[Mock drills] Fire,Chemical spills ,Floods ,floods &Other

General Evacuation Principles (Apply to All Scenarios)

1. Immediate Notification: How is the alarm raised? (e.g., shout, pull manual call point, phone emergency number).

2. Alarm Recognition: What does the alarm sound like? (e.g., continuous siren for fire, intermittent whoop for chemical spill). Ensure all staff can differentiate.

3. Immediate Action: Upon hearing the alarm, all personnel must stop work and prepare to evacuate immediately.

4. Muster Points: Designated, safe assembly points clearly marked on maps. There must be a primary and a secondary (in case the primary is unsafe).

5. Accountability: A clear process for headcounts and reporting missing persons to the Emergency Coordinator (e.g., wardens with roll-call lists, designated team leaders reporting their counts).

6. Escape Routes: Knowledge of the nearest escape route and an alternative route. Routes must be clearly signed and unobstructed.

7. Do Not: Do not use elevators/lifts. Do not stop to collect personal belongings. Do not re-enter the building until told it is safe.

Specific Key Points by Emergency Type

1. Fire / Explosion

• Trigger: Discovery of smoke, fire, or smell of gas; activation of fire alarm.

• Immediate Actions:

  • Rescue: Rescue anyone in immediate danger if it is safe for you to do so.

  • Alarm: Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station. Alert others by shouting "FIRE!".

  • Contain: Close all doors and windows behind you as you leave to contain the fire.

  • Evacuate / Extinguish: Evacuate immediately. Only attempt to extinguish the fire if you are trained, it is safe, and the fire is very small (waste bin size).

• Special Considerations:

  • Feel doors with the back of your hand before opening. If hot, use an alternative route.

  • If smoke is present, stay low where the air is clearer.

  • Know the location of fire extinguishers and fire blankets, but do not delay evacuation to use them.

2. Chemical Spill / Hazardous Material Release

• Trigger: Spill of a hazardous chemical, gas leak, or unknown odor.

• Immediate Actions:

  • Alert: Immediately alert others in the area. Do not assume the smell is harmless.

  • Isolate: Evacuate the immediate area. If trained and safe to do so, close doors to isolate the spill.

  • Inform: Provide specific information to emergency responders if possible (e.g., name of chemical, amount spilled, location, any injuries).

• Special Considerations:

  • Evacuate UPWIND: This is critical. Evacuate perpendicular to the wind direction, moving upwind and uphill from the spill.

  • Avoid Contact: Do not touch or walk through the spilled substance.

  • Decontamination: If exposed, proceed to the designated decontamination area (e.g., safety shower/eyewash) if it is on your escape path, or await emergency services for decon.

  • Account for all personnel who were in the lab or spill area.

3. Floods / Flash Floods

• Trigger: Severe weather warning, visible water intrusion, rapid rising water outside.

• Immediate Actions:

  • Secure: If time permits and it is safe, turn off electrical power at the main circuit breaker to prevent electrocution.

  • Relocate: Move vital equipment and records to a higher location.

  • Evacuate to Higher Ground: Evacuate to upper floors of the building or a designated safe refuge area. Do not evacuate to the basement.

• Special Considerations:

  • Never walk or drive through floodwaters. Just 15 cm (6 inches) of moving water can knock you off your feet. 30 cm (1 foot) can sweep away a vehicle.

  • The muster point may be an internal refuge area rather than an outdoor assembly point.

  • Be aware of slip, trip, and fall hazards from wet floors.

4. Other Emergencies Upon Notification (e.g., Earthquake, Bomb Threat, Civil Unrest, Active Shooter)

• Trigger: Official notification from authorities, building management, or internal security.

• Immediate Actions:

  • Follow Specific Instructions: Listen carefully to the instructions provided (e.g., "shelter-in-place," "evacuate via stairwell B," "avoid windows").

  • Seek Information: Designated wardens/managers should seek clarity from the Emergency Coordinator.

• Special Considerations:

  • Shelter-in-Place (for events like chemical cloud, tornado, active shooter):

    • Seek a small, interior room, preferably without windows.

    • Lock or barricade doors.

    • Silence mobile phones.

    • Do not leave until an "all clear" is given by a recognized authority.

  • Earthquake (Drop, Cover, Hold On):

    • During shaking: Drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy desk/table, and hold on. Stay away from windows, glass, and tall furniture.

    • After shaking stops: Evacuate carefully, watching for falling debris, broken glass, and other hazards. Be prepared for aftershocks.

  • Bomb Threat: If you receive a call, try to keep the caller on the line and gather information (location, time, device description). Do not use mobile phones or two-way radios during evacuation, as they can trigger certain devices.

