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Federal And State Requirements For Building Evacuations

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Abstract In this essay, federal and state requirements for building evacuations (preparation of and conducting) are compared, with those of applicable NFPA guidelines. Best practices for conducting evacuations are reviewed to determine what applicability the best practices have on continuity of operations within my organization. The essential elements of emergency response were evaluated in three categories; the written program, specific procedures related to emergency response, and training. After evaluation of both the NFPA guidelines and OSHA standards, it was determined that both should be used to develop an emergency action plan. From major toxic gas releases to bombings there has been an incremental increase in recognition to industrial accidents and how they can affect the lives of us all. The emergency planning process can have serious ramifications on the people and the environment when it is not managed appropriately (Erickson, 1999). September 11, 2001 the south tower of the World Trade Center collapsed 56 minutes after being struck. Only 14 people that were in the impact zone survived. If the use of high rise elevators had been evaluated people in that impact zone could have possibly made it to the ground in as much time as 40 minutes which would have saved numerous lives (Pigg, 2013, p.5). Tragedies like this are why it is important to respond to emergencies in a way that minimizes harm to people and the risk mitigation starts by

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