How to Make a Fire Evacuation Plan for Your Atlanta Commercial Building

It's always good to be prepared for fires. After all, what's more terrifying than the idea of your beloved business going up in flames? That's why you should develop a proper fire evacuation plan to keep your employees and customers safe.

Cliff's Fire Extinguisher Company is here to explain how to make a fire evacuation plan for your business. They offer quality fire alarm systems in Atlanta, GA, and have years of experience helping business owners develop proper fire safety protocols.

Establish a Fire Prevention Protocol

Before creating your fire evacuation plan, evaluate your building's risks.

Are there any potential firestarters, like kitchens, bad wires, or electrical appliances? Do you or your employees practice unsafe electrical habits, such as daisy-chaining power strips or using old cables? Establishing consistent safety requirements can help prevent fires from starting. 

You should also purchase fire safety equipment, like extra fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, fire hoods, and fire blankets. These tools can provide additional assistance in the event of a fire. However, the best way to deal with fires is to prevent them from starting in the first place.

Assign Roles and Responsibilities

Every business needs a proper chain of command for fire prevention. Consider assigning several employees to these roles:

• Chief fire warden: The chief fire warden directs the fire response process. They'll ensure all doors are closed and ensure every employee is safe.
• Assistant fire warden: This employee assists the chief warden and contacts the fire department when a fire breaks out.
• Route guides: Route guides ensure safe evacuation, directing employees and patrons to the fire escape routes.
• Floor monitors: Floor monitors make sure that all employees and patrons evacuate the building in a timely manner.

Ensure each role has a backup and that you distribute responsibilities evenly across your company's workforce.

Map Out Your Action Plan

Once you've established a fire prevention protocol and assigned appropriate responsibilities, you should map out your business's evacuation plan. Start with a map of your building's layout. Then, place a compass on the map to aid with directions.

Next, mark all fire alarms, extinguishers, and other fire aids with appropriate icons. Clearly label them for all to see. Then, use blue crosses to represent first aid kits, eyewash stations, and other safety items.

After marking all appropriate tools, identify the exits, then create primary and secondary escape routes that direct employees to them. Finally, finish your fire evacuation plan by designating an emergency assembly area. This gathering place should be a safe, open place for employees and patrons to meet after leaving the building. 

Distribute copies of your plan to your employees, and place them in visible locations throughout your property. Mark specific plans with unique "You Are Here" red dots to help observers orient themselves.

Atlanta's Fire Prevention Experts

Cliff's Fire Extinguisher Company provides quality fire protection systems to Atlanta, GA, business owners. Contact the team to learn more about their approach to fire safety.