EVACUATION GLOSSARY

Evacuation glossary: terms, abbreviations and acronyms for emergency building evacuations

This evacuation glossary is a collection of commonly used terms, abbreviations and acronyms related to evacuating buildings during emergencies, along with their meanings and definitions. Familiarity with these terms can enhance understanding and coordination in critical situations:

A

• AED (Automated External Defibrillator): A portable device used to deliver an electric shock to restore a normal heartbeat during cardiac arrest, often available in evacuation zones.
• AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction): The organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing codes and approving safety measures, including evacuation procedures.
• Alarm Signal: An audible or visual notification, such as a siren or strobe light, indicating the need for immediate evacuation.
• ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting): Specialized firefighting teams responsible for airport emergencies and evacuations.
• Assembly Point: A pre-designated safe location where building occupants gather after evacuating, ensuring everyone is accounted for.
• Australian Standard AS1851-2012: This standard applies to the Routine maintenance, inspection and service of fire protection systems and as such has crossover into the evacuation space. See our AS1851 Compliance Package for more information.
• Australian Standard AS3745-2010: This standard applies to Planning for Emergencies in Facilities lays out the recommended framework for emergency planning in the workplace. See our Evacuation Compliance Package for more information.

B

• BMS (Building Management System): A computerized control system installed in buildings to monitor and control mechanical and electrical equipment, including fire alarms and evacuation systems.
• BOWS (Building Occupant Warning System): an emergency communication system designed to alert and guide occupants of a building during emergencies such as fires, evacuations, or other critical incidents. It plays a crucial role in ensuring a safe and orderly evacuation by providing clear and timely warnings.
• Buddy System: A safety procedure in which two individuals are paired to assist and ensure each other’s safety during an evacuation.

C

• CEMP (Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan): A detailed plan outlining the procedures for managing emergencies, including evacuations.
• Command Post: The centralized location where emergency responders coordinate evacuation and rescue efforts.
• Containment Zone: A section of a building designed to prevent the spread of fire, smoke, or hazardous materials, aiding in safe evacuation.
• COOP (Continuity of Operations Plan): A plan to maintain critical functions during and after emergencies, often including evacuation protocols.

D

• Designated Evacuation Coordinator: A person assigned to oversee and manage evacuation procedures in a specific area or building.
• Drill: A practice exercise simulating an emergency evacuation to familiarize occupants with procedures and identify potential issues.

E

• EAP (Emergency Action Plan): A written plan outlining the actions occupants and staff must take during an emergency, including evacuation routes and responsibilities.
• EOC (Emergency Operations Center): A centralized location where emergency management teams coordinate response efforts, including evacuations.
• EMS (Emergency Medical Services): Medical teams responsible for providing care during emergencies and evacuations.
• Emergency Exit: A door or pathway specifically designated for use during evacuations, often marked with illuminated signage.
• Evacuation diagram: A plan or map showing pathways or series of pathways leading occupants from a building to a safe assembly area during an emergency. It also indicates the location of fire extinguishers as well as relevant emergency numbers.
• Evacuation Route: A planned pathway or series of pathways leading occupants from a building to a safe area during an emergency.
• EAA (Emergency Assembly Area): A predetermined location that acts as a middle point between the emergency and the final safety destination, the assembly is a space to perform head counts and assess whether there are people still located at the emergency site. 
• EPD (Evacuation Planning Division): 
• EWIS (Emergency Warning  Intercommunication System): When a fire is detected, the EWIS system is activated and a voice message with evacuation instructions is played. The chief fire warden can use an internal phone to communicate with other wardens and ensure everyone has evacuated
• EWS Emergency Warning System): A life safety system that helps people evacuate during a fire or other emergency. EWSs can include emergency intercom systems, audible messages, and visual emergency warning signals.

F

• FACP (Fire Alarm Control Panel): The central hub of a building’s fire alarm system, which plays a critical role in initiating evacuation procedures. It monitors and activates fire alarms and other safety systems in a building
• Fire Compartment: A section of a building separated by fire-resistant barriers to limit the spread of fire and provide safe evacuation zones.
• FIP (Fire Indicator Panel): This is the controlling component of a fire alarm system. The fire indicator panel receives information from environmental sensors such as heat or smoke detectors. These detect changes in the environment associated with fire. Manual triggers such as break glass units can also be in the system so that occupants can manually trigger the system.
• FRC (Fire Response Coordinator): A designated individual responsible for overseeing fire evacuation efforts in a building or organization.
• Fire warden: a member of your workforce that is given the responsibilities that relate to fire emergency procedures as well as fire prevention plans.

