2026 Fire Drill Requirements Malaysia: Compliance, Procedures, and Best Practices

You need to know when fire drills are required and what counts as compliance. In Malaysia, designated buildings must run fire drills to keep certification and meet Fire and Rescue Department rules, and enforcement is tightening from 2026. This helps you protect people and avoid penalties.

This post will walk you through which premises face mandatory drills, the basic steps to plan and run a drill, and who must take specific actions during an evacuation. You will also learn practical tips to keep drills effective and legally sound so your team stays ready.

Key Takeaways

• Understand which premises must hold drills and why compliance matters.
• Learn clear, actionable steps for planning and carrying out effective drills.
• Know who must act during drills and how to keep safety systems and training up to date.

Legal Framework and Regulatory Compliance

You must follow laws and building codes that set who enforces drills, which buildings must run them, and how often they occur. These rules assign responsibilities to building owners, employers, and the Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA).

Fire Services Act 1988 and Related Legislation

The Fire Services Act 1988 (Act 341) gives BOMBA authority to set fire safety rules and inspect premises. You must allow BOMBA access for inspections and to supervise fire safety exercises when requested. The Act also defines "designated premises" that face higher fire risk and require stricter controls.

Beyond Act 341, related laws and regulations such as hazardous materials rules and occupational safety laws can require training and drills for staff. Employers must ensure employees complete any required fire training before performing risky tasks. Noncompliance can block certification, lead to fines, or delay approvals.

If BOMBA issues directives or orders after an inspection, you must follow them to keep your building's fire certificate valid. Keep records of drills and training so you can show compliance during audits.

Uniform Building By-Laws 1984

The Uniform Building By-Laws (UBBL) 1984 set design and safety standards for buildings that affect evacuation planning. You must meet UBBL requirements for exits, stairways, signage, and fire-fighting access to qualify for occupation and safety certificates.

UBBL also influences how often you must test alarms, emergency lighting, and escape routes. When you change a building's use or layout, you must re-evaluate compliance under UBBL and update evacuation plans. Local authorities use UBBL as a basis during inspections and when reviewing your fire safety documents.

Document technical checks and any corrective work. Good records help you show local authorities and BOMBA that your building meets the legal construction and maintenance standards tied to fire drills.

Designated Premises and Mandatory Drill Frequency

Designated premises under the Fire Services Act include high-risk sites like hospitals, hotels, hostels, shopping complexes, and certain government and industrial buildings. For these sites, authorities have moved to make fire drills mandatory for certification and renewal.

You must run drills at least annually in many building types, and some authorities require more frequent drills depending on risk and occupancy. Selangor and other states have announced rules that tie drill completion to Bomba certification renewal starting in 2026. Check local Bomba guidance for the exact drill frequency, scope, and reporting format your building needs.

Keep drill logs, attendance records, and after-action notes. These documents prove you met your obligations when BOMBA or local officers review your fire safety compliance.

Core Fire Drill Procedures in Malaysia

These procedures give clear steps you must follow: plan the drill, activate alarms and evacuate, manage assembly points, then review and record what happened. Focus on roles, timings, routes, and paperwork to meet legal and safety needs.

Pre-Drill Planning and Coordination

You must set a date and notify staff, tenants, or residents well before the drill. Identify who will lead the exercise, who will act as floor wardens, and who will time the evacuation. Assign roles for alarm activation, marshaling, and contacting the fire department if you plan a supervised response.

Walk every evacuation route and emergency exit beforehand to confirm they are clear and unlocked. Check that emergency lighting, exit signs, and alarm systems work. Include checks for regular maintenance records for alarms and firefighting equipment.

If you will simulate smoke or blocked routes, note safety limits and medical support. Prepare a floor plan showing primary and alternative escape routes and at least one assembly point per building zone. Brief participants on where to meet and who reports absenteeism.

Fire Alarm Activation and Evacuation

Decide whether the drill uses the built-in alarm or a staged alert. Use the full alarm when you want realistic timing of evacuation procedures. Trigger the alarm for a sustained signal; do not use intermittent tones that can confuse people.

You must ensure everyone leaves via the nearest safe escape route and avoids lifts. Floor wardens should sweep their zones, close doors behind them, and report to the assembly point leader. Time the evacuation from alarm start to headcount completion.

If routes are blocked in the scenario, direct occupants to pre-planned alternative routes. Keep communication clear: use public address systems or trained runners to give instructions. Record any delays, bottlenecks, or people needing assistance for follow-up.

Assembly Point Protocols

Choose assembly points at a safe distance from the building and away from emergency access lanes. Mark each point on the evacuation plan and inform all occupants in advance. Provide clear signage and, if possible, a map at key exits.

At the assembly point, wardens must do an immediate roll call using pre-printed lists. Report missing persons promptly to the incident coordinator and to the fire service if they arrive. Keep occupants together and do not re-enter the building until an authorized all-clear is given.

Maintain basic crowd control: keep walkways clear, keep children or vulnerable people near supervisors, and store attendance records for review. If weather or safety forces a secondary assembly point, move groups in an orderly way and update the incident log.

