Introduction
If a fire broke out in your building, would you
know what to do or where to go for help?
Whether it is your work place or somewhere
you’re visiting for the first time, it is
important that you and everyone else in the
building are aware of what to do in the event of
a fire. Knowing and not knowing could mean the
difference between getting out safely or, worst
case scenario, losing a life. Having a simple
set of fire procedures or an evacuation scheme
in place can help ensure that you and everyone
else gets out of the building safely.
What is an ‘evacuation procedure
or scheme’?
The simplest explanation would be, a plan
designed to remove people from a dangerous place
to a place of safety. It is a way of ensuring
people evacuate promptly, safely and orderly in
an emergency, also helping people to remain calm
and reducing chances of someone being hurt while
evacuating.
Evacuation procedures are the ‘What we do’ and
How we do it’ etc in the case of a fire
evacuation. This can be as simple as a notice
on the wall in a prominent place to advise the
occupants of a building what they must do in the
event of a fire emergency and how to get to a
place of safety out side the building.
An evacuation scheme is similar as it must also
include fire procedures but a scheme differs in
that it must in addition provide information on
how the evacuation process will be managed and
an application must be submitted to and approved
by the NZ Fire Service.
Some buildings may not require an approved
evacuation scheme, but may still need to have
evacuation procedures in place. If a scheme is
not required, you may need to have procedures in
place but, do not have to submit anything to the
fire service. A schedule of buildings and their
requirements are included in the Fire Safety and
Evacuation of Buildings Regulations 2006.
An evacuation scheme includes things like:
-
What to do if you discover a fire
-
What to do if you are warned of a fire
-
Who are the Fire Wardens in the building
-
What is the role and duties of a Fire Warden
-
How to evacuate from a building to a safe
place
-
How everyone is accounted for during an
evacuation
-
How persons with disabilities will be
assisted during a evacuation
-
Where Fire Action notices are located in the
building
-
How an evacuation scheme needs to be
maintained
-
How to safely operate fire fighting
equipment in the building
Why would I need an evacuation
scheme?
As the OWNER of a building, you
may require an evacuation scheme if the building
is used for any one or more of the following:
-
The gathering together, for any purpose, of
100 or more persons
-
Providing employment facilities for 10 or
more persons
-
Providing accommodation for more than 5
persons
-
Storing or processing hazardous substances
in quantities exceeding the prescribed
minimum amounts
-
Providing early childhood facilities
-
Providing nursing, medical or geriatric care
-
Providing specialised care for people with
disabilities
-
Providing accommodation for persons under
lawful detention
To see if you need a scheme, visit
http://evaconline.fire.org.nz
and complete a short questionnaire. NB:
In many cases you will see that it is the legal
responsibility of the BUILDING OWNER
to ensure the building has an approved scheme.
If you are not sure whether or not your building
already has an evacuation scheme, contact your
nearest fire service.
When do I need it by?
For buildings built after 1 October 2006 you
must apply for your evacuation scheme
no later than 30 days
after the earlier of:
-
The date on which the building code
compliance certificate is issued for the
building under the Building Act 2004, or
-
The date on which the building is first
lawfully occupied.
For an existing building you must apply for your
evacuation scheme no later
than 6 months after 1 October 2006
To see if your building needs an evacuation
scheme, visit
http://evaconline.fire.org.nz
Who can produce an evacuation
scheme?
There are 3 options when it comes to producing
and evacuation scheme:
1. Employ
and Evacuation Consultant
– Because consultants are familiar with the laws
and regulations that apply, it may be more
efficient and cost effective to employ and
evacuation consultant. They can design,
implement and help to maintain your scheme.
They are also there to help answer questions you
may have, and liaise with the fire service on
your behalf. Because of timeframes that may
apply, this option could be more suitable for
most building owners. See (section on evac
consultants) for more information.
2. D.I.Y
– You may be able to ‘Do It Yourself’. If you
have the time and resources available, you may
wish to write your own evacuation scheme. In
order to do so, you will need to be familiar
with the legislation and regulations that apply,
including those statutes that influence or have
an impact upon them. A comprehensive guide on
how to do this can be downloaded from the fire
service website or you may like to complete the
scheme online.
3. Complete
an application online
– If have the time and resources available an
application can be completed online and uploaded
directly to the fire service. Visit
http://evaconline.fire.org.nz
for more info.