I

• ICS (Incident Command System): A standardized system used by emergency responders for managing emergencies, including evacuations, by organizing personnel and resources effectively.
• Incident Command System (ICS): A standardized system  to coordinate resources and personnel during evacuations.
• Intercom System: A communication system used to provide evacuation instructions to building occupants.

L

• Lockdown: A procedure to secure a building during specific emergencies (e.g., active shooter incidents), which may restrict movement rather than require evacuation.

M

• MCI (Mass Casualty Incident): An event where the number of casualties overwhelms available medical resources, often requiring large-scale evacuations.
• MNS (Mass Notification System): A communication system used to deliver emergency alerts and evacuation instructions to occupants.
• Muster Point: Another term for an assembly point, where evacuees gather for head-counts and further instructions.
• MECP (Master Emergency Control Point):  a designated location where the Chief Warden or Campus Emergency Coordinator directs emergency control operations during an incident. The MECP is usually within or close to the building that is affected by the incident.

P

• PPE (Personal Protective Equipment): Equipment worn to protect individuals during hazardous situations, including evacuations (e.g., masks, helmets, gloves).
• PVA (Public Voice Alarm): A system used to broadcast evacuation messages to occupants during an emergency.
• Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP): A tailored evacuation plan designed to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities or mobility impairments.
• Point of Safety: A location within or outside the building deemed safe from hazards during an emergency.
• PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride material): When PVC burns, it releases harmful chemicals, including Hydrogen Chloride (HCl). This is a corrosive and toxic gas that can cause severe respiratory irritation and damage. It also releases Dioxins and Furans. These are highly toxic compounds formed during the incomplete combustion of PVC. Dioxins are persistent environmental pollutants (POPs) and are linked to cancer, immune system damage, and reproductive issues.

R

• RACE (Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish): A mnemonic used in fire safety to guide occupants during an evacuation.
• Refuge Area: A designated safe space within a building where individuals can wait for rescue if evacuation is not immediately possible (e.g., due to mobility impairments or blocked exits).
• Roll Call: A process conducted at the assembly point to account for all building occupants after evacuation.
• RP (Responsible Person): The individual designated to manage and oversee evacuation procedures in a specific area.

S

• SOP (Standard Operating Procedure): A set of guidelines or instructions for carrying out specific tasks, including evacuation protocols.
• SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus): Equipment used by emergency personnel during evacuations in smoke-filled or toxic environments.
• SECP (Secondary Emergency Control Point): a control panel that can be connected to an Emergency Warning and Intercommunication System (EWIS) to monitor and control the system from multiple locations. SECPs duplicate the functions of the Master ECP, and can take over full control if the Master ECP fails.
• Shelter-in-Place: A procedure where individuals remain inside the building in a safe location during certain emergencies, such as chemical spills or severe weather, instead of evacuating.
• Staging Area: A location where emergency responders assemble and prepare before entering a building to assist with evacuation or rescue.

T

• Tactical Fire Plans (TFPs): these help fire fighters when they arrive at the scene of a conflagration. They are are to scale basic building floor plan showing the location of installed active and passive fire and safety equipment, as well as paths to exits and building services.
• TIC (Thermal Imaging Camera): A device used by rescue teams to locate individuals during evacuations, especially in low-visibility conditions.
• Turnout Time: The time it takes for occupants to begin evacuating after an alarm is triggered or evacuation instructions are given.

W

• Wayfinding Signs: Visual aids, such as illuminated arrows or maps, placed throughout a building to guide occupants toward exits during an evacuation.
• Wind-Driven Fire: A phenomenon where strong winds exacerbate fire spread, potentially complicating evacuation efforts.
• WSP (Workplace Safety Plan): A plan outlining safety measures, including evacuation procedures, specific to a workplace or facility.

By familiarizing yourself with these abbreviations and acronyms, you can better understand and implement evacuation procedures during emergencies. Understanding them is critical for effective communication and coordination during building evacuations. Clear knowledge of roles, procedures, and tools ensures a safer environment for all occupants.

Contact us if you wish to discover how we can help you acquire the knowledge to help you in your evacuation needs. If you have any suggestions for the evacuation glossary, we’d love to hear from you.