Emergency Evacuation Plans - BRINKS DCU-500 Manual

Emergency Evacuation Plans

An emergency evacuation plan should be established for an actual fire
alarm condition. For example, the following steps are recommended by
the National Fire Protection Association and can be used as a guide for
establishing this plan for homes or commercial buildings.
1. Draw up a floor plan of your premises. Show windows, doors, stairs,
and rooftops that can be used for escape. Indicate each room's
escape routes. Determine two means of escape from each room.
One will be the door leading to the normal exit from the premises.
The other may be a window that opens easily. An escape ladder
may have to be located near the window if there is a long drop to
the ground below.
2. Set a meeting place outdoors for a headcount of all occupants.
Practice escape procedures. For increased home safety, sleep with
the bedroom door closed. It will increase your escape time. If you
suspect fire, test the door. If it feels hot, the hall is already too hot
to enter. If you think it is safe, brace your shoulder against the door
and open it cautiously. Be ready to slam the door if smoke or heat
rush in. Practice escaping to the outdoors and meeting at an
assigned spot. Call the fire department from a neighbor's phone.
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