How to conduct a fire drill

A fire drill is a critical method for practising how to evacuate a building in the event of a fire.  Drills give the users of a premises experience following fire exit routes and procedures, from following signs to finding staircases. For building owners, a fire drill can also help identify measures needed to correct any risks found during the drill.

The responsible person of a building has a legal duty to ‘provide procedures for serious and imminent danger’, as set out in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. These procedures must be supported by providing appropriate training and instruction, which includes fire drills. 

Here, we outline how to conduct a fire drill thoroughly and efficiently, highlighting who is responsible, what steps they should take, and how often they should practice them.  

Who is responsible for conducting a fire drill?

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, a responsible person can be anyone with control of a commercial or non-domestic premises. This is most commonly a landlord, building owner, or occupier, but it may also be anyone with control of specific areas/systems within a business, from managers to risk assessors.  

How often should you conduct a fire drill?

As a legal minimum, the UK government states fire drills should be carried out once every year. In workplaces, new staff should be trained when they start work. And if there are any new fire risks, all employees must be informed.

How to conduct a fire drill

Before the drill

Have a fire escape plan in place

It’s impossible to conduct a fire drill without a thorough plan. This should include escape routes clearly marked with fire exit signs and fire action notices, fire safety doors, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, and fire assembly points. Our guide to fire escape plans gives a full breakdown of the requirements needed at this stage. 

Share the plan with building users

As part of the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005, having fully certified fire safety equipment in place is crucial to meet legal regulations, but this alone does not ensure everyone will know where to find it. Communicating this, along with important details such as escape routes to take and how (and when) to raise the alarm, is critical to make sure people on the premises are confident of what to do in case of a fire. A fire marshal (or warden) can be appointed to overlook the fire drill, making sure precautions are followed to a high standard. Before the drill, inform all staff members or building occupants when the mandatory exercise is set to take place.

During the drill

Set off the fire alarm (and a timer)

On the day of the drill, the responsible person should ensure that enough time is allocated to the exercise and is conducted effectively. Once the fire alarm has been set off, set a timer. This can help to show how long it takes for everyone to leave and reach the fire assembly point.

Observe the building occupants

It’s important to take note of behaviour displayed by building occupants, including staff or visitors. Check for anyone gathering belongings instead of evacuating the premises. Also make sure that everyone follows the nearest designated evacuation routes and exit points – some people might automatically head for the routes they consider familiar. Fire safety signage can be vital here, not only for people unfamiliar with the building, but also those who use it regularly, as they may become disoriented or confused in the moment.

Inspect fire safety procedures and equipment

While the fire drill is taking place, follow a checklist to ensure everything is in proper working order, including fire alarm systems and emergency lighting. All escape routes should be clear, with fire escapes opening easily, fire safety doors closing correctly and all fire exit signs displayed in the correct places. Record any faults in systems and equipment as you go. Take extra time to check for any difficulties that may prevent a safe and quick escape for people with disabilities, such as obstructions along the route.

Roll call and reflection

Make sure everyone is present by following the fire drill with a roll call. This is an important stage to ask about any issues experienced that may have gone unnoticed by the assessor or fire warden.

Following the drill

Record, review, and take action

A record of the drill, including the date of completion and any actions to be taken as a result, must be recorded in the fire safety log book. Make note of how the evacuation process was, any challenges faced by people, any inappropriate behaviour to be addressed, and any weaknesses in fire safety procedures and equipment. Once recorded, plans to address any flaws in the fire safety plan should be addressed. For example, choosing alternative escape routes, installing extra fire safety signs, or updating fire door hardware.

Repeat every year

While most people are familiar with fire drills from school, many people act differently during an actual emergency. Having regular fire drills helps make sure all occupants of a premises are fully aware of how to safely and calmly exit a building, whether this is an office, venue, student residence, care home, warehouse, or even a holiday park. Practice makes perfect, after all. 

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