Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

6.8.4 Assembly and roll call
Assembly points should be established for use in the 
event of evacuation. It should be in a position, prefer-
ably under cover, which is unlikely to be affected at 
the time of fi re. In some cases it may be necessary to 
make mutual arrangements with the occupiers of nearby 
premises.
In the case of small premises, a complete list of the 
names of all staff should be maintained so that a roll call 
can be made if evacuation becomes necessary.
In those premises where the number of staff would 
make a single roll call diffi cult, each departmental fi re 
warden should maintain a list of the names of staff in 
their area. Roll call lists must be updated regularly.
6.8.5 Fire 
notices
Printed instructions for the action to be taken in the event 
of fi re should be displayed throughout the premises. 
The information contained in the instructions should be 
stated briefl y and clearly. The staff and their deputies to 
whom specifi c duties are allocated should be identifi ed.

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Instruction for the immediate calling of the fi re 
brigade in case of fi re should be displayed at telephone 
switchboards, exchange telephone instruments and 
security lodges.
A typical fi re notice is given in Appendix 6.1.
6.8.6 Testing
The alarm system should be tested every week, while 
the premises are in normal use. The test should be car-
ried out by activating a different call point each week, 
at a fi xed time. (See Chapter 13 for more information on 
fi re hazards and control.)
6.8.7 Fire 
drills
Once a fi re routine has been established it must be 
tested at regular intervals in order to ensure that all staff 
are familiar with the action to be taken in an emergency.
The most effective way of achieving this is by 
carrying out fi re drills at prescribed intervals. Drills 
should be held at least twice a year other than in areas 
dealing with hazardous processes where they should 
be more frequent. A programme of fi re drills should be 
planned to ensure that all employees, including shift 
workers and part-time employees, are covered.