan keeps your employees and customers safe during a fire, natural disaster, or other emergency. Hazards may include fires, natural disasters, or other threats to your location or industry.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that there are 3,340 fires in office properties each year, averaging out to more than nine fires daily. Additionally, from 2017 to 2021, fire departments in the United States responded to approximately 36,784 fires per year at industrial or manufacturing sites.

Establishing a Building Evacuation Plan

The NFPA recommends that building owners establish procedures for fire and all-hazard emergencies. All building owners and managers should create, implement, maintain, and regularly practice a Building Emergency Plan (or Emergency Action Plan) for their building. A plan details the actions occupants need to take during emergencies, including evacuations and drills. Every plan must include a protocol for complete building evacuation. All employees in business, industrial plants, or manufacturing facilities must understand the evacuation plan and fire safety protocols and receive adequate training in using fire extinguishers or other personal protective equipment (PPE). 

Remember to follow these steps to create a Business Emergency Plan:

1. Evaluate your security systems
2. Develop an evacuation route
3. Assign evacuation responsibilities
4. Train your employees
5. Conduct drills
6. Review and update your plans
7. Communicate your plan

The emergency evacuation plan, along with procedures and signage, must be displayed prominently. Signs should be placed in every elevator lobby, next to doorways leading to exit stairs, and at other visible locations on the floor. All plans, procedures, and signs need to be adequately maintained and updated as necessary.

A Business Emergency Plan should always include:

• The appropriate number of personnel is designated to assist those occupants during an emergency evacuation or fire drill.
• A current list of the names and usual locations of occupants who have a disability and would require assistance to exit the building during an emergency.

At CertaSite, we aim to make the building evacuation plan process easier by guiding you through each step. From selecting a system and overseeing the installation to ongoing maintenance and ensuring your safety, we are here to support you. Start the conversation at CertaSitePro.com.