Do you know what to do when the alarm sounds? Building 60 evacuation drill puts preparedness to the test
On 28 September, staff working in CERN’s Building 60, part of the Main Building complex, took part in an unannounced evacuation drill designed to test emergency procedures under realistic conditions
Written by:
HSE Department
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At 9.00 a.m., a small planning team comprising colleagues from the CERN Fire and Rescue Service, the HSE Fire Safety Engineering team, Departmental Safety Officers (DSOs), Territorial Safety Officers (TSOs) and observers met for a final round of checks. Alarm timings were confirmed with the Engineering Department’s Access and Alarms team, assembly point signage reviewed and observation arrangements agreed. Nothing was left to chance, except, of course, the drill itself.
At 9.45 a.m., the alarm sounded and personnel throughout the building, including members of the CERN Management, evacuated calmly and made their way to the designated assembly point outside. In total, some 30 people took part, with the evacuation completed in less than five minutes.
“Exercises like this one are more than a formality. They test whether alarm systems, wayfinding and emergency procedures work as intended when people don’t know a drill is coming, arguably the only realistic way to assess how a real evacuation would unfold,” said Fabrice Malacrida, DSO for the SR, SO and DG Units.
As one of CERN’s tallest buildings, Building 60 presented a valuable opportunity to test preparedness. The exercise was also the first planned evacuation drill since occupants returned following the building’s refurbishment in 2025.
This drill was in line with the Organization’s 2026–2030 Safety Objectives, one of which is Emergency Preparedness. By 2030, CERN aims to organise evacuation drills reaching 50% of the on-site population. The drill also supports CERN’s Safety Fundamentals, in particular the “Be Fire Aware” principle.
While drills help, preparedness is a continuous effort and everyone has a role to play. Take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with the basic evacuation rules and routes, learn where your building’s assembly point is and identify your Territorial Safety Officer (TSO).
To be ready, all members of personnel and contractors are strongly encouraged to complete the 10-minute Emergency Evacuation e-learning course available through the CERN Learning Hub.
Safety first. Safety always.