Emergency evacuation is an immediate egress or escape of people away from an area that contains an imminent threat, an ongoing threat or a hazard to lives or property.
Evacuees on Interstate 45 leaving Galveston, through Houston, during Hurricane Rita in 2005. Note how no south-bound lanes (right) were used as north contra-flow lanes for vehicles turning west.
An exit sign in the United States, showing the way to the nearest exit, with two emergency lights for electrical failure.
Operation guide metal plate for emergency exits installed in the school bus window.
Evacuation route sign on Tulane Avenue in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
A fire alarm system is a building system designed to detect, alert occupants, and alert emergency forces of the presence of fire, smoke, carbon monoxide, or other fire-related emergencies. Fire alarm systems are required in most commercial buildings. They may include smoke detectors, heat detectors, and manual fire alarm activation devices. All components of a fire alarm system are connected to a fire alarm control panel. Fire alarm control panels are usually found in an electrical or panel room. Fire alarm systems generally use visual and audio signalization to warn the occupants of the building. Some fire alarm systems may also disable elevators, which are unsafe to use during a fire under most circumstances.
A fire alarm horn strobe, pull station, and remote annunciator connected together in a fire alarm system
A fire alarm notification appliance as widely used under North American standards
A fire alarm control panel
Fire alarm speaker and pull station
