Posted By Peter Wright Can anyone suggest a "proven" method of conducting an "effective role call" in the event of an evacuation where there are large numbers of people on the site at any one ime (in the region of 600) who could be any where on the site. A early response to this would be very much appriciated!

Posted By Ron Young We don't conduct role calls, they are time consuming and usually inacurate. Better to appoint managers to ensure that their area of control has been cleared of personnel before they leave and for them to report that fact to the controller at the assembly point.

Posted By Jonathan Breeze The main problem with a signing in based system is that you are reliant on staff remembering to sign in, i.e. it fails to danger. We have found that using the system Ron describes is a far better way of ensuring the area is fully evacuated. An appointed fire warden (or your line manager) does a sweep of the area prior to evacuating the building. Having said all that, an electronic swipe card system linked to the payroll system might work (it's amazing how people suddenly become keen to ensure their records are accurate when money is involved). Disadvantages of the above system are cost to install (could be prohibitive in small businesses) and staff morale issues.

Posted By David Thomas Peter for the past 2 years I have used such a system 28,000sqft office block with 210 people. Firstly I have Fire Wardens allocated to defined areas of the building to clear staff through the emergency routes. Where possible in addition to fully trained I have "nominated" persons who stand in for holidays etc who get the next training course. Each department pa/adminstrator is tasked with raisng a list of people in the department showing name + prompts as to in/hols/customer site etc. This is laminated and checking carried out with a chinagraph pencil. When the building is evacuated all muster as a department, the pa checks people off and the completed muster list if collected by one of the estates team and taken to the fire marshall at reception. If someone from another department goes to the wrong department they are taken under the wing and included as an extra/visitor All fire wardens report to the Fire Marshall their areas are checked and clear (to the best of their knowledge). All visitors to the building are 110% responsibility of their company host and muster with the host in his department, a note being made on the checklist. This has been proved to work on several occaisions and has been complimented on by those using it. It takes peoples minds off the incident, focusing on a task that is normal to them. It devolves some of the responsibilities of the Fire Marshall and his Wardens who will be doing their own tasks, but it also gives the Fire Brigade a good impression of the handling of an evacuation as they are presented with Visitors books and muster lists and an evaluation of those who may be missing by people from the building. There is alot more to this which I will email you direct. Finally, when serving on an aircraft carrier of 2,400 souls we had "Exercise Thimble Hunt", to carry out an immediate muster of all onboard. This was Tannoyed several times and everyone had to telephone their department administration point. This worked exceedingly well, enabling one individual to be posted as missing within about 10mins. Dave