Post-Evacuation for All Scenarios

• Proceed to Muster Point: Go directly to your designated assembly area.

• Report to Warden: Check in with your floor warden or team leader so they can take a headcount.

• Wait for Instructions: Do not leave the muster point. Wait for information from the Emergency Coordinator or first responders.

• Do Not Re-enter: Under no circumstances should anyone re-enter the building until the "all clear" is officially given by the person in charge (e.g., Fire Service).

Evacuation Drills and Basic Fire Cover Training, covering their purpose, participants, and evaluation methods.

At-a-Glance: Matrix of Differences

Aspect	Evacuation Drill	Basic Fire Cover Training
Primary Purpose	To test and practice the procedure and route for safely exiting a building during an emergency.	To provide knowledge and skills to prevent, identify, and respond to a small fire incident (e.g., using an extinguisher).
Focus	System & Process: Efficiency of alarms, clearness of exits, assembly point management.	Individual Skill & Knowledge: Fire theory, equipment operation, hands-on practice.
Scope	Large-scale: Involves all or most building occupants in a simulated scenario.	Small-scale: Targeted training for a specific group of individuals (e.g., fire wardens, team leads).
Key Participants (Trainees)	All building occupants: Employees, visitors, students, etc. Their role is to follow instructions.	Designated staff: Fire wardens, safety officers, security personnel, volunteers. Their role is to take action.
Key Leader (Trainer)	Drill Coordinator / Facility Manager: Oversees the drill's execution, timing, and safety. Manages the debrief.	Certified Fire Safety Trainer / Fire Service Personnel: Teaches theory, demonstrates skills, and supervises practical exercises.
Nature of Activity	Reactive & Procedural: A response to a simulated alarm. The path is pre-determined.	Proactive & Skill-Based: Involves learning, decision-making (e.g., fight or flee?), and manual operation.
Example Evaluation Topics	1. Time: Total evacuation time vs. target. 2. Clarity: Were alarms and instructions audible/clear? 3. Flow: Were exits and routes obstructed? 4. Headcount: Was the accountability process at the assembly point effective?	1. Knowledge: Can trainees identify different fire types (A, B, C, electrical) and correct extinguishers? 2. Technique: Did they use the P.A.S.S. (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) technique correctly? 3. Decision Making: Did they assess the situation correctly before deciding to fight the fire? 4. Safety: Did they maintain a safe distance and have an escape route?

Detailed Breakdown

1. Evacuation Drill

• Goal: To ensure everyone knows how to exit the building quickly and safely in a real emergency. It tests the building's emergency systems and procedures.

• Trainer (Leader): The Drill Coordinator (often the Facility Manager, Head of Security, or Health & Safety Officer). They are not "teaching" but "orchestrating" the event. They start the drill, monitor its progress, and lead the post-drill debriefing.

• Trainee (Participant): Every single person in the building. This includes employees, customers, students, and visitors. They are the beneficiaries of the tested procedure.

• Example Evaluation Topics & Questions:

  • Procedure: Did people stop what they were doing immediately?

  • Awareness: Did people know the location of their two nearest exits?

  • Efficiency: What was the total time to complete the evacuation? Was it within the target?

  • System Check: Were the emergency exit signs visible? Was the alarm audible throughout the building?

  • Hazards: Were any exit routes blocked or doors stuck?

  • Assembly: Was the roll-call/headcount at the muster point conducted efficiently and accurately?

2. Basic Fire Cover Training

• Goal: To equip specific individuals with the competence to handle a small, incipient-stage fire safely, or to perform critical roles like fire warden duties (sweeping areas, assisting evacuees).

• Trainer: A Certified Fire Safety Trainer. This could be a professional from a fire safety company, a local firefighter, or a highly trained internal expert. Their role is to educate, demonstrate, and coach.

• Trainee: A select group of staff, typically those with assigned emergency responsibilities. This includes:

  • Fire Wardens / Marshals

  • Floor Monitors

  • Security Teams

  • Health & Safety Committee Members

• Example Evaluation Topics & Questions (Theoretical and Practical):

  • Knowledge: "What type of fire is a burning trash can (Class A) and which extinguisher is most appropriate?"

  • Practical Skill: "Demonstrate the correct use of a CO2 extinguisher on a controlled live fire using the P.A.S.S. technique."

  • Situational Awareness: "You see a fire in a server room. What is your first action? (Raise alarm, evacuate, etc.) Would you use a water extinguisher on it? (No, due to electrical risk)."

  • Safety: "Did the trainee ensure they had a clear escape route behind them before engaging the simulator?"