How to Conduct a Fire Drill at Work

Fires can happen without warning, and when they do, every second counts. That’s why knowing how to conduct a fire drill at work is so important.

Fire drills help employees learn what to do, where to go, and how to stay safe during an emergency. They aren’t just routine—they’re a key part of protecting lives and reducing panic if a real fire breaks out.

In Canada, fire drills are often required under provincial fire codes and occupational health and safety laws.

For example, Ontario’s Fire Code mandates regular fire drills in workplaces, especially those in high-rise buildings, schools, or facilities with large numbers of occupants.

These drills help ensure everyone knows the safest and quickest way to exit the building and where to meet outside.

According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), fire and explosion incidents remain a serious workplace hazard, accounting for hundreds of injuries across the country each year.

Without practice, even well-written fire safety plans can fall apart in a real emergency.

This blog will walk you through the key steps to running an effective fire drill—from planning and communication to evacuation and review.

Whether you work in an office, warehouse, or retail space, regular drills can make a big difference when it matters most.

Why Fire Drills Are Important

Fire drills are one of the most effective ways to prepare employees for a real emergency. They ensure that everyone in the workplace knows exactly what to do, where to go, and how to stay safe if a fire breaks out.

Fire extinguisher training is also helpful in case of emergencies as it can help the employees understand how to use a fire extinguisher, meaning of the symbols, and use of the extinguishers based on their colour.

Fires can spread quickly, and in the moment, panic can set in—unless people have practiced the proper steps in advance.

Fire Drills Help Save Lives

The most important reason for fire drills is simple: they can save lives. Practicing evacuation routes, learning how to respond to alarms, and knowing where to gather outside all help people exit quickly and safely in an emergency. Without a clear plan, even a small fire can lead to injuries or worse.

Familiarity with Exits and Procedures

In many workplaces—especially large buildings or industrial sites—it can be easy to forget where emergency exits are located. Regular drills remind employees of these routes and teach them how to use them properly.

They also reinforce other key procedures, like shutting doors behind you or using stairs instead of elevators.

Reducing Panic during Real Emergencies

A fire can cause fear and confusion. But when people know what to expect and have practiced the process, they are more likely to stay calm and follow instructions. This helps avoid crowding, delays, or dangerous mistakes.

Legal and Compliance Requirements

In Canada, most provinces require fire drills under local fire codes or occupational health and safety laws. For federally regulated businesses, fire safety is part of general workplace hazard planning under the Canada Labour Code.

Even though OSHA applies in the U.S., the principle is the same: drills are part of a legal duty to protect workers.

In short, fire drills are an essential safety practice that protects people, reduces risk, and keeps your business in compliance with Canadian law.

Fire Drill Preparation

Preparing for a fire drill is just as important as running it. A well-planned drill ensures that employees respond quickly and safely, and that any weaknesses in your emergency procedures are identified and corrected.

In Canada, fire drill preparation should align with local fire codes and occupational health and safety standards.

Whether your workplace is a small office or a large industrial facility, careful planning helps you meet legal obligations and protect your team. Below are the key steps to prepare effectively.

Identifying the Drill Coordinator

The first step is assigning a drill coordinator—someone responsible for organizing, overseeing, and evaluating the drill. This person ensures that everything runs smoothly from start to finish.

Depending on your workplace, this role might fall to:

An HR representative familiar with safety policies
The Health and Safety Officer, if your company has one
A member of the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC)
Or a designated team with responsibilities divided (e.g., floor wardens)

The coordinator is responsible for planning logistics, informing the team, checking equipment, and reviewing the drill’s effectiveness afterward. They must also understand fire safety laws that apply in your province or territory.

In larger workplaces, multiple coordinators may be needed—especially if the building has several floors or departments.

Clear leadership is crucial. When one person is in charge, the process is more organized, and everyone knows who to go to with questions or concerns.

Developing a Plan

Next, the coordinator must develop a clear fire drill plan. This document outlines the step-by-step actions employees should take during the drill and assigns specific responsibilities to key personnel.

The plan should include:

Evacuation routes: Marked paths to the nearest exits, avoiding elevators.
Assembly points: Safe outdoor locations where employees should gather and be accounted for.
Roles: Assign duties such as floor wardens, first aid responders, and employee check-in leads.

It’s also important to consider employees with disabilities and include accessible evacuation procedures. Include backup plans in case certain exits or routes are blocked.

Once the plan is created, it should be shared with all employees and included in your workplace’s health and safety manual. Having a written plan increases accountability and makes it easier to conduct training or updates.

