Fire Response

Fires often start small but can grow very quickly. Immediate action is necessary. Flames are not the only risk, smoke and toxic fumes can be deadly as well. 

If you are involved in a fire, remember PASS RAIN to help you respond safely and correctly.

Fire Response Procedures

If You Hear or See a Fire Alarm Signal or Announcement

  • Follow the emergency procedure for your building and area
  • Follow the announcements on the public address system or instructions of your area fire wardens
  • Evacuate or stand by and stay alert as instructed on the public address system
  • Follow the EXIT signs. 
    • Use Stairs. Do Not Use Elevators. Walk at a normal pace.
  • Wait outside in the designated assembly areas at least 50 feet or more away from the building as instructed
  • Re-enter the building only after "All Clear" is announced

Remember Fire Extinguisher Key Words

Using the Fire Alarm Pull Box

As you walk towards EXIT in the corridor or near the stairwell door, you will find at least one red wall-mounted metal box - a fire alarm pull box. In case of fire or smoke, just pull it down as indicated, an alarm will sound and an announcement might also follow, where equipped. The alarm system can also be activated automatically when a heat or smoke detector senses a fire or smoke condition. 

Once the alarm is activated, notification goes to the local fire department through a fire alarm monitoring company. Use the fire alarm pull box promptly to minimize the loss of life and property due to fire. 

Some pull boxes have Plexiglas covers which when lifted, produces a local warning sound. Note that this is not a fire alarm sound. To activate the fire alarm you must pull the inner pull box.

To ensure that the system will protect you, you should know at least two pull box locations in your area. Maintain pull boxes free of obstructions and clearly visible at all times. Report any fire alarm related concerns to the Facilities Management Department. 

If You See Smoke on Your Floor

  • Activate the fire alarm by pulling down on the fire alarm lever.
  • If there is heavy smoke in your immediate area, crawl on your hands and knees to the nearest stairwell exit.
    • Cover mouth and nose with a cloth or any article of clothing that will assist in limiting the amount of smoke and fumes you breathe.
    • Once in the stairwell, stand up and walk down and out of the building.
    • If the stairwell is filled with smoke, exit the building via an alternate stairwell.
  • If you are away from your office, do not go back to your office to collect your belongings.

If You Discover a Fire in the Building

  • Activate the fire alarm by pulling down on the fire alarm lever.
  • Everyone must promptly evacuate the building.
  • Feel before opening them, if the door feels hot or warm, go to an alternate exit.
  • Close doors behind you as you leave to slow down the spread of the fire.
  • If your clothes are on fire:

STOP (cover your face with your hands)
DROP (to the floor)
ROLL (around until the fire is extinguished)

  • If helping someone else who is on fire, smother the fire with a jacket or heavy coat if a fire extinguisher is not readily available.

Extinguish or Evacuate

  • If the fire is smaller than you, you may attempt to put it out with a fire extinguisher.
  • Keep yourself between an exit and the fire at all times.  Do not go past the fire to retrieve a fire extinguisher.
  • Evacuate the area if the fire is too large for a fire extinguisher.

During a Fire Evacuation

  • Commence evacuation procedures.
  • Redirect building occupants to stairs and exits away from the fire.
  • Prohibit use of elevators.
  • If planned routes go through areas of flame, heat or smoke, evacuate via the best path offering the best protection and fresh air.
  • Do not prop open fire doors.
  • Once Outside follow the procedures established in the Building Protective Actions Guide.

Fire Alarm Systems

As you walk in the hallways on your way to an EXIT – and usually near the stairwell door - you will find at least one fire alarm pull box.  In case of fire or smoke, ALWAYS pull the alarm box first, regardless of the size of the fire.  Upon pulling this box, an alarm will sound and verbal instructions might also follow. 

