Fire safety starts with awareness—far more than just a basic understanding of the rules. Whether you manage a busy corporate office in Upper Hill, a retail outlet in Nairobi’s CBD, or an industrial facility, running regular fire drills is a core part of keeping your people safe.
To make this process as straightforward as possible, we have put together a practical workplace fire drill checklist. This guide details exactly what your business needs to do before, during, and after an evacuation to stay safe and legally compliant under Kenyan law.
Why Fire Drills Matter for Workplace Safety
Conducting a routine fire drill is not just a good idea; it is a legal requirement. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA 2007) and the Fire Risk Reduction Rules (2007), Kenyan employers are designated as the “responsible person” for their premises. It is your legal duty to provide staff with proper emergency training and conduct at least one fire drill every 12 months.
These drills test your emergency evacuation procedures, expose potential hazards, and train your staff to react calmly if a real fire breaks out.
Your Step-by-Step Fire Drill Checklist
Before the Evacuation
- Notify your team: Make sure all employees know a drill is scheduled. Give them specific details about when it will happen and what they need to do. Remind them that participation is mandatory for everyone on site.
- Brief your Fire Marshals: If you run a large premises, nominate your trained fire marshals (or senior staff) to observe the process. They will be responsible for assessing the evacuation, checking that everyone participates, and spotting any bottlenecks.
- Warn your visitors: If you have clients, guests, or contractors on-site (like in a hotel or agency office), let them know a drill is about to happen so they don’t panic. If you manage a public space like a shopping mall, try to schedule the drill during off-peak hours.
- Print the staff register: Have a physical or easily accessible digital copy of the daily attendance register ready to take outside to the assembly point.
During the Evacuation
- Monitor behavior: Fire marshals must closely watch how people act. Staff should walk calmly to the exits. Note any inappropriate actions, like people stopping to grab laptops, coats, or bags, or trying to re-enter the building before the “all clear” is given.
- Assist people with disabilities: Pay close attention to how easily staff or visitors with limited mobility can evacuate. Any problems—like navigating stairs or heavy fire doors—must be recorded and addressed.
- Check the escape routes: As people leave, confirm they are using the nearest designated fire exit, not just the front door they walk through every morning. In a real emergency, their usual route might be blocked by smoke.
- Identify physical roadblocks: Marshals should check for practical issues during the escape, such as locked emergency doors, cluttered corridors, or missing exit signs.
- Take roll call: Once everyone reaches the designated fire assembly point, read the register immediately. Note anyone who is missing and figure out why they were left behind.
After the Evacuation
- Record the results: To comply with DOSHS regulations, write down the details of the drill. Document how long the evacuation took, any inappropriate behaviors, and which escape routes failed.
- Update your Fire Safety Audit: Any major issues found during the drill (like jammed doors or blocked hallways) need to be added to your annual Fire Risk Assessment. Review these findings with your safety committee.
- Take immediate remedial action: If the drill proves that your safety setup is lacking, fix it right away. Whether you need clearer photoluminescent signs, more accessible exits, or updated fire extinguishers, bring in a professional fire safety company to resolve the gaps.
Empower Your Business with Flammatech
Running a drill is just the first step. To truly protect your livelihood, your business needs an overall fire protection shield.
Flammatech is a leading provider of fire safety solutions across Kenya. We specialize in supplying, installing, and maintaining a full range of fire protection gear. Whether you need your fire extinguishers serviced, your staff trained as certified fire marshals, or a full DOSHS-certified Fire Safety Audit conducted, our expert team delivers reliable protection that makes practical sense for your budget.
Ready to get your workplace sorted?
📞 Call or WhatsApp us: +254 722 792 999
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.flammatech.africa
