definitions

Understand the terminology of emergency preparedness

To assist with reading our fundamental guide to emergency compliance, we’ve prepared a glossary of terms.

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List of Fundamental terms

Familiarise yourself with the world of emergency compliance

This handy glossary includes the most important terms related to emergency preparedness and Australian Standard 3745:2010 – Planning for Emergencies in Facilities.

 

Assembly areas

The designated place or places where occupants must assemble during an evacuation.

bomb

A device which can be of any size or shape, either obvious or camouflaged, may vary in sophistication and may or may not necessarily explode. Non-exploding bombs include incendiaries, toxic substance release, sharps, and animals/reptiles. Bombs can also be referred to as an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

bomb threat

A threat which can be: written or verbal; delivered digitally, orally, in written form or other medium; threatens to place or use an explosive, chemical, biological, or radiological device; specifies a time, date, place, or person which it will be used.

class 1a buildings

These building are classified as a single dwelling building being either:

  • A detached house
  • One of a group of 2 or more attached dwellings, where each is a building that is separated by a fire-resistant wall, including: row house; terrace house; town house; villa house.

competent person

Any individual who has acquired through training, education, qualification, experience, or any combination of the former, the knowledge and skills to correctly perform a required task.

emergency

Emergency in this context is described as an event arising from either internal or external sources, which has the potential to adversely affect the occupants or visitors in a site or facility. Emergencies require an immediate response when they occur. If an immediate response is not required, it is not defined as an emergency.

emergency control organisation (ECO)

A person(s) appointed by the Emergency Planning Committee (EPC) to direct and control the implementation of the facilities emergency response procedures. These individuals are assigned with warden duties.

emergency mitigation

Measures taken to decrease the likelihood of emergencies occurring, as well as any associated impacts from the emergency on occupants, the facility, or the environment.

emergency plan

The written documentation of the emergency arrangements for a facility, which is generally made during the planning process by the Emergency Planning Committee.

The emergency plan consists of: preparedness, prevention, response activities, emergency roles, responsibilities, strategies, systems, and arrangements.

emergency planning committee (EPC)

The persons who are responsible for the documentation and maintenance of a facility’s emergency plan.

emergency planning consultant

An individual who has acquired the skill to enable them to advise on human behaviour, fire safety systems, evacuation methodology, emergency preparedness and response, and the development of an emergency plan.

emergency preparedness

The arrangements that have been made to ensure that if an emergency were to occur, all the resources and services required to cope with the emergency can be efficiently deployed ensuring occupant and facility safety.

emergency prevention

Measures which are taken to reduce the chance that an emergency will occur. These measures include: policies and procedures, regular maintenance and servicing of appliances, alarm systems, plant and equipment, and training.

emergency response exercise

A site-specific exercise implemented to determine the effectiveness of emergency response procedures.

emergency response procedures

The documentation containing all assigned responsibilities, actions and procedures within the emergency plan, to respond and manage emergencies.

emergency services

The state or territory responsible for emergency response or recovery.

Emergency response team (ERT)

Specialists deployed to contain, control, or eliminate the emergency using emergency response equipment.

Evacuation

The orderly movement of occupants from a place of danger i.e. when an emergency has occurred.

evacuation diagram

A diagram which contains the emergency, evacuation and emergency response information about a facility, including a representation of a floor or area in pictorial form.

evacuation exercise

An emergency response exercise which is intended to simulate an evacuation from an emergency.

facility

Any building, structure or workplace that can occupy people.

facility operational incidents

Non-life-threatening events which likely do not require the activation of the ECO. These are not considered emergencies.

first-attack firefighting equipment

Equipment used to fight fires in their early stages. Examples include fire extinguishers, fire hose reels and fire blankets.

first-response emergency equipment

Equipment use to tackle various emergencies in their early stages; Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs), Spill Kits, First Aid Kits.

occupant

A person who is within a facility on a permanent or temporary basis. Examples include employees, contractors, students, or residents. Visitors are not classified as occupants.

occupant warning equipment

Any systems or devices that operate to alert people within a facility of an emergency.

personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP)

An individual emergency plan designed for an occupant with a disability who may need assistance during an emergency.

refuge

An area on a floor of a facility designed to protect occupants from heat, smoke or toxic gases whilst also providing direct access to an exit.

 

staging area

The area in a facility where occupants and visitors are intended to gather in preparation for an evacuation.

 

warden intercommunication point (WIP)

The location in a facility which contains a handset where instructions can be received from the emergency intercom system.

 

up next

Emergency Planning Committee

The Emergency Planning Committee is a group of individuals who are responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of the emergency plan, emergency response procedures and related training of a facility and its occupants.

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your compliance benchmark

Discover the intricacies of Emergency Preparedness – and exactly where your lacking in compliance

Here’s our at-a-glance look at the sections of Australian Standard 3745:2010 Planning for Emergencies in Facilities that your facility should continue to consider and stay on top of to maintain your compliance.

emergency evacuation procedures

Emergency Plan

The Emergency Plan is the master document which contains the organisational arrangements, systems, strategies, and procedures relating to the response and management of emergencies in a facility.

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emergency plan

Emergency Evacuation Diagram

Emergency evacuation diagrams contain the emergency evacuation and emergency response information about a facility, including a representation of a floor or area in pictorial form.

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Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Response Procedures

An emergency response procedure refers to the documentation containing all assigned responsibilities, actions and procedures within the emergency plan, to respond and manage emergencies.

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evacuation diagram

Emergency Control Organisation

Ensure your Chief Wardens and Wardens are prepared to take command and coordinate all aspects of an emergency. Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of emergency procedures, from assessing risk that may be present in the workplace to effectively planning for all types of emergencies.

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evacuation plan

Emergency Preparedness Training

Training your facilities occupants will always be necessary for compliance, however the kind of training required differs based on that occupants role.

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Emergency Response Exercises

Emergency Response Exercises

Emergency Response Exercises are a site-specific exercise implemented to determine the effectiveness of emergency response procedures both when developed and on an on-going basis. These exercises are developed by the EPC in collaborations with facility owners, managers, occupiers, and employers of the facility.

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