Risk assessment
For the purpose of preparing and updating the emergency and evacuation procedures, each service must have a risk assessment that identifies potential emergencies relevant to their service—regulation 97(2).
The risk assessment must be reviewed at least every 12 months and whenever circumstances change that may affect the safe evacuation of children. It is used to inform and implement any necessary updates to the service’s policies and procedures.
Policy and procedures
Each service must have a site-specific emergency and evacuation policy and procedures to meet the requirements of
regulation 168(2)(e). These must include clear instructions for what must be done in an emergency, and an emergency and evacuation floor plan—regulation 97(1)(a) and (b). They must be site specific to correspond with the design and location of each premises and the ages and abilities of children specific to that service.
Services in multi-storey buildings shared with other occupants also have specific requirements under
regulation 97(1)(c) and should align their procedures with any building emergency management plan or fire engineering report. See the ‘resources’ section at the end of this page for helpful information for multi-storey buildings.
Approved providers should consult an appropriately qualified emergency procedure expert to ensure the plans are effective and compliant with the National Regulations as well as the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008.
Rehearse and document
Both lockdown and evacuation procedures must be rehearsed every 3 months to meet the requirements of
regulation 97(3). Services must document these rehearsals and use the learnings to update the procedures when needed.
Practicing rehearsals for different circumstances—at different times of the day, using different evacuation routes and the identified assembly area/s—helps ensure that everyone is familiar with the procedure to follow.
Display floor plans and instructions
Emergency and evacuation floor plans and instructions must be displayed in a prominent position near each exit at the service premises—including a family day care residence or an approved venue— in order to meet the requirements of
regulation 97(4)
‘Each exit’ means each exit that forms part of an evacuation route. This means that the floor plans and instructions need to be displayed, for example, on the doors from the interior areas, sleep rooms, and other spaces that make up the direct route to the designated assembly area.
There should be at least two evacuation routes (primary and secondary) to the assembly area/s. Having two routes allows for appropriate decisions to be made by staff in how to safely exit the service premises based on the location and type of emergency, and if one of the routes is compromised during an emergency. Both evacuation routes must be clearly shown on the evacuation plans, with each plan accurately reflecting the specific location in the premises where it is displayed, including each activity room used by children in the service.
Resources