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Fire at work: how to prepare yourself and your team for an evacuation

Evacuation at work: a practical guide

⏱ 2 min read

Exits, assembly point, fire drills. A guide based on official advice. The same text is in the free SurvivalZone.app and works without internet.

Open in the app (works offline)

We spend a third of the day at work, yet many of us do not know where the nearest emergency exit or the assembly point is. During an alarm, people often leave the way they came in, even if it is further or full of smoke.

Getting ready takes a few minutes and is worth doing in your first week in a new place.

Five things to check

  1. The two nearest escape routes from your desk or workstation.
  2. The assembly point outside the building.
  3. Where the nearest extinguisher and fire alarm call point are.
  4. Who the fire warden is on your floor.
  5. Where the first aid kit and AED defibrillator are.

Take fire drills seriously

  1. Drills are the only chance to walk the escape route without stress. Really walk it rather than waiting out the alarm at your desk. Notice whether fire doors are clear and corridors are not blocked, and report problems.

Think of others

  1. If someone on the team uses a wheelchair, is pregnant, has a disability or is simply new, agree in advance who will help them. Visitors and customers do not know the building and will follow you.

For employers

  1. Fire safety instructions, signage and drills are the duty of the building owner or manager. More and more companies, schools and public offices also put assembly points and escape routes on staff phones. SurvivalZone.app has an evacuation card for organisations with a QR code for this.

Checklist

  1. Two ways out from your workstation
  2. The assembly point
  3. Nearest extinguisher and call point
  4. The fire warden
  5. First aid kit and AED
  6. Taking part in fire drills
  7. Who helps colleagues with disabilities

See also

Frequently asked questions

What should every employee know about evacuation?

Where the two nearest exits, the assembly point, the extinguisher and the fire alarm call point are, and who the fire warden is.

Can I use the lift during a fire?

No. Use the stairs and escape routes.

How often should there be fire drills?

It depends on local rules and the type of building. The employer or building manager should hold them regularly.

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Keep it on your phone

SurvivalZone.app is a free app for every emergency, with no account and no app store. It works without internet and shows the nearest shelters and help points, local radio, a 72-hour plan and a mountain trip planner.

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Thank you for reading. If this could help someone, send it to the people you care about. Getting ready takes a moment, and in a crisis every minute counts.

Coming soon: the app’s permanent address will be survivalzone.app.

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Sources

Official sources are checked automatically every day. Last check: 2026-11-04.

General guidance only; it does not replace the emergency services. If a life is in danger, call 112.