How to run a fire drill:
a 4-step guide for businesses

A fire drill is a planned practice evacuation. It tests whether your alarm, escape routes, emergency response team (ERT) and staff work as they should in a real fire. A good drill has four steps: set up the ERT, plan the drill, run the evacuation, and review it in a post-mortem. Designated premises with a Fire Certificate must hold one at least once a year.

Do businesses in Malaysia have to hold fire drills?

Yes, if your premises are designated premises under the Fire Services Act 1988. Since October 2020, the Fire Services (Fire Certificate) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 require the fire safety organisation (FSO) of a designated premises to conduct a fire drill at least once a year, as well as yearly fire safety training for occupants.

BOMBA does check this. In 2024, the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department reported that about 10% of the premises holding a Fire Certificate in the state did not meet its conditions, including not carrying out fire drills.

If your premises are not designated, a yearly drill is still strongly recommended. It is the only way to know your plan works before a real emergency.

Step 1: Set up your emergency response team (ERT)

Make sure you have an ERT with enough trained people to cover every role, including a stand-in for each key person. At minimum, the team should include:

• Incident commander – leads the response and makes the decisions.
• Documentation officer – records times, actions and head counts.
• Assembly point officer – manages the assembly point and the head count.
• Floor wardens – guide people out and check that each floor is clear.
• Fire-fighting team – tackles small fires with extinguishers and hose reels, only if it is safe.
• First aiders – look after anyone injured or unwell.
• Security control – controls access, keeps the road clear and meets the fire engine.

Step 2: Plan the drill

Good planning decides how useful the drill will be. Before the day:

• Choose where the "fire" starts. This location sets how people must move during the drill.
• Decide whether to include a rescue. If you do, set where the simulated victims are and their condition, for example unconscious or injured.
• Brief all occupants in advance. Explain what the alarm sounds like, which escape routes to use and how to gather at the assembly point.
• Save the direct number of your nearest fire station. Keep it next to the emergency number 999 so the ERT can call quickly.
• Prepare ERT equipment. For example, vests to identify each role, walkie-talkies and first aid kits.
• Check your fire equipment. Test the alarm and make sure extinguishers are serviced and in date, so the drill tests your people, not broken equipment.
• Inform your nearest fire station of the date. Many premises also invite BOMBA to observe and give feedback.

Step 3: Run the drill

On the day, treat the drill as a real emergency:

1. Sound the alarm or emergency bell, and do not switch it off until everyone has left the building and gathered at the assembly point.
2. Make an emergency announcement over the public address system, if you have one.
3. ERT members take up their roles quickly.
4. Call the fire station straight away, as agreed in your plan.
5. Floor wardens check each floor so that no one is left behind, then report to the assembly point.
6. Do a head count at the assembly point and report anyone missing.
7. Assist BOMBA when they arrive by guiding them through the site and giving them early information: where the fire is, who is missing and any hazards.

Step 4: Hold a post-mortem

Hold a post-mortem session as soon as the drill ends, while details are fresh. Review:

• What went well – what to keep doing.
• Weaknesses – for example, the alarm could not be heard in some areas, an exit was blocked, or the head count took too long.
• Next steps – who will fix each issue and by when, both for future drills and for a real emergency.

Write the findings down and keep them with your fire safety records. Fix any faulty equipment or blocked routes before the next drill.

Common problems a fire drill reveals

• The alarm is too quiet in noisy or closed areas
• Exit doors are locked, or exits are blocked by stock
• People try to use the lift or go back for their belongings
• Extinguishers are missing, expired or hard to reach
• The assembly point is too close to the building or blocks the fire engine
• No one knows who has to call BOMBA

How LIM BEST can help

LIM BEST provides fire safety and emergency response training for businesses across Johor, with HRDF course arrangement available. We can help you plan your fire drill, train your ERT, and check your fire alarm, extinguishers and other fire systems before the drill. If the drill shows faulty equipment, our team can service, repair and maintain it. WhatsApp us to plan your next fire drill.

Frequently asked questions

How often should a fire drill be held?

Designated premises with a Fire Certificate must hold a fire drill at least once a year. Other premises are not bound by this rule, but a yearly drill is still good practice, and more frequent drills help when staff change often.

Should we inform BOMBA before a fire drill?

It is good practice to inform your nearest fire station of the drill date in advance. Many premises also invite BOMBA to observe the drill and give feedback during the post-mortem.

Who should take part in a fire drill?

Everyone in the building at the time, including staff, tenants and visitors. The emergency response team takes up its roles, and everyone else evacuates to the assembly point as they would in a real fire.

What should happen after a fire drill?

Hold a post-mortem straight after the drill to review what went well, what went wrong and what to improve. Record the findings and fix any faulty equipment or blocked routes before the next drill.

Sources

• Skrine – Fire Safety Requirements Enhanced (November 2020)
• Malay Mail – 10pc of 1,900 buildings with fire certificates in Selangor do not comply (April 2024)
• BOMBA guide: Tatacara Pengendalian Latihan Pengungsian Kebakaran (Fire Drill)

This article is a general guide and does not replace the requirements of BOMBA or other authorities. Always follow the instructions of your local fire station.