Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

Risk Sleeping 
Risk
(Measured to a relative
(Factory Only)
place of safety)
More than one route is
60 m 
45 m 
45 m 
32 m 
25 m
provided
Only a single escape
45 m 
25 m 
18 m 
16 m 
12 m
route is provided
Table 13.1

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Fire hazards and control
217
means that escape routes should be kept short. Where 
there is only one means of escape, or where the risk of 
fi re is high, people should be able to reach a place of 
safety, or a place where there is more than one route 
available, in one minute.
The way to check this is to pace out the routes, 
walking slowly and noting the time. Start from where 
people work and walk to the nearest place of safety. 
Remember that the more people there are using the 
route, the longer they will take. People take longer to 
negotiate stairs and they are also likely to take longer if 
they have a disability.
Where fi re drills are held, check how long it takes 
to evacuate each fl oor in the workplace. This can be 
used as a basis for assessment. If escape times are 
too long, it may be worth re-arranging the workplace 
so that people are closer to the nearest place of safety, 
rather than undertake expensive alterations to provide 
additional escape routes.
Reaction time
needs to be considered. This is the 
amount of time people will need for preparation before 
they escape. It may involve, for example, closing down 
machinery, issues of security or helping visitors or 
members of the public out of the premises. Reaction 
time needs to be as short as possible to reduce risk to 
staff. Assessment of escape routes should include this. 
If reaction times are too long, additional routes may need 
to be provided. It is important that people know what to 
do in case of fi re as this can speed up the time needed 
to evacuate the premises.