In preparation for Safety Sabbath 2017, local church safety committees are reviewing their schedule to make sure:
- Church leaders know their assignments for the day of the drill.
- Fire detectors and alarms are tested
- The Safety Sabbath 2017 poster and PowerPoint announcements are alerting church members, so they know the date of your fire drill.
9 Key Elements for Your Evacuation Route and Plan*
A well thought-out and tested evacuation route and plan are key to a successful fire drill. While planning the evacuation route, keep these elements in mind.- Designate primary and secondary exits
- Avoid emergency exits in restrooms. Do not use windows in bathrooms as emergency exits.
- Exit away from rooms with hazardous materials
- Avoid emergency exits through narrow passages
- Exit signs indicating the nearest emergency exit
- Designate an assembly area outside and away from the building
- Do not use elevators to reach an emergency exit
- Indicate exits with wheelchair access
- Indicate the current location with a “YOU ARE HERE” dot on emergency exit maps. The location marker varies based on where in the building a particular map is located.
Once the plan is complete, take a moment to walk through your facilities following the routes and consider the following: Are the route directions easy to follow? Are they readily accessible? Am I following the guidelines above? Test the routes to make sure everyone can follow the instructions and evacuate the building as quickly as possible.