Evacuation Plan

The following is simply an outline for a plan.    A specific Plan should be produced for each premises.

The Emergency Fire Plan should detail all the procedures that should be followed to avoid the risk of fire, including the responsibilities of employees and managers.   All those working on the premises must be made aware of the Plan and must be trained to implement the Plan in the case of an emergency.

In addition, all those occupying residential or business accommodation above or adjoining the premises must be made aware of the Plan.

Action on discovering fire

Immediately fire is discovered – no matter how small – the alarm should be raised using the nearest alarm point.   

These alarm points can be found at the following locations:

Download the Printable Alarm point document 

Fire Brigade

Immediately the fire alarm is sounded the manager (or most senior member of staff on site) should call the fire brigade provided it is safe to do so.   Should it not appear safe to phone from inside the building, the manager should leave the building and phone from the assembly point or nearest public telephone.

• Dial 999 – Ask for the Fire Brigade – then state:
• Fire – the name of the business and the full address 

Do not replace the receiver until the address has been repeated back by the Fire Brigade.

If there are likely to be other people in the building or in adjoining properties, tell the fire brigade immediately.

Evacuation

Immediately the fire alarm is sounded, all members of staff should immediately implement the evacuation plan and clear the building.

Once the Fire Brigade has been notified, the manager or most senior member of staff on site should supervise the evacuation provided it is safe to do so.

Kitchen:   The most senior member of kitchen staff present should ensure that all employees in the kitchen and adjoining storage areas immediately evacuate the premises.  

Before leaving, provided that it is safe to do so, the following must be switched off:

Gas – using the shut off switch located at:

Deep fat fryer – using the shut off switch located at:

Extraction – using the shut off switch located at:

General Power – using the shut off switch located at:

Customer Areas:  Staff working in the public areas should immediately and calmly help guests to leave the premises and direct them to a safe assembly area, giving assistance to those who are disabled or have specific needs.   Any members of the public showing signs of panic should be given individual attention if possible to prevent others becoming too alarmed.

People should be directed to the nearest safe exit from the building.   If this is along a passageway, a member of staff should – if possible – lead the way out of the building.

Once the public are safely out of the building, the most senior member of café or sandwich bar staff present should ensure that no-one is left in associated areas such as toilets or corridors and that all employees have left the area.

The customer area should then be evacuated until the fire brigade arrive and give the all clear.

If possible, before leaving the manager should take a copy of the site plan and an employee list so that a check can be made that everyone is accounted for when everyone gathers in the assembly area.

Fire Exit Points

Designated fire exit routes should be used for evacuation.   These are located as follows:

• Preparation Area/kitchen
• Storage Area
• Customer/counter area
• Basement

Assembly Point

All those evacuating the building should be encouraged to gather at the safe assembly point which is located at:

……………………………………………………..

This should be an area reasonably close but away from the building and ideally should not involve crossing a road to get to.  

Roll Call

If possible, the manager or most senior member of staff present should seek to check that everyone is accounted for and has left the building.   If anyone is not accounted for or there is any uncertainty, the Fire Brigade should be notified immediately they arrive.

Adjoining Premises

As soon as it is safe to do so, those in adjoining premises and particularly any accommodation above the premises should be contacted and alerted to the danger.    This may be done by phone call.

During routine fire drills, the business should ensure that those in all adjoining premises can clearly hear the alarm system.

Fire Fighting

Employees should only attempt to put out a fire using the equipment provided if it is safe to do so and only as a last resort in order to clear the way to get out of the building.

The correct equipment must be used for the type of fire.  

Only those trained in the use of this equipment 

Download Printable version here

Fire fighting equipment is located at:

Liaison with Fire Brigade

The manager or most senior member of staff present should make contact with the Officer in Charge as soon as the fire brigade arrive.    

The officer should immediately be informed if there is any concern about people still being on the premises or in adjoining premises. 

They should also be informed of any materials in or near the building that could be an added danger.   This should include:

Gas bottles – and where they are located

Gas boiler – and where they are located

CO2 cylinders – and where they are located

Helium cylinders – and where they are located

Oil or fat fryers – and where they are located Asbestos – if present

The manager should also confirm whether the gas, power, fryer etc have been switched off.

The officer should also be given a copy of the site plan.