Regardless of your type of occupancy, the major factor in handling any emergency situation that may arise is implementing and executing an effective emergency plan.

The complexity of your fire or emergency evacuation plan will depend on your particular occupancy classification, your occupants, and additional code requirements.

Each occupancy or area of the occupancy should be provided with primary and secondary exit routes from the building. When establishing these routes, remember to keep drawings or maps simple. Maps showing these routes should be provided in a conspicuous location; regular 8-1/2 x 11 size maps are the most common type used. Maps should also designate a meeting point for occupants once they exit the building.

Exit drills should be conducted by all types of occupancies. Exit drills may be very basic and may only involve efficient evacuation of the structure. Drills for health care facilities or institutional and correctional facilities may be slightly more complex due to specific occupant needs or movement issues.

All occupants should be instructed in the actions they should take during a drill or emergency situation. Drills should be conducted at different times of day, scheduled and unscheduled. If the occupancy has more than one shift of workers, drills should include different shifts. Additionally, the written narrative of the plan should include instructions on special assistance procedures, security measures, or equipment shutdown, if applicable. The safety team should conduct critiques of the drills to evaluate efficiency and adjust plans accordingly.

Each area, department, class or floor should have monitors and alternate monitors assigned to oversee the evacuation process. The size and classification of the occupancy will determine the number and type of monitors you assign.

Copies of the plan should be distributed to the safety team and be available to building occupants upon request.

Use this guide to assist you in developing procedures and responsibilities for monitors and to assign individuals for these duties.