The target time to evacuate a building via a Fire Evacuation Drill depends on the building's size, layout, and type of occupants. The generally quoted figure is 2-3 minutes. But obviously this is impossible if the building has multiple storeys or the occupants are not able to walk or descend stairs at a normal pace.
Yet understanding how long a fire evacuation drill should take is vital as a benchmark to compare all future drills against. So how do we set a reasonable time limit? Lets touch on the basics first.
A Fire Evacuation Drill is a planned simulation designed to prepare occupants for evacuation during a real fire. It involves activating the fire alarm, and predominately assessing the people who are able to evacuate themselves. But also it is used to rehearse and evaluate a series of other procedures such as checking for false alarms, performing a safe search of the building, shutting off machinery, closing gas valves, isolating the electricity, performing a roll call, dealing with the Fire Service and much more. It depends on what the building is used for.
These drills test emergency evacuation plans and assess how efficiently key safety measures, such as alarm systems and emergency exit doors, work.
Fire evacuation drills are not limited to workplaces; they are conducted in schools, residential buildings, hospitals, and other high-occupancy buildings. The goal is to minimise panic, ensure an orderly evacuation process, and familiarise everyone with their roles during an actual emergency.
Fire evacuation drills test several critical components to ensure the effectiveness of any fire safety measures. They assess whether evacuation routes and exit doors are clear, accessible, and functional, identifying obstructions or faults for immediate resolution. These drills also test the audibility and reliability of alarm systems and evacuation signals, addressing any faulty alarms or delays that could impact evacuation time.
Additionally, they evaluate the preparedness of occupants, ensuring they can follow evacuation procedures promptly and navigate to the nearest exit effectively. The response of fire wardens and other responsible persons is also assessed, focusing on their ability to guide occupants and manage unexpected challenges.
Finally, drills highlight weaknesses in the evacuation strategy, such as bottlenecks, faulty safety systems or slow response times, ensuring improvements can be made before any real emergencies occur.
Regular fire evacuation drills are indispensable for ensuring safety and preparedness during emergencies. They familiarise occupants with the building’s layout, alternative exit routes, assembly point locations, and items like lifts which are generally disabled by the Fire Alarm. This reduces panic and ensuring a safe and effective evacuation.
Furthermore, fire evacuation drills help comply with safety regulations, such as the UK’s Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which reduces liability and demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding lives.
These drills are not just helpful—they are essential for saving lives and keeping everyone safe.
The time it takes to complete a fire evacuation drill depends on various factors, such as the building's size, layout, and the type of occupants. But here is a good rule of thumb for setting a benchmark time:
People naturally assume that a time is set somewhere in legislation such as BS 9999:2017, Approved Document B, the Fire Risk Assessment or in a Fire Strategy document. But it isn't. This is because no building is alike. In the more technical guidance from BS 7974:2019 it talks about Available Safe Escape Time (ASET). Which is the time from when the fire starts to interior of the building becoming untenable. Of more interest here is Required Safe Exit Time (REST) which is the target time to complete the evacuation. REST must always be a shorter duration than ASET.
Below is a breakdown of some rule-of-thumb evacuation times for different types of buildings:
For small buildings, evacuation drills are generally completed in 1-2 minutes. These structures usually have shorter evacuation routes and fewer occupants to guide to safety. The compact layout allows for quicker movement, reducing evacuation time while ensuring everyone exits the building calmly and efficiently.
In larger or multi-story buildings, evacuation drills typically require 3-5 minutes. These facilities involve extended pathways, multiple floors, and a greater number of individuals to evacuate. To avoid congestion, clear evacuation routes and well-coordinated procedures are essential. Proper safety protocols and safety training for occupants and fire wardens help ensure that everyone reaches the nearest exit in an orderly manner.
High-risk facilities, such as hospitals, care homes, or rehabilitation centres, often need additional time for evacuation due to unique challenges. These buildings house individuals with mobility issues or special medical needs, requiring staff to assist them during the evacuation process. Depending on the circumstances, evacuation times may exceed 10 minutes. But this is usually OK because they have lots of fire resisting walls and doors to stop the fire spreading, highly trained staff and the ability to do a Horizontal Evacuation. Which is to move away form the fire, to another fire resistant area, without actually evacuating the building.
A well-planned fire evacuation drill prioritises both efficiency and safety. Any delays or bottlenecks identified during the drill should be carefully analysed and addressed to improve future evacuations. Frequent fire drills, combined with safety training and system checks, help achieve faster evacuation times without compromising safety standards.
1. Conduct Regular Drills: Frequent evacuation drills familiarise occupants with drill procedures, reducing hesitation and improving response times.
2. Test and Maintain Systems: Ensure alarm systems, exit doors, and other safety measures are regularly checked and maintained. Faulty equipment can cause significant delays.
3. Provide Comprehensive Training: Offer safety training to all occupants, emphasising the importance of following evacuation procedures and locating the nearest exit quickly.
4. Simulate Realistic Scenarios: Include challenges such as blocked exit routes or reduced visibility to prepare for potential complications during actual emergencies.
5. Evaluate and Adjust Plans: After each drill, review performance and update the building evacuation plan accordingly to address any identified weaknesses and improve future drills.
You may also read: How Often Should You Check Your Fire Escape Route?
Understanding how long an evacuation drill should take is essential for improving safety and emergency preparedness. Whether it’s a small building requiring only a few minutes or a larger, high-risk facility needing more time, the focus should always be on ensuring a safe and effective evacuation.
At Fire Safety Specialists Ltd, we provide expert evacuation drill services tailored to your needs. Our experienced team ensures your drills are well-organized, efficient, and aligned with best practices so that you are always ready to handle any emergency situation effectively. Visit our website or call us today to schedule your next fire evacuation drill and ensure safety for everyone.
Written by Simon Robinson, Fire Safety Legislation Specialist