Post-Drill Review and Documentation

Hold a debrief within 48 hours with wardens, facility managers, and a sample of occupants. Review timings, blocked or confusing routes, alarm performance, and actions by emergency response team members. Note any injuries or near-misses and record corrective actions.

Create a written drill report that includes date, start and end times, evacuation times per zone, list of absentee or missed persons, equipment faults, and maintenance needs. Keep this report with your safety records to show compliance with regulations such as the Fire Services Act.

Schedule repairs or maintenance from the findings, and update the fire evacuation plan and training schedule. Share the report highlights with all staff and run targeted refresher drills for problem areas identified during the review.

Roles and Responsibilities During Fire Drills

You must know who does what, where to go, and who checks that everyone is safe. Clear roles speed up evacuation, reduce confusion, and help you spot problems to fix after the drill.

Fire Wardens and Floor Captains

Fire wardens and floor captains lead the evacuation on each level. You should assign them by area and list their names and contact numbers on the emergency board. Their main tasks: sweep assigned zones, check stairwells and restrooms, and close doors behind evacuees when safe to do so.

During a drill, you stand at key exits and guide people to the assembly point. Use a simple checklist to mark rooms cleared and record any missing persons. If someone needs help, you coordinate a buddy or assign a helper to assist with stairs or mobility needs.

Train wardens to operate alarms, read evacuation maps, and report hazards (blocked exits, failed alarms). After the drill, you submit a short report with time taken, problems found, and recommended fixes.

Emergency Response Team Duties

Your Emergency Response Team (ERT) manages safety tasks beyond evacuation. ERT members check fire panels, test hydrants or extinguishers if trained, and liaise with external responders like Bomba Malaysia when needed.

During the drill, ERT leads the initial alarm verification and decides whether to simulate suppression actions. You should have designated ERT roles: incident coordinator, communications lead, and equipment officer. Each role has a clear checklist to follow under pressure.

Keep communication tools ready: radios, spare batteries, and a printed contact list. After the drill, ERT reviews system performance, logs faults, and schedules repairs or follow-up training.

Staff and Occupant Participation

Every staff member must know primary and secondary escape routes. You should post maps at common points and run briefings during induction and yearly refreshers. When the alarm sounds, leave personal items, close doors, and go to your assembly area.

You must follow instructions from wardens and ERT without arguing. If you see someone left behind or a hazard, report it immediately to a warden or at the assembly point. Assist visitors by guiding them or pairing them with a staff buddy.

After the drill, you give feedback about confusing routes or blocked exits. Your quick, honest answers help update evacuation plans and improve safety for everyone.

Fire Safety Equipment and System Requirements

You must have the right portable and fixed equipment, clear access to exits, and reliable systems that warn and guide people during a fire. Items must match the building use, be installed to code, and be ready to operate when needed.

Fire Extinguishers and Fire Blankets

You must install fire extinguishers sized and rated for the hazards in each area. Place Class A, B, C or multi-purpose (ABC) extinguishers near exit routes, kitchens, and mechanical rooms. In kitchens, provide a dedicated kitchen-grade extinguisher and a fire blanket within easy reach of cooking appliances.

Mark extinguisher locations with visible signage and keep them within 1.5–2 m of travel path heights. Train designated staff to use them and run practical drills at least annually. Replace or recharge extinguishers after any discharge and follow manufacturer expiry dates.

Fire blankets must be made of fiberglass or other non-combustible fabric, stored in wall-mounted cabinets, and sized for the likely incidents (e.g., 1.2 m x 1.2 m for small kitchens). Use blankets to smother small pan or clothing fires only; do not use them on large spreading fires or flammable liquid pools.

Firefighting Equipment and Emergency Systems

You must provide fixed firefighting equipment and systems based on building classification and the Uniform Building By-Laws. Typical requirements include hose reels, sprinkler systems, and fire hydrants for larger or higher-risk premises. Ensure pump rooms and hydrant valves remain accessible and clearly labeled.

Install an automatic fire detection and alarm system that links to local Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA) procedures when required. Fit emergency lighting on escape routes and illuminated exit signs that meet brightness and duration rules to guide occupants during power loss. Fire doors must be self-closing, kept unlocked during occupancy, and tested for proper seals and ratings to stop smoke and flame spread.

Coordinate systems so alarms trigger both local warnings and building-wide responses. For high-risk sites, add sprinkler-linked alarms and remote monitoring. Keep access for firefighters clear and provide single-point control panels for system status checks.

Maintenance and Inspection Standards

You must follow scheduled inspections and records like those in Malaysian fire regulations and standards. Test extinguishers, hose reels, pumps, sprinkler valves, and alarm systems at intervals set by manufacturers and by local codes. Keep written logs of inspections, maintenance, repairs, and tests.

Perform weekly visual checks on portable extinguishers and monthly checks on emergency lighting batteries. Conduct full maintenance and certification by licensed contractors annually or as required for your building class. Replace components that fail tests immediately and tag equipment with the last service date.

When BOMBA inspects for a fire certificate, present your maintenance records and proof of corrective actions. Use qualified technicians for electrical alarm work and for pressure systems like sprinklers and hydrants to ensure compliance and reliable operation.

