What Do Security Guards Do When a Fire Alarm Goes Off in a Commercial Building?

When a fire alarm goes off in a residential building, everyone knows to take family members and pets outside immediately. In a commercial building, on the other hand, it's not always that simple. Shoppers, visitors, and even employees may not know where the nearest exit is or whether it’s a drill or a false alarm, leading to indecision that can cost lives.

That's where security guards come in. When a fire alarm sounds, guards lead the response to ensure everyone evacuates quickly and safely. In this blog, we’ll cover the step-by-step process security guards follow when a fire alarm goes off in a commercial building, how they handle false alarms, and two stories of how Blackbird Security guards successfully responded to fires and saved lives in the field.

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Key Takeaways

• Security guards lead evacuations, help people who need assistance with leaving the building, and act as the main point of contact for firefighters and first responders.
• Guards treat every fire alarm as real until the fire department confirms otherwise.
• Every building has its own fire safety procedures that guards need to be familiar with before an emergency happens.
• Two Blackbird Security guards have saved lives during fires and been recognized for their actions.

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Why Security Guards Are Involved in Fire Alarm Responses

Security guards are usually stationed throughout a property, including in common areas, which puts them in a prime position to respond when an alarm goes off. Since they know the building’s layout, exits, evacuation routes, and assembly points, and they’re trained to stay calm under pressure, guards can immediately help direct people to the nearest exit.

In many buildings, security guards are the only staff on site who can carry out the fire safety plan. This can include operating fire panels, making announcements, and communicating with emergency services. Since occupants already see guards as a point of contact, people tend to look to them for direction when an alarm goes off.

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What Commercial Security Guards Do When a Fire Alarm Goes Off

Next, we’ll cover the process a security guard follows when responding to a fire alarm in a commercial building. If you’re curious about how guards respond to fire alarms in residential buildings specifically, read our previous blog, How Security Guards Respond to Fire Alarms in Condominiums.

Step 1: Respond to the Alarm

The first step is to respond immediately when the alarm goes off. In some buildings, sensors or surveillance systems can alert guards before the building-wide alarm goes off. Guards never assume a fire alarm is false, since hesitating can cost valuable time and put lives at risk. They notify their supervisor or control centre right away and begin the building’s fire response protocol.

Step 2: Locate the Source

Next, security guards check the fire alarm panel or front desk system to determine which area, floor, or building triggered the alarm. The goal is to gather information and pass it on to firefighters via 911 or when they arrive at the property.

Step 3: Call 911

Once the location of the alarm has been identified, a security guard will call 911 and give the operator the property address, building name, and exact location of the triggered alarm (ie, floor or unit). Providing succinct and accurate details will help firefighters get to the right place faster.

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Step 4: Carry Out Fire Safety Procedures

Every building has its own fire safety plan that guards must know before a fire alarm goes off. Depending on the property, the fire safety procedure may include:

• Unlocking the fire safety plan box to retrieve the key for the fire department.
• Operating the building’s fire panel.
• Making announcements to building occupants.

Property managers and security teams should review fire safety plans together regularly so security guards can implement the right actions when the time comes.

Step 5: Evacuate the Building

During evacuation, security guards position themselves at key points around the building, such as stairwell exits, building entrances, and populated areas, and give instructions to guide people toward the nearest safe exits. During an evacuation, guards will:

• Direct people to stairwells instead of elevators.
• Keep exit routes clear.
• Redirect people to other exits if one becomes crowded.
• Coordinate with other guards by radio in larger buildings.
• Help anyone who needs assistance, including elderly occupants, people with disabilities, and anyone who is injured or disoriented.

Guards also ensure no one re-enters the building until the fire department declares it safe to do so.

Step 6: Provide First Aid

After the building has been evacuated, security guards who are trained in first aid can help anyone who is injured before paramedics arrive. This may include CPR for someone affected by smoke inhalation or first aid for injuries that happened during the evacuation.

Guards may also help answer questions from evacuees and hear concerns to be passed on to the fire department, such as the names of people who haven’t been yet accounted for.

