Fire drill record: what to log, and a template you can copy
Every fire drill needs a written record. Here is exactly what an inspector looks for, and a table you can copy straight into your own log.
4 min read
Why the record matters
A drill you cannot evidence did not happen as far as an inspector, an insurer or a claims adjuster is concerned. The record is what turns a practice evacuation into proof that your people know the route, the muster point and the roll call.
What to write down every time
Date and start time. Which building or bay. The hazard practised — fire, flood, spill or quake. How the alarm was raised. Time from alarm to the last person counted at the muster point. Headcount expected versus counted. Anyone unaccounted for and for how long. Doors, alarms or lights that failed. The name of the warden who ran it. Actions raised, with an owner and a date.
A target to work to
For a single-storey workshop, alarm to full roll call in under three minutes is a reasonable target; over five minutes usually means the route or the roll call needs fixing rather than the people. Log the actual seconds every time so you can see the trend rather than argue about it.
How often
Twice a year is the common baseline for a workshop, quarterly where you run night shifts or hot work, and always within a month of a change to the layout, the exits or the crew. Set the next due date the moment you close the record.
Copy this table
| Date | Building | Hazard | Alarm raised at | Last person counted at | Seconds to clear | Expected headcount | Counted | Unaccounted | Faults found | Warden | Actions | Next drill due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Keep these records without the paperwork — Unity & Utility logs drills, inspections and incidents, and flags what is overdue on its own.
See how it works