8.5.4  Evacuation

The Contractor shall design and test an effective evacuation plan for each site, liaising with internal and external parties (including Fire Officers) as appropriate.  This plan needs to account for both the likely demographics of the building population, but also the changes in numbers occupying the building during different times of the day and night.

Once complete, the Contractor is responsible for the promotion of the plan, and for any training and briefing required to care staff to enable them to enact the plan in the event of an emergency. Residents shall also be advised of the plan.

Evacuation plans should be tested at least twice annually to test their effectiveness and such effectiveness reported to the Authority.

Where amendments are made, these must then be publicised and any re-training/briefing provided.

In addition, the Contractor is to ensure appropriate signage is maintained throughout the building at all times, including external muster points where appropriate.