Your building’s fire drill procedures are outlined in its approved fire safety plan. Most fire safety plans developed in the last several years also include templates for building owners to complete and document these drills.

The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Fire Drill Guidelines recognize the following types of fire drills:

1. Comprehensive Fire Drills

Comprehensive fire drills must be conducted at the frequency specified by the Fire Code and include the following key elements:

• Fire Alarm Activation: The fire alarm system is triggered to assess the response of supervisory staff and, where applicable, building occupants. This may be done as part of a scenario-based exercise or as a direct alarm activation.
• Emergency Systems and Equipment Operation: Supervisory staff must operate emergency systems and equipment as they would during an actual fire.
• Full Staff Participation: All supervisory staff assigned specific duties in the fire safety plan must participate. This includes notifying the fire department, assisting with firefighting access, evacuating occupants, closing doors, and confirming the timely response of off-site staff.
• Adequate Duration: The drill must run long enough to properly evaluate the effectiveness of emergency procedures and staff response.
• Documentation and Improvements: Fire drill results must be recorded, and any identified issues must be addressed with corrective actions.
• Occupant Participation Consideration: The level of involvement by building occupants should be carefully planned.

To ensure proper notification:

• Post notices in the main entrance lobby and every floor area elevator lobby informing occupants of the drill.
• Inform the fire alarm monitoring company and the local fire department in advance, providing the planned completion time.
• When notifying the monitoring company or fire services, record the name or operator number of the person you speak with.

2. Silent Fire Drills

Silent fire drills are supplementary exercises often conducted in buildings with multiple shifts, high staff turnover, or special hazards. These drills focus on ensuring all supervisory staff receive fire drill training at appropriate intervals.

Key aspects of silent fire drills include:

• No Alarm Activation: The fire alarm system is not triggered; instead, the drill is a simulated response exercise.
• Localized Monitoring: Tenant managers, department heads, or other designated personnel oversee the emergency response of individuals in a specific area.
• Scenario-Based Training: Participants respond to a described fire scenario according to their emergency procedures.
• Shift and Department Coverage: These drills ensure preparedness across all shifts, tenancies, and specific building areas.
• Controlled Execution: Steps must be taken to prevent accidental alarm activation, and all participants should be notified beforehand.
• Documentation and Reinforcement: The drill outcomes must be recorded, and any issues addressed through corrective actions. If necessary, the exercise may be repeated immediately to reinforce appropriate responses.

3. Table Talk Drills

Table talk drills serve as additional training exercises, similar to silent drills but without physical demonstrations. Instead, they focus on discussion-based learning.

Consider the following when planning a table talk drill:

• Scenario-Based Discussion: Participants discuss and analyze example fire situations in a guided conversation.
• Facilitated by Designated Personnel: Tenant managers, supervisors, or other responsible individuals lead the discussion and evaluate responses.
• Verbal Response Evaluation: Participants describe how they would react to the given scenario, and the facilitator assesses and reinforces correct response behaviours.
• Identification of Risks and Updates: These discussions help identify potential risks, necessary procedural updates, and areas for improvement.
• Follow-Up Drills: In some cases, a silent or comprehensive drill may be conducted after the table talk to reinforce the learned responses.

Table talk drills provide valuable opportunities to assess emergency preparedness across different shifts, departments, and tenancies, ensuring all staff are well-prepared in the event of an emergency.

By implementing these fire drill practices, building owners and occupants can ensure compliance with fire safety regulations while enhancing overall emergency preparedness.

If you are looking to learn more about fire drills & fire safety plans, or have questions about Fire Code Compliance, please reach out and connect with us for a no fee consultation here.