Illinois has no specific law or regulation requiring employers to conduct fire drills, with the exception of public and private schools.
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Download Now However, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), which governs the Illinois occupational safety and health system, requires that companies with 10 or more employees have written fire prevention and emergency exit plans for each workplace. Employers with fewer than 10 employees may communicate the plans orally. To ensure that the exit plan will work in an actual emergency, it is advisable to rehearse regularly with annual or semiannual drills.
A more detailed discussion of federal OSH Act emergency and fire plan requirements is available.
Local fire safety codes may contain additional requirements.