Steward’s Evacuation Card

Cinema

Before the cinema is opened to the public you must check:

  • The emergency exit (located to the left of the screen) is unobstructed and that the doors open freely
  • The transit seat is in place (in the cinema emergency exit tunnel)

In the event of an evacuation remain calm.

When the Duty Manager announces an evacuation to the audience one Steward (1-10 side) should make a loud and clear announcement asking the audience to follow them. They should lead the way down the steps to the Emergency exit. Open the doors and verbally direct audience members out. You must not leave the cinema at this point.

The other Steward (11-20 side) should position themselves at the back of the venue and prevent people from exiting into the foyer.

If the alarms go straight off the projectionist will see a flashing light. They will stop the film and turn the house lights up. They will inform the steward on door 11-20 who will make an announcement to the audience,

‘Ladies and Gentlemen, I apologise for the disruption. It has become necessary to evacuate the venue. Please make your way to the emergency exit.’

The steward on door 1-10 should then start evacuating as above while the steward on door 11-20 prevents people from exiting through the foyer. The Duty Manager will arrive as soon as they can.

If there is a wheelchair user in your venue you should explain to them that they will be evacuated last for their own safety. This is to ensure a safe and efficient evacuation once the main body of the audience has left the venue. You should reassure them that they will be escorted out as quickly as possible. Once the main body of the audience have been evacuated both stewards will remain with the wheelchair users until the Duty Manager arrives to detail the safest method of evacuation. The Duty Manager will decide whether it is safe to take the patron out of the building through the foyer or if the transit seats should be used. If the transit seat is to be used both stewards will need to assist. (Please do not use transit seats unless told to do so by the Duty Manager).

Once the auditorium is empty the toilets should be checked and then both stewards leave via the emergency exit (or with wheelchair users as appropriate). Make sure the doors are closed properly so no one can access the venue through the emergency exit doors.

Customers should be directed / led to the grass area in front of Coventry House. They must be kept clear of the road area (for access for the emergency services). Position yourselves on the grass closest to Coventry House so the Duty Manager can find you.

DO NOT allow anyone to re-enter the building until the Duty Manager has given the all clear.

If the normal means of evacuation is blocked you should evacuate through the foyer. In this situation one steward (higher numbered side) should open the doors into the foyer and encourage people to leave through the main doors by the bookshop. The other steward (lower numbered side) should block the fire exit to the left of the screen.

Evacuating before the film begins

If we need to evacuate while you are waiting to open doors (i.e. there is no one in the venue) then both stewards should help evacuate the foyer areas.

If we need to evacuate before the film has started (some people are in the foyer and some in the venue) the Duty Manager may come in and announce an evacuation or the alarms may sound. The steward on door 11-20 should go into the cinema, close the doors behind them and start to evacuate the venue. They will need to direct the customers out through the fire exit. When everyone has left, you must then check the toilets before following everyone out and lead them to the grass area in front of Coventry House. The steward on door 1-10 should also close their doors and help evacuate the immediate foyer area. If there is a wheelchair user in this scenario, the steward must lead them out through the foyer area.

Evacuating the Cinema with one Steward

You should always sit on the 11-20 side. Whilst staying at the back of the cinema, make the announcement (as above). Stay at the back of the venue to prevent people from exiting through the foyer. When everyone has left, check the toilets are clear. Then follow the audience out of the fire exit and escort them to the grass area in front of Coventry House. If there is a wheelchair user in the venue the steward must remain with them until the Duty Manager returns to detail their evacuation.

In certain unusual circumstances (power failure / flood / bomb threat) it may be necessary to carry out a controlled evacuation. In this situation the Duty Manager will alter their evacuation speech and inform you and the audience of the situation. In all circumstances, as soon as the Duty Manager comes onto the stage to make the evacuation speech, you should stand by your exit and be ready to evacuate. Please make sure you DO NOT leave the venue, and listen to the speech carefully as it may give you extra information about how the evacuation is to be carried out.

If there is a power failure there will be more potential for audience members to slip, trip or fall than usual and also more chance they might panic. All venues have emergency lighting but in reality the light is very dim. It is vital that stewards lead audience members out in small groups, row by row, with torches. Shine your torch on stairs and walkways so the customers can see clearly. You must carry your torch at all times when on duty. It may be necessary to evacuate through the foyer. If this is the case, lead people out of the main doors by the bookshop to the grass area in front of Coventry House.

If we have a bomb threat we would evacuate the areas closest to the suspected bomb first and the Duty Manager would decide on the best route of exit for each venue. We may not activate the alarms as the aim will be to keep the audience as calm as possible. Never use words such as ‘bomb’ or ‘package’ as this could lead to panic.

If you ever find a suspect package / abandoned bag or hear anything suspicious whilst on duty, report it to the Duty Manager immediately. Do not attempt to move, open or look at the package / bag or approach anyone you think may be acting suspiciously. Go straight to the Duty Manager. If you can’t find the Duty Manager, ask Box Office to call them immediately.

Nearest break glass point: next to the bookshop entrance

Nearest fire extinguisher (water): next to stewards seat (door 11-20)

Nearest transit seat: cinema emergency exit tunnel