This response will no doubt create some rather contrary points but here goes. Dont even think of any thing like a role call system, it wont work in an environment with a fluid population. Get the fire marshalls to do an effective sweep to confirm the premises are clear and make sure any access to the building is very much controlled. To control access in a very fuid premises is very hard to achieve if not impossible. You have a duty to ensure that everyone evacuates so far as is reasonably practicable. You need to ensure that everyone is fully informed (and trained) about what to do should the fire alarm sound wether it is a single or two stage alarm system. Students by the definition are young and will take notice of instructions very rarely as has been the case for many generations so you need to take accopunt of this in any system you implement so dont rely on them behaving the way you expect but keep the process as simple as possible. Undertake a check that the premises are empty by a sweep by fire marshals and you wont go far wrong.

I tend to agree with Bob that a roll call system in larger organisations can be difficult, and very time consuming to ensure that you ever have anything near an accurate head count etc. Personally we do a full sweep of the building using fire marshals and use that as our basis for the building being cleared. As a 'belt and braces' approach we also ask managers etc to ensure that their staff are accounted for. My wife works for a large local employer and their procedure is the same, people evacuate and they are asked to disperse (they couldn't possibly fit on the pavements and would be a obstacle for the fire service if they stayed) and the building is 'swept'.

The word 'college' covers institutions from age around 11 upwards (to around mid-twenties ish). You don't say how old these people are. Are they adults or not?

The fact that you are contemplating a head count suggests that you know how many people should be there, which suggests you are at the younger end of the spectrum.

If this is the case, then I suggest you examine the way in which people 'sign in' or are otherwise known to be on the premises and use this as a basis for checking who is missing (who may have gone to the shops, I guess!). If they are not adults, I would be uncomfortale about not reconciling the list of people who should be on the premises to the people arriving at the assembly area.

Nevertheless the practical assurance that no-one remains in the premises is via the sweep of the premises.

You don't say, but I guess the alarm sounds in all areas at once. If it does not then the sweep is the only thing you can do, since many of the people not at the assembly areas will legitimately be in other buildings where the alarm is not sounding.

I agree with this in its entirety

Firstly I would like to thank – Bob, Phil Rose, Sean, Jane, kdrum, ptaylor14 and merv. I cant believe the response and time given, thank you.

I should of clarified ( I am first time user!) that this school caters for adults 18years and over. There are a number of schools that operate under the umbrella of this institution. In this school there are a number of departments. The alarm sounds in each school where there is a drill. The lecturers are all acting fire wardens. ( in that they have control over there own class ) as well as other acting fire wardens They do a roll call at lectures. The sweep of the building is good, however the large number of students together with all fire wardens at assembly zones is a difficulty ( 3 zones 2 at front and 1 at rear of building ) is difficult to do head count and correlate information back to Chef Fire Warden ( senior management -3 acting chef fire wardens may not always be on site at meetings etc..) . The role call I know will not be precise ( students may sometimes use labs or other services within the school etc.. ).
It was mentioned a control point for Fire Wardens to go to correlate information back to chef fire warden ( on head count ) which may work in this instance
Chef fire wardens may not always be present ( nominate another, how many I wonder )
Thanks so much for all comments ( including Merv, I will take from all ) and have all helped and is useful to know what different practices are in relation to this particular subject. Killeen

Killeen,

Notwithstanding the previous posts which offer great advice regarding the evacuation, and good on you for responding to those people with your thanks (some people don't bother!), one question has still not been answered - and that is where do all these people muster when they are outside the building?

Its getting late at the moment but I will try and get back on tomorrow to offer some advice. If any other forum users have ideas or experience regarding where groups should assemble (one central point or numerous points depending on location of building on campus) then I'm sure Killeen would be appreciative of additional advice in this area too.

Thank you Jane for getting back, much appreciated