Step 7: Work With Firefighters

When firefighters arrive, security guards meet them at the entrance and give them the key from the fire safety plan box, if the building has one. They share important and relevant information with firefighters, such as what triggered the alarm, its location, whether they witnessed any smoke or fire, and whether everyone has been accounted for.

Guards then direct firefighters to the area where the alarm was triggered, and will provide access to any locked areas firefighters need to reach. Once the building has been cleared, guards may accompany the fire department to reset the alarm system.

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Step 8: Write an Incident Report

After the situation is resolved, security guards will write a detailed report covering:

• When and where the alarm was triggered.
• The actions taken, including first aid administered to evacuees and implementation of the fire safety plan.
• Whether firefighters and other first responders came to the property.
• Any property damage that occurred.
• The cause of the alarm, whether a false alarm or a real fire.

Guards share reports with building management, which can support insurance claims or future emergency planning. Reports can also help identify repeated false alarms, which may point to a maintenance issue.

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How Security Guards Handle False Alarms

While false alarms are more common than real fires, security guards still follow the full fire alarm response process until the fire department or building management confirms the alarm was false. Security guards won’t make the decision to cancel an evacuation on their own. Once given the all-clear, they let occupants know and help people return to the building in an orderly fashion.

Security guards still document false alarms. If the same alarm is falsely triggered repeatedly, reports will highlight the pattern and help the building’s management and maintenance teams understand what needs to be done to fix the issue.

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How Blackbird Security Guards Have Responded to Fires

We’re immensely proud of the two Blackbird Security guards who have been recognized by Canadian organizations for putting their training into action and saving lives during real fires.

Gulab Singh, Samesun Hostel, Vancouver

In September 2023, Tactical Security Guard Gulab Singh was stationed at the Samesun Hostel in Vancouver. At around 2 AM, he noticed smoke on the CCTV cameras. When he investigated, he found a large fire behind the building.

Gulab pulled the fire alarm, asked a bystander to call 911, and evacuated over 200 sleeping residents. For his lifesaving actions, he received the Lifesaver Medal and a Certificate of Honour.

Gursimran Singh, Vancouver

Tactical Security Guard Gursimran Singh spotted a fire at a property in Vancouver and put it out with a fire extinguisher. A fire investigator later confirmed that without his quick response, the fire could have caused serious injuries and major damage to the old wooden building, since an accelerant had been used and the flames were spreading quickly. Gursimran received the Unwavering Heroism Award for his actions.

Read more about both stories in our blog, Recognizing Blackbird Security’s Lifesaving & Award-Winning Team.

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Partner With Canada’s Most Trusted Security Company

Having a trusted security team at your property means investing in safety. When a fire alarm goes off, a security guard guides the evacuation, helps evacuees in need, and works directly with firefighters to keep everyone safe.

At Blackbird Security, our guards are prepared to handle fire alarms at any type of property, from commercial buildings and retail stores to condos and event venues.

Contact us to learn how Blackbird Security can protect your property and the people in it.

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FAQs About Security Guards and Fire Alarms

What do security guards do when a fire alarm goes off?

Security guards locate the source of the alarm, call 911, carry out the building’s fire safety plan, and direct people to exits. They also help anyone who needs assistance, provide first aid, work with firefighters, and write an incident report afterward.

Are all security guards trained in fire safety?

Not all security guards are trained in fire safety, and it depends on the company. Provincial licensing covers basic emergency response, but many security companies provide additional training. At Blackbird Security, guards receive fire safety and first aid training through Blackbird Academy, along with training on each building’s specific procedures.

What happens if a fire alarm turns out to be false?

Guards follow the full response process until the fire department or building management confirms the alarm was false. They then help occupants return to the building and document the incident, since repeated false alarms often indicate a problem with the alarm system itself.

Does Blackbird Security train guards in fire alarm response?

Yes. Blackbird Security guards receive fire safety and first aid training through Blackbird Academy.