In the UK, fire drills aren’t just a tick-box exercise — they are a legal requirement and a vital part of maintaining a safe and compliant workplace. But what should you actually expect from a facilitated fire drill?
This guide breaks down the process, explains the benefits of having a professional lead your evacuation, and outlines how a properly facilitated drill prepares your team for real-life emergencies.
Whether you’re an employer, health and safety officer, or building manager, understanding what to expect from a facilitated fire drill helps you get the most out of this essential safety measure.
🔗 See our Evacuation Drill service
What is a Facilitated Fire Drill?
A facilitated fire drill is a structured, professionally supervised simulation of an emergency evacuation. Unlike basic drills, this type involves expert guidance to ensure compliance, measure performance, and provide valuable feedback.
At Benfield Fire Safety, our fire safety professionals manage the entire process — from planning and briefing to timing and debriefing — so your team gains both experience and confidence.
Step-by-Step: What to Expect From a Facilitated Fire Drill
Here’s what typically happens during a professionally facilitated drill:
1. Pre-Drill Planning
- Risk Assessment Review – Evaluators consider the building layout, occupancy levels, and known hazards.
- Briefing with Duty Holders – Fire wardens and management are briefed on their roles.
- Clear Objectives Set – Goals might include testing exit routes, checking response times, or assessing disabled evacuation plans (e.g. PEEPs).
- If using artificial smoke in the drill, notification is made to relevant receiving centre and/or Fire Service.
2. Drill Notification (Pre-warned or Unannounced)
- Pre-warned Drills – Allows staff to prepare, ideal for training purposes.
- Unannounced Drills – More realistic and useful for testing spontaneous response.
3. Alarm Activation
- The fire alarm is triggered to begin the drill.
- Staff must act as though a real fire has occurred, following the company’s Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan (FEEP).
4. Evacuation in Progress
- All occupants evacuate the immediate area and adopt the evacuation strategy relevant to the premises type.
- Fire marshals sweep areas, assist and prioritise vulnerable individuals (based on PEEPs), and guide people to assembly points.
- The facilitator observes behaviour, timing, and any bottlenecks or confusion.
5. Timing and Performance Monitoring
- Times are logged from alarm activation to final roll call.
- Facilitators look for issues such as blocked exits, slow responses, or communication breakdowns.
6. Post-Drill Debriefing
- A short debrief takes place to highlight successes and areas for improvement.
- Feedback is constructive, often with practical recommendations.
7. Full Written Report
- You’ll receive a detailed report outlining performance metrics, observations, and actionable improvements.
- This report can support your fire safety compliance and future training plans.
Why Facilitation Makes a Difference
Here’s why professionally facilitated drills are so effective:
- Objective Analysis – Experts provide an impartial view of your evacuation procedures.
- Regulatory Compliance – Helps meet obligations under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
- Staff Confidence – Guided training builds employee readiness and reduces panic in a real emergency.
- Tailored Feedback – Insights are specific to your premises and workforce.
Who Should Typically Be Involved?
- Fire Marshals
- Health & Safety Officers
- Line Managers
- All Building Occupants
- Visitors (must be accounted for in drill procedures)
How Often Should Fire Drills Be Carried Out?
According to UK fire safety guidance, drills should be conducted at least annually, but ideally at 6 monthly intervals, though high-risk environments (e.g. care homes, schools, large commercial sites) may require more frequent practice. At smaller sites with limited numbers of staff an annual drill may be suitable.
Benfield Fire Safety recommends rotating drill types (pre-warned, unannounced, night-time) to prepare teams for different scenarios. You must also take account of your worst-case scenario when limited amounts of staff may be on duty.
Knowing what to expect from a facilitated fire drill helps you treat the process seriously, while ensuring it’s efficient, valuable, and legally compliant. With expert support, you’re not just ticking a box, you’re enhancing your team’s readiness to respond in a real emergency.
To book a facilitated fire drill or to learn more about evacuation training services, visit our Evacuation Drills page.
📞 Contact Benfield Fire Safety Today
Phone: 0300 303 3277
Email: customerservice@benfieldfs.co.uk
FAQs
Q1: Is a fire drill legally required in the UK?
A1: Yes. UK law under the Fire Safety Order 2005 requires businesses to practise fire drills regularly to ensure staff understand evacuation procedures.
Q2: How long should a facilitated fire drill take?
A2: Typically, our facilitated fire drills require an on-site time period of approximately 2 hours, although this may vary depending upon individual premises and client requirements.
Q3: Will a facilitated drill disrupt the workday?
A3: Minimal disruption occurs. Facilitated drills are quick, efficient, and often scheduled at low-impact times for the business.
