There’s no ordinary day at a healthcare facility. Whether you operate a dental, medical, or long-term care facility, you are aware of the specific needs of your patients. You may manage a medical facility that has both inpatients and outpatients. Or you may operate a long-term care facility having patients who use wheelchairs and those that can get around on their own. 

You will want to ensure a swift evacuation procedure that allows all your patients to safely exit the facility during an emergency while accounting for potential accessibility obstacles. You must take any and all factors into account as you develop your procedures. For example, you will need to make sure that those who require medical assistance during an emergency are quickly transported to an area of refuge to wait for a first responder.

While no one looks forward to an emergency, preparation saves lives. Having a comprehensive plan in place will make the process easier. 

We asked our EvacuationPlans.com regulations compliance manager for emergency evacuation planning tips for your healthcare facility. Here’s what he had to share:

  • When you are planning your evacuation routes, you will need to account for the different individuals in your healthcare facility. Look at your state’s building and fire codes, which outline the standards for your particular building’s fire evacuation plan. Further, there are really two classifications that you will need to look at in particular — state’s amended fire and building codes (regarding general building safety), then federal OSHA laws (regarding employee safety). It is important to look at I-Codes first because they prioritize liability issues surrounding patients and guests, while fulfilling the substantive OSHA requirements. (See 29 CFR § 1910.35. OSHA laws relate to the employer’s obligations for the workplace environment, so different factors are reviewed.) 
  • Studying the International Building Code, you will find that occupancy is based on specific institutional groups. EvacuationPlans.com primarily works with Institutional Groups One (I-1) and Two (I-2)—specifically, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. In such instances, you will look to the International Fire Code (IFC), where it references the substance and procedure that defines a compliant evacuation plan. Section 403.8 of the IFC directs the planner to section 404 for the enumerated list of egress plan requirements. By having a comprehensive understanding of what is required for an egress plan, you can ensure that your evacuation plan will include all the necessary requirements.  
  • You will want to have evacuation plans that are easily accessible by your patients and guests, but you will also need additional maps just for your employees, as well. Federal OSHA laws apply here. At 29 CFR §1910.38(b), Emergency Action Plans, you will find the requirements for facility actions in the event of a fire emergency. For example, facilities require diagrams to include primary and secondary routes in relation to the floor level and general facility. While these evacuation plans may be the same as your other evacuation plans, they would be located in employee areas, such as break rooms. 
  • Ensure all the relevant components of your building are cited within the evacuation signage, including stairwells, fire extinguishers, and areas of refuge. The accuracy of evacuation diagrams will help facilitate a smooth evacuation from your building during an emergency. Good evacuation diagrams are paramount! They are current, accurate illustrations of each floor level from the perspective of where the diagram is located. Additionally, mount egress routes in a location that is clearly visible for the reader. Notwithstanding hotels and college dormitories, federal and state building codes do not state mounting locations specifically—but don’t worry, our artisans at EvacuationPlans.com are experienced in addressing these challenges! We will work with you to figure out any logical nuances and produce your facility’s evacuation diagrams.  

Allow us at EvacuationPlans.com to help you address your emergency evacuation plans today. For your convenience, we have streamlined the evacuation plans process—simply submit your facility blueprints or floor plans. We then create a mock-up, marking exit areas and pull alarms, and indicating the quickest exit routes. With your approval, we will then produce your facility’s custom evacuation plans at our Chattanooga, TN production facility. You can be confident that each of our signs are compliant and covered by unparalleled guarantees, including our Life-of-the-Building and Compliance guarantees. Ensure your healthcare facility is prepared for an emergency today—call us at 833.917.1131 or email us at emailus@evacuationplans.com and trust our sign experts at EvacuationPlans.com to help equip your building.