Fire Prevention and Response Fire Prevention Measures The most frequently violated fire rules on higher education campuses include: 1. Obstructed aisles, corridors, and evacuation routes. Keep such areas free from the storage of items. 2. Use of extension cords, ungrounded plugs, and multiple outlet adapters for small appliances. 3. Improper storage of equipment in halls, mechanical rooms, lavatories, and under stairways. 4. Improper storage or handling of chemicals and flammable liquids. 5. Propping fire doors open to stairwells — they must remain closed and latched at all times. 6. Obstruction of extinguishers, alarm pull-boxes and ceiling sprinklers.
Immediately report unsafe fire conditions to Public Safety.
Fire Response Procedures Precautions Even in the event of a small fire, the building should be evacuated, and the fire reported by calling 911 and giving the building name and number. Evacuation of all buildings should be performed in accordance with the established evacuation procedures . Fire extinguishers should be used only by trained personnel. Never enter a room that is smoke-filled. Never enter a room containing a fire without a backup person. Never open the door to a hallway or room if the top half of the door is warm to the touch. 1. Alert people in the immediate area to begin evacuation. Assist those with disabilities in evacuating the building. Close doors to confine the fire. Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station. The audible and/or visual alarms in the building will activate simultaneously.
2. Call the fire department for immediate response (911). Call Public Safety (see Chapter 4 for phone numbers), to initiate campus response.
3. Move to the designated assembly area, away and upwind from the building. Have persons knowledgeable about the incident and location assist response personnel.
The following procedures should be observed when evacuating the building in case of a fire: • Before opening the door to the corridor, check the door and door knob with the back of your hand for heat. • If it is warm, DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR! Stay in your office and seal around door seams using wet towels or tape or other material if available. • Either find another exit to the corridor or remain where you are until the Fire Department can come to your aid. • If both the door and door knob are cool, and you leave your office: • Check for smoke in the corridor. • When light smoke is present, stay low because clean air is closest to the floor. • Proceed quickly yet calmly to the nearest stairwell. • DO NOT USE THE ELEVATORS!! • In the event of a fire emergency, all the elevators will immediately be brought to the 1st floor and shut down until the Fire Department arrives. • Proceed down the stairs in an orderly manner, exit the building through the nearest door to the exterior and continue away from the building to recommended ‘safe areas’ for the campus. • If your corridor and/or stairwells are smoke-filled, RETURN TO YOUR OFFICE. • The last person leaving any enclosed area should close the door without locking it, this will help to confine the fire until the arrival of the Fire Department.
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