How many fire drills a year does NOM-002-STPS-2010 require?

At least one a year in workplaces with ordinary fire risk and at least two a year in those with high fire risk (point 5.7).

How do I know whether my workplace is ordinary or high risk?

The employer classifies the fire risk of the workplace, or by area such as plants, buildings or floors, under Appendix A of the standard (point 5.1). For example, workplaces with a built area of three thousand square metres or more are classed as high risk (point A.1.4(b)). The classification is redone if the maximum inventories recorded during the year change (point A.1.6).

Does the drill have to cover the whole building?

Not necessarily. It may be held by area or for the whole workplace (point 10.1), always with a written plan (point 10.2).

What is recorded after the drill?

The workplace and its address, the areas, the number of people, the resources used, deviations, recommendations for updating the emergency plan, the duration and the coordinators (point 10.3). Records are kept for three years (point 13.6).

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Never let the next fire drill go unscheduled

Every workplace in Mexico holds fire emergency drills at least once a year where the fire risk is ordinary and at least twice a year where it is high (NOM-002-STPS-2010, point 5.7). The employer plans them in writing, records the results and keeps them for three years (points 10.2, 10.3 and 13.6).

NOM-002-STPS-2010, Safety conditions - Fire prevention and protection in workplaces (DOF 09/12/2010), applies throughout Mexico and in every workplace (points 1 and 2). The employer must classify the fire risk of the workplace, or of its areas, as ordinary or high under Appendix A (point 5.1).

How often drills are held depends on that classification: the employer must hold fire emergency drills at least once a year in workplaces with ordinary fire risk, and at least twice a year in those with high fire risk (point 5.7). Workers must take part in them (point 6.7).

Drills are held by area or for the whole workplace (point 10.1). They must be planned in writing, including at least the drill coordinators, date and time, scope, the most critical emergency scenarios, the sequence of actions and, where relevant, the involvement of local emergency services (point 10.2). The fire emergency plan must also state how often drills will be held (point 8.1(k)).

Results are recorded with at least the workplace and its address, the areas, the number of people involved, the resources used, any deviations found, recommendations for updating the emergency plan, the duration and the coordinators (point 10.3). These results are also used to decide how many members the fire brigades need (point 9.1(c)).

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At a glance

Who it applies to	Every workplace (NOM-002-STPS-2010, point 2)
Ordinary fire risk	At least one drill a year (point 5.7)
High fire risk	At least two drills a year (point 5.7)
Risk classification	For the workplace or by area, under Appendix A (point 5.1)
Scope	By area or for the whole workplace (point 10.1)
Written plan	Coordinators, date and time, scope, scenarios, sequence and local emergency services (point 10.2)
Results record	Eight minimum items, including deviations, recommendations and duration (point 10.3)
Record keeping	Three years, on paper or electronically (point 13.6)

The fire risk classification must be redone when the maximum inventories of materials, substances or products recorded over a year change (Appendix A, point A.1.6); if an area becomes high risk, the minimum drill frequency changes too. Reports issued by the local civil protection authority under internal civil protection programmes prove compliance with this standard for three years from their issue (point 13.5).

Who is responsible?

The employer classifies the fire risk, has a fire emergency plan and holds the drills (points 5.1, 5.5 and 5.7). Workers take part in the drills (point 6.7). In high fire risk workplaces, the employer must also have fire brigades (point 5.6). Reference Guide II, which is not mandatory, recommends varying times and exit routes and warns against excusing people from the exercise (point II.9).

If the deadline passes

Enforcement of NOM-002-STPS-2010 is the responsibility of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (STPS) within its remit (point 14.1). In the conformity assessment, the employer complies by showing the record of drill results at the frequency that matches its fire risk (point 13.2). Employers must comply with the official standards on occupational safety and health (Federal Labour Law, Article 132, section XVII), and there are sanctions for employers who do not observe safety and hygiene standards (Federal Labour Law, Articles 992 and 994, section V).

With high fire risk, the interval is six months

For a workplace or area with high fire risk, the standard requires at least two drills a year (point 5.7): record the expiry six months after the last drill, not twelve. Drills required by the Internal Civil Protection Programme are governed by civil protection law and covered in their own guide; it is best to record them separately.

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add a record for each workplace or classified area and enter the date of the last drill plus twelve months for ordinary risk, or plus six months for high risk, as the expiry date.
Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the expiry date and on the day, giving time to prepare the written plan and coordinate the brigades.
Whoever coordinates the drill can upload the results record through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
Assign a responsible person, such as the brigade lead or the safety team; if the date passes without a drill, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.

Frequently asked questions

How many fire drills a year does NOM-002-STPS-2010 require?: At least one a year in workplaces with ordinary fire risk and at least two a year in those with high fire risk (point 5.7).
How do I know whether my workplace is ordinary or high risk?: The employer classifies the fire risk of the workplace, or by area such as plants, buildings or floors, under Appendix A of the standard (point 5.1). For example, workplaces with a built area of three thousand square metres or more are classed as high risk (point A.1.4(b)). The classification is redone if the maximum inventories recorded during the year change (point A.1.6).
Does the drill have to cover the whole building?: Not necessarily. It may be held by area or for the whole workplace (point 10.1), always with a written plan (point 10.2).
What is recorded after the drill?: The workplace and its address, the areas, the number of people, the resources used, deviations, recommendations for updating the emergency plan, the duration and the coordinators (point 10.3). Records are kept for three years (point 13.6).
Does a civil protection drill count for this standard?: NOM-002-STPS-2010 accepts that reports issued by the local civil protection authority under internal civil protection programmes prove compliance for three years from their issue (point 13.5). Otherwise, keep the results record required by point 10.3.

Sources

Last checked: Oct 11, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

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