SOP 206.12 EVACUATION OF BUILDINGS SECTOR

In fire fighting and other emergency operations, it is often necessary to evacuate a building or part of a building. This plan is intended to establish a standard system for evacuation.

ESTABLISH A PLAN. Plan the evacuation and make assignments and progress reports related to the plan.

EVACUATE PERSONS IN THE GREATEST DANGER FIRST. The people in the greatest danger in a fire are those in the immediate area and those above.

ASSIGN SPECIFIC AREAS FOR EVACUATION. Companies should be assigned, according to priorities, to specific areas, sectors or floors to evacuate and report "All Clears".

IDENTIFY SAFE EVACUATION ROUTES. Usually an evacuation is intended to remove occupants from a hazard. The objective should include moving occupants to safe areas via identified safe paths. Companies may have to be assigned to keep the evacuation routes safe (with protective lines, ventilation, etc.). Use normal means of egress first (e.g. halls, stairs, elevators, etc.). Aerial ladders, hand ladders, fire escapes, etc., are secondary means of egress. If the evacuation route is unsafe, consider leaving occupants where they are until conditions improve.

IDENTIFY EVACUATION STAIRS. In multistory buildings it may be necessary to designate one stairway to be used for evacuation while another is used for firefighting and/or ventilation.

EVACUATE TO A SAFE LOCATION. Move evacuees to a location out of danger, but not further than is practical. In-a high-rise building two or three floors below the fire is usually adequate. Attempting to move evacuees too far tends to complicate the situation. The location chosen must be safe.

MARK ROOMS OR SUITES AFTER EVACUATION. When evacuating a building with rooms or suites mark doors to areas that have been searched and evacuated to avoid duplication of effort.

USE ALARM AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS. These systems are designed to warn people of the need to evacuate. Use these in conjunction with evacuation teams when the need to evacuate is urgent. (If the situation is not urgent, face-to-face contact is less distressing than alarm bells.)

AVOID PANIC. Personnel must consciously work to lessen anxiety .of occupants and avoid panic. Explain what the problem is and what needs to be done as accurately as the situation permits.

ASSIGN SUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO EVACUATION. Rapid evacuation of a building may require a major commitment of companies. The commitment of companies must be sufficient to provide for non-ambulatory evacuees and those needing physical assistance. Never leave evacuated occupants unattended.

USE ELEVATORS WITH EMERGENCY CONTROLS. Elevators may be a valuable tool in evacuating a high-rise building if they have Emergency Control features and are operated by Fire Department personnel in communication with Command. Elevators should only be used when the safety of the hoist-way is known. Refer: SAFETY PROCEDURE, SOP 205"

DO NOT EVACUATE-UNNECESSARILY. If conditions do not present a hazard, evacuation may be unnecessary. Send personnel to evaluate conditions and judge the need for evacuation if the need is not obvious.

AUTHORITY TO EVACUATE. The Fire Department may ORDER citizens to evacuate if there is a significant danger.