Bring these

• Site emergency action plan
• Drill record form
• Stopwatch or phone timer

Before touching anything

• Verify the drill requirement that applies to your occupancy and AHJ.
• Coordinate with leadership, security, alarm monitoring and responders as required.
• Confirm exit routes and the assembly area are usable.

1. 1Confirm the requirement and scopeVerify the required drill frequency, who must participate, whether the drill must be announced or unannounced, and any documentation or notification requirements. Schools, healthcare, childcare, residential, industrial and other occupancies can have different rules.
2. 2Coordinate with the right peopleFollow the site's emergency plan and coordinate with building leadership, security, alarm monitoring, fire-protection vendors and local responders when required.
3. 3Assign observers and accountability rolesDesignate people to observe exits, stairs, assembly areas and accessibility procedures. Make clear who accounts for occupants and who has authority to end the drill.
4. 4Check the route, not just the alarmBefore a planned drill, confirm required exit routes are usable and that the planned assembly area does not interfere with emergency access. Do not use a drill to knowingly send people through an unsafe route.
5. 5Run and observe the drillStart timing when the drill notification or alarm begins if evacuation time is tracked. Observe whether occupants recognize the signal and begin the correct action. Watch for blocked routes, door problems, crowding, confusion, re-entry, elevators being used contrary to the emergency plan, or people moving toward the wrong assembly area. Verify designated staff perform their assigned duties without putting themselves at unnecessary risk, confirm accountability at the assembly area using the site's established process, and record accessibility, communication or assistance problems that could affect people during a real emergency.
6. 6Debrief while details are freshAsk observers and key staff what worked, where people hesitated, whether the alarm was recognized, and whether routes, assembly and accountability worked as intended.
7. 7Document measurable factsRecord the date, area, coordinator, start/end times, evacuation time if tracked, participant count if applicable, special conditions, observations and corrective actions.
8. 8Turn deficiencies into workDo not leave problems in meeting notes. Create work orders or management actions for blocked egress, door issues, alarm audibility/visibility concerns, signage problems, accountability gaps and other findings. Assign an owner and due date.
9. 9Update the plan when the building teaches you somethingIf the drill exposes a flaw in routes, responsibilities, communications or assistance procedures, review the emergency action plan and training rather than simply trying to improve the next evacuation time.

OSHA's emergency-action-plan guidance emphasizes reporting procedures, evacuation routes, accountability after evacuation, trained personnel and employee alarm systems. OSHA also recommends practice drills often enough to keep people prepared and evaluating each drill afterward. Your local fire code and AHJ may impose more specific requirements for your occupancy. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 — Emergency Action Plans OSHA — Develop & Implement an Emergency Action Plan

BuildingWrench provides general educational information. Site-specific emergency plans, applicable laws and codes, licensing rules, fire department/AHJ direction, alarm-system procedures and qualified fire-protection professionals take priority.

• Chasing a faster evacuation time instead of fixing the plan.
• Leaving findings in meeting notes instead of work orders.
• Activating an alarm system without required coordination.