No way out of sight: draw up an evacuation plan

No way out of sight:
drawing up an evacuation plan

Evacuation plan: essential for the safety of your company

Belgian legislation requires every employer to draw up evacuation plans for locations where people reside or work.

Having an evacuation plan drawn up is not only required by law, but also crucial for fire safety and general safety in the working environment. Inspections by the Federal Public Service for Welfare at Work regularly check the presence of evacuation plans, and the fire brigade may comment on the evacuation plan in the fire report during prevention visits.

A well-drafted evacuation plan contributes to a safe working environment and rapid evacuation in case of emergencies. Our experts will be happy to help you draw up a professional evacuation plan that meets all safety regulations following Belgian legislation for your company.

Our mode of operation for an effective evacuation plan

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Request floor plans

We prefer to receive digital floor plans of your building(s) and sites to develop a detailed evacuation plan.

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Inventorise

Our consultant will visit your premises and make an on-site inventory of all fire extinguishers, push buttons, emergency exits, and other essential safety equipment so that they can later be clearly included in the evacuation plan. This can also be done in combination with our fire risk analysis and our fire risk analysis and our signage study

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Mapping escape routes

We determine the escape routes and indicate them clearly on the evacuation plan and determine the strategic locations where the evacuation plans should be prominently displayed.

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Draw up evacuation plan

We draw up a professional and legally compliant evacuation plan tailored to the specifics of your business. We ensure that the plans are posted in an orderly manner at appropriate locations in your company, such as at emergency exits, in corridors and at central points. This puts everything in place so that employees, visitors, guests can evacuate quickly and safely in the event of an emergency.

Finally, you will receive a digital copy of the evacuation plan from us.

Contact us today to provide your locations with clear and approved evacuation plans that comply with Belgian legislation. We ensure the safety of your employees and visitors!

Prevom is your partner

Choosing Prevom means choosing total peace of mind in fire safety. For us, your peace of mind comes first. We understand the complexities of fire prevention and a fire prevention file and are therefore happy to use our expertise to ensure your company not only meets all legal obligations, but also guarantees a safe workplace through a clever evacuation plan.

Our team takes care of the entire process, from risk analysis to evacuation plans and maintenance of safety equipment. With Prevom as your partner, you can focus on your business operations while we ensure you feel fire safe and secure. Your safety is our mission.

During the fire safety scan we do a systematic analysis or inspection of your building/buildings or site with the aim of assessing fire safety. Various aspects affecting fire prevention, fire detection, and fire fighting are examined. The aim of the scan is to identify potential risks or bottlenecks and make recommendations to improve fire safety & fire prevention.

FAQ

Frequently asked question evacuation plan (FAQ)

An evacuation plan is a detailed document that describes the procedures to be followed in case of an emergency, such as fire, gas leak, or other calamities. An evacuation plan indicates how employees, visitors and other attendees can safely leave the building via clearly marked escape routes and emergency exits.

Yes, in most countries it is mandatory for companies to have an evacuation plan. This applies especially to businesses with a certain number of employees, high-risk activities, or publicly accessible buildings. Local laws often determine the specific requirements for an evacuation plan, such as the number of emergency exits and the presence of evacuation routes.

A good evacuation plan contains at least the following information:

  • Clear description of escape routes and emergency exits.
  • Location of fire extinguishers and first aid stations.
  • Instructions for alerting the fire brigade or emergency services.
  • An overview of assembly areas outside the building.
  • Procedures for evacuating persons with disabilities or special needs.
  • Roles and responsibilities of employees during an evacuation (e.g. an evacuation coordinator).
  • Clearly marked plans of the building with evacuation routes.

When preparing an evacuation plan, you can follow these steps:

  • Risk analysis: identify potential emergencies and risks.
  • Escape routes and emergency exits: ensure that there are enough emergency exits and escape routes, and that they are clear and well-marked.
  • Assembly areas: designate a safe location outside the building as an assembly area.
  • Staff roles: assign specific tasks to staff members, such as checking rooms or escorting visitors.
  • Training: train your staff on evacuation procedures and conduct regular evacuation drills.
  • Communication: ensure clear communication of the plan and post evacuation instructions visibly in the building.

It is recommended to carry out evacuation drills at least once a year. Companies with a higher risk profile (such as factories or schools) may need to conduct exercises more frequently. Regular evacuation drills help familiarise staff and visitors with procedures and ensure safety in emergency situations.

The responsibility for drawing up an evacuation plan lies with the employer or the manager of the building. The plan can be prepared by the prevention advisor or a safety officer within the company. In some cases, it is wise to work with an external safety consultant or fire prevention expert to ensure the plan meets legal requirements.

To ensure your evacuation plan complies with local fire safety regulations:

  • Consult local legislation for specific requirements (e.g. number of emergency exits, escape routes, etc.).
  • Get a fire prevention advisor to check the plan.
  • Make sure the plan is well documented as well as that the evacuation plan is accessible to all employees.
  • Keep in regular contact with the fire brigade or other authorities for advice and inspections.

Yes, the evacuation plan should take into account the evacuation of people with disabilities. This includes designating suitable evacuation routes, providing assistance for people with mobility problems and the use of special aids such as evacuation chairs. It is important to make specific staff responsible for assisting people who need extra help.

If a company does not have an evacuation plan, it can lead to fines or penalties in inspections by the fire brigade or other authorities. It also puts the lives of employees and visitors at risk, as they are not prepared to evacuate quickly and safely in an emergency situation. In serious cases, not having an evacuation plan can even lead to liability claims after an incident.

An evacuation plan should be visibly and clearly displayed in the building. This can be done through:

  • Floor plans showing evacuation routes, hung at strategic locations such as near lifts, stairwells and emergency exits.
  • Escape and emergency exit signs that comply with international safety standards.
  • Digital versions of the evacuation plan available to employees via internal networks or mobile applications.
  • Regular education and training for staff to make them aware of the procedures mentioned in the evacuation plan.
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Request a free fire safety quick scan

This way, you will know within half an hour which aspects of the legislation are already in line and which still need attention.

We will also help you prioritise: which aspects deserve immediate attention, which hazards exist and which steps can be taken.