Evacuation, alarm, and organization in case of fire
From fire discovered to everyone in safety
A well-organized evacuation can be the difference between everyone getting out and someone being left behind. While elementary firefighting is about extinguishing a small fire evacuation is about what happens when the fire cannot or should not be extinguished: warning, getting everyone out and keeping them away from danger.
§Alerting – internal and external
Alerting has two purposes: to warn everyone in the building and to call the rescue service. Activate the fire alarm if there is one, or shout and warn those around you. Call 112 and tell them what is burning, where it is, and whether people are in danger. Both must happen quickly – do not wait to call until you have seen how big the fire becomes.
§Escape routes and smoke
Leave the building by the nearest safe escape route. Do not use elevators in case of fire — they can stop and become a trap. Smoke is often more dangerous than the fire itself: it is toxic and obscures your vision. Stay low where the air is best and close doors behind you to slow the spread of smoke and fire. Feel a closed door before opening it — if it is warm, there may be fire behind it.
- 01Use the nearest safe exit route — never take the lift
- 02Stay low under the smoke
- 03Close doors behind you to limit spread
- 04Never go between wagons before you know they are secured against movement.
- 05Help those who have difficulty getting out themselves
§Assembly location and head count
After the event
§Roles and responsibilities
Many workplaces have designated fire guards or evacuation coordinators who know the emergency plan, lead the evacuation and receive the emergency services. Know your own role if you have one, and in any case know the building's escape routes, alarms and assembly point before the accident happens. The emergency plan describes who does what — it's worth reading in advance.
§Preparation pays off
The best evacuation is the one that has been practiced beforehand. Participate in evacuation drills, keep escape routes clear, and note where alarms, fire extinguishing materials and emergency exits are located where you move. When the body knows the way out, the mind doesn't need to think about it when it matters.
“The one who knows the way out on a quiet day finds it too in smoke and noise.”
— Fire safety basic rule