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Fire Evacuation Planning

Fire evacuation

Overview

When an alarm goes off, how confident are you that everyone knows what to do? In those critical minutes, clear instructions can save lives. That’s why fire evacuation planning isn’t just a legal box to tick—it’s a plan that protects the people who rely on you.

At Embershield, we create fire evacuation plans that work in real situations. We build them around how your site runs each day. Whether you manage an office, care home, school, or retail space, our goal stays the same: simple directions people can count on when it matters most.

  • Built by qualified fire consultants with real-world knowledge
  • Custom-made for your site layout, people, and working hours
  • Supports staff, visitors, and anyone needing extra help
  • Connects with your fire risk assessment, drills, and duties
  • Ready for review by regulators, residents, or inspectors

Why Fire Evacuation Planning Matters

A fire evacuation plan explains how people leave the building safely if there’s a fire. It lays out who does what and where everyone goes once they’re outside. A plan like this reduces confusion, speeds up decisions, and keeps things calm.

Here’s what a strong plan does:

  • Keeps you in line with UK fire safety law
  • Helps people act fast, not freeze up
  • Makes sure the building clears in a safe, steady way
  • Supports people with limited mobility, language barriers, or young children
  • Helps show clear leadership in stressful moments

Fires can start without warning. If there’s no plan—or if the one you have doesn’t match current risks—you open the door to mistakes, injuries, fines, or worse. We turn complex safety rules into straight answers your people can follow.

Who We Help

We build fire evacuation plans for all kinds of spaces. Whether you run a single location or a group of buildings, we shape the plan around what your people face each day.

We work with:

  • Offices and multi-tenant buildings
  • Shops, malls, and high street outlets
  • Industrial units, factories, and warehouses
  • Blocks of flats and shared living spaces
  • Care homes, supported housing, and retirement schemes
  • Schools, colleges, and childcare facilities
  • Public venues and community buildings
  • Hotels, gyms, and leisure centres

We support duty holders like business owners, landlords, estate managers, health and safety leads, and headteachers. If it has people in it, and those people rely on you, we’ll help you write a clear plan to keep them safe.

What Your Fire Evacuation Plan Will Include

We don’t use cookie-cutter templates. Every building is different, and so are the needs of the people in it. That’s why we take time to understand your layout, your people, and how they move through your building each day.

Building Layout and Occupant Profile

We begin with the basics:

  • Review of your floorplans and existing exit points
  • Number of floors, access routes, and potential risks
  • Normal occupancy—who is there and when
  • Needs of people who may struggle in an emergency

This helps us set a realistic plan, so no one gets overlooked.

Evacuation Strategy

We match the plan to your building type and risk:

  • Full evacuation or phased plans for large or high-rise sites
  • Stay-put for properties with strong compartmentation, where allowed
  • Direction for when and how people move
  • Use of refuges or waiting areas for those needing support

We keep the plan simple so every staff member can act with confidence.

Staff Roles and Support Tasks

Clear roles avoid delays. We set out:

  • Who serves as fire marshals or wardens
  • Tasks for managers, ground-floor staff, cleaners, or security
  • Instructions for contractors, agency workers, and part-time staff
  • Responsibilities before help arrives from emergency services

The goal is clear: make sure each person knows what to do without second-guessing.

Escape Routes and Assembly Points

Everyone needs to know where to go:

  • Primary and back-up escape routes on each floor
  • Outdoor assembly points at a safe distance
  • Plans for assisted evacuation chairs or stairs
  • When and how re-entry will happen after the building clears

The plan puts safety first and moves people fast without causing panic.

Evacuation Plans for Those Needing Help

We include plans for those who may not be able to leave on their own:

  • PEEPs (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans) for named people
  • GEEPs (General Plans) for groups with common needs
  • Support for wheelchair users, older adults, or those with sensory issues
  • Action plans for language barriers or visitors unfamiliar with the layout

We list helpers, routes, and devices to make sure no one is left behind.

How the Plan Gets Shared and Used

The document needs to be more than a file on a shelf. We set up tools to keep people informed:

  • Easy-to-read plan documents
  • Escape maps posted throughout the site
  • Fast briefing packs for new hires and short-term workers
  • Guidance to cover induction, contractors, and guest needs

We help make the plan part of your daily routine—not just a response after something goes wrong.

Our Fire Evacuation Planning Process

We follow a simple, six-step approach that fits into your day-to-day:

  1. We start with a short consultation and a few key documents.
  2. Next, we visit your building, walk the layout, and speak to your team.
  3. Then we draft a plan that matches what we’ve seen and what we’ve learned.
  4. We share the draft with you and adjust any part that doesn’t feel right.
  5. Once approved, we issue your full plan, diagrams, and briefing packs.
  6. We stay available for help with drills, training, or yearly reviews.

We keep things easy to follow from the start so you know where you stand.

Fire Evacuation Planning FAQs

How often should my plan be reviewed?

Once a year is the minimum. You should also check the plan after any major change in layout, staffing, or use—or after an incident or alarm test that didn’t go well.

Do all buildings need a written evacuation plan?

Most non-domestic buildings do. If you have staff on site, public access, or shared responsibilities, you’ll need a written plan to stay compliant with UK law.

How many fire drills should I run?

At least one per year, but more may be needed where people sleep, work shifts, or the layout is complex.

Can one plan cover a whole site?

Yes, if the buildings share systems and layouts. If not, you may need a detailed plan for each unit with a shared site-wide overview.

What about disabled visitors?

We build in specific support through PEEPs or GEEPs, based on need. This includes naming helpers, planning routes, and allowing enough time to assist.

How We Help You Put the Plan Into Action

A plan is only useful if people know it and have practiced it. We guide the plan from paper to practice with these steps:

  • Fire drills that match your building and schedule
  • Walk-throughs to test real-time response
  • Staff training for fire wardens and support helpers
  • Feedback reviews based on practice runs
  • Records that cover drills, training, and plan updates

If something doesn’t work as expected, we make sure the next version fixes it.

Why Work With Embershield?

We bring hands-on fire safety knowledge along with clear writing and planning skills. We don’t believe in hiding behind red tape or paperwork that people ignore.

What you get from us:

  • Experience from former fire service pros
  • Real knowledge of UK fire law and current guidance
  • Down-to-earth advice people understand and use
  • Support for any building type, layout, or schedule
  • A plan that links with your fire risk assessments and emergency prep

We take our work seriously, because your people count on you.

Don’t Wait for a Scare—Act Now

Emergencies don’t send warnings. The time to plan is before the alarm sounds. If your fire evacuation plan hasn’t been reviewed recently—or if it doesn’t exist—we’re ready to step in. Start your fire evacuation planning with us today and get the clarity your team needs. Reach out now—because when people know where to go and what to do, they’re safer, and so is your business.

Experienced, Certified Assessors providing Tailored Solutions

With Embershield, you get more than just a fire risk assessment — you get a partner who understands the nuances of fire safety in your premises. We evaluate current safeguards, identify gaps, and deliver bespoke action plans to keep your building compliant, your people safe, and your liability protected.

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