Fire Safety Training and Continuous Improvement

Train staff, run realistic drills, and update your risk assessments so your building stays safe and compliant. Focus on clear roles, practical skills, and measurable improvements after each exercise.

Fire Safety Training for Employees

You must give every employee role-specific training that matches their duties and location in the building. Train reception, cleaning, kitchen, and maintenance staff on different hazards they face and the actions they must take during an alarm. Include hands-on practice with portable extinguishers, PPE checks, and instruction on how to use fire alarms and manual call points.

Keep records of who attended, competencies demonstrated, and refresher dates. Use short practical sessions (30–90 minutes) plus one full-day program for ERT members. Make training content cover legal duties, evacuation routes, assembly points, and how to assist mobility-impaired occupants. Use simple checklists and competency cards so you can show regulators and BOMBA that staff are trained.

Conducting Realistic Drill Scenarios

Design drills to mimic likely events in your building: a kitchen fire, blocked stairwell, or smoke in a plant room. Announce some drills and run others unannounced to test real response times and decision making. Assign observers to record evacuation time, door-closing behavior, communications, and any re-entry attempts.

Use a short evaluation form with timed milestones and a checklist of critical tasks: alarm activation, floor warden sweep, evacuation completeness, and assembly point accountability. After-action debriefs should list at least three corrective actions, assign owners, and set deadlines. Track repeat issues to see if training or procedures need revision. Consider inviting BOMBA or an external trainer for one drill each year to validate your approach.

Assessing Fire Risk and Emergency Preparedness

Carry out a fire risk assessment that maps hazards, people at risk, and existing controls. You should review escape routes, emergency lighting, fire doors, and firefighting equipment as part of the assessment. Link each identified risk to a clear action: repair, replace, or provide additional training.

Maintain an up-to-date emergency response plan that shows roles, contact numbers, and alternate assembly points. Reassess after any change, new tenant, layout change, or equipment upgrade. Use the assessment findings to set training priorities and drill scenarios. Keep documented evidence of assessment dates, findings, and completed actions to meet compliance and improve future preparedness.

Frequently Asked Questions

This section gives clear, actionable answers about legal rules, drill frequency, step-by-step organisation, responsibilities, required report items, and high-rise evacuation guidance. Read each part to learn what you must do and who must act.

What are the legal regulations governing fire drills in Malaysian workplaces?

Designated premises must follow the Fire Services Act 1988 (Act 341) and related Fire Safety Organisation (OKK) rules. These rules tie fire drills to certification and re-inspection requirements for places like hotels, hospitals, malls, factories, and large public buildings.

How often must fire drills be conducted in Malaysian office buildings?

The law does not always set a single, nationwide drill frequency for every workplace. Some designated premises must run drills to keep or renew their fire safety certificate, so frequency may be set by the Fire and Rescue Department during inspection.

You should schedule drills so every staff member across all shifts participates at least once a year, and more often if risk assessments or local authorities require it.

What are the necessary steps to organize a compliant fire drill in Malaysia?

Start with a documented plan that lists objectives, evacuation routes, assembly points, roles, and timing.

Notify authorities if needed, inform occupants, and train fire marshals before the drill. During the drill, time evacuations, test alarms and exits, and record any equipment or response failures. Afterward, hold a debrief, fix identified problems, and keep written records for inspection and certification.

Who is responsible for ensuring the proper execution of fire drills in Malaysia?

You, as the building owner, employer, or appointed safety officer, carry primary responsibility for arranging and running drills.

The building's fire safety committee and trained fire marshals help implement the drill, while the Fire and Rescue Department enforces compliance and may require proof during inspections.

What should be included in the fire drill report as per Malaysian safety requirements?

Document the drill date, start and end times, the scenario tested, number of occupants evacuated, and any absences or issues.

Record alarm performance, exits used, response times, actions by fire marshals, injuries or near-misses, corrective actions taken, and signatures of responsible persons for the file.

Are there specific guidelines for fire evacuation procedures for high-rise buildings in Malaysia?

Yes. High-rise evacuation plans must account for vertical evacuation limits, phased evacuation, refuge floors, stairwell capacity, and lift restrictions during fires.

You must test stairwell flow, refuge area use, and communications; local fire authorities may impose additional measures when issuing or renewing certification.

Protecting Your Premises Beyond Compliance

Running regular fire drills is a critical component of a comprehensive risk management strategy. Demonstrating that your team is prepared for emergencies reduces the likelihood of business interruption and shows insurers that your facility is proactively managed.

For industrial and high-risk sites in Malaysia, your fire safety readiness directly impacts your insurance profile. Policies like Industrial All Risks and Business Interruption are underwritten based on your ability to control risks through drills, equipment maintenance, and staff training.

Foundation is a specialist insurance intermediary for industrial and engineering risks in Malaysia. We help facility managers and safety officers ensure their insurance coverage aligns with their actual fire safety and operational risks.

If you are updating your fire drill procedures for 2026 compliance, it is the perfect time to review whether your property and liability protection matches your current exposure.