Fire

Fire – General Procedures:

• If you have been trained and are able to safely extinguish the fire, do so. However, make sure that you have a safe exit from the fire area.

• If you are unable to extinguish the fire, leave the area immediately and pull the fire alarm. From a safe location on campus, call 911, or use emergency blue light phone.

• Evacuate the building as soon as the alarm sounds and proceed to the designated emergency assembly area.

• If there is excessive smoke and heat, or the door is warm or hot to the touch, remain in the room and follow these procedures:

  • Stuff the cracks around the door with towels, lab coats, throw rugs, etc. to keep out as much smoke as possible.

  • Go to the window, and if it is clear outside (no smoke or flames), open the window at the top (to exhaust any heat or smoke in the room) and at the bottom (for a source of outdoor air). Signal for help by hanging a “flag” (sheet, jacket, etc.) out of the window. If a telephone is available, call 911 and University Police (Ext. 36222 or 410-543-6222) and inform them of the situation. Never attempt to jump from the upper floors of a multi-story building—jumps from heights of 3 floors or more are usually fatal.

RESIDENCE LIFE FIRE EVACUATION PROTOCOL (click here)

Fire Fighting In Chemical and Pesticide Storage Areas:
Fires in pesticide and chemical storage areas can be very dangerous because of the hazards of poisons combined with fire. All personnel associated with chemical laboratories or pesticide operations should be trained in proper fire fighting procedures. To minimize danger to the fire department and other personnel, the following protective measures are suggested:

• Call 911 from a safe location and call University Police (Ext. 36222 or 410-543-6222). Be sure to identify the chemicals or pesticide(s) involved in the fire, if possible.

• Avoid breathing fumes and smoke from the fire; a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) must be worn by first responders.

• Prevent skin contact; wear rubber gloves, hats, suits, and boots. When fire fighting has ended, protective clothing should be washed before being removed. All individuals involved should shower thoroughly and change to clean clothes.

• A person knowledgeable about the chemicals or pesticides shall identify himself / herself to the emergency response officials.

• Persons should avoid being in areas downwind of a fire involving pesticides. Residential or commercial areas downwind subject to potentially toxic smoke and runoff should be evacuated.

• Emergency response and other personnel should be warned to stay a safe distance from containers that could rupture violently if they become overheated (e.g., pressurized tanks). There is a greater danger if the chemical or pesticide is (in) a petroleum derivative solvent base or emulsion. Finely ground powders (e.g., wetable powders such as sulfur) could flash if expelled into the air during a fire.

• When chemicals or pesticides are involved in a fire, runoff water should be contained to prevent entering storm sewer and storm drainage systems.

Fire Watches:
Whenever it is brought to the attention of the staff of residential buildings, or departmental personnel, that the fire alarm or sprinkler system is inoperable or has been placed out of service, a fire watch shall be established.

• Responsible personnel (residential staff, building safety person, safety committee, etc.) shall be assigned to the fire watch.

• The entire building shall be toured at least one time during each hour of the fire watch.

• The fire watch shall be maintained at all times that the building is occupied until the fire protection system is repaired.

Interruption of Fire Alarm:

• No person may shut off any fire protection or alarm system during a fire emergency incident without the permission of the fire department officer in charge.

• No person may shut off any fire protection or alarm system during a bomb threat emergency without the permission of the police officer in charge.

• It shall be the responsibility of Physical Plant personnel to reset or cause to be repaired, any fire protection or alarm system after an emergency incident when notified by the fire or police department in charge. Physical Plant personnel shall inspect each system immediately after every emergency incident and place the system in serviceable condition.

• The fire and police departments may reset an alarm system only if there is no damage to the system and when it is within their technical capabilities to do so.

• Any person desiring to interrupt service to any fire protection or alarm system must obtain permission from Physical Plant (Ext. 36200 or 410-543-6200) and University Police (Ext. 36222 or 410-543-6222).

• Fire or police department must request Physical Plant personnel to repair or test a fire protection system, via Physical Plant personnel (Ext. 36200 or 410-543-6200) when needed.