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Evacuation and Egress
The impairment rules keep ending at the same fork: empty the building or watch it. This section covers both sides of that fork, the evacuation strategies buildings actually run, the plans and drills behind them, and the occupants the exit signs forget. Plain language, written by a retired firefighter, connected to the code guides where the rules live.
Guides in this section
Evacuate or Fire Watch?
The fork the impairment rules end at, who frames the call, and what each path costs.
Evacuation Strategies by Building Type
Total, phased, horizontal, defend-in-place, shelter-in-place: which building runs which, and why.
Emergency Action Plans (OSHA 1910.38)
When a plan is required, the minimum elements, and how it connects to the watch.
Fire Evacuation Plans
Routes, roles, assembly, accounting, and the people who need help moving.
Defend-in-Place
Why hospitals rarely evacuate, and why an impairment there hits harder.
Evacuation Drills
Frequency by occupancy, running a drill that tests something, and the record.
Mobility-Impaired Occupants
Areas of refuge, PEEPs, assigned assistance, and telling responders who is where.
Chose the watch over evacuation?
Firefighter-run guards on site in under 3 hours, nationwide, 24/7. Call 1-800-899-7524.
Related sections
Informational only. Your emergency plan, your AHJ, and the adopted code edition govern. Not legal advice. The Fast Fire Watch Company is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NFPA, the ICC, or OSHA.
Last updated: August 2026