Area and Building Wardens
Wardens play a critical role at the University in emergency situations.
Wardens are a vital part of the University’s emergency management structure. When required, their role is to assist in the orderly evacuation of all occupants from their department/area.
Line managers/academic supervisors are responsible for ensuring area and building wardens are available at all times their premises are open.
Formal training in fire safety and the role of the warden is available in Building and fire warden training webpage, however, all staff should be familiar with the role of the warden and be able to undertake this role if required.
To assist wardens with their evacuation roles, warden action cards are available below. These should be personalised, printed, laminated and placed in an easily accessible place with the warden jacket for staff to access if and when required.
Warden types
There are four types of wardens:
- Floor warden (red vest)
- Building warden (yellow vest)
- First aider (green vest).
- HazMat (blue vest). HazMat stands for 'hazardous materials'.
Duties
Floor warden duties
- Put on your red vest
- Warn people and instruct them to leave
- Check areas such as toilets, showers and meeting rooms
- Appoint helpers to assist those who need assistance
- Close smoke stop doors
- Report to the building warden
- Help with crowd control
Building warden duties
- Proceed to the main entrance and put on your yellow vest
- Obtain your evacuation board / check sheet
- Ensure emergency services have been called (you may delegate)
- Receive floor warden reports
- Report to the Fire Service Scene Controller
- Ensure an incident report is completed
Evacuation board/check sheet
The building warden is to ensure the evacuation board/check sheet which indicates whether a floor remains occupied is completed. Check off or otherwise indicate the floor warden's reports as they are received.
Information for the Fire Service Scene Controller
The Fire Service Scene Controller needs to know the answer to these questions:
- Where is the emergency?
- Are hazardous substances involved?
- Is everyone out?
Megaphones
Megaphones can be helpful for crowd controlling and moving occupants away from the buildings.
Preferred supplier: Jaycar Ltd
Important phone numbers
Emergency services—Fire, Police, Ambulance
Phone: 111 (1-111 internal)
- Know your street address and building number.
- 111 calls are free and the call goes through even if you have no phone credit.
Security
Phone: 966 (internal) or 0800 373 7550
Document Control
Version: 2.0
Last Updated: Feb 2023
Next Review: Feb 2026
Owner: hsw@auckland.ac.nz
Approver: Associate Director, Health Safety & Wellbeing