Event evacuation planning

Your event's Emergency Management Plan will need to have an evacuation procedure. When holding outdoor events consideration to sufficient exit gates in locations people can exit quickly and safely to an agreed assembly area.

Your site plan will need to show location of each of the entry/exit gates.

Each gate must be staffed with a security guard or responsible person who is in radio contact and familiar with the evacuation procedure.

If the gates are locked the person at the gate must have a key and cannot leave the position until they are relieved and have handed over the key.

Exit widths

A certain amount of exit space is required depending on the number of people at your event.

Refer to the following table, ‘dimensions of exits and path of travel to exits’ to determine what exit widths are required for your event.

The table below has been extracted from the Building Act 1993.

For example if the total space occupied is 2,000 square metres (2000 patrons) exit gates with a total distance of 17 metre exit width will be required.

Or another example if there are 4 exits available to the public, and each exit measures 4 metres in width. 4 metres x 4 metres = 16 metres available exit width therefore up to 2,350 patrons are able to enter and evacuate the site safely.

Exit gates should be evenly positioned in areas which link to the emergency assembly areas outside the event site, are easily accessible from within the event site and are clearly marked with a sign that can be seen from a distance.