How do you know you have the right MUSTER point set!

The key is risk vs distance vs elements ( like weather or wind) and how many potential people. And it should be addressed on day one with the company or the first day you are on site, everyone from the sales guy to the boss need to have this information engraved in their minds. Trust me no matter where you go in this world, regardless of the site or profession this one topic is beyond VALUABLE!

And these two are totally separate in your system or are they!

• Definition of assembly point.  meaning, definition, what is assembly point: a designated place where people have been told to wait after evacuating a building in the event of a fire or other emergency,
• A muster point is a designated place or an area where all employees, passengers, or a large crowd assemble in case of an emergency in an installation, building, public place or a watercraft. It is also known as an emergency assembly point (EAP), or, simply, assembly point.

Meaning "to collect, assemble" is early 15c.; figurative use (of qualities, etc.) is from 1580s. To muster out "gather to be discharged from military service" is 1834, American English. To muster up in the figurative and transferred sense of "gather, summon, marshal" is from 1620s.

A muster point is a key piece to any emergency plan. It should be well-known and clearly marked to provide an easy location during an emergency. It is usually marked either by a sign, or marked on the exterior of a location by a symbol that has four arrows pointing inward towards a central dot. Within the building or workstation, the evacuation maps should indicate the muster point as well as the evacuation route.

In larger buildings, there may be multiple muster points, with each area of the building having its own dedicated point. Typically, each is either divided by floor, department, or organization to prevent stampeding and congestion during an evacuation.

It has a huge role in safety, Rather than having people run off in random directions, having a strategic place to meet allows the supervisor(s) to quickly provide a roll-call or attendance of those at the muster point by using an inventory list of all the people in the building, which is included in the emergency plan. 

The muster point must also be large enough to accommodate the number of people assigned to that point, so as not to overcrowd or constrict movement should a blowout or secondary emergency occur. For example, some places use a large open parking lot as a muster point. The muster point should also be far enough away from any other immediate dangers, so in the event of an emergency, groups of people are not put into hazardous areas. This could include areas near things such as streams, hazardous trees, fences, or other obstacles. As with any safety concern, using common sense goes a long way. 

Go the sign LUKE the SIGN! Signage installation should be a safe distance away from a building, worksite or construction zone. Making a muster point known to all employees and visitors is part of your rigorous emergency management plan. Multiple muster points may be required at large jobsites which contain many visitors or employees, such as Muster Point "A" or "B", or Muster Point 1, 2 & 3. If the emergency exit route is complex it is a good idea to place directional signage towards the assembly area.

Placement of a muster point sign can vary, however, it is important to ensure the signage is placed within optimal viewing range for your applicatoin (not too small). Typical mounting is between 48" to 72" off the ground or over 96" when mounting in parking lots where vehicles may obstruct the view of the signage.

 Some muster points may be required on job sites where no buildings are present, such as a remote work location. It's important to place your muster area a safe distance away from your building/work zone in the event a fire or explosion occurs at your work site. Depending on the type of your work, you may need to increase the distance away from the potential hazard, especially where chemicals or explosive materials may be present.

Many worksites contain multiple companies working at a single jobsite. Some companies choose to add a logo to the muster point sign to signify that companies specific assembly location for emergencies.

Who the heck picked this location!!!!!!

Guidance notes that “good escape routes to a final exit will be of little benefit if the occupants are not able to get out of the building and move quickly to a place of total safety” and that it is “important to consider where people will go once they have evacuated from the premises”. A number of factors should be given consideration when identifying a suitable assembly point including:

1.   Whether final exits lead directly to a place of safety or discharge into an enclosed area (where discharge is to an enclosed area, access to a place of total safety should be available by means of gates or doors that open easily in a manner similar to final exits)

2.   The maximum number of persons to be accommodated at the assembly point at any one time

3.   The type of persons to be evacuated (eg those with mobility issues), how far they can be expected to travel and how they gain access to the assembly point

4.   The route from the building to the assembly point, including issues of illumination, traffic route condition and sign-posting

5.   Whether the assembly point requires illumination and shelter for those who may be vulnerable

6.   The proximity of other building outlets, including ventilation shafts that may allow the issue of smoke, heat or debris

7.   Dangers once away from the building, including busy roads and pedestrian traffic passing the building.

In truth!

Location? 

 How to decide if the assembly point is appropriate. 

 Is the location is a safe distance from the building 

Is the space is large enough for those using it 

That it's possible to leave the assembly point unhindered, i.e. not trapped within a locked enclosure or a dead end. 

Getting to the assembly point? 

 Is it possible to travel safely to the assembly area? Some points to consider. 

 Are final exits clear of external obstructions, parked cars, waste bins, etc? 

Is the layout and construction of the route the assembly point, suitable and safe for the using it ? 

When deciding on the location of the assembly point, has consideration been given to the dangers from fire engines etc. arriving on the scene? 

Do emergency procedures ensure safety en route to the assembly point, e.g. when crossing traffic routes? 

 Communication? 

 Do the premises occupants know where to go and is the  assembly point clearly identified? 

 Are the assembly point (s) clearly marked by signs, where practicable ? 

The location of the assembly point (s) clearly indicated on fire action notices? 

Does staff fire instruction include necessary information about the location of the assembly point(s), hazards, where applicable, and relevant safety procedures? 

No magic formula but it all adds to safety!

A safe place upwind of the south westerly prevailing winds where possible.

Near the main exit gate and/or the staff car park - so people don't need to to go near the burning building to leave the premises.

Away from / or off to the side of your main incoming traffic route - the fire engines will be arriving soon at 60mph.

A flat level surface / with easy access / and good lighting when it's dark.

Also - consider the option of some cover for when it's raining during the fire drill (smoking shelter / cycle shed etc)

Safe distance is 1.5x the height of the building - incase the roof caves in and the walls collapse out.

Your actual safe distance may need to be much more depending on the severity of the fire - eg a fireworks factory, or workshop acetylene bottle storage.

Also - every site is different.

Don't use the above to box yourself into a corner between a canal and the security fence.

Common sense needs to take priority.