Passageways

An exit passageway is sited so that people rapidly disperse away from the building and are no longer in danger from fire or smoke. Windows are not acceptable as final exits. Exit passageways must be protected to the same standard as the stairway they serve.

Doors

A fire door or shutter, together with its frame and furniture as installed in a building, is intended when closed to resist the spread of fire and the gaseous products of combustion, and it meets specified performance criteria for that purpose. The main purposes of a fire door are to:

• maintain the integrity of the means of escape in a fire
• isolate areas within a building that present a significant fire risk
• provide access through compartment walls

This includes making sure that fire-resisting doors and escape doors are correctly installed and maintained.

Emergency lighting

Emergency lighting is installed in buildings in case the mains power fails, and it gives enough light for occupants to evacuate safely. Emergency routes and exits that need illumination must be provided with emergency lighting of adequate intensity if their normal lighting fails.

As well as lighting emergency routes and exits, open-area lighting may be provided so that occupants can reach an escape route. Where people are doing activities that could be dangerous if not completed, there may be high-risk task area lighting. There may also be standby lighting that lets occupants carry on their normal activities during a power failure.

Emergency lighting may use local batteries or another suitable independent supply. Its design must provide the required illumination and duration for safe escape and relevant tasks. A percentage of normal lighting is not a sufficient design criterion; test and maintain the installed system.

Exit and directional signage

Fire exit signs should be fitted along escape routes. Illuminated signs are required particularly in parts of a building with no natural light. They are battery powered, trickle-charged from the mains supply, and light the escape route in the event of power failure. They can be mounted on walls or hung on chains. They show a running figure, a directional arrow and a rectangular doorway, and may carry the words "Fire exit".

Fire exit doors should themselves carry a suitable sign, for example "Fire exit: keep clear", with an illuminated fire exit sign above. Panic exit hardware must carry a "Push bar to open" sign.

Assembly points

An assembly point is a designated safe area beyond the premises where people gather and are accounted for if the building has to be evacuated. Emergency routes and exits must lead as directly as possible to a place of safety.

In some situations the nature of the emergency decides the final place of safety. The location may differ for a fire, a chemical leak, a terror threat or another emergency. Assembly points should be arranged in advance and a roll call of staff taken. When choosing the location, also make sure you understand the fire evacuation plan fully. Calculate how many staff will need to assemble, and if it is a multi-occupied building, cooperate with the other occupants.

It is also important to know the surrounding topography. The assembly point should be far enough from the building that staff are not in danger from radiated heat and falling debris. It should leave ample room so that it does not get in the way of firefighting or jeopardise the fire service's actions.

The assembly point should not be in an enclosed area, and staff should be able to disperse without passing close to the burning premises. The area should be large enough for all the staff, and if no such area can be found you may have to consider additional sites. Open areas such as pedestrian areas are ideal. Car parks can also be considered, but be aware of the dangers.

Bad weather needs to be considered, and some shelter or weather protection may be needed, since staff are likely to have left without collecting their outdoor clothing.

Summary notes for Element 10 · Cheat sheet · Glossary. A study aid, not published or endorsed by NEBOSH.