Where Should You Go in the Event of a Fire?

Knowing where should you go in the event of a fire is an essential part of fire safety awareness. When a fire alarm sounds or a fire is discovered, the priority is to move away from danger using a safe escape route and reach a designated place of safety. Knowing where to go before an emergency happens can prevent confusion, delays and dangerous decisions during an evacuation.

In most workplaces, shops, offices, schools, public buildings and other non domestic premises, people should follow the building’s fire action plan and use the nearest safe escape route to leave the premises. Once outside, occupants should proceed to the designated assembly point or another place of total safety identified by the building’s emergency arrangements. Government fire safety guidance states that evacuation procedures should enable people to reach an assembly point at a place of total safety.

The correct place to go is therefore not necessarily the main entrance, car park or pavement immediately outside the building. The assembly point should be selected as part of the fire safety arrangements so that people are away from the immediate effects of fire and smoke and do not obstruct firefighters or emergency access.

Key Takeaways

• Follow the building’s designated escape route and fire action plan.
• Leave through the nearest safe exit and move to the designated assembly point.
• Stay away from the building and keep access routes clear for the fire and rescue service.
• Never return inside until authorised.
• Do not use lifts unless they are specifically designated for evacuation and included in the building’s emergency plan.
• If you cannot escape safely, move to a safer room or protected location and call 999.

Where Should You Go When a Fire Alarm Sounds?

When a fire alarm sounds, you should normally leave the building promptly using the nearest safe escape route. You should not wait to find out whether the alarm is genuine before beginning evacuation unless your building’s specific fire procedure provides different instructions.

The route you use should be one identified by the building’s fire safety arrangements. A fire risk assessment should consider the available escape routes, the people using the premises, the building layout and the time required for occupants to reach a place of safety. Escape routes should allow people to move away from fire and smoke and ultimately reach a place where they are no longer exposed to the immediate effects of the fire.

If your usual route is affected by smoke, flames or another obstruction, do not attempt to pass through the danger. Use another available escape route if one can be reached safely. This is why occupants should be familiar with more than one possible escape route where the building’s arrangements provide alternatives.

Where Is the Fire Assembly Point?

The fire assembly point is the designated location where people gather after evacuating a building. Its exact position varies from one premises to another and should be identified in the building’s fire action plan, emergency procedures or fire safety notices.

An assembly point should be positioned at a suitable location away from the immediate danger presented by the fire. People should not simply gather directly outside the main entrance because this could interfere with evacuation, restrict access for firefighters or expose occupants to smoke, falling materials or other hazards.

Once you reach the assembly point, remain there and follow the instructions of fire wardens, fire marshals or other people responsible for managing the evacuation. In workplaces, arrangements may include a roll call or another method of checking whether people have safely left the premises. Government guidance recommends checking that people have assembled at the evacuation point and identifying anyone who is unaccounted for.

Why Should You Move Away From the Building?

Reaching the outside of the building is not necessarily the end of the evacuation. You should move to the designated assembly point or another safe location rather than remaining close to the building.

Fire can spread beyond the room where it started, while smoke, heat, broken glass, falling materials and firefighting operations can create hazards around the building. Remaining immediately outside an exit can also obstruct people who are still escaping and firefighters who need access to the premises.

For this reason, the assembly point should provide sufficient separation from the building and should not interfere with emergency operations.

Should You Go to the Main Entrance?

Not necessarily. The main entrance may not be the safest location to wait after evacuating.

People should follow the designated evacuation route and continue to the assembly point specified by the building’s fire safety arrangements. If everyone gathers immediately outside the main entrance, the area can become congested and may obstruct the fire and rescue service.

Some buildings have multiple assembly points because of their size, layout or evacuation arrangements. Your fire action notice should identify the relevant location.

What Should You Do When You Reach the Assembly Point?

Once you reach the assembly point, stay there and do not leave simply because you believe the danger has passed. Fire wardens or other responsible people may need to confirm that everyone has been accounted for.

