There is no absolute requirement to ensure ALL employees attend a fire drill unless it's the employers policy. The important factor to take into account is fire awareness training, maybe a walkthrough of evacuation procedures at the end of the training session? A reasonably practical solution would be to either: Conduct a number of simulated drills during a recognised quiet period to minimise disruption (if you wish to cover all employees) Conduct 1 or 2 fire drills planned during the year (consider an alternative date if you need to postpone by management or operational circumstances) Record the event, include number of employees taking part?

Do live drills. The customer interface is the one that you can't simulate in a training session and it's the one that will trip you up otherwise. Agreed, have fire safety/drill weeks; no harm in advertising them, using them as an excuse for refresher briefing etc. Always do a debrief with your staff though; you may be surprised what practical snags they identify. You are right - you need to try hard to capture all staff but if you have your weeks every four or six months then you stand a sporting chance of getting most people at least once/year. If you have particular security/staffing problems then use regional managers and head office staff as back-ups. It will be good for them to be involved as well. (OK, my tongue is just slightly in my cheek here!) Doing nothing and wringing hands is not a viable option - see press coverage of recent fire brigade prosecutions and note also the size of fines even when no one is hurt (the New Look appeal court decision makes sobering reading).

Thanks to all responders. Thinking hat on for a solution.