Conducting the Fire Drill
Participation
Due to changes in the 2006 International Fire Code, the Seattle Fire Department requires all Group B (business) buildings having an occupant load of 500 or more persons, or more than 100 persons above or below the lowest level of exit discharge, and employees (event staff) of public assemblies with occupancy of 300 or greater, participate in fire drills or related activity at least every quarter (not to exceed 120 days). Patrons are not required to attend or participate. To meet this requirement assembly occupancies will:
- Every quarter or prior to the event for athletic and other seasonal events, the building Emergency Coordinator or appointee will meet with event staff to conduct a drill or exercise to review employee procedures and duties
- Perform a drill, exercise, or orientation whenever there is a change in staff, building/exit configuration, or other substantive change
- Special props, if used, should be installed just prior to performing the drill.
- An assembly drill may be performed at the same time as a comprehensive building fire drill, or independently. If conducted as part of a larger building drill using the fire alarm system, Campus Operations personnel must first bypass the fire alarm panel so the Fire Department does not respond to an activated alarm system. If the drill is performed independently, activation of the alarm system may not be possibly without disrupting the balance of the building. In this case the audible alarm may be simulated.
- Staff, ushers, stagehands and other associated staff should report to their area of responsibility. Requesting a small number of other persons to simulate patrons may be helpful in making the drill more realistic.
The following procedures should be simulated as practical for fire drills:
- As the alarm sounds, or upon instruction, begin evacuation. Staff, ushers, and stagehands should promptly assist patrons and players from the facility in a safe and orderly fashion.
- Keep people moving calmly, yet quickly. No one should be allowed to run. Assist those individuals with special needs.
- Use all exits. Prop exterior exit doors open to help facilitate evacuation. Outdoor lighting will encourage and help speed the evacuation of patrons.
- Keep patrons informed of the situation. Have a prepared evacuation message to help convey appropriate evacuation instruction and take pressure off staff.
- Instruct people to move away from the building to a predetermined assembly point.
- Prevent people from re-entering the building. Patrons may re-enter the building only after the building has been declared safe by the Fire Department. Silencing the alarm should not be considered an all-clear signal.
- Meet the fire department. The building emergency coordinator or event designee should meet the arriving fire department to inform them of the situation and assist them as needed.
- Account for personnel as practical and identify a single location for patrons who have become separated from their parties to reunite.
The following should be considered in evaluating the drill:
- Did staff know the layout of the building?
- Did staff respond promptly as outlined above?
- Were all exits used?
- Is staff familiar with how to activate the fire alarm system?
- Is staff familiar with the evacuation procedures specific to this facility?
- Where all occupants accounted for?
- Is staff familiar with how to notify emergency services?
- Was a prepared evacuation statement read or available?
- Was the alarm audible?
The Emergency coordinator will complete and distribute the Fire Drill Report Form, record performance using critique questions above and on the form, and initiate appropriate follow–up for items which need improvement.
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