Definition
Fire Drill
A fire drill is a planned practice evacuation of a building conducted to test emergency procedures, familiarise occupants with evacuation routes and assembly points, and assess fire warden performance. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and BS 9999, fire drills should be held at least annually — more frequently for high-risk or high-turnover premises — and outcomes, including evacuation times and any failures, must be recorded.
Terms mentioned in this definition
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- Fire WardenGeneral Fire SafetyA fire warden (also called a fire marshal) is a designated person trained to assist with fire safety procedures in a workplace — including conducting evacuation drills, checking escape routes are clear, accounting for occupants at the assembly point, and supporting the responsible person in maintaining fire safety day-to-day. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to appoint a sufficient number of competent, trained fire wardens.View definition
- Assembly PointGeneral Fire SafetyAn assembly point is a pre-designated location outside a building where occupants gather following an evacuation, enabling the fire warden to account for all staff, contractors, and visitors before the fire and rescue service arrives. Assembly points must be clearly signposted, identified in the fire emergency plan, and positioned away from the building and clear of vehicle access routes.View definition
- Fire Emergency PlanGeneral Fire SafetyA fire emergency plan is a documented set of procedures describing how occupants should respond to a fire alarm — including evacuation routes, assembly points, fire warden roles, arrangements for persons needing assistance (PEEPs), and how to call the fire and rescue service. Required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and informed by the fire risk assessment, it must be communicated to all staff and reviewed regularly.View definition
- Means of EscapeGeneral Fire SafetyMeans of escape are the designated routes — corridors, stairways, emergency exits, and final exit doors — by which building occupants can evacuate safely in a fire without obstruction. Adequate means of escape must be provided in all non-domestic premises under Approved Document B and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and must be identified and assessed in the fire risk assessment.View definition
- Responsible Person (Fire Safety)Fire Regulations & StandardsThe responsible person is the individual or organisation with control of a non-domestic premises who, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, has a legal duty to take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of fire, protect occupants, and maintain fire safety measures — including carrying out or commissioning a suitable fire risk assessment.View definition
Frequently Asked Questions
A fire drill is a planned practice evacuation of a building conducted to test emergency procedures, familiarise occupants with evacuation routes and assembly points, and assess fire warden performance. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and BS 9999, fire drills should be held at least annually — more frequently for high-risk or high-turnover premises — and outcomes, including evacuation times and any failures, must be recorded.
Requirements for fire drill in the UK depend on the type of premises and applicable legislation, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and relevant British Standards. The responsible person for a premises must ensure adequate fire safety provisions are in place. The British Fire Consortium can provide guidance — contact our team or search our member directory to find a qualified specialist.
Fire Drill and Fire Warden are related fire safety concepts but serve different purposes. See our individual glossary entries for detailed definitions. For expert guidance on which applies to your premises, consult a BFC member company.
The British Fire Consortium offers EAL Level 3 accredited training covering fire safety systems including topics related to fire drill. Our courses are the only nationally recognised Level 3 qualifications across all fire disciplines. View our training courses or use the member directory to find a qualified trainer near you.