If you are responsible for another person, such as a visitor, contractor or member of the public, follow the building’s evacuation arrangements to make sure they are also accounted for. Visitors may be unfamiliar with escape routes and assembly arrangements, which is why workplaces should provide suitable information and instruction.

If someone is missing, tell the responsible person or fire and rescue service. Do not go back inside the building to search for them. Firefighters have specialist equipment and training for rescue operations, whereas an untrained person attempting to re-enter can become another casualty.

Should You Stay at the Assembly Point?

Yes. You should normally remain at the designated assembly point until the responsible person or fire and rescue service gives appropriate instructions.

Leaving the assembly point can create difficulties when accounting for occupants. Someone may be recorded as missing simply because they have moved elsewhere, potentially causing unnecessary concern and affecting information given to firefighters.

The assembly point is also used to keep evacuated people together and away from the building while the incident is dealt with.

Why Should You Never Go Back Into a Burning Building?

You should never re-enter a building after evacuating because fire conditions can change rapidly. A fire that initially appears small can spread, and smoke can make escape routes dangerous within a short period.

The same rule applies if you have forgotten personal belongings, keys, a phone or another item inside. Personal possessions should never take priority over life safety.

UK fire and rescue guidance consistently advises people to get out, stay out and call 999 rather than returning to a building that is on fire. Only the fire and rescue service or an appropriately authorised person should determine when it is safe to re-enter.

Should You Use a Lift During a Fire?

In most buildings, lifts should not be used during a fire evacuation unless a lift has specifically been designed and designated for evacuation and its use forms part of the building’s fire safety strategy.

A normal passenger lift may stop operating because of a power failure, may open on a floor affected by fire or smoke, or may interfere with firefighting operations.

For most evacuations, stairs and designated escape routes should be used. Fire safety guidance specifically includes training people on the reason for not using lifts, except where a suitable fire risk assessment and emergency strategy provide otherwise.

Where Should You Go If Your Normal Escape Route Is Blocked?

If your normal escape route is blocked by fire or smoke, do not attempt to push through the danger.

Look for an alternative escape route identified by the building’s fire safety arrangements. Buildings with more than one escape route should allow occupants to move away from the affected area where possible.

If all available escape routes are blocked and you cannot safely leave, move to a room or area where you can obtain protection from the fire and smoke. Close the door, call 999 and clearly explain where you are and that you cannot escape.

Government guidance for people who cannot get out advises staying in a room with the door shut, calling 999 and making your location known to firefighters.

What If There Is Smoke in the Escape Route?

Smoke should always be treated as a serious hazard. If an escape route contains significant smoke, consider whether an alternative route is available and safe.

If you encounter smoke while evacuating, stay as low as reasonably possible and avoid entering areas where visibility is severely restricted or conditions appear dangerous.

Fire doors are particularly important because they help limit the spread of fire and smoke. When leaving a building, close doors behind you where it is safe to do so, without locking yourself or others inside. Fire safety guidance emphasises the importance of keeping fire doors closed to help prevent the spread of fire, heat and smoke.

Where Should You Go in an Office Fire?

In an office fire, employees and visitors should follow the workplace fire action plan and use the nearest safe emergency exit.

Once outside, everyone should proceed to the designated assembly point rather than remaining around the entrance or returning to their workstation.

Employees should follow the instructions of fire wardens and participate in any roll call or accountability procedure. Visitors should also be accounted for because they may not know the building’s evacuation arrangements.

Fire safety training should explain what to do when a fire is discovered, what to do when the alarm sounds, the location of escape routes and where people should assemble after evacuation.

Where Should You Go in a School or Public Building Fire?

Schools, shops, leisure facilities and other public buildings can contain large numbers of people who may be unfamiliar with the building.

When a fire alarm sounds, occupants should follow staff instructions and use the designated escape routes. Visitors should not stop to collect belongings or attempt to find another person unless doing so is specifically part of their role and can be completed safely.

