ERG 500.03: Fire Safety

Principal Guidance 

While not exhaustive, the following guidance is applicable and should be reviewed: 

• SPPM 8.23 Fire Survival Planning 
• SPPM 8.20 Reporting Fires and Fire Survival 

Fire Alarm, Evacuation, and Areas of Refuge 

The Commons is equipped with an alarm to notify individuals of fire danger.  The fire alarm notifies emergency services but the department designated Safety Manager will call 911 after evacuation should an alarm sound.  All employees and visitors are required to exit the building when an alarm is activated.   The Commons elevator should not be used to exit the building in the event of a fire or fire alarm.  Exit the building by using the stairs in 201 or through the door in 208E. When deemed safe and in less than 30 seconds, the department Safety Manager will check all offices, conference rooms, and common spaces, closing and locking each door after the room is clear.  The Safety Manager ensures all personnel and visitors have vacated the building, directing all individuals to the designated gathering location.  Areas of refuge for disabled individuals are in rooms 213 and 204.   

Fire Response 

Employees and visitors are required to evacuate the building when a fire alarm is activated.   

Upon discovering a fire when no alarm has sounded, employees: 

1. Immediately notify other persons in the area. Activate the pull alarm in the Commons. 
2. May attempt to fight a fire if the fire is small, has minimal smoke, and can be successfully extinguished by means of a fire extinguisher, baking soda, or smothering with a blanket or coat (preferably wool).  If the fire is over four feet high, is not extinguished by methods identified above, or the employee fears for their safety by attempting to fight the fire, they should not attempt to do so and should immediately evacuate the building. 
3. Go to the designated gathering area or area of refuge. 

Upon being notified or discovering a fire when no alarm has sounded, supervisors: 

1. Determine if the fire has been extinguished. If the fire has grown or there is thick smoke, direct any employees attempting to fight the fire to evacuate the building. 
2. If the fire has not been extinguished or a fire alarm sounds, direct all employees to evacuate the building and gather in the designated area or go to an area of refuge. 
3. Go to the designated gathering area and verify that all the employees are accounted for. If an employee is missing or located in an area of refuge, no one will be permitted to re-enter the building. Notify responding firefighting personnel when an employee may be in the building. 

Emergency Equipment  

Fire extinguishers are located in 201, 210, and 208E as indicated on the map of the Commons second floor shown below.