Public buildings emergency evacuations – Regulation 26

What is Regulation 26?

Health (Public Buildings) Regulations 1992 (external site), Regulation 26 requires cinemas, licensed premises and other high risk public buildings to have emergency plans that satisfy Australian Standard 3745:1995, Emergency Control Organisations and Procedures for Buildings, Structures and Workplaces.

The regulation also requires that:

• local government review the plans and may recommend changes
• plans should incorporate a risk management plan that has been developed in accordance with AS 4360 (Superseded by AS/NZS ISO 39000:2009). The context of this plan is to identify risks that may cause the emergency plan to be initiated, and also address hazards associated with the implementation of the plan
• operators conduct rehearsals from time to time.

The basic requirement for evacuation plans was first introduced in 1992, and the standard has been amended to AS 3745:2010 Planning for Emergencies in facilities.  Compliance with the 1995 version is mandatory but it is recommended that the latest standard is used.

Although local government is required to approve plans, and other agencies such as WorkSafe and DFES have similar requirements, there is very limited information or educational material to assist with the process. Other agencies are also unable to provide advice or assistance with the formulation of plans. However, there are a number of consultants available who offer this service.

Recommendations

For commercial organisations it is strongly recommended that appropriately trained consultants be utilised to prepare emergency evacuation plans and procedures.

This guidance note is intended to provide local government and operators with information to assist with the formulation and approval of plans. It does not provide advice on the risk management process required by the Regulations; this is the subject of another guidance note.

The following information has been extracted from AS 3745:1995, if preparing a plan the Standard should be consulted.

Basic requirements of AS 3745:1995

The standard sets out guidelines for:

1. appointing an emergency planning committee
2. establishing an emergency control organisation
3. preparing emergency plans and procedures
4. establishing roles for key personnel
5. establishing education and training requirements.

AS 7345:1995 is intended to apply to all building types, including complex multi-tenanted facilities. The majority of plans required to be approved by local government will be for relatively small, self-contained single-tenant premises

In reviewing emergency plans, local government should identify specifically that items 2 to 5 above have been addressed and that the plan is generic and can be applied to all credible emergencies. It is not uncommon for plans to only address fire emergencies.

Key issues

Some of the issues plans may need to consider are:

• identifying installed emergency facilities, such as communications, emergency lighting and smoke/fire hazard management systems
• access for people with a disability
• people unfamiliar with the building and escape procedures
• people who may be affected by alcohol or drugs
• identifying ‘use of lifts’ criteria where applicable
• accounting for and mustering people such as staff and patrons
• identifying muster points and alternative points
• detailing specific communications procedures for people who may be required to operate phones and liaise with response organisations, such as fire, police or ambulance
• identifying trained first aid personnel and equipment locations.

Control organisation

Plans should use the AS 3745:1995 hierarchy and identification of key personnel as this is an Australia-wide standard. Plans also need to identify actual names of job functions of designated personnel well in advance of any emergency.

It is essential that relevant wardens are easily identified by other employees, patrons and emergency response organisations. The cheapest and most effective way to do this is to wear appropriately coloured helmets. Relevant helmets must be stored in close proximity to that person’s normal work station.

The standard recognises the following terminology and colour identification.

Specific threats

Some of the more common threats are fire and bomb threats. Plans should be tailored to specifically address these threats. Pepper spray discharges should also be considered as these can have a debilitating effect on people, and are becoming more frequent. AS 3745 provides specific guidance for fire and bomb threats.

Education and training

An essential component of emergency planning is training and education for key personnel. All wardens should undergo some training, and evacuation exercises should be conducted routinely with at least 1 evacuation every 12 months. Many public buildings utilise transient personnel. Therefore, it is essential that all staff who act as a warden, or may be called upon to act as a warden, are advised of their emergency roles prior to commencing their first shift with that relevant responsibility.

Information recording

Registers for emergency procedures, warden notification, warden training and evacuation exercises should also be kept to allow relevant agencies to identify that basic requirements have been addressed.

Check list – public buildings’ emergency evacuation regulation 26

• Plan has been prepared by a competent person
• Emergency Planning committee appointed
• Emergency control organisation established
• Warden System in place
• Wardens identified
• Warden identification addressed, coloured helmets including storage
• Education and training requirements identified and addressed
• Plan reviewed routinely
• Identify installed emergency facilities, such as communications, emergency lighting and smoke/fore hazard management systems
• People with disabilities considered
• Warden roles and responsibilities defined
• People unfamiliar with the building and escape procedures considered
• People who may be affected by alcohol or drugs considered
• Are key roles filled by permanently employed staff
• Is there a procedure in place to assemble and account for people – staff & patrons
• Are assembly/muster points identified
• Are there alternative muster points
• Detail specific communications procedures for people who may be required to man phones and liaise with response organisations such as FESA, Police, Ambulance
• Drawing/s provided to identify warden zones of responsibility
• Drawing/s provided to identify exit routes
• Drawing/s provided to identify fire extinguishers/fire fighting
• Drawing/s provided to identify first aid
• Drawing/s provided to identify mustering/assembly areas
• Communication methods identified
• Communications – limited reliance on mobile phone networks

Resources

• Risk management (Word 71KB)

More information

• For information about organising an event, or information related to a public building, contact the relevant local government Environmental Health Services where the event or building is located. Refer to the online local government directory (external site) for contact details. Ask to speak to an Environmental Health Officer. 
• For events or public buildings located in Kings Park, Rottnest Island, or locations not within a local government district, contact the Environmental Health Directorate by emailing Public.Events@health.wa.gov.au or call 9222 2000