The assembly point should be clearly identified as part of the building’s emergency arrangements. Staff may be responsible for checking particular groups or areas and reporting missing people to the person coordinating the evacuation.

Where Should You Go in a Hotel Fire?

Hotels require particular attention because people may be asleep, unfamiliar with the building and unaware of the available escape routes. Guests should familiarise themselves with the fire instructions provided by the hotel and identify the nearest escape route when they arrive. If the fire alarm sounds, guests should follow the hotel’s emergency instructions, leave using a safe escape route and go to the designated assembly location. Guests should never assume that the route they used to enter the hotel is necessarily the safest route during a fire.

Where Should You Go in a Block of Flats?

The answer for a block of flats is different because the building may have a specific evacuation strategy.

Some purpose-built blocks are designed around a stay put strategy. Under this arrangement, occupants of flats not affected by fire may normally remain inside their flat while the fire and rescue service deals with the fire. If a fire starts inside your own flat, or your flat becomes affected by smoke or fire, you should follow the building’s evacuation arrangements and leave if you can do so safely.

Other residential buildings operate a simultaneous or another evacuation strategy, meaning occupants may be expected to leave when the fire alarm sounds. The building’s landlord, managing agent or responsible person should provide residents with information about the evacuation strategy.

Residents should therefore not assume that every block of flats follows the same procedure. The correct action depends on the building’s fire safety strategy.

What If You Need Help to Evacuate?

Some people may require additional assistance to evacuate safely, including people with mobility, hearing, sight or other accessibility needs.

The building’s fire safety arrangements should take these needs into account. Depending on the building and circumstances, arrangements may include personal emergency evacuation planning, assistance from trained staff, evacuation equipment or designated refuges.

In England, additional requirements relating to residential personal emergency evacuation plans apply to certain higher-rise residential buildings and certain buildings between 11 and 18 metres where a simultaneous evacuation strategy is in place.

Anyone who may need assistance should discuss their requirements with the responsible person, landlord, managing agent or employer rather than waiting until an emergency occurs.

What Should You Do If You Are Trapped Inside?

If you cannot safely leave the building, do not attempt to force your way through fire or heavy smoke.

Move to a safer room or protected location where possible and close the door. Call 999 and ask for the fire and rescue service. Tell the operator the address, your location within the building and any information about the fire that could help firefighters locate you.

If smoke is entering the room, take steps to reduce smoke entering through gaps around the door while waiting for assistance. Make yourself visible or audible to firefighters if this can be done safely.

The most important point is to communicate your exact location and remain in a position where firefighters can find you.

Why Is Knowing the Assembly Point Important?

Knowing the assembly point before a fire occurs can make evacuation faster and more organised.

Fire action notices should provide information about what to do during a fire and, where appropriate, the location of the assembly point. Staff should receive suitable fire safety training so they understand evacuation arrangements.

Employers and building managers should also ensure that changes to the building, layout or evacuation arrangements are reflected in their fire safety procedures.

What Should You Do After Reaching Safety?

Once you are safely outside, call 999 if this has not already been done. Provide the fire and rescue service with the property address and any useful information about the location of the fire or people who may still be inside.

Do not attempt to investigate the building yourself. Do not re-enter to collect belongings or search for missing people.

If you know that someone is still inside, tell the firefighters when they arrive. Give them as much accurate information as possible about the person’s location and circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Knowing where should you go in the event of a fire can make a significant difference during an emergency. In most workplaces and public premises, you should leave using the nearest safe escape route and continue to the designated fire assembly point or another identified place of total safety.

You should remain away from the building, avoid obstructing emergency access, follow instructions from fire wardens and never re-enter until the fire and rescue service confirms that it is safe.

The procedure can be different in residential blocks, particularly where a stay put strategy is in place. Residents should therefore know the specific evacuation strategy for their building rather than relying on general assumptions.

Good fire safety depends on preparation. Knowing your escape routes, understanding the fire action plan and identifying the assembly point before an emergency occurs can help you respond quickly and safely.