The following requirements exist for approval of Fire Safety Plans and Evacuation Procedures for high rise office buildings. All plans shall be approved by the Code Official of the Arlington County Fire Department as required by the Fire Prevention Code.

Plans shall include tenant/occupant participation.
Instructions for occupants when an alarm is activated.
Evacuation routes and designated outside safe areas.
If possible, a chain of command shall be established and will include:
a. Safety Director and Assistant
b. Floor Monitor and Assistant per floor
c. A Stairwell Monitor for each stairwell per floor
d. An Impaired Person Monitor per floor when necessary
e. An Exit Monitor at each exit way on the ground floor
(outside door of stairwell)
f. Any additional Monitors as needed

Note: Warden may be substituted for Monitor.

When it is not possible to establish a chain of command(multi-tenant buildings), a responsible person from each office shall ensure that all persons have evacuated.

Responsibilities of positions listed in chain of command.

Responsibilities of building management personnel.

Emergency and non-emergency telephone numbers.

Bomb threat and natural disaster information.

Information regarding alarm system for the building.

Information regarding elevator use.

Two fire drills are required per year with participation in evacuations being mandatory as required by the Fire Prevention Code.

The designation of an Impaired Person Room ("Designated place of refuge") and impaired person monitor for persons with impairments which require assistance is a requirement of this office for approval of any high rise office evacuation plan or procedure. The assignment should be one-on-one, and the impaired person monitor should report directly to the floor monitor or his/her designee. Should the evacuation of an impaired person become necessary prior to the arrival of fire department personnel, one (1) of the other monitors would then assist the impaired person monitor with their charge. The requirement for the designation of the Impaired Person Room shall be the following:

Room should be adjacent to a stairwell
Room should have a telephone, a window and a closable door.
The designated room shall be the same for each floor provided all floor layouts are similar. It will be the responsibility of the monitor to stay with their charge until they are evacuated by the fire department or an all clear is given. The non-emergency number for Fire, Police and Medical should be given to the Impaired Person and their monitor to use if they become concerned during an incident: Non-Emergency Number is 703-558-2222. This number and floor plan indicating stairwell locations and egress routes from the Impaired Person Room shall be posted in the Impaired Person Room.

The floor monitor, as the last person to leave the floor when the floor is completely evacuated, shall notify the fire department command post or the building command group of the location of any impaired person(s) and monitor(s). If a chain of command has not been established, it would be the responsibility of the office monitor to report the information. The fire department will make a determination as to when and how they will be evacuated. It is possible that they can remain where they are and be in no danger.

The following telephone numbers should be included in the plan:

Emergency: Fire, Police, Medical: 911
Non-Emergency: Fire, Police, Medical: 703-558-2222 It must be understood that in any emergency, 911 should be the first number called. It would only be counter-productive to notify the Federal Protective Service (FPS), Department of Defense (DOD), property management, or any other agency prior to dialing 911.

Fire Safety Plans and Evacuation Procedure Requirements for High Rise Residential Buildings

The following requirements exist for approval of Fire Safety Plans and Evacuation Procedures for high rise residential buildings. All plans shall be approved by the Code Official.

Plans shall include assignments for management and maintenance personnel.
Provide specific instructions for tenant/occupants.
Provide information about alarm system and elevators.
Provide emergency telephone numbers.
Provide for one required fire drill per year.