Aarhus University’s total floor area is 700,000 m2. In order to facilitate the evacuation of staff and students in a systematic way, AU’s total floor area has been divided into several smaller areas called evacuation areas.

An evacuation area is usually a specific floor or part of a floor in a building. The evacuation area has a meeting point where the people who have been evacuated meet. An evacuation plan is prepared for each evacuation area.

Each evacuation area is responsible for its own evacuation effort. In this connection, it is important that employees and students familiarise themselves with the type of evacuation signal used in the area in question as well as with the instructions for the evacuation leader and for the meeting point leader. (All material in relation to this topic is available in Danish and English).

All building sections/buildings at AU are divided into two types of areas: areas with permanent staff and areas without permanent staff.

 

Areas with permanent staff
The size of the evacuation areas is determined based on the existing fire sectioning and organisation. In all areas, the staff must be instructed in the evacuation concept.

When an evacuation area with permanent staff is to be evacuated, the evacuation leader and the meeting point leader can find instructions and vests (one yellow vest and one orange vest) in the evacuation holder in the hallway.

In addition to becoming familiar with the applicable evacuation concept on this website, regular evacuation drills will be held so that staff can practise.

 

Areas without permanent staff
These areas include areas with unrestricted access and areas to which access is restricted for certain periods of time or for which access cards are required.

If the evacuation of particular areas becomes necessary, the people in these areas will receive information via the alarm system, if such a system is installed, or via voice alarm, signs and maps.

Information leaflets, posters and AV-based evacuation instructions which can be used in all lecture theatres and classrooms in connection with lectures etc., are also available to students and guests.

Regular drills will be held in these areas as well, so that staff, students and others who are present in these areas can practise how to evacuate these areas.

There are clearly marked holders set up in each evacuation area (areas with permanent staff) which contain:

• A yellow vest with the text: ”Aarhus Universitet. Evakuering” (Aarhus University. Evacuation)

• A laminated yellow instruction sheet with a detailed step-by-step description of the evacuation leader’s duties. The area which is to be evacuated is illustrated on the instruction sheet.

• An orange vest with the text “Aarhus Universitet. Evakuering”  (Aarhus University. Evacuation)

• A laminated orange instruction sheet with a detailed step-by-step description of the meeting point leader’s duties. The location of the meeting point is illustrated on a photo on the instruction sheet.

The evacuation leader puts on the yellow vest and follows the instructions on the yellow instruction sheet. The evacuation leader’s task is to clear the area of people. In connection with the evacuation of the area, the surrounding areas must be informed that evacuation is taking place. As soon as possible, the local management must be informed about the incident.

The meeting point leader puts on the orange vest and follows the instructions on the orange instruction sheet. The meeting point leader’s task is to meet the evacuees at the specified meeting point outside the building.

Always consider your own safety when assuming the role of evacuation or meeting point leader.

In situations in which a person is deliberately attempting to injure others, evacuation may not necessarily be the best way to reach safety. In a situation like this, if you leave university buildings to get to the assembly point, you may expose yourself to danger.

In such cases, people in the danger zone should try to reach safety either by getting as far away from the perpetrator as possible or by barricading themselves into a safe place.

In order to ensure that evacuation at Aarhus University takes place in an efficient and organised manner at all times, it is necessary to update the evacuation concept on a regular basis.

This includes keeping drawings and photos up to date when buildings are extended or modified, checking the material which has been put up, instructing new members of staff and students on a regular basis and carrying out drills on a regular basis.

Managers are responsible for ensuring that staff and students are familiar with the current evacuation concept. Any errors or equipment defects/missing equipment must be handled by the local building operations staff.