There are many different disasters that can result in a situation where it is safer to remain inside a building than to risk going outside. From severe weather events to chemical contaminants in the air, a designated shelter-in-place area can provide valuable safety to personnel and visitors.
In this situation, not only do you need to consider the plan for a secure shelter, but also keeping people calm in what is likely to be a high-stress event. By following these guidelines, organizations can plan ahead for multiple scenarios and mitigate the risks to human life.
Planning for a Shelter-in-Place Emergency
Most workplaces are required by OSHA to have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) to facilitate safety actions during a multitude of hazardous events. This includes designating responses to different types of emergencies, the responsibilities of various personnel, means of alerting employees, and the chain of communication with emergency services.
After identifying a list of hazards that may pose a risk to your business, one of the primary decisions is whether to evacuate or shelter in place. Once you understand what kinds of events require an on-site shelter, you can evaluate the best location for a shelter-in-place room or area. Typically, the best room is a small, interior room, away from any doors or windows. Learn more about how to designate locations for shelter areas here.
The room should be stocked with supplies to handle the emergency:
- A first aid kit that can handle most basic medical emergencies.
- Enough water to last the inhabitants the duration of the emergency.
- Ideally, the room should have a landline telephone in case cell towers are overwhelmed.
- Battery-powered radios and ham radios are also useful if power goes out or regular communications get interrupted.
- Flashlights, batteries, fire extinguishers, blankets, and tool kits.
One of the most important factors in emergency preparedness is drills. Testing your EAP will help you identify any gaps in planning. This is also a way to turn emergency response into reflexive actions and help personnel stay calm and avoid a panic response.
Not all drills can account for visitors who are unfamiliar with the facility. Good communication systems and good signage, such as shelter-in-place maps, can help visitors maintain safety without getting confused or lost.
During a Shelter-in-Place Emergency
Your EAP should outline the steps that need to be taken once the decision has been made to shelter in place. These procedures need to account for both internal and external risks to a business. Here are some of the steps your shelter-in-place procedures may include:
- Close the business.
- Direct all customers, clients, or visitors to the shelter area, asking them to remain in place for their safety.
- Turn on call forwarding for the business, or leave a message saying the business is closed.
- Grab any additional emergency supplies as designated in the emergency action plan.
- If time allows, direct predetermined personnel to follow shutdown procedures on any hazardous machinery or chemical containers.
- Once everyone is in the shelter room, close and lock the door.
- If possible, have each person call or text their emergency contact to let them know that they are safe and sheltering in place.
- Stay connected with local authorities via cell phones, TVs, or radios for any updates, including when it is safe to exit the shelter.
- For airborne chemical contaminants, close exterior doors, windows, and ventilation systems. Seal off the shelter area with plastic sheeting and tape, if possible.
- For earthquakes, secure any heavy furniture within the room.
- Never use a generator indoors, as carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal.
In an emergency, one of the most important things you can do is stay calm. Planning and preparedness will help the entire staff work together toward safety and avoid the risk of panic.
A Clear Shelter-in-Place Map Can Save Lives
During many emergencies, time is of the essence. Moving to a shelter area in a calm, orderly fashion can help people get to safety faster. Clear, intuitive shelter-in-place maps can provide clarity at a time of confusion and aid with the emergency response.
If you have a business with a high number of people who are unfamiliar with the building layout or have limited personnel who can assist in the event of an emergency, safety maps are even more important. Your visitors may rely on shelter-in-place maps to take the most direct route to a secure location.
A good safety map should be located in a highly visible area, well-lit, properly oriented, and easy to read. You don’t want to risk visitors getting lost or going the wrong direction in an emergency.
That’s where Building Maps excels. Our team of illustration specialists work tirelessly to make sure we provide maps that are clear, use widely recognized symbols, and leave no room for misinterpretation. Simplified building schematics provide important emergency information tailored to the types of shelter-in-place emergencies that your location may experience. In addition, our map illustrators are trained in a number of building and fire codes, so we can provide you with a code-compliant map for OSHA, NFPA, ICC, and more.
If you’d like to learn more about how Building Maps can assist your emergency planning, or if you’d like to get started with a quote, you can contact us here. Our team is happy to answer any questions about the emergency mapping process.
