Write the evacuation plan and brief the team
A written emergency plan sets out how the alarm is raised, the escape routes, the assembly point, who checks toilets and cellars are clear, who calls 999, and who is the fire marshal on any given shift.
A written emergency plan sets out how the alarm is raised, the escape routes, the assembly point, who checks toilets and cellars are clear, who calls 999, and who is the fire marshal on any given shift. If anyone who works for you or regularly visits cannot self-evacuate unaided, you also need a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) for them. This builds directly on your fire risk assessment.
The plan on paper does nothing on its own — what saves people is staff who have actually been briefed and know their role without having to think about it. A fire and rescue officer or your insurer will ask to see the written plan and may ask staff on shift to describe what they would do, not just point at a laminated notice.
Step 5 of the checklist sets out what a compliant emergency plan needs to cover.
Who this is for
Every venue — the plan and the briefing scale with headcount, but nobody is exempt.
What you’ll hold
- Written emergency/evacuation plan
- PEEPs for any staff or regulars who cannot self-evacuate
- Staff briefing/sign-off log
Watch out for
- Writing the plan, printing it, and never briefing the team — a plan nobody has walked through is worthless the moment the alarm actually goes off.
- Naming one fire marshal with no cover for when they are off shift, sick or on holiday.
- Forgetting PEEPs — a mobility-impaired member of staff or a regular wheelchair-using customer needs a specific, agreed evacuation route, not an assumption someone will help.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Fire safety risk assessment: 5-step checklist checked 2026-09-02
- gov.scot — Fire safety risk assessment: forms and guidance checked 2026-09-02
See also
This is item 27 of 66 in the free UK Launch Checklist. See the whole list →