The alarm system will also be activated automatically when a heat or smoke detector detects a fire or smoke condition – protecting both people and property even when the fire is not noticed by an individual.  Once the alarm is activated, notification goes to the local fire department through a fire alarm monitoring company.  To ensure that the system will protect you, you should:

  • Become familiar with your building’s fire alarm system and alarm notification procedures.
  • Respond to all alarms equally.  Never assume that it is a test or a drill or a false alarm!
  • Know at least two pull box locations in your area.
  • Know how to activate the fire alarm.
  • Maintain pull boxes free of obstructions and clearly visible at all times.
  • Report promptly to the Physical Plant Office, if the alarm is not heard properly in your area. 

Some pull boxes have Plexiglas covers which when lifted, produces a local warning sound.  Please note that this is not a fire alarm sound.  To activate the fire alarm throughout the building, you must pull the inner pull box.

Sprinkler Systems

Sprinklers are installed in many building areas to protect both life and property.    In case of fire, each head detects temperature in the room and begins spraying water as soon as the room temperature exceeds a pre-determined value.  Not all buildings or areas are equipped with sprinkler systems.  Hazardous locations, storage areas and basement levels are generally sprinklered, as required by the Fire Code.  Many new houses are now equipped with residential sprinkler system because most fire related deaths continue to occur in residential buildings. 

As you store materials and boxes in your area, always maintain a minimum of 2 feet clearance between the ceiling and the storage.  This clearance allows the sprinkler head to spray water uniformly and extinguish the fire effectively.  If you notice any unsafe conditions such as a sprinkler head that is painted over or heavily laden with dust, blocked in any other manner or broken, promptly report this condition to your campus Physical Plant office.

Fire and Smoke Doors

Buildings are equipped with fire rated doors and smoke-barrier doors. These doors prevent smoke and heat from traveling up stairwells and along corridors.  Push-bars on doors generally signal an exit route. Follow push-bar doors to exit a building.

Fire Drills

All employees are required to participate in a fire drill at least once a year. Emergency Wardens and alternates should provide feedback after each fire drill to improve the process.

Fire drills are intended to produce the following results:

  • Reduce confusion during a real emergency
  • Help train occupants to exit buildings during an emergency without injuring themselves or others
  • Condition occupants to move, using routes that might otherwise be unfamiliar to them
  • Ensure employees exit know their designated meeting area, which helps the rescue effort in the event an employee in unaccounted for during an actual emergency at the business
  • Test effectiveness of escape routes
  • Determine systems are working correctly and emergency exits are unobstructed

Fire Prevention

The following tips chiefly reflect the most commonly found violations in workplaces.

Maintain Safe Egress Corridors

  • Maintain all egress corridors in a safe condition, available for immediate utilization and free of all obstructions.
  • Do not store combustibles, hazardous materials in any egress corridors.
  • Maintain fire alarm pull boxes, fire extinguishers, hose connections, safety showers, eyewashes, and other emergency response equipment free of obstructions and clearly visible at all times.
  • Do not use doorstops, wedges or other unapproved hold-open devices with fire rated or smoke doors.

Maintain Safe Ceiling Clearances in All Areas

  • Maintain at least 24-inch clearance between all material storage and ceiling.
  • Collect hazardous waste in appropriate containers and transfer to the designated

Electrical Safety

  • Replace or report promptly any defective or damaged wiring or equipment.
  • Keep all wiring away from general traffic areas and secure properly to prevent falls/trips.
  • Do not use extension cords as a substitute for permanent wiring.
  • Plug heavy equipment like refrigerators or freezers directly into an outlet.
  • Maintain proper clearances between electrical equipment and hazardous chemical storage.

Fire/Heat and Smoke Detectors

  • Smoke detectors are installed in your area to save life and property. If these devices are covered by plastic or other objects, report the condition to Facilities Department.

Emergency Exits

  • Emergency exits are provided in all buildings. Report if any exit is blocked by storage or by snow/ice. Fire rated doors or smoke-barrier doors protect people and property in case of fire.  Report to Physical Plant if you discover that any such door is damaged or not working properly.