Setting a Date and Time

Choosing the right date and time for your fire drill is about balance. You want to ensure the drill reaches the maximum number of staff without severely disrupting business operations.

Consider the following:

Avoid peak hours (e.g., customer rush times or important meetings)
Rotate drill times if your team works in shifts—so all shifts get trained
Avoid scheduling during holidays or known absences
Ensure key personnel (like the coordinator and safety leads) are available

While drills are sometimes seen as inconvenient, they are crucial for readiness. Advance planning can help you schedule the drill during a quieter period without affecting its effectiveness.

The goal is to surprise and challenge staff just enough to simulate a real event, without putting them at risk or interrupting critical operations.

Notifying Employees (Optional)

One of the biggest questions is: Should the fire drill be announced or kept a surprise? Both options have their benefits and drawbacks.

Announced drills

Help new employees or large teams prepare mentally.
Allow managers to plan around the drill.
Can be useful for training purposes, especially for high-risk settings.

Unannounced drills

Offer a more realistic test of how employees respond under pressure.
Highlight real-time gaps in readiness.
Help assess true reaction times and evacuation flow.

In many Canadian workplaces, it's recommended to inform employees that a drill will occur within a window of time (e.g., this week or this month) without giving an exact date.

This approach combines preparedness with the surprise element. However, certain industries, such as healthcare or manufacturing, may require prior notice to ensure safety during the drill.

Check Equipment and Alarms

Before the fire drill takes place, it’s essential to test all safety equipment to ensure it’s working properly. This includes:

Fire alarms: Ensure they can be heard clearly throughout the building.
Emergency lighting: Verify that lighting works in hallways, stairwells, and exits in case of power failure.
Exit signs: Make sure all signs are clearly visible and properly lit.
PA systems or two-way radios: Test communication tools used during emergencies.
Fire doors and evacuation paths: Ensure they are not blocked or locked.

It’s best to conduct this equipment check at least a few days before the scheduled drill. If any systems fail during the test, repairs should be made immediately. The safety coordinator should also have a checklist to document these inspections.

Employers are responsible for ensuring that all emergency systems meet the standards set by provincial fire codes and health and safety regulations.

Faulty equipment not only endangers lives but also opens the door to fines and liability. Preparing ahead ensures your fire drill runs safely and effectively.

Key Steps for Conducting a Fire Drill

Once preparation is complete, it’s time to carry out the fire drill. This stage is where planning is put into action, and the effectiveness of your fire safety measures is truly tested.

The drill should closely simulate a real emergency so that employees know exactly how to respond in a fire situation.

Following a step-by-step process ensures that everyone evacuates safely, roles are fulfilled, and weaknesses in the plan are identified.

Below are the essential steps involved in conducting a workplace fire drill.

Initiate the Alarm

The drill begins by activating the fire alarm system, just as you would during an actual emergency.
This allows you to test the full range of the alarm system, including sound, strobe lights (for accessibility), and connected systems such as emergency lighting or door releases.

Before the drill starts

Inform any external agencies (like the fire department or alarm monitoring company) that it’s a drill, not a real emergency.
Ensure alarm systems are functioning properly, especially in larger or multi-level buildings.

During the drill

Watch how quickly people recognize the alarm and begin to evacuate.
Observe whether the alarm is clearly audible in all parts of the workplace.

A successful alarm test confirms that your employees will be alerted in time during a real fire. If any part of the alarm system fails, note it immediately and schedule a repair. Reliable alarms are the first line of defence in any fire safety strategy.

Employee Response

Once the alarm is triggered, employees must begin evacuating immediately. Their response should be calm, organized, and according to the training and evacuation procedures they’ve received.

Key points to observe:

Employees should stop what they’re doing and head toward the nearest marked exit.
Elevators must be avoided—employees should use stairs, even if it takes longer.
No pushing, running, or crowding should occur. Everyone should move steadily and help others if needed.
Employees assigned roles (like fire wardens or first-aid attendants) should perform their duties as planned.

This phase of the drill is critical for assessing real-world readiness. Watch for hesitation, confusion, or bottlenecks at exits. These signs show where further training or adjustments may be needed.

The goal is to make evacuation second nature, so everyone knows how to act without needing detailed instructions.

Evacuation Routes

Proper use of pre-planned evacuation routes is a cornerstone of an effective fire drill. These routes must be safe, direct, and accessible to all employees.

During the drill, ensure that:

Employees follow the designated routes marked in the evacuation plan.
All hallways, stairwells, and exit doors are clear and free of obstacles.
Alternate routes are used if a primary path is blocked (as might happen in a real fire).

