Plan evacuation
August 1st 2008

With organisations now responsible for ensuring the safe evacuation of people from their building in case of emergency, and without the assistance of the fire and rescue service, it is imperative that evacuation plans are well designed and fully rehearsed.

Unfortunately, people tend to use their most familiar route, often passing one or more fire exits in the process. This is fine until, one day, their usual route is barred or blocked.

Marsden Fire Safety says that, to ensure people learn where alternative exits are sited, the 'familiar' route should be occasionally blocked during practice drills so that people are less likely to panic in a genuine emergency.

Traditionally, people have been tasked to physically obstruct an exit, waving their arms around or wearing funny hats, trying to persuade everyone that their exit is impassable and 'can everyone please find an alternative way out?' Marsden says that by using the What Now???, no explanation is needed. The simple, cost effective solution is instantly recognisable and so obvious that people realise immediately that their escape route is blocked, and look around for an alternative.