Trial evacuations are required to ensure your evacuation scheme remains operative and building occupants know how to safely evacuate in an emergency or fire. We offer fire trial evacuations (fire drills) in Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton and Wellington and in many other towns throughout the North and South Islands.
What’s involved in a trial evacuation?
Generally, a trial evacuation (fire drill) involves the sounding of the fire alarm. A Fire Security Services alarm technician can do this. If your alarm system automatically notifies Fire and Emergency NZ, we will pre-alert them so that they know it is a trial evacuation, and there is not a real fire.
Occupants of the building will then evacuate, led by designated fire wardens. The time from when the fire alarm is activated, to when everyone is accounted for and safe, will be timed. This means the team can aim to beat the time in the next trial evacuation.
Following the fire drill, your Fire Security Services technician will provide a report with constructive learnings and recommend training if needed.
Things to observe in a trial evacuation
Remember, a trial evacuation (fire drill) is about practice. It’s best to observe the following things during a trial evacuation:
Do people act quickly and promptly leave the building, using the nearest emergency exit?
Do people know where the designated safe assembly point is?
Are all emergency exits clear with no obstruction?
Are people that require special assistance being looked after?
Do all fire wardens know what to do and follow correct procedures?
How often should a trial evacuation take place?
Trial evacuations should take place every six months. This is a legal requirement for all buildings that require an evacuation scheme. The same rule applies whether you’re in Auckland or any other part of New Zealand.
How did the fire wardens perform?
Did the fire wardens know what to do during the trial evacuation? Being a fire warden comes with much more responsibility than just wearing a fluro vest. Ensure your staff understand their role as a fire warden and gain knowledge and skills to carry out an effective fire and emergency plan.
Fire safety training is a legal requirement of the Fire and Emergency NZ Regulations and must be part of an Emergency Response Plan under the Health & Safety at Work Act. It is vital that your staff are trained in fire safety, this includes the role of fire wardens.