Door Stops, Wedges and Hold-Open Devices

  • The use of doorstops, wedges and certain type of hold-open devices are not permitted by the fire code. 
  • Where such devices are used to accomplish tasks such as environmental services related activities, moving furniture or materials through the doors etc., they must be promptly removed once the task is completed. 
  • Report use of such devices on a permanent basis in your area. 
  • Any individual or department creating a fire code violation by employing the use of unapproved doorstops, wedges or hold-open devices is responsible for any fire or life safety hazards created by such use.

Construction, Renovation, and Demolition

Fires during construction, renovation, or demolition operations are an ever-present threat. Inherently, greater fire potential exists on these sites due to the presence of large quantities of combustible materials and debris, together with such ignition sources as temporary heating devices, hot work operations, open fires and smoking by construction workers. Life safety of the occupants during these projects is of great concern.  Change in an exit route or restricted exit, storage of materials in the corridors, restricted access to the emergency response equipment are some of the important things to look for during these projects.

Electrical Safety

To protect building occupants and property from the direct (electric shock injury) and indirect hazards (heat, fire and explosion) of electricity, please comply with the following electrical safety procedures.

  • Use equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.  Never bypass electrical interlocks.
  • Post procedures for critical equipment including "on-off procedures" and warning signs on or near the equipment. 
  • All defective/damaged wiring (e.g. frayed, cut wires, broken/defective plug or switch) or equipment will be promptly reported a supervisor.
  • To prevent fires due to electrical overload on fixtures and wiring, DO NOT USE:
  • Extension cords and flexible cords as a substitute for permanent wiring. 
  • Do not extend cords through windows or doors or under carpeting.
  • Multiple outlet strips, other than for computer systems.  Use strips with built-in fuse or circuit breaker protection, having a minimum 12/3 (gauge/wires) labels, maximum length of 6 feet, and ‘UL’ (Underwriter’s Laboratory) listed for the use.
  • Cube taps for multiple connections from a single outlet are not permitted.
  • Multiple plugs in interconnection.  In other words, never connect additional plug or plugs into the main plug that is inserted in the outlet or a power strip to connect multiple devices.
  • Secure all wiring, cords, cables, and conduits.  Keep them away from general traffic areas to prevent falls/trips.
  • Allow appropriate clear spaces between electrical equipment and storage of flammable combustible materials.  A minimum clearance of 36 inches will be maintained between electrical service equipment and any other storage to allow easy access for emergency use (42 inches clearance required for voltage level higher than 120 Volt).  Never drape combustibles (e.g., cloth, paper) over equipment.

Operational Safety Precautions for Space Heaters

Please comply with the following operational safety precautions:

  1. Maintain a minimum clearance of three feet (or one meter) at all times between stored materials and the heating device.
  2. Never leave the heating unit “ON” when unattended. 
  3. Plug the heating unit directly into an outlet with sufficient capacity.
  4. Never use an extension cord with heater because it may overheat and cause a risk of fire.
  5. Check the heating unit before each use to make sure that all indicator lights are working.  Remove the defective unit from service immediately.
  6. Ensure that the power cord is properly plugged in and is not damaged, or crushed by objects, or covered under carpet or rug.

Storage in Egress Corridors

Corridors leading to EXITS or any other similar elements of the means of egress will be maintained in a safe condition, available for immediate utilization and free of all obstructions at all times.  Obstructions such as tables, display cases, holiday decorations, powered equipment, display boards, signs, coat racks and other movable equipment that may interfere with fire-fighting access are prohibited.  Storage of combustible, flammable or other hazardous materials, including compressed gas cylinders and cryogenic liquid tanks in any portion of an exit, elevator car or under the stairway is prohibited.  Chairs, tables, and other furniture or equipment in each room will be arranged to provide ready access to each egress door.

Safe Ceiling Clearance for Storage

To allow for effective firefighting, ensure that a two feet ceiling clearance is always maintained when storing materials on shelves. Any storage flush with the room walls is exempt as long as such storage does not present other safety hazards (e.g. storage that is unstable or very close to an electrical fixture). All new furniture or equipment, including storage racks/shelves, will allow a minimum of two feet clear distance between the ceiling and the top surface.