How to Design Fire Evacuation Plans

A fire evacuation plan is an essential tool in overall building and operational safety. It is the guideline and visual map that shows you and those you are responsible for how to exit a building or an area quickly and in the most effective manner in the event a fire breaks out. Fire is a common occurrence in homes and offices, and even the smallest kitchen blaze warrants an evacuation. Maps detailing how to best get out are imperative to public and personal safety.

Things You'll Need

• Blueprint or drawing of building
• List of people routinely in the building and their locations
• Camera or video recorder

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Instructions

• 1

  Gather documents such as building blueprints or drawings of the area the map will cover. House evacuations can be planned with the builder's rendering, or a hand-drawn sketch of the house will work. For an office building or office space, get a copy of the building blueprints from the maintenance department. For an area such as a school campus or outdoor venue, get a copy of the area map from the site developer or hand-draw your own. Make sure that all schematics include any outlying structures such as restrooms, sheds, porches and overhangs. The more comprehensive the map, the better it will be.

• 2

  Make copies of the building information and use a drawing or document program that allows for you to make changes, add text and highlight key areas as needed. You can also achieve this by copying the building diagrams and writing and highlighting directly onto the copies. Make sure to highlight all exit areas, such as doors and windows. Make sure to color-code doors in one color and windows in another.

• 3

  Draw escape routes from various parts of the building or area to their closest exit. Make sure to note doorways and traditional exit areas first, and note windows as alternate escape routes in the event the primary ways out are blocked by fire or a collapsed piece of the structure.

• 4

  Make copies of the evacuation plan and post them in areas where people will see them on a regular basis. In an office this would include areas such as the kitchen or cafeteria or the main bulletin board. Outdoor venues or other outdoor areas should have the maps posted on the main bulletin board. The plan should be kept in the kitchen of a house. Give copies of the evacuation plan to all household members or office staff.

• 5

  Update your fire evacuation plan at least once per year to ensure that it is up to date based on current conditions. Make sure to update the plan when construction or renovation is underway that would potentially block an exit area.