Fire

Fire – General Evacuation Procedures:

Sound the Alarm - If you discover or suspect a fire, remain calm and proceed in the opposite direction of known hazards toward the nearest exit.  Sound the alarm and move at least 300 feet away from the building.  If there is no alarm in the building, warn other occupants by knocking on doors and shouting on your way out.  

Leave the Building - When a building alarm sounds or if you are warned of a fire emergency by another occupant, you must immediately exit the building as described above.   Never use an elevator to evacuate during an emergency.

Report the Location - If you have knowledge regarding the location of the fire, inform emergency responders and do not attempt to go back into the building until the fire department or local authority advises that it is safe to do so. 

Disability – If you have a disability to an extent it impairs your mobility, it is your responsibility to inform your supervisor.  You are the best judge of your physical limitations.  Co-workers and staff will assist you to evacuate only if it places them in no personal danger.  Visually impaired persons should have a sighted assistant to guide them to safety.  Hearing impaired persons should be informed individually of the emergency.  Do not assume they know what is occurring by watching others.  If you are unable to evacuate using the stairs, look for “areas of refuge” such as within stair enclosures or on the protected side of corridor fire doors. 

Building Fire Survival Information:

Feel the Door Before Opening – Before opening any doors, feel the metal doorknob.  If it is hot, do not open the door.  If it is cool, brace yourself against the door, open it slightly, and if heat or smoke are present, close the door and stay in the room.

If You Get Trapped - Keep the doors closed and seal cracks and vents if smoke comes in.  If you are trapped in a room and there is no smoke outside, open the windows.  Lower the top to let heat and smoke out and the bottom to let fresh air in.

Signal for Help – Hang an object in the window such as a towel or jacket to attract the attention of the fire department.  If you have a phone, dial 911 and report that you are trapped and provide room number or location information.

Drop and Roll – If your clothes catch on fire, immediately STOP, DROP and ROLL to smother the flames. 

Fire Extinguishers – Fire extinguishers are placed in university buildings in accordance with state requirements. It is university policy that all employees evacuate the building during a fire emergency.  Employees are not expected to fight fires.  Only employees that are trained in the use of fire extinguishers may voluntarily choose to do so if the fire is very small.  If the fire extinguisher does not put out the fire, leave immediately. 

Trained Employees Should Never Choose to Fight a Fire If: 

• The fire alarm has not been pulled and the building has not been or is currently not being evacuated.
• 911 has not been notified that there is a fire.
• The fire has already spread beyond the immediate area where it started or is already a large fire (bigger than a trash can).
• The fire could block your escape route.
• You are not sure that the extinguisher you have is the proper one to use on this fire or it is not large enough to fight the fire.

Make sure 911 is called for all fires – even if you think the fire is out.

RESIDENCE LIFE FIRE EVACUATION PROTOCOL (click here)

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.