M.1 Fire marshal/ fire wardens

a) Senior Fire Marshal:

Appointed with overall responsibility for fire safety during phased evacuation.

b) Deputy Senior Fire Marshal/Fire Warden:

Appointed to support the Senior Fire Marshal.

c) Fire Marshals/Fire Wardens:

Fully trained and appointed to maintain calm and discipline.

d) Storey Coverage:

Each storey should have one fire marshal for each exit.

NOTE Actions to be taken by fire marshals/fire wardens are detailed in M.3.

M.2 Evacuation guidelines

a) Notice:

Display a prominent notice in the fire control centre about phased evacuation.

b) System Mode:

Fire detection and alarm systems should be in phased evacuation mode at all times but allow total simultaneous evacuation outside normal hours.

c) Manual Phased Evacuation:

Use if more than three phases are required.

· Staffing: Fire control centre staffed during normal hours by a competent person.

· Initial Phase: Automatic evacuation of the fire floor.

· Phase Timing: Governed by fire marshals, not exceeding time needed to evacuate two storeys simultaneously.

d) Automatic Phased Evacuation:

Ensure time periods allow simultaneous evacuation of two storeys.

e) Evacuation Sequence:

· Evacuate the fire floor first.

· Followed by the next two floors above.

· Evacuate remaining floors in groups of two upwards.

· Evacuate floors in groups of two below the fire floor, working downwards.

f) Disabled People:

Evacuate on initial alert.

g) Below Ground Floors:

Treat as one zone; evacuate last or simultaneously with the ground floor unless fire is below ground.

NOTE 1 Either a manual or an automatic system for phased evacuation is satisfactory where not more than three phases of evacuation (including the initial phase) are required.

NOTE 2 An example of messages for use with phased evacuation and a suggested sequence of tones and messages and time lapse between each element are given in BS 5839-8:2013.

NOTE 3 This sequence might need to be changed to reflect the fire situation.

M.3 Fire evacuation procedures

M.3.1 Action to be taken by senior fire marshal and deputy senior fire marshal

a) During Normal Office Hours:

Fire Alarm Activation: Proceed to the fire control centre.
Fire and Rescue Service: Ensure they have been called and someone is assigned to meet them.
Initial Evacuation: Confirm that it is taking place.
Disabled People: Ensure evacuation plan for disabled individuals is being followed.
Information Gathering: Await updates from floor fire marshals/wardens.
Communication: Use public address/voice alarm system or fire telephone to provide information.
Evacuation Management: Implement evacuation plan unless fire marshals report the fire is controlled.
Fire and Rescue Service Arrival: Provide all information to the senior fire officer.

b) Outside Normal Office Hours:

Fire Alarm Activation: Report to the fire control point.
Evacuation Mode: Switch fire detection and alarm system to total evacuation mode.
Fire and Rescue Service: Ensure they have been called.
Fire and Rescue Service Arrival: Provide all information to the senior fire officer.

M.3.2 Action to be taken by fire marshal/ fire wardens

During Normal Hours:

a) If "Alert" Signal Sounds:

· Evacuate disabled people using the agreed procedure.

· Await instructions via public address/voice alarm or fire telephone system.

· Reassure staff and discourage premature evacuation.

· Initiate evacuation upon instruction from the system.

· Ensure floor evacuation is complete.

· Leave the building and report to the assembly point.

b) If "Evacuate" Alarm Sounds:

· Complete floor evacuation and report to the fire control centre via fire telephone.

· If the fire is on your floor, attempt to control it with available equipment, but avoid personal risk. Report the situation to the fire control centre.

· Leave the building and proceed to the assembly point.

Outside Normal Hours:

c) If "Alert" or "Evacuate" Alarm Sounds:

· Complete floor evacuation.

· If the fire is on your floor, attempt to control it with available equipment, but avoid personal risk. Report the situation to the fire control centre.

· Leave the building and proceed to the assembly point.

Annex M (normative) Phased evacuation