Fire evacuation plan

What to do if there is a fire at Leith Community Centre, from the centre’s fire evacuation plan. The full plan is at the end of this page.

When the fire alarm sounds, everyone leaves the building and goes to the assembly point: the tree in the Kirkgate Shopping Centre.

If the alarm sounds

Don’t panic. When you hear the fire alarm, a loud continuous siren, leave the building straight away by the nearest fire exit, calmly and in order.
Close the door behind you. Where possible, the last person out closes it.
Go to the assembly point: the tree in the Kirkgate Shopping Centre.
Report to the fire warden (or the member of staff, let holder or person in charge) and wait there for instructions.
Don’t go back in until a member of the fire incident team tells you it’s safe.
Every alarm means leave. Since 1 July 2023, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service no longer comes out automatically when a fire alarm goes off in a building like this one. So whenever the alarm sounds, everyone must leave.

You are responsible for your group. The person in charge of the booking is responsible for getting everyone out safely. Plans for anyone with additional needs must not rely on the fire service.
Check everyone is out. At the assembly point, check your register or sign-in list, and tell the person in charge of the evacuation straight away if anyone is missing.
Help anyone with additional needs. Some people may need help to leave the building. Keep talking to them clearly, so they don’t become anxious or confused.
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans. Ideally, anyone in your group with additional needs has a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP). It says how they get out of the building and usually names volunteers who will help.
Ask newcomers. When someone new joins your group, ask whether they would have difficulty leaving the building without help. If many people with additional needs are coming, consider talking to one of the fire wardens or the council’s Health and Safety Adviser first.

Raise the alarm at the nearest fire alarm point, then go to the nearest fire exit. Close doors behind you where you can, to stop smoke and fire spreading.
Only use a fire extinguisher if you have been trained to use one, you can do it without putting yourself at risk, and you can turn and walk away from the fire with a clear way out.

0131 554 4750 [email protected]

First floor, New Kirkgate Shopping Centre, 12a Newkirkgate, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6AD

Daily, 9am–9pm

View the full plan