Fire Evacuation Training

Fire evacuation training is part of the emergency action plan required by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for companies that have employees who occupy an enclosed structure for work purposes. Fire evacuation training must be based on the evaluation of the workplace and determining how people can respond to the fire emergency, taking into account the workplace layout, structural features and the set emergency systems.

Objectives

• The objectives of the training include equipping the employees with the knowledge of their safety duties and evacuation responsibilities. The training makes them realize the importance of a safety fire evacuation plan. Employees will learn how to report fire emergencies and account for other staff members during and after the evacuation. The employees should be able to locate the emergency assembly areas when there is a fire emergency and should understand the procedures involved in evacuating the building successfully.

Requirements

• The fire evacuation trainer must present the employees a site plan, floor plan, fire manual and list of employees. The site plan indicates the workers' assembly areas, location of fire extinguishers and the access points of the department vehicle. The floor plan identifies the exits, primary and secondary exit routes, fire alarms, convening areas, hose stations and sprinkle control valves. The trainer must also provide a list of employees and their designated responsibilities during the fire emergency. A fire manual must include the location of the fire control equipment and which type of alarm, buzzer or sound notifies personnel of a fire emergency and evacuation.

Plan

• The fire evacuation plan used in the training needs to be reviewed or updated every year. This is because changes may occur in personnel, structure features or arrangement of the building. The instructor should remind employees that a written evacuation plan is placed in the workplace for the employees to access for further self-training. Developing the fire evacuation plan should involve not only the managers but the employees as well. Employees’ involvement ensures their commitment and support of the success of the fire evacuation plan and training.

Consequences

• Effective fire evacuation training decreases the risk of employee injury and even death. The training can also result in decreased structural damage to the facilities. In contrast, poor training or no training at all results in more injuries and more severe property damage. Administrators will also be held accountable by the government for failing to offer proper training. Fire evacuation training gives employees a feeling of security and confidence as they perform their duties and sends the message that the company values their safety.

Considerations

• All new employees are entitled to receive initial fire evacuation training from the first-level supervisor. The supervisors need to keep a record of the date and details of the training conducted and provide training certificates. The company administration is also responsible for giving the employees fire evacuation education and training at least every year. The management should update employees on any changes in the fire evacuation plan in the workplace. Management can coordinate and acquire resources from other organizations such as local fire departments and OSHA regarding training.