It’s especially important to make sure that employees with disabilities have accessible evacuation options and know what to do. Floor wardens should be trained to assist where needed.

The drill offers a chance to test how smoothly people move through the building and whether signage is clear and visible.

If employees appear unsure of where to go, it may be time to update signage or conduct refresher training. A smooth evacuation shows that the plan is well understood and properly communicated.

Designated Assembly Area

After exiting the building, employees should report to a predetermined assembly area. This area must be:

Located at a safe distance from the building (ideally not near roads or emergency vehicle routes)
Large enough to accommodate all staff
Clearly communicated during training and noted on evacuation maps

At the assembly area:

Fire wardens should guide employees to the right spot.
Managers or designated leads should begin taking attendance.
Employees should remain in place until given the all-clear.

A well-chosen assembly area ensures that no one re-enters the building and that everyone can be accounted for. It’s also where employees receive updates and instructions from the drill coordinator or emergency services, if present.

Choosing the right location and using it consistently helps make this process seamless during real emergencies.

Accountability

The final critical step in a fire drill is accounting for every employee. This ensures that no one is left behind or missing, and helps emergency responders focus their efforts if a real fire were to occur.

Steps for accountability include:

Roll-call or sign-in sheets: Supervisors or team leads check off names against a list.
Badge or headcount systems: Use electronic check-ins if available to confirm attendance.
Two-way radios or mobile phones: Communicate between wardens or building leads to ensure all areas have been cleared.

It’s important to also account for visitors, contractors, or part-time staff. If someone is missing, it should be reported immediately, and a simulated search process should be discussed post-drill.

The goal is to have a quick, reliable system that ensures no one is overlooked. In an actual fire, time matters, and a solid accountability process can make the difference between a safe evacuation and a tragedy.

Common Fire Drill Mistakes to Avoid

Even a well-planned fire drill can fall short if common mistakes go unaddressed. Fire drills are meant to simulate real emergencies, so they must be taken seriously and executed properly.

When key elements are missed or ignored, the effectiveness of the drill—and the safety of your employees—can be compromised.

Whether you’re in an office tower, warehouse, or healthcare facility, avoiding these mistakes ensures your fire drills are meaningful, compliant, and life-saving.

Below are four common fire drill mistakes that employers and safety teams should work to prevent.

Not Including All Employees

One of the most frequent oversights is failing to involve every employee. Sometimes staff working offsite, on leave, or on different shifts are unintentionally left out. This is a serious issue, as every employee should know how to respond in an emergency.

To address this:

Rotate drills to cover different shifts or departments.
Include remote workers in virtual fire safety discussions or simulations, especially if they occasionally work on-site.
Ensure new hires are trained on evacuation procedures as part of their onboarding.

By including everyone, you ensure that no one is caught off guard during a real emergency. A fire doesn't wait for convenience—neither should your safety planning.

Lack of Leadership Involvement

If managers and senior staff don’t take fire drills seriously, others won’t either. Leadership must lead by example, showing that safety is a priority at all levels of the organization.

Common leadership mistakes include:

Skipping the drill entirely
Delegating responsibilities without follow-up
Failing to model correct behaviour (e.g., using elevators or not reporting to the assembly point)

Managers should:

Participate fully in every drill
Take accountability for their team’s safety and response
Support post-drill evaluations and corrective actions

When leadership is involved, it sets the tone for the rest of the workplace and reinforces a strong safety culture.

Skipping Post-Drill Evaluations

Running the drill is only half the job—reviewing it afterward is just as important. Many workplaces skip this step, missing out on valuable insights that could improve emergency preparedness.

After the drill, gather your safety team and review:

What went well?
Were evacuation times fast and safe?
Did anyone experience confusion or delays?
Were all roles (fire wardens, first-aid leads) carried out effectively?

Collect feedback from employees and note any bottlenecks or unsafe behaviours. This post-drill evaluation can be done through short surveys, team debriefs, or formal reports. Document findings and create a plan to address any gaps before the next drill.

Without evaluation, the same mistakes may repeat—leaving your workplace vulnerable when a real emergency happens.

Not Addressing Issues Immediately

If a problem arises during the drill—like a blocked exit, confusing signage, or equipment failure—it must be addressed right away. Waiting for the next drill or ignoring the issue altogether can put lives at risk.

Examples of urgent issues to fix include:

Doors that fail to open or are locked
Conflicting instructions given by team leads
Missing or damaged exit signage
Employees unsure of where to go

As soon as the drill ends, document the issue and assign someone to correct it. Follow up to ensure it’s resolved. This immediate action shows your commitment to safety and builds trust among staff.

