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Emergency Evacuation Drill Checklist for Accounting & Finance

A detailed checklist for planning, conducting, and debriefing an emergency evacuation drill to test your workplace emergency preparedness.

Annually
1-2 hours including debrief
15 items
Compliance Note

Built with ASIC regulatory requirements, AML/CTF compliance, Tax Practitioners Board obligations, and APES standards in mind.

Complete Checklist

  • 1
    Schedule the drill date and notify building management and emergency services if required
  • 2
    Brief all wardens on the drill scenario and their specific responsibilities
    Critical
  • 3
    Decide whether this will be an announced or unannounced drill
  • 4
    Prepare observer checklists and assign observers to key locations
  • 5
    Activate the alarm system to commence the evacuation
    Critical
  • 6
    Observe and time the warden response and communication chain
  • 7
    Monitor the orderly evacuation of all occupants via designated routes
    Critical
  • 8
    Verify that all areas including bathrooms and storerooms are swept by wardens
    Critical
  • 9
    Confirm all occupants are accounted for at the assembly point
    Critical
  • 10
    Record the total evacuation time from alarm activation to all-clear
  • 11
    Observe the handling of any simulated scenarios such as mobility impairment or missing persons
  • 12
    Check that fire doors closed automatically during the evacuation
  • 13
    Verify that emergency lighting activated in any areas with reduced visibility
  • 14
    Conduct a debrief with all wardens to discuss observations and improvements
    Critical
  • 15
    Working paper the drill results, corrective actions, and update the emergency plan as needed

Frequently Asked Questions

Should we notify the fire brigade before conducting a drill?

Yes, if your fire alarm system is monitored and connected to the fire brigade, you must notify them before conducting a drill to prevent an unnecessary emergency response. Contact your monitoring company in advance. Some local fire stations also appreciate being notified of planned drills in their area. Failure to notify can result in charges for a false alarm response.

How often should evacuation drills be conducted?

Australian Standard AS 3745 recommends evacuation exercises at least annually. Newly occupied buildings should conduct a drill within one month of occupation. Any significant change to the building layout, emergency systems, or occupancy should trigger an additional drill. Some high-risk facilities or regulatory requirements may mandate more frequent exercises. Annual drills are the minimum standard.

What is the acceptable evacuation time for a workplace?

There is no single mandated evacuation time as it depends on building size, layout, occupancy, and the mobility of occupants. However, the emergency plan should define a target evacuation time based on the building specific risk assessment. As a general guide, most single-storey commercial premises should be able to evacuate within three to five minutes. Track your times to identify improvements.

Need help implementing these checks into your daily operations?

Our team can build custom checklists integrated into your daily operations workflow.

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