A fire action notice tells people to raise the alarm, leave and assemble. It does not, by itself, show that everybody can escape, somebody will call the fire and rescue service or the arrangements work during a late shift. A useful fire evacuation plan connects the building, people and fire hazards to actions that have been assigned, communicated and tested.
Build the plan from the statutory fire risk assessment
In England and Wales, the responsible person must carry out and regularly review a fire risk assessment, record it in writing and use its findings to prepare emergency arrangements. The plan should reflect the premises and relevant people; a generic template cannot decide whether escape routes, alarm coverage, staffing or assisted-escape arrangements are suitable.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires suitable procedures, routes and exits, information and training. Competent people must be appointed where necessary to implement fire precautions, but delegation does not remove the responsible person's duty. Base the plan on credible scenarios, including how warning reaches people and what happens if one route or role is unavailable.
GOV.UK: workplace fire risk assessments ↗ · Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 ↗
Write the decisions people need during an alarm
State how the alarm is raised, who calls 999, which routes people use, where they assemble and how management accounts for people. Define who checks areas without delaying escape, meets the fire and rescue service, provides building information and controls re-entry.
Include visitors, contractors, lone workers and delivery drivers. Reception and host arrangements should provide usable information without treating a roll call as proof that the building is empty. Make sure every critical role has cover during shifts, weekends and low-staffing periods.
A displayed floor plan can make routes, call points, extinguishers, assembly points, fire-resisting features and key isolations easier to understand. It is a communication aid, not a substitute for the assessment or written procedures. Only show utilities, dangerous substances and safety assets after their location and status have been confirmed; inaccurate emergency information can misdirect staff or responders.
GOV.UK: fire safety and evacuation plans ↗ · HSE: emergency procedures ↗
Make routes, exits and alarms work for the real occupancy
GOV.UK guidance says the plan should provide clear passageways, direct marked routes, enough exits, easily opened emergency doors, emergency lighting where needed, employee training and a safe meeting point. These features must remain available throughout occupation—not only during a scheduled check.
Check changes in storage, furniture, security and temporary works. Multi-occupied premises need coordination between employers, landlords and agents. Sleeping, care, education and busy public premises may require a more developed strategy; do not impose an office-style plan where the building and occupants demand something different.
Plan assisted escape before it is needed
The plan must cover everybody likely to be present, including people who may need help because of mobility, sight, hearing, cognition, health, pregnancy, injury or temporary circumstances. Do not assume a lift can be used, a colleague will be nearby or the fire and rescue service will complete the evacuation.
For employees and regular visitors, agree a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan, or PEEP, where needed. Consult the person about warning, routes, refuges, equipment, assistance and deputy cover. For occasional visitors, prepare standard options and train reception and hosts. An evacuation chair still needs a suitable route, inspection and trained operators.
Check assisted escape before the next alarm.
HR + SAFETY can review evacuation responsibilities, PEEPs, visitor arrangements, drills and displayed information, then identify where the statutory fire risk assessment also needs updating.
Discuss an evacuation-plan reviewUse drills to test decisions, not attendance
GOV.UK guidance says workplaces should carry out at least one fire drill each year and record the results. That is a general benchmark, not a ceiling. The fire risk assessment may justify more frequent drills because of shift patterns, staff turnover, vulnerable occupants, complex premises or previous poor performance.
Vary drills across operating periods. Observe alarms, route choice, doors and exits, wardens, assisted escape and accountability. Simulate any movement that would create unnecessary risk. Record the scenario, problems and actions, with an owner and date for each improvement—not just the total evacuation time.
Review the assessment and plan when anything material changes
Review the statutory fire risk assessment when it may no longer be valid or after significant change. Triggers include altered routes, new processes or dangerous substances, increased occupancy, different shifts, building work, fire-system changes, a vulnerable occupant, a fire, near miss or failed drill.
A changed hazard may need a linked assessment—for example DSEAR for dangerous substances or competent review of a complex evacuation strategy. Feed its findings into the main FRA, emergency arrangements, training, maintenance and controls; it does not replace the statutory FRA. Update notices, floor plans, PEEPs and instructions at the same time.
Related guide: lithium-ion battery charging and the FRA → · Related guide: what fire-door certification does not prove →
Ten-point fire evacuation plan check
Test the plan with one practical question: if the usual exit and the usual fire warden were unavailable, would everybody present still know how to reach safety? If the answer depends on somebody improvising, the plan needs more work.
- Confirm the plan follows the current fire risk assessment and fire strategy.
- Define how every occupant receives a clear warning.
- Keep enough suitable routes and final exits available at all operating times.
- Assign alarm, 999, warden, assembly and fire-service liaison roles with deputies.
- Cover visitors, contractors, lone workers, shifts and shared premises.
- Agree PEEPs and standard visitor options without relying on fire-service rescue.
- Confirm displayed plans and critical asset information against the building.
- Train new starters and brief everyone when fire risks or procedures change.
- Run risk-based drills, record weaknesses and close actions.
- Review the FRA, plan, notices and drawings after material change or learning.
A fire evacuation plan is an operating arrangement, not a notice on the wall. It should follow the fire risk assessment, work for every person and operating period, survive the loss of one route or role and improve when drills or changes reveal a weakness.
This guide provides general information for UK employers. It is not legal advice and should not replace advice based on the facts of a specific matter.