Evacuation as an Integral Part of the Building Safety System

Abstract

Evacuation is an integral part of the safety system of facilities and represents an important component of the protection of life and property, particularly in the event of fire. Effective planning and implementation of evacuation require a systemic approach that includes the analysis of human behaviour, technical and construction requirements for evacuation routes, standards for marking and signalling, the preparation of graphical evacuation plans, as well as the organisation of communication before and during evacuation. In practice, continuous monitoring of the system and improvement of evacuation procedures are necessary. This is also indicated by events such as the fire in the Grenfell Tower in London in 2017 and in the retirement home in Tuzla in 2025, which revealed serious deficiencies in the design and maintenance of buildings, which was also reflected in the evacuation with a large number of human casualties.

The paper analyses the process of developing and implementing evacuation procedures and plans in facilities of different purposes, with particular emphasis on the legal framework in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The obligations of legal entities and the role of safety professionals in planning and organising evacuation are examined. Based on the applicable legal regulations, technical standards and concrete examples from practice, key elements of planning are identified, which are implemented through the design of evacuation routes and technical safety systems, as well as through education and evacuation drills.

In the context of contemporary security challenges, effectively planned and regularly tested evacuation is not merely a formal legal obligation that must be fulfilled, but a key element of protecting human lives. This paper seeks to highlight the need for a systemic approach that treats evacuation as a continuous process rather than as an administrative document.