PSYCHOLOGY
GILMER HALL
The Office of
Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS), in conjunction with members from your
department, has developed an evacuation plan for employees to use during
alarm/emergency situations. Each employee
is requested to maintain an updated copy of the plan and be prepared to
properly respond in the event of an emergency situation.
An alert and educated staff is the University’s most
valuable resource for fire protection. Fire hazards arise from unsafe
conditions and practices. Every
employee has a responsibility and vested interest in making a concerted effort
to correct and improve their work conditions and practices. Fire hazards include, but are not limited
to:
SMOKING: This
activity is permitted only in specifically designated areas.
STAIRWAYS: Never
block stairway entrances, even temporarily.
No obstructions should be left on steps or landings. Fire doors should always remain closed.
CORRIDORS:
Corridors