As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to keep your employees and customers or clients as safe as possible. That’s why you must create a comprehensive evacuation plan in case of a fire. From inspecting your fire safety supplies to rehearsing regularly, here are four important tips for designing an effective escape plan.

How to Design a Fire Escape Plan for Your Business

1. Examine Your Fire Safety Supplies

Your fire escape plan won’t be effective if your safety equipment isn’t working. Regularly inspect your fire extinguishers, fire alarms, fire doors, escape ladders, emergency lighting, and other equipment to ensure everything is fully operable.

Replace disposable fire extinguishers or refill reusable ones about every ten years. Clearly mark the locations of all fire safety supplies and periodically remind your employees of those locations. 

2. Mark Exit Routes & Designate Assembly Areas

Most businesses need at least two exit routes, which should be located as far away from each other as possible in case one route is blocked by smoke or fire. Clearly mark all exit routes, make sure they’re always clear of obstructions, and put maps of the exit paths in prominent places. Also, designate an assembly area away from the building where everyone can gather after they’ve escaped.

3. Assign Roles 

During a fire, it’s important to have a chain of command to ensure all employees and customers or clients evacuate safely. Meet with your employees to assign the following roles:

• Chief Fire Warden: This person is responsible for shutting doors, checking bathrooms, and checking the visitor log to ensure all customers, clients, and other visitors are out of the building. 
• Assistant Fire Warden: This position alerts employees and the fire department of the fire, performs a headcount at the assembly area, gathers reports, and provides updates. 
• Route Guides: These individuals ensure exit routes are clear. 
• Floor Monitors: Their role is to exit the building last after ensuring everyone is out. 

Make sure the people who receive these roles are reliable and spread across multiple locations. Assign backups for every role. 

4. Rehearse Regularly 

When your employees feel accustomed to their roles, they’ll be able to safely and calmly perform their duties. That’s why you should rehearse your plan once or twice a year. You should also practice it, or at least a condensed version of it, when a new employee arrives. 

Enhance your fire escape plan by turning to Advanced Fire & Safety Inc. in Dothan, AL. For more than 20 years, these fire safety specialists have been helping businesses prepare for emergencies. After inspecting your building and helping you design a fire escape plan, the licensed and certified technicians will install state-of-the-art fire safety supplies such as alarms, extinguishers, and suppression systems. They can even train your staff to implement the plan as efficiently as possible. Learn more about their comprehensive services online or call (334) 671-4596 to discuss your needs with a friendly representative.