If you discover a fire, the first few moments matter. R.A.C.E. gives employees, visitors, and supervisors a simple order of actions: Rescue, Alarm, Confine, and Extinguish or Evacuate.
Discovering a fire is stressful, especially when people are looking to you for direction. A short response sequence helps turn panic into action. R.A.C.E. stands for Rescue, Alarm, Confine, and Extinguish or Evacuate.
R.A.C.E. is evacuation guidance, not permission to take unnecessary risks. If you cannot act safely, leave immediately. Follow your building's fire safety plan and the direction of emergency responders.
- Rescue anyone in immediate danger if you can do so without putting yourself at risk.
- Activate the nearest fire alarm and call 911. Alert everyone in the building.
- Close doors behind you to slow the spread of fire and smoke.
- Extinguish only a small, contained fire when you have a clear exit behind you; otherwise evacuate and stay out.
R — Rescue
Move anyone in immediate danger toward safety if you can do it without entering smoke, fire, or an unsafe area. Do not delay evacuation to collect belongings, investigate the source, or search for people in a smoke-filled room. Tell emergency responders where you last saw anyone who may still be inside.
A — Alarm
Pull the nearest fire alarm and call 911 as soon as you are safe to do so. Give the building address, the location of the fire, and any known hazards. Alert people nearby using clear, direct instructions and never assume someone else has made the call.
C — Confine
Close doors behind you as you leave when it is safe. A closed door can slow the movement of fire and smoke and give people more time to escape. Never lock people in, and never go back inside to close a door if doing so puts you in danger.
E — Extinguish or Evacuate
Use an extinguisher only when the fire is small and contained, the correct extinguisher is available, the alarm has been raised and 911 called, the room is not filling with smoke, and a clear exit is behind you. If any of those conditions are missing, evacuate. Once outside, stay out and let firefighters take over.
Know Your Plan Before You Need It
Every workplace should know its exits, alarm locations, extinguisher locations, muster point, and emergency contacts before an emergency. Fire extinguisher service companies and site managers can also review extinguisher placement and inspection records so the equipment people are told to use is actually present and ready.
InspectExtinguishers helps businesses and fire extinguisher service companies organize units, locations, monthly checks, deficiencies, and service history in one place. Visit InspectExtinguishers at inspectextinguishers.com to start a free trial and keep your fire-safety records ready for review.
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