Fire safety glossary
Evacuation assembly point
Definition
An evacuation assembly point (also called a fire assembly point or muster point) is a designated location outside a building where all occupants gather after evacuating during a fire alarm or emergency. Its purpose is to allow fire wardens to confirm all occupants have escaped safely, enable a headcount, and ensure no one re-enters the building. It must be clearly signed, far enough from the building to be safe, and accessible without passing through a fire-affected area.
Siting criteria
What makes a good assembly point location
Distance from building
Minimum 20 m (65 ft) — further if possible
Accessibility
Reachable without passing through fire-affected area
Capacity
Large enough to hold all expected occupants simultaneously
Emergency vehicle access
Must not block routes for fire appliances or ambulances
Signage
Standard green assembly point sign visible from approach routes
Weather protection
Consider cover for prolonged evacuations (welfare)
What happens at the assembly point
On arrival at the assembly point, each fire warden calls their zone's roll against a current list of expected occupants. Anyone unaccounted for is reported immediately to the fire service officer in charge — not investigated by re-entering the building. The incident controller (typically the most senior fire warden present) liaises with the fire service and manages the assembly until the all-clear is given or the evacuation is declared complete. For detailed warden responsibilities, see our fire warden duties guide.
Assembly points in homes
The assembly point concept applies to homes too. A designated meeting point — the end of the driveway, a neighbour's gate, or a specific street corner — is an essential part of any home fire escape plan. All household members should know it. This is the point where you confirm everyone has got out, and where you tell the fire service if someone is unaccounted for. For guidance on building your home escape plan, see planning two ways out and our home escape planning workshop.
Keep the list up to date
In workplaces, the roll call list at the assembly point is only useful if it is current. It must include all contractors, visitors, and temporary workers present on the day. An outdated list causes a false alarm — teams searching for a person who has already left — or, worse, fails to identify someone who is genuinely trapped. Update the visitor book and contractor log in real time, not retrospectively.
Sources: RRO 2005 · DCLG Fire Safety in Offices · NFPA 101
Assembly point FAQ
Questions about evacuation assembly points
An assembly point should be: far enough from the building to be safe from fire, smoke, falling glass, and emergency vehicle access (typically a minimum of 20 metres / 65 ft from the building); not in a location that blocks emergency service vehicle routes; visible and easily identifiable (assembly point signs with a green running figure are standardised); large enough to accommodate all occupants; and accessible without passing through a fire-affected area. For large premises, multiple assembly points may be required — each covering a designated section of the building.
In workplaces, the fire warden (or designated evacuation coordinator) for each zone or floor is responsible for conducting a roll call at the assembly point. The warden should have an up-to-date list of all people expected to be in their zone, including visitors and contractors. In residential buildings, the responsible person or building manager holds this responsibility for common areas; individual tenants are responsible for accounting for their own household members. For full warden responsibilities, see our fire warden duties guide.
No — under no circumstances should you re-enter the building once you have evacuated, until the fire service or the designated responsible person confirms it is safe to do so. Re-entering a burning building is one of the leading causes of avoidable fire deaths. If you believe someone is still inside, report this immediately to the fire service officer in charge — do not go back in. The phrase "get out, stay out" is the core message of residential fire safety. See our get out, stay out guide.
During a fire drill, each fire warden accounts for their zone's occupants against the expected list. Any discrepancies (missing persons, visitors not accounted for) are reported to the building's fire controller or incident controller. Drill performance — total evacuation time, any blockages encountered, any non-compliance — is recorded in the fire log and used to improve procedures. In UK workplaces, drill records must be retained as part of the fire risk assessment documentation under the RRO 2005.