Fire Exits and Escape Routes

As part of your fire risk assessment, you should consider whether, in the event of a fire occurring, all persons in the premises could leave safely and reach a place of safety.

Small Premises

If your premises are small and have a simple layout the normal entrances and exits may be sufficient. There should be no possibility of anyone being cut off by smoke or flames before they can make their escape.

In premises where no one sleeps and the risk of fire is considered normal, 18metres is the furthest that people should normally be expected to travel in one direction to a point where they have alternative escape route options. This travel distance may be extended, but further fire safety provisions would be needed.

Large or Multi-Storey Premises

Where the building increases in size and complexity, escape routes need to become more sophisticated.

The golden rule is that people should be able to turn their back on a fire, wherever it may start in a building, and move away from the fire to a safe place, usually this means outside the building and a safe distance from it in case the fire grows (i.e. not into an enclosed yard, courtyard, quadrangle, etc.). Where there are two or more escape routes, care should be taken to ensure that smoke and flames cannot affect more than one escape route at the same time.

In All Premises

• Escape routes should be kept clear of all obstructions
• Generally, escape routes should be at least one metre wide
• The escape route should lead to a place of safety, normally outside and away from the building
• Doors on escape routes must always be available for use without the use of a key
• Depending on the risk, push pads or panic bar devices should be used. Security should never take precedence over safety. Many devices are now available that satisfy both safety and security requirements. Where there are roller shutters or security grills fitted, these must be open when persons are on the premises

When considering the escape routes from your place of work, be sure that you have evaluated the entire journey to a place of safety. Keep all routes clear, including areas outside your premises that are included in the escape route.

Make sure your employees are aware of all possible escape routes and practice using them as part of your emergency routines regularly.

All premises should have an escape plan that clearly identifies the action that employees and others should take in the event of a fire. This may include duties for employees to check areas are clear, close doors and assist others.

Disabled Persons

If there are disabled persons on your premises then you must take their needs into account when planning an evacuation strategy.

You may have to take into account a wide range of possible disabilities including persons who have less mobility simply because of age.

Further information is available from BS 5588 Part 8.

Managing escape routes

When specific escape routes are provided that do not form part of normal circulation routes it is important that these employees are made aware of these. A management system should be in place to ensure these routes and exits are kept clear and useable.

Further guidance is available in the publication FIRE SAFETY - An Employers Guide