Evacuation is one of the measures of collective protection that aims to save human life. Evacuation is an organized movement of people (sometimes with their belongings) from a place where there is a risk to a safe area. Most often, evacuation from a building occurs when there is a threat of fire or a bomb attack, and with an action on a larger scale (e.g. from a housing estate or city), for example, when there is a risk of gas explosion, flood or war. Human life and health are paramount in such a situation, and property protection is always on the second place.

During the evacuation, try to remain calm and calm. You should move quickly, but do not run or overtake others – doing so may only hinder the evacuation and safe exit of all people. In order not to create unnecessary chaos, it is necessary to submit to the person in charge of the action. Most often it is a manager or other person appointed by the employer.

If you notice a fire, you should first alert everyone in the danger zone, and also call the emergency number. Currently, many modern buildings have Fire Alarm Systems (SAP), from which the signal is transmitted to the State Fire Service. However, this does not release us from our obligation to make sure that the services have received the information and are on their way. After turning on the alarm, we start the evacuation.

If you hear an alarm, go to the nearest emergency exit immediately. The way will be shown by green pictograms located along the escape routes. We do not use elevators during the evacuation! They can catch fire and stop and spread fire to other parts of buildings. You should therefore use the stairs. The escape routes and the emergency exit must not be blocked with anything, so that the employee in a hurry does not trip over unnecessary items. Remember to move along the walls – so you don’t lose orientation. If you are in a very smoky environment, try to keep your head as low as possible, preferably about a meter above the floor. Also protect your airways (preferably with moist cloth). After leaving the building, go to the meeting point and make sure everyone managed to get outside.

Unfortunately, it often happens that evacuation is impossible during a fire. Do not panic then, just implement steps to minimize the risk. First of all – call the emergency services and give your exact location, which will make it easier for them to find you. Remember to close the door to prevent smoke from spreading to the room you are in. Seal the closed door, preferably with wet materials. Then (you must close the door first!) You should open the window and wait for the rescuers to arrive.

The basics of fire protection are included in the program of periodic training in the field of occupational health and safety, while employees responsible for activities related to fire protection and evacuation should be enrolled in full-time training in this field. During the training, these people get to know the course of the escape route, as well as the location of emergency exits on the premises of their workplace. The training program also includes information on the type and purpose of fire extinguishers.

It should be remembered that the purpose of the persons designated to act in the event of a fire is not to replace professional services, but only to take, where possible, ad hoc measures and help with organizational matters until the fire brigade arrives. These activities include: determining how and where the fire started, how it is spreading, verifying the number of people at risk and noting that all employees have already left the building, as well as checking unoccupied rooms.

The fire protection regulations do not clearly define where the collection points for evacuation should be organized. However, information on this subject should be included in the fire safety instruction prepared for a given facility, and the place itself should be marked with an appropriate pictogram.

Source: https://www.bhp-center.com.pl/zasady-zachowania-podczas-ewakuacji-z-budynku/

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