General Information
The building may be fully or partially evacuated when a fire alarm signal is activated. An effective evacuation depends on the orderly ‘phasing’ of floor clearance, which means that the fire floor is evacuated first and immediately. Generally, the next floor to evacuate is the floor directly above the fire floor, followed by the floor directly below the fire floor. Each floor will evacuate accordingly. Specific evacuation procedures vary by location and code. The Senior Person in Charge will be in charge of the evacuation until the fire department arrives, and at that time, the fire department takes control of the building, the emergency and the evacuation.
Procedure
THE PERSON WHO DISCOVERS THE FIRE SHOULD:
- Close the door nearest to the source of smoke, only if it is safe, and time permits.
- This will help control the fire by limiting the oxygen supply and prevent the spread of smoke and fire. Searchers are responsible for checking offices/rooms outside of the immediate area.
- If available, pull the nearest manual pull station alarm.
- Dial 911 or the local emergency number from a safe location, and provide the dispatcher with the following information:
- Name
- Type of Emergency
- Location of the Fire
- What is burning
- Company Name
- Physical Address [not building name]
- Floor and Suite number
- Telephone Number
- Call the Security Desk and report the emergency.
Evacuation Procedures
Generally, the Floor Warden will be notified of fire via the alarm system or by the property team to commence evacuation procedures. This floor will begin evacuating down to a specified floor or out of the building.
In some situations, the fire department may fight the fire from the stairwell due to the location of the fire, standpipes, and hose connections. If this is the case, be prepared to move evacuees to an alternate stairwell so they may continue evacuating without interfering with the firefighting process.
If fire or smoke exists and the alarm is not activated, the Emergency Response Team must implement the Plan on its own. Floor Wardens and Suite Monitors are to contact Searchers, Special Assistants, Stairwell and Elevator Monitors for their suite and common areas of the floor. Together the team will commence the evacuation and assume full control of the implementation of the Plan on their floors. Do not panic, control and decorum must be observed for maximum effectiveness.
General Conduct During Evacuation
- Walk quickly, do not run or push.
- Remove shoes that will slow the evacuation i.e. high heels, platforms
- Use handrails on the right side of the stairwells to prevent trips and falls during the evacuation.
- Do not eat or drink during an evacuation, spills can occur that will cause slip and fall hazards, and hot beverages can cause injury if spilled directly on individuals.
- Assist slower moving individuals.
- Walk in a single file line on the right side of the stairwells using the handrails to guide you. Allow emergency personnel to ascend on the right without obstruction.
- All injured evacuees are to be treated on a stairwell landing and await rescue from the fire department.
Make sure all stairwell doors are closed after the last person evacuates the floor. This will prevent the spread of fire and smoke.
All evacuees must follow the direction of the Senior Person in Charge and Fire Department and either remain on the floor that they were directed to relocate to or continue moving down the stairwell if directed to do so. If you ultimately evacuate out of the building, walk toward the Initial Assembly Area as directed, then move to your company’s Designated Meeting Location for further instructions from your Suite Monitor.
Fire Life Safety Tips in a Fire
- Stay low to the ground; move on your hands and knees. Smoke is the number one killer in a fire. Smoke, heat and noxious gases rise, the temperature in a fire can easily reach 1300 degrees at the ceiling, 600 degrees at 6 feet, and only 95 degrees at floor level. Staying low can save your life.
- Know where all emergency stairwells are located. Practice exiting and count the number of doorways, and the hallways between your location and the fire exits. It can be nearly impossible to see in a fire because of the smoke. Knowing the number of doorways, and hallways between you and the fire exits helps to ensure that you will find the exit and evacuate safely.
- Keep a flashlight at your desk to help see in a fire.
- Keep a pair of walking shoes at your desk to help you evacuate quickly.
- If your clothing catches fire drop to the ground and roll.
If You are Trapped in a Building
- Move quickly away from the fire closing all doors between you and the fire.
- If all other options to escape have been unsuccessful, move to a room with a telephone and an outside window. This option is a last resort.
- Call 911, give them your exact location and tell them you are trapped. Stay on the telephone with the dispatcher until help arrives.
- Keep smoke out of the room by using clothing, paper towels, newspapers, to seal the cracks around doors and vents. Wet materials work the best because they create a tight seal.
- Wave something brightly colored in the window to attract attention and help rescuers find you. If possible, create a sign listing the floor you are on i.e. “HELP 15th Floor”.
- Do your best to remain calm.
Fire Prevention Tips
- Keep all hallways, and stairwells free of boxes, stored materials and trash. These areas must be kept open and unobstructed to provide a clear pathway in the event of an emergency evacuation.
- Do not prop stairwell doors or any other fire doors open, such as a door from a suite, into a common area hallway. Stairwell and fire doors are designed to keep fire and smoke compartmentalized and out of your area.
- Remove all discarded files and paper trash from your office. An accumulation of these items can fuel a fire.
- Do not overload electrical outlets with extension power strips or multi-plugs.
- Inspect electrical cords and keep them in good condition. Replace those that are cut or frayed.
- Generally, sprinkler heads require a clearance of 18 inches from the bottom of the sprinkler head and the top of any object underneath in order to operate properly and extinguish a fire. Be careful to follow local codes and guidelines for clearance levels beneath sprinkler heads.
- Keep electrical rooms and areas with electrical panels clear and free from stored material.
- Flammable solvents are generally not permitted in Tenant areas. Remove all flammable solvents immediately.
Fire Extinguishers
When used properly, dry chemical fire extinguishers can save lives. They are useful in two ways:
- Containing very small fires no larger than a small trash can while waiting for the fire department to arrive, always put yourself between the fire and an exit, and
- Helping trapped individuals escape, discharge the fire extinguisher on the fire, then run though it to escape. Protect yourself by covering your face, head and other exposed areas of your body before you use the fire extinguisher.
Fire extinguishers come in different classes to fight different types of fires. You need to know what material is burning in order to use the correct class of extinguisher. Using the wrong class of extinguisher can actually make a fire worse.
Fire extinguishers come in four classes:
- Class A - Ordinary Combustibles - Wood, Paper, Plastics, Cloth.
- Class B - Flammable Liquids - Grease, Oil.
- Class C - Electrical Equipment - Computer, Printer, TV, VCR, etc.
- Class D - Flammable Metals - Magnesium.
Generally, office buildings use ABC rated extinguishers, which are acceptable to use on all A, B, and C class fires. Knowing how to use an extinguisher prior to use is extremely important.
- Hold the extinguisher upright.
- Stand back 8 to 10 feet from the fire.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth if possible when you extinguish a fire, because a large amount of smoke may be generated.
REMEMBER: P. A. S. S.:
- Pull the retaining pin
- Aim the nozzle at the base of the flames
- Squeeze the handle completely
- Sweep from side to side; go slightly beyond the fire with each sweep