In Canadian workplaces, failing to act on safety risks after a drill can also raise compliance concerns under provincial fire codes or occupational health and safety regulations.

By recognizing and correcting these common fire drill mistakes, employers can make each drill more effective—and most importantly, help save lives in a real emergency.

Post-Fire Drill Review and Evaluation

Running a fire drill is only the beginning—the real value comes from what you learn afterward.

A thorough post-drill review allows you to evaluate how well your emergency procedures work and whether employees are truly prepared for a real fire.

In workplaces, this review process is essential not only for improving safety but also for ensuring compliance with occupational health and fire safety regulations.

By analyzing the drill’s outcomes, identifying gaps, and updating procedures, you help ensure that your next response will be quicker, safer, and more coordinated. Below are the key steps to conducting an effective post-fire drill review.

Gather Feedback

Start by collecting direct feedback from employees. They’re the ones experiencing the drill firsthand and can offer valuable insights into what went smoothly—and what didn’t.

Ways to gather feedback include:

Short online surveys or printed questionnaires
Quick team huddles right after the drill
One-on-one discussions, especially with floor wardens or safety leads

Ask questions like:

Did you know where to go?
Did you hear the alarm clearly?
Did anything slow you down or confuse you?

Encourage honesty and anonymity where possible. Feedback reveals real-world challenges that policies alone might overlook.

Review Performance

Next, evaluate the drill’s overall performance using observable data. This includes both timing and behaviour during the drill.

Key performance indicators to review:

Evacuation time: How long did it take for everyone to exit the building?
Route usage: Did employees use the designated paths and exits?
Team roles: Did wardens and assigned staff carry out their responsibilities effectively?
Communication: Were instructions clear throughout the evacuation?

Watch for bottlenecks, hesitation, or conflicting directions. These are warning signs that need immediate attention. A performance review gives you an objective view of your workplace’s emergency readiness.

Identify Areas of Improvement

After evaluating performance and gathering feedback, it’s time to pinpoint areas that need improvement. This helps you fine-tune your fire safety plan.

Look for common issues such as:

Employees unsure of where to go
Exits blocked or poorly marked
Delayed alarm response
Lack of coordination among safety leads

Then, develop action steps to correct these problems. This could mean revising your signage, retraining certain employees, or upgrading safety equipment.

Document these issues and discuss them in your Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) or safety meetings to ensure accountability.

Update Procedures if Necessary

Finally, use what you’ve learned to update your fire drill procedures. This ensures your emergency plan evolves with your workplace and stays effective over time.

Possible updates include:

Redrawing evacuation maps
Adding roles to cover missed responsibilities
Clarifying instructions in your fire safety manual
Including new equipment checks or communication steps

Make sure these updates are shared with all employees and included in future training. Consistent updates show that your organization is committed to safety and continuous improvement.

In Canadian workplaces, regularly updating your fire safety plan also helps maintain compliance with fire codes and occupational health and safety requirements.

By reviewing, learning, and improving after each drill, you ensure your team is better prepared—and safer—for any future emergency.

How Often Should Fire Drills Be Conducted?

The frequency of fire drills depends on several factors, including legal requirements, workplace size, industry risks, and any recent changes in the work environment.

While there isn’t a single nationwide law that applies to all workplaces, fire drill frequency is often outlined in provincial fire codes and occupational health and safety regulations.

For example, in Ontario, the Fire Code requires fire drills to be conducted at least once annually in most workplaces, and more frequently in high-risk settings like healthcare, schools, and high-rise buildings.

Similarly, British Columbia and Alberta also mandate periodic fire drills depending on the building type and occupancy classification.

Tailoring Frequency to Workplace Risk

Not all workplaces face the same level of fire risk. Here’s how you might adjust the frequency based on your setting:

Low-risk workplaces (e.g., small offices) may hold fire drills once a year.
Medium-risk workplaces (e.g., retail stores, restaurants) may conduct drills twice a year.
High-risk workplaces (e.g., factories, warehouses, chemical plants) may require quarterly or monthly drills to ensure employee readiness and compliance.

If your workplace handles flammable materials, operates heavy machinery, or has a high volume of foot traffic, more frequent drills are strongly advised—even if not explicitly required by law.

After Workplace Changes

It’s also essential to hold additional fire drills whenever there are:

Renovations or structural changes that affect evacuation routes
New employees who haven’t participated in a drill before
Policy updates in your fire safety procedures

In these cases, even if you’ve already met your annual requirement, another drill helps reinforce safety for everyone involved.

In short, while once a year is the minimum standard for many Canadian workplaces, fire drill frequency should reflect the unique needs and risks of your organization. Regular practice builds confidence, reduces panic, and could save lives in a real emergency.

