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Evacuations and Fire Alarms
Evacuation of University buildings is mandatory when a fire alarm sounds.
When the alarm sounds, close any open windows in your offices. If possible, take a damp hand towel and flashlight with you in case you encounter smoke or darkness along the evacuation route.
If your office door is closed, do not open it until you feel the surface. If there is heat or thick smoke present, remain in your office and wait for assistance. Open the windows if breathing becomes difficult. Signal the Fire Department by hanging a white towel (preferably) from the window and by telephoning the dispatch center to indicate your condition and location. Do not break the windows as this may help spread smoke into your office. Keep your door closed.
If there is no heat present, open the door slowly and leave the room, escaping through the nearest exit. Avoid smoke at all times. If necessary, change from one stairwell to another to avoid passing through the smoke.
Upon leaving the building, go to your assigned area, and remain there until you are given permission to return to the building.
Building Security Coordinators and Department Chairs are responsible for seeing that all employees have evacuated the building. Department Chairs and Building Security Coordinators should decide ahead of time where evacuated employees would assemble. This should be a distinct area at least 100 feet from the building. Department Chairs should take roll to confirm that all employees in his or her department have been accounted for; this information should be provided to the fire department commander at the scene.
In all University buildings, as you move toward the nearest exit, activate the alarm system by pulling down the handle of fire alarm pull box normally located adjacent to the exit door. Activation of the system will signal the Fire Department and sound an evacuation alarm throughout the building in the event of fire.
If possible without risking your safety, isolate the fire by closing doors in the vicinity. The accumulation of toxic smoke alone is deadly.
DO NOT attempt to extinguish the fire unless you have been trained and authorized to do so by EHS. In case of small trash fires, use the appropriate fire extinguisher to extinguish the blaze. Report all missing and/or damaged fire extinguishers to your Department Chair.
When firefighters arrive, information about the type of fire, its location and any possibility of persons entrapped by fire should be reported to the incident commander. Unless the firefighters authorize you to assist in evacuation or handling firefighting equipment, go to your designated evacuation area, and remain there until the firefighters give permission to return to the building.
