Important changes have been made to the fire evacuation process for office-based people at Armitage to ensure a clear, unified and effective response in the event of an alarm.
All office-based colleagues should take the time to familiarise themselves with the new arrangements. Your manager will provide further details, but here’s a summary of what to expect. The plant and DC are unaffected by this change.
Understanding the fire alarm tones
- Intermittent tone: This signals that the alarm is under investigation. Do not evacuate immediately unless you see flames or smell smoke/burning. Stay alert and listen for instructions from fire marshals.
- Continuous tone: This means immediate evacuation is required. Leave the building calmly and follow the instructions below.
Evacuation procedure
If the alarm changes to a continuous tone, all employees, visitors and contractors must:
✔ Evacuate via the nearest, safest exit immediately.
✔ Leave personal belongings behind.
✔ Close doors behind you if it is safe to do so.
✔ Follow directions from fire wardens.
✔ Walk calmly – do not run, as this can cause panic.
✔ Use staircases in single file, with no overtaking.
✔ If outside your work area, go straight to the assembly point.
✔ Do not re-enter the building until given clearance by the fire service or the senior person in charge during a drill.
HR Director Mike Kelly said: “Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility. Please take the time to familiarise yourself with the new evacuation process so we can all respond quickly and safely in an emergency.”