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| Fire Emergency Procedures | | | Dr. Manzoor Ahmad Yetoo
Purpose
How you react in the event of fire depends on how well you have prepared for a fire emergency. Therefore, departments should ensure that all employees are familiar with the procedure to follow in the event of an emergency as outlined in the University's Emergency Plan.
Procedure to Follow
Departments that need a special fire emergency procedure to meet your operations should contact the Fire Safety Section for assistance.
Most departments can follow the basic building evacuation procedure outlined below. The building evacuation procedure for your department should be posted on the office bulletin board.
Basic Procedure
1. In the event of an alarm "RACE":
1. R: Remove anyone from immediate danger
2. A: Activate the building fire alarm system and call 911
3. C: Confine the fire by closing all windows and doors
4. E: Evacuate, leave the building
Extinguish the fire, if it can be done safely
2. How to Survive a Building Fire
1. Crawl If There's Smoke
2. Feel Doors Before Opening
3. Go To The Nearest Exit
4. Always Use An Exit Stair, Not An Elevator
5. Close Doors
6. Use a fire extinguisher if the fire is very small and you know how to use it safely
7. If you are on fire - Stop, Drop and Roll
8. If You Get Trapped
1. Close the door
2. Seal cracks
3. Open the windows if safe
4. Signal for help and phone 911
5. Don't jump; the fire department will reach you
3. If You are Physically Impaired
1. If you are disabled (even temporarily), you should do the following:
1. Learn about fire safety
2. Plan ahead for fire emergencies
3. Be aware of your own capabilities and limitations
2. Look for "areas of refuge" like stair enclosures or other side of corridor fire doors. Elevators are not safe during fires. Sometimes it may be safer to stay in your room. Follow the advice for being trapped.
3. If there is an immediate threat to safety, ask others near you for assistance. If no help is available, seek refuge in a room with a window or stairway. If possible, call "911" to report your location and receive instructions from the Emergency Operator.
Directions: Each Emergency Coordinator needs to fill out the information below on the Emergency Action Plan, so Environment, Health and Safety will have the necessary information on each building to ensure the safety of occupants.
Purpose: The Emergency Action Plan is to outline a structured evacuation to ensure the safety of employees, students and visitors. The plan is intended as guidance in the management of any unusual occurrence for your building. Occurrences could include floods, hurricanes, explosions, tornadoes, major fires, terrorism, and any event that has the potential for mass casualties.
Fill out the following information on the form:
1. Date
2. Building Name
3. Department Name
4. CB #
5. Phones
6. Fax
7. Email
8. Emergency Coordinator
9.
10. Building Manager
Emergency Evacuation Procedures
When the fire alarm sounds, take the following action.
1. Evacuate immediately at the closest exit.
2. When leaving the building, close all windows and doors. This will stop the spread of fire.
3. If you encounter smoke, drop down to the floor and stay low until you reach the exit.
4. When evacuating the building, always use the stairs, never use the elevator, because power could be lost, trapping you on the floor of the fire.
5. If Physically Impaired, know your places of refuge. Please list places of refuge for Physically Impaired personnel.
6. Meet at designated assembly area, which should be at least 50 feet from building. Please fill in designated assembly area
Shelter in Place Procedures
Sometimes "Shelter in Place" is used for emergencies for weather-related incidents such as hurricanes and tornados. Also, if there is an emergency outside the building such as a gas leak, remaining in place is safer.
1. In case of a weather-related incident, a basement is the best place to seek shelter. If there is no basement, seek an interior hall or room away from windows.
2. Wait for signal from Emergency Coordinator to leave building.
3. List areas to be used for "Shelter in Place"
Fire Prevention Plan
1. Refer to EmergencyEvacaution Plan.
2. Refer/create own Emergency response procedures.
3. Know where Fire extinguishers are located through-out.
4. Fire Extinguisher training.
5. Provide 3' around all electrical equipment, fire protection devices, heating equipment including kitchen appliances.
6. Keep 44" clearances in all aisles to all exits at all times.
7. Know the Areas of Refuge and purpose.
8. Know secondary exit routes.
Safety Protocol for Fire Watch
" The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) - ( Fire Marshal) - shall have the authority to require standby fire personnel or an approved fire watch when potentially hazardous conditions or a reduction in a life safety feature exist due to the type of performance, display, exhibit, occupancy, contest or activity, an impairment to a fire protection feature, or the number of persons present.
" Qualified personnel shall be provided to serve as an on-site fire watch. The sole duty of fire-watch personnel shall be to watch for the occurrence of fire.
" A fire watch should consist of trained personnel who continuously patrol the affected area. Ready access to fire extinguishers and the ability to promptly notify . Operations/Fire Department are critical steps to fire intervention. During the patrol of the area, the fire watch officer should not only be looking for fire, but also making sure that the other fire protection features of the building such as egress routes and proper lighting are available and functioning properly. "Fire watch personnel shall make 24 hour continuous walking rounds through affected building ntil it can be put back in operation. " Fire watch personnel shall carry a functional cellular phone while on duty, and be familiar with the emergency number for Operations. Fire Watch personnel must check-in with either the manager or supervisor.ofthefacility that is performing the fire watch or the construction company operating on premises where the fire watch has been determined to be necessary by the Fire Marshal's Office. This check-in must occur at the beginning and ending of each shift. Personnel must provide Fire Marshal with final documentation which includes the names for personnel, and all shift dates and times for duration of the required fire watch.
(The author is an expert in environment ,project& waste Management, occupational safety& health & pollution control and empanelled expert for IRCA).
(You may reach him at [email protected]) |
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