What Is Assembly Point
An assembly point is a designated outdoor location where occupants gather after evacuating a building during an emergency. It serves as the accountability checkpoint where management and emergency responders can confirm everyone has left the building safely.
OSHA requires that all employers with more than 10 employees maintain a written Emergency Action Plan that identifies assembly points. For smaller operations and homeowners, assembly points are equally critical but often overlooked. The location must be far enough from the building to avoid hazards like falling debris, explosions, or toxic gas clouds, typically a minimum of 100 feet away depending on building size and hazard type.
Regulatory Requirements
OSHA 1910.38(c) mandates that assembly points be identified in your Emergency Action Plan. The plan must specify how employees will account for themselves and report to management. For facilities handling hazardous chemicals, the assembly point distance increases based on the nature of chemicals stored. A manufacturing plant storing flammable liquids may require a 300-foot buffer, while an office building might maintain a 100-foot minimum.
Your assembly point cannot be located in areas that could become contaminated during an incident. This means avoiding parking lots directly downwind of chemical storage, basement areas prone to flooding, or structures that could collapse.
Setting Up Your Assembly Point
- Location selection: Choose open ground away from utilities, power lines, and building structures. Mark it clearly with signs visible from all building exits.
- Accessibility: Ensure the area accommodates people with mobility limitations. Provide shelter or shade if possible, especially for extended waits during chemical incidents or fires.
- Accountability system: Designate a specific person or team to conduct headcount at the assembly point. Use a roster system to verify all occupants have evacuated. This takes 3 to 5 minutes in most cases.
- Communication setup: Establish a check-in method. This could be a designated employee with a clipboard or a digital system for larger facilities. Emergency responders need to know the assembly point location immediately upon arrival.
- Multiple assembly points: Large buildings or facilities with hazardous operations should identify primary and secondary assembly points to accommodate different emergency types.
Common Questions
How far should my assembly point be from the building? The minimum distance is 100 feet for most buildings, but chemical facilities, refineries, and hazmat operations require 300 to 500 feet depending on incident severity risk. Check your local fire code and insurance requirements.
What should we do if the assembly point becomes inaccessible during an emergency? This is why secondary assembly points exist. Your Emergency Action Plan should identify at least two locations. Brief all staff on both locations during safety training. Conduct drills using the secondary point at least once annually.
Do homeowners need assembly points? Yes. The NFPA recommends that families designate a meeting spot outside and away from the house, typically at the property line or mailbox. This prevents re-entry attempts and allows family members to confirm everyone evacuated safely.
Integration With Emergency Planning
The assembly point is a core component of both your Evacuation Plan and Emergency Action Plan. During safety audits, inspectors verify that assembly points are clearly marked, accessible, and communicated to all occupants. Your evacuation drills should practice the route to the assembly point at least twice yearly for workplaces and once yearly for homes.