Fire Drill Tips for Remote Workers

With more Canadians working from home than ever before, fire safety is no longer just a workplace issue—it’s also a home-based responsibility.

Even if your workforce is fully or partially remote, fire drills and emergency preparedness remain essential.

While the risks may differ from those in an office or industrial setting, remote workers still need guidance on how to protect themselves in the event of a fire.

Why Fire Drills Matter for Remote Staff

Many employers assume that fire drills are only relevant to on-site teams, but that’s a mistake. Remote workers may be spread across different cities or provinces, but they still face fire risks—kitchen accidents, faulty wiring, or space heaters can all trigger home fires.

As part of your broader workplace safety plan, it’s important to include remote employees in fire safety training to ensure their well-being.

Try Virtual Fire Drills

One effective way to involve remote staff is by conducting virtual fire drills. These sessions can include:

Step-by-step instructions on how to respond if a fire occurs at home
A checklist for checking smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and escape routes
Q&A sessions to address common concerns or challenges

Use video calls or online training platforms to run these drills, and consider incorporating them into your remote onboarding process.

Encourage At-Home Preparedness

Employers should also encourage remote staff to:

Identify all exits in their home, including alternate routes if the main door is blocked
Create a personal evacuation plan, especially if they live in multi-unit buildings
Check smoke detectors and test them monthly
Keep a fire extinguisher and emergency contact numbers readily available

These simple steps can make a big difference in an emergency. Just as you’d expect preparedness in the office, home-based employees should be empowered to manage risks where they work.

By making fire safety a shared responsibility—regardless of location—you show that your organization truly cares about all of its employees, on-site or remote.

Fire Drill Best Practices

To make fire drills truly effective, it’s not enough to simply run through the motions. The goal is to prepare employees to respond confidently and safely in a real fire emergency.

Whether your workplace is an office, warehouse, school, or a mix of remote and on-site staff, following best practices ensures that fire drills are both meaningful and compliant with Canadian safety standards.

Here are key best practices to follow:

Keep the Drill Realistic

A realistic drill prepares people for what to expect in an actual emergency. This means simulating conditions that reflect real-life situations:

Trigger the actual fire alarm system, not just a verbal cue.
Assign staff to simulate blocked exits, so employees must use alternate routes.
Practice evacuating with lights off or in low-visibility conditions to mimic smoke.
Have employees evacuate without personal items to build the habit of acting quickly.

Realistic drills reveal how employees react under pressure and expose areas that need improvement—far more than a scripted, predictable scenario would.

Ensure No One Is Left Behind

Accountability is critical. Make sure that every person in the building is included, including:

Visitors and clients
Maintenance or cleaning staff
Employees with disabilities or special needs

Assign fire wardens or team leads to sweep each area, including restrooms, break rooms, and meeting spaces. Have a clear accountability method (e.g., roll call, attendance app) to verify that everyone has reached the assembly point.

This practice not only meets legal safety obligations—it also saves lives by ensuring no one is overlooked in a real emergency.

Always Include Time for Questions and Concerns

After the drill, it’s important to debrief with your team. Create space for employees to ask questions, raise concerns, or suggest improvements. This step is often skipped but is essential for:

Clearing up confusion about routes or responsibilities
Learning what obstacles or delays employees experienced
Increasing overall confidence and awareness

Hold a brief meeting or send out a follow-up survey. Gather feedback from all departments and make necessary changes based on what you hear.

By following these fire drill best practices, employers create safer, more responsive workplaces where everyone knows their role and feels confident acting quickly when it matters most.

Conclusion

Regular fire drills are one of the most important tools for keeping employees safe during emergencies. They help everyone learn how to act quickly, use the right exits, and gather in safe locations without panic.

But beyond just following a routine, fire drills give employers a chance to identify weak points in their emergency plan and improve workplace safety over time.

By reviewing what works and what doesn’t after each drill, organizations can strengthen their response strategies, improve communication, and ensure that no one is left behind during a real emergency.

These drills also fulfill legal requirements under Canadian fire codes and occupational health and safety laws, helping companies stay compliant and avoid potential fines or liabilities.

If your workplace doesn’t have a fire drill plan in place, now is the time to act. Start by assigning a coordinator, outlining evacuation routes, and scheduling your first drill.

Whether your team works on-site, remotely, or in shifts, everyone deserves to know how to stay safe during a fire.

Knowing how to conduct a fire drill at work isn’t just good practice—it’s a responsibility. Safety should never be an afterthought.

How to Conduct a Fire Drill at Work