Building Evacuation

Leave a building if it becomes structurally unsafe, emergency authorities issue an evacuation order, or when remaining inside poses a greater threat to your safety than seeking shelter elsewhere.

When should you exit a building?

  • Building-specific: Fire, flooding, suspicious packages, elevator emergencies, civil disturbances.
  • Natural disasters: Earthquake, flood, hurricane, or tornado
  • Hazardous material: Chemical spills, biological or radiological accidents.
  • Technical failures: Gas leaks, power outages.

Building Evacuation

What to do

  • Act quickly and calmly.If an alarm sounds or you are told to evacuate, immediately stop all activities and begin exiting the building safely. Avoid rushing or pushing, which can cause injuries.
  • Take only essential items.Do not take time to gather non-essential personal belongings. Your life is more important than property.
  • Use the stairs, not the elevator.Elevators can fail during an emergency, putting you at risk. Walk briskly but do not run, staying to the right in stairwells to let emergency personnel pass.
  • Close doors behind you.This slows the spread of fire and smoke throughout the building.
  • Check doors for heat.Before opening a closed door, feel it with the back of your hand. If it is hot, find an alternate escape route.
  • Crawl low in smoke.If you encounter smoke, drop to the floor and crawl toward the exit. The air is cleaner and cooler near the ground.
  • Assist others.If safe to do so, help anyone who requires special assistance, such as individuals with disabilities , visitors, or small children. 

After you exit the building

  • Move to your assembly area.Proceed directly to your designated meeting location, keeping streets and walkways clear for emergency vehicles.
  • Check in with coordinators.A designated evacuation coordinator will typically take a headcount. Let them know if you are aware of anyone still inside and their last known location.
  • Report what you know.Provide emergency responders with any information you have about the incident, such as the location of the fire.
  • Wait for the "all clear."Do not re-enter the building for any reason until fire officials or other emergency responders have declared it safe to do so.