Fire drills for small premises If a warehouse or premises only as a couple of people working in it at any one time is there a legal requirement to carry out fire evacuation drills. I think there is but one of my colleagues doesn't as long as the two people in the building are aware of the evacuation procedures. ??? any thoughts

Sure ive read some guidance somewhere that's says you should do one at least annually. Thinks its in the HM fire safety risk assessment guidance doc. I would do one regardless of employee numbers.

No legal requirement. The Fire Safety Order does not mention in any article fire drills! Reponsible Person (employer of warehouse Staff) has a duty under article 8 to take general fire precautions to ensure sfarp safety of employees. Article 4 defines general fire precautions "measures in relation to arrangements for action in event of fire including ...instruction and training of employees" Still no mention of drills! Any legal action would revolve round was instruction or training adequate or not to ensure safety sfarp as required by article 8. If the warehouse is small and does not have equipment to shut down or flammable stores etc to be closed and only 2 employes with good briefing/undersatnding of what to do, (position of call points, fire exits, who calls 999 etc.) then IMHO why waste time with a drill? What gain in safety will it provide? What further training is needed for safety? On the other hand a large LA office with Ms of Public, disability issues etc, will merit drills. From experience there are always action points after such a drill. In this case I would argue training is needed and first day briefing of new staff by line manager plus practice drill constitutes training. (Search officers and senior managers meeting the red lorry with blue lights have more training.) In conclusion small low risk premise with limited employees, easy escape I see no need for or value in a drill.

Also, the OP doesn't divulge what work is going on in the area, how it is laid out etc so we cannot be 100% certain it would be a simple walk out of the building job done type scenario.

forgot under article 19 the employer must provide comprehensible and relevant information on the arrangements. For the sake of 5 minutes a year why not test the evacuation procedures. Just set the alarm off and see how they respond, I bet they take longer than other workplaces because they will in all probability ignore the alarm at first. Block off one exit (as were the fire is) so they can't just head out they way they came in, and see how they respond then.

Don't forget drills will show up issues other than knowing the way out. Blocked exits, sticking doors in winter ( which should be picked up in inspections but may not). But also say evacuation in the dark may highlight things like the assembly point has no light, or is too close to the entrance where the fire engine will need to go. The alarm can't be heard in the toilet. Delivery drivers not playing ball. etc etc So has to be worth a few minutes every now and then. Chris