Dos and Don’ts of Emergency Building Evacuations

 IN THIS POST

• Reasons Behind Emergency Evacuations 
• Types of Emergency Evacuations
• Dos and Don’ts of Emergency Evacuations

What would be the first thing to pop into your mind if you were to hear fire alarms go off in your building?

If you live or work in a high-rise, you will likely rush towards the nearest fire exit or the safest staircase to make your way out of the building. But, what if the route to the exit was filled with panic-stricken people all trying to get out at the same time? Or worse, what if someone gets trapped in an elevator or makes the situation even more hazardous by locking the doors behind them?

Although unfortunate, these scenarios tend to play out rather frequently during emergency evacuations. There is no denying that coordinating a safe evacuation of a building can be an arduous task. However, the lack of a proper evacuation plan can make the entire ordeal even worse – especially in larger facilities with more people. 

While many schools and workplaces organise fire drills to teach their students and staff what to do and where to go in case of a fire emergency or a natural disaster, this practice is not all too common in residential complexes. In fact, many commercial buildings also don’t have a proper system in place to deal with such unexpected circumstances. 

Since it is extremely important for people of all ages to know about emergency evacuation procedures, we have put together a comprehensive list of dos and don’ts that can not only save your life but also prepare you to help others. 

COMMON REASONS BEHIND EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS 

A good evacuation plan tells people what they are expected to do, where they are expected to be, and when they are expected to get there in great detail. Though before we delve into what and what not to do while leaving a building during an emergency, let’s look at some of the leading reasons behind safety evacuations. 

FIRE BREAKOUT 

Fires are commonly caused by unattended cooking or heating equipment, electrical malfunction, and improper handling of smoking materials. In other words, a grease fire, a short circuit, a gas leakage, or something as seemingly insignificant as improper disposal of cigarettes can result in a massive blaze that can put many human lives at risk.

To prevent fire breakouts, many commercial buildings feature designated areas for smoking. Moreover, office kitchens have been made nearly redundant to avoid such problems. However, since these measures cannot be implemented in apartment buildings, the building owners and managers must hire professionals to carry out regular inspections and brief people about emergency evacuation procedures.

NATURAL DISASTERS

There are two main types of natural disasters that can lead to building evacuation: geological disasters and meteorological disasters.

Geological disasters include earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides. These events are extreme and sudden, giving people barely any time to prepare. On the other hand, meteorological disasters such as floods, wildfires, and hurricanes usually give people a small head start so they can make certain arrangements and evacuate safely.

Nevertheless, since many natural disasters strike out of the blue, workplaces and residential complexes need to have an emergency evacuation plan in place. 

On a side note, don’t forget to check out our guides on earthquake safety tips and emergency services in Pakistan.

TYPES OF EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS

There are two main types of emergency evacuations that everyone should know about.

URGENT EVACUATION

An urgent building evacuation gives your zero time to think and demands an immediate reaction.  

For example, if you ever smell smoke and realise that fire has erupted in some part of the building, you must act instantly and use the emergency evacuation plan to leave the premises in an orderly fashion. Since fires can spread quickly, it is never a good idea to waste your time running around the house, gathering as many family heirlooms as you can or stuffing your bag with other prized possessions. 

PLANNED EVACUATION

A planned evacuation does not require great haste and often gives you extra time to prepare. Although it can be just as worrisome and traumatic, a planned evacuation significantly lowers the risk of stampedes on staircases by allowing people to slowly filter out of the building.

For example, hurricanes and volcanic eruptions can cause an enormous amount of damage to properties. However, the advancements in science and technology have allowed meteorologists to learn about such natural disasters hours or days before they are expected to occur – that too with a fair degree of accuracy. 

This extra time allows you to put together an emergency evacuation checklist and pack your essentials beforehand.

DOS AND DON’TS OF EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS

Let’s look at some dos and don’ts of emergency evacuations. 

DO: ALERT OTHERS  

If you are the first person to find out about the emergency, be it a fire or gas leakage, you need to alert your family and co-workers as soon as possible. The best course of action is to ring the fire alarm. That being said, you also need to remain calm and vigilant about your surroundings. If you start panicking, others might assume the situation is even worse than what you’re letting on. This could lead to mass hysteria and stampede. 

DON’T: HUDDLE OR CROWD THE EXITS

Almost all safety procedures require people to keep moving. If they begin to huddle together in random spots or crowd the exits, it can make it harder for others to evacuate the building. In addition, some people may start feeling claustrophobic or suffocated if they don’t have enough space to move. It could also result in preventable injuries. 

DO: GATHER YOUR PERSONAL BELONGINGS

It is recommended to gather your personal belongings, such as glasses, prescription medicines, mobile phone, and car keys, before evacuating the building. However, it may not be a good idea to stay behind in order to pack your jewellery, electronic appliances, and other expensive items. Remember, the sooner you leave the building, the safer you will likely be. 

DON’T: FORGET TO TURN OFF UTILITY CONNECTIONS

Never forget to shut down the main switchboard and gas supply before exiting your apartment or office. Failure to do so can exacerbate the crisis. On the other hand, turning off the utility connections can keep your space safe from further damage. 

DO: IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF EMERGENCY

If there is a fire in the building, it is best to locate its source and determine how far it has spread. This will allow you to adopt an alternative route, away from the smoke, and evacuate as safely as possible.

Many times, people rush towards the emergency exits or staircase without double-checking if they are indeed clear and safe. Nevertheless, fires mostly break out in electric rooms or other areas that are not as frequently used as lobbies and reception areas.

DON’T: USE ELEVATORS

While it may be tempting to use an elevator during a building evacuation, please note that those things can be death traps during fires and natural disasters. It is not uncommon for people to get stuck inside elevators during emergencies, which can be extremely hazardous to their safety.  

DO: FOLLOW THE EVACUATION PROCEDURE

Most modern buildings are equipped with advanced fire detection systems and have an emergency evacuation plan in place to avoid any tragic loss. Thus, before evacuating the premises, it is best to look at these plans carefully and understand the route you should take. 

Meanwhile, if rescue officials have entered the building, it is imperative to follow their instructions and use the routes they direct you towards.

DON’T: OPEN DOORS WITHOUT TOUCHING THEM

Another thing to keep in mind during a fire evacuation is touching closed doors and their handles before opening them. If the surface feels hot, it could mean there is a fire raging on the other side of it. In such situations, always look for an alternative route. 

DO: HELP THOSE WHO NEED SPECIAL ASSISTANCE

When evacuating a building due to a fire or another emergency, please remember to help the vulnerable people around you reach safety. This may include pushing the wheelchair of a disabled person or guiding small children towards the safest exit point.

DON’T: LOCK ALL THE DOORS

If your building has been made according to the latest construction standards, then it might be outfitted with stronger and fire-resistant doors that can help slow down its spread. However, even if your building has such doors, it is never a good idea to lock them behind you as you may end up trapping other survivors inside. Instead, just close them without turning the lock and vacate the premises immediately. 

DO: REPORT ANY MISSING INDIVIDUALS

Once you are out of harm’s way, please make sure to do a quick headcount of your family members or colleagues. If you believe someone is missing, please inform the emergency responders about their last known locations without wasting another minute.

DON’T: RE-ENTER THE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY

Lastly, do not consider entering the building as soon as the emergency is over. Moreover, you should not stand too close to the building even after evacuating it. The reason: the structure may have weakened due to the fire or another disaster, making it a safety hazard. Hence, you should wait for the building inspectors to give an all-clear before making your way inside.