Are your emergency response procedures up to date? Every responsible building owner and manager should be able to answer with a confident “yes!”
If instead it’s making you break into a nervous sweat, make emergency planning a priority. Emergency plans and procedures aren’t just for show:
- They tell employees and visitors what to do in a crisis
- First responders use them to locate fire protection equipment
- Fire wardens rely on them in an evacuation
- They ensure fire safety checks are up to date
Read on to find out what steps you can take immediately to get up to code, and how Fire Safe ANZ can help protect your employees and important assets.
Emergency Procedure Plans
Emergency planning staves off panic in an emergency and ensures building occupants arrive safely at designated muster points.
Every building – and for multiple tenancy buildings, every tenancy – will have their own emergency procedure in place. While the details differ, all plans should at least contain:
- Site specific details
- Evacuation diagrams
- Procedure specific details
- Contact information
- Location of fire safety equipment
- First aid information
- Fire warden details
They should be regularly updated with fire warden changes, plus the location of fire safety equipment and relevant contact details. Most businesses practice emergency procedures at least twice a year to ensure if the unthinkable happens employees will respond without panic.
Emergency Evacuation Diagrams
Australian workplaces and multi-residence dwellings must display clear and accurate emergency diagrams. And there’s a good reason for it: if an emergency unfolds, being able to navigate to a safe exit might save a person’s life.
It’s important to regularly inspect exit routes. We recommend doing a walkthrough at least once a month to check:
- Emergency exit diagrams are accurate and up to date
- Exit routes are free from obstruction
- Routes are accessible for people with mobility issues
- Emergency lighting is operational
- Fire doors are up to code
- Fire safety equipment is where it’s supposed to be
Check the date the diagram was last updated. If it’s approaching 5 years old, give Fire Safe ANZ a call to get a new certified map made up.
Fire Protection Equipment
You might think fire extinguishers are your first line of defence when a blaze breaks out, but that may not always be the case. Every workplace will have different fire protection equipment designed to suit their specific requirements. Usually the measures will include, at a minimum:
- Emergency lighting system
- Fire extinguishers and fire blankets
- Fire hose reels
- Annual Fire Safety Statement
- Fire Indicator Panel and EWIS
- Sprinkler system
- Fire doors
- Fire hydrant systems
- RCDs
Fire protection equipment needs to be professionally maintained and regularly checked to make sure it works when you need it. Follow the links above to learn how to identify faulty or out-of-date fire protection equipment.
How Fire Safe ANZ Can Help
Fire Safe ANZ is the industry leader nationwide when it comes to emergency plans and fire procedures for the workplace. It’s our job to keep Australian workplaces safe, up to Australian Standards, and ready in case of emergency – fire or otherwise.
We create customised emergency response plans and provide full-spectrum fire safety equipment services. Get in touch with any questions, to book emergency training, or to learn more about keeping your occupants safe.