The access key for accessibility features is 0. Press alt 0 to come back here at any time.

Access Keys:

Skip to content | Go to site-wide navigation bar | Go to the navigation list for this section
Employment Opportunities
Faculty | Staff
Search Michigan Engineering:
small title image
you are here Home  /  Safety  /  General Resources  /  Evacuation Plan Template

Evacuation Plan Template

Purpose:

To provide a plan for the orderly evacuation of (Building Name) and to establish the necessary procedures for fire emergencies, bomb threats, etc.

Designated Roles and Responsibilities:

The Building Coordinator for this building is (responsible individual). The Building Coordinator is responsible for seeing that this plan is implemented and will appoint an adequate number of Floor Marshals, assure everyone is familiar with this plan and act as a liaison with Dept. of Public Safety (DPS).

The Floor Marshals are: (name at least one individual per floor and back-ups). Floor Marshals will assist in the implementation of this plan by knowing and communicating evacuation routes to occupants during emergency evacuation and report the status of the evacuation to the Building Coordinator.

Preparation & Planning for Emergencies

Pre-planning for emergencies is a crucial element of this plan. The following steps have been taken in planning for emergency evacuation of this building:

  1. All exits are labeled and operable.
  2. Evacuation route diagrams have been approved by DPS/OSEH and are posted on all floors and at all exits, elevator lobbies, training/conference rooms and major building junctions.
  3. Occupants do not block exits, hoses, extinguishers, corridors or stairs by storage or rearrangement of furniture or equipment. Good housekeeping is everyone's responsibility.
  4. All Floor Marshals have been trained in their specific duties and all building occupants have been instructed in what to do in case of an emergency evacuation.
  5. Fire evacuation drills are held at least annually in this building and are critiqued and documented. Prior to holding a fire evacuation drill where the alarm is to be triggered, the Electric Shop and the University's Fire Marshal are notified.
  6. Appendix A contains instructions that are posted and/or used in instructing students and visitors using this building's facilities.

Evacuation Procedure:

Fire:
  1. Anyone who receives information or observes an emergency situation should immediately call 911.
  2. In this building, occupants will be notified of emergencies by (describe notification system, such as: fire alarm, paging system, word of mouth).

Occupants will:

  1. Know at least two exits from the building.
  2. Be familiar with the evacuation routes posted on the diagram on your floor.
  3. To report a fire or emergency, call 911. Give your name, room number and the floor that locates the fire. State exactly what is burning, or what is smoking or what smells like a fire to you. Then notify the Building Coordinator (or other designated person) and activate the building notification system.
  4. When notified to evacuate, do so in a calm and orderly fashion:
    walk, don't run
    keep conversation level down
    take your valuables and outer garments
    close all doors behind you
    use the stairs, not the elevators
    assist others in need of assistance
  5. Go to the designated assembly area or as instructed during the notification. If exiting the building, move at least 150 feet from the building to allow others to also safely exit the building. (specify designated assembly areas or indicate areas on evacuation diagram)
Tornadoes:
  1. In case of a tornado warning, the City of Ann Arbor siren/public address system will emit a steady tone for three to five minutes. The Building Coordinator (or other designated person) will notify building occupants.
  2. Safe places of haven in the case of a tornado are inside the building, preferably in a cellar, basement, underground excavation or a steel-framed or reinforced concrete building or substantial construction, away from windows. (You may use some or all of the following examples of safe places of haven in your building plan:)
    1. In office or classroom buildings - stand in an interior hallway on a lower floor, preferably in the basement.
    2. In residence halls - stand in an interior corridor on the lowest floors or in the basement. Evacuate the top floors. Stay away from areas of glass.
    3. In homes or apartments - the basement offers the greatest safety. Seek shelter under a sturdy workbench or heavy table. If no basement is available, take cover under heavy furniture in the center-point of the house or apartment.
    4. Avoid - windows, auditoriums, gymnasiums, cafeterias, or other areas with large, free-span roofs.
  3. Listen to your radio for the latest information and instructions. Do not tie up the telephone lines.
Bomb Threats:

If you receive a bomb threat, carefully note all information the caller gives you and then call 911 immediately and then notify the Building Coordinator. Do not activate the building notification system. The decision to evacuate is determined by the Department of Public Safety (DPS).

If an evacuation occurs as the result of a bomb threat, the Marshals or occupants will report to DPS any observation or report of a suspicious person or package seen in the work areas or along the evacuation route. Occupants will not attempt to inspect or move suspicious packages.

General:

During evacuation for any of the above, Floor Marshals assure every person on his/her floor has been notified and that evacuation routes are clear. If possible, the Floor Marshal -will check that all doors are closed and be the last one out. Upon leaving the floor, the Floor Marshal will report the status of the floor evacuation to the Building Coordinator.

Persons with Disabilities (mobility, hearing, sight): Each individual who requires assistance to-evacuate is responsible for pre-arranging with someone else in their immediate work area to assist them. Anyone knowing of a person with a disability or injury who was not able to evacuate will report this immediately to a Floor Marshal, the Building Coordinator or DPS.

Appendix A
General Evacuation Instruction

  1. Know at least two exits from the building.
  2. Be familiar with the evacuation routes posted on the diagram on your floor.
  3. To report a fire or emergency, call 911. Give your name, room number and the floor that locates the fire. State exactly what is burning, or what is smoking or what smells like a fire to you. Then notify the Building Manager or other designated person and activate the building notification system.
  4. When notified to evacuate, do so in a calm and orderly fashion:
    walk, don't run
    keep your conversation down
    take your valuables and outer garments
    close all doors behind you
    use the stairs, not the elevator
    assist others in need of assistance
  5. Go to the designated assembly area or as instructed during the notification. If exiting the building, move at least 150 feet from the building to allow others to also safely exit the building.
  6. Persons with disabilities that may impair mobility should establish a buddy system to help ensure that any needed assistance will be available to them in an emergency.

Back to Top

Emergency Evacuation Plan
Instructions for Implementation

  1. Assignment of Responsibility

    Administrative responsibility for evacuation of the building must be clearly defined. The Dean, Director or Department head shall designate an individual with a thorough understanding and appropriate authority as the Building Coordinator under this plan. The Building Coordinator shall appoint Floor Marshals as appropriate and ensure that they are adequately instructed in their duties and responsibilities.

    There must be adequate alternates to assume responsibilities in the absence of the Building Coordinator or Floor Marshals. These designations should also be made in the pre-planning stage.

  2. Coordination

    In buildings that are under the control of more than one Dean, Director or Department Head, there should be one evacuation plan for that building that has been coordinated with all key persons.

  3. Notification

    The Building Coordinator must assure that building occupants know who to call in case of an emergency and the proper sequence of notification:

    If it is a fire emergency, call 911, then notify the Building Coordinator and activate the building notification system.

    If it is a tornado, the Building Coordinator or other designated person will notify occupants through the Floor Marshal of safe places of haven.

    If it is a bomb threat, call 911, then notify the Building Coordinator, but do not activate the building notification system. DPS will review the specific circumstances and mandate evacuation when deemed necessary or will otherwise advise Department management when evacuation is not necessary.

    Occupants must be aware of who to notify in the event the Building Coordinator is absent. The Building Coordinator must assure that there is an effective method to notify occupants of an emergency. Notification may be by means of an alarm system, public address system, telephone fan out system or oral communication, although this last method is not advisable for work areas with ten or more persons.

  4. Preparation and Planning

    Proper preparation and planning for emergencies is essential in order for evacuation to be effective and efficient.

    Emergency Routes. Emergency route diagrams can be produced using the building "key plans". You can obtain copies of key plans by contacting the Facilities Information Center at 747-1342. When calling, please state that you need copies of the key plan(s) of your building(s) in order to post evacuation routes. Building/room diagrams are also available through the Facilities Management Information System (FMIS). Attachment 2 provides some instruction on getting access to the system.

    Use the key plan or FMIS diagram to highlight the main corridor exit ways and stairways and to identify the exits. You can also use this diagram to indicate where fire extinguisher and fire fighting equipment are located by using color coding or a symbol. The diagram can also be used to indicate designated assembly areas. (See example, Attachment 1)

    Post the diagrams at: elevator lobbies, junctions in buildings where directions are routinely posted, information bulletin boards, training/conference rooms, or other strategic locations throughout the building.

    All emergency route diagrams must be reviewed by DPS and OSEH. When completed, please submit your evacuation plan and diagrams to the Fire Marshal's office.

    Exits. Make sure all exits are labeled, operable and not blocked and there is proper illumination of pathways and exit signs.

    Communication. Floor Marshals should be fully familiar with the building evacuation plan and their role. Make sure there are alternates to cover during absences.

    Decide on a designated meeting place outside the building where Floor Marshals can quickly report to the Building Coordinator and where occupants can be accounted for.

    Communicate your program to all staff and students in your building. Appendix A of the plan provides you with an instruction sheet that can be posted and orally communicated to individuals. It is recommended that this be discussed at periodic safety meetings of staff and with students at the beginning of the school year.

  5. Fire Evacuation Drills

    All building occupants must be familiar with what they should do during an evacuation. The most effective method of familiarizing them is to hold a fire drill at least annually. Holding a fire drill has other advantages as well; it will provide you with an opportunity to evaluate your notification and evacuation procedures and it will give you an opportunity to test your fire alarm system and make occupants aware of the sound.

    Steps In Conducting a Fire Drill:

    1. If you have an alarm system you must first contact the Electric Shop at 7-0246 to make the appropriate arrangements.
    2. Contact the Fire Marshal, DPS, at 3-3434 or OSEH at 7-1142 before holding your drill so that a representative can be on site to assist in critiquing the evacuation.
    3. Although the fire drills should be unannounced, you may need to give advanced notice to key personnel in your building.

    If fire evacuation drills may create an undue hazard or if you are having difficulty planning an evacuation drill, please call DPS or OSEH for assistance.

    Note to Building Coordinator: If during the course of this implementation process, you have any questions or need assistance, you can contact Fire Inspector Duane Lee at 3-3434 or OSEH, Industrial Hygiene & Safety Coordinator, Pam Barker, at 7-1142.



Back to Top