Event evacuation planning

All events need to plan for an emergency evacuation.

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.

Dimension of exits and path of travel to exits 
Number of persons according to exit width
1 metre
0 - 100
1.25 metres
101 - 125
1.5 metres
126 - 150
1.75 metres
151 - 175
2 metres
176 - 200
2.5 metres
201 - 275
3 metres
276 - 350
3.5 metres
351 - 425
4 metres
426 - 500
4.5 metres
501 - 575
5 metres
576 - 650
5.5 metres
651 - 725
6 metres
726 - 800
6.5 metres
801 - 875
7 metres
876 - 950
7.5 metres
951 - 1,025
8 metres
1,026 - 1,100
8.5 metres
1,101 - 1,175
9 metres
1,176 - 1,250
9.5 metres
1,251 - 1,325
10 metres
1,326 - 1,400
10.5 metres
1,401 - 1,475
11 metres
1,476 - 1,550
11.5 metres
1,551 - 1,625
12 metres
1,626 - 1,750
12.5 metres
1,751 - 1,825
13 metres
1,826 - 1,900
13.5 metres
1,901 - 1,975
14 metres
1,976 - 2,050
14.5 metres
2,051 - 2,125
15 metres
2,126 - 2,200
15.5 metres
2,201 - 2,275
16 metres
2,276 - 2,350
16.5 metres
2,351 - 2,425
17 metres
2,426 - 2,500
17 metres (open spectator stand)
2,000
17.5 metres (open spectator stand)
2,300
18 metres (open spectator stand)
2,600
18.5 metres (open spectator stand)
2,900
19 metres (open spectator stand)
3,200
19.5 metres (open spectator stand)
3,500
20 metres (open spectator stand)
3,800
20.5 metres (open spectator stand)
4,100
21 metres (open spectator stand)
4,400
21.5 metres (open spectator stand)
4,700
22 metres (open spectator stand)
5,000
22.5 metres (open spectator stand)
5,300
23 metres (open spectator stand)
5,600
23.5 metres (open spectator stand)
5,900
24 metres (open spectator stand)
6,200
24.5 metres (open spectator stand)
6,500
25 metres (open spectator stand)
6,800
25.5 metres (open spectator stand)
7,100
26 metres (open spectator stand)
7,400
26.5 metres (open spectator stand)
7,700

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.





Page last updated: Monday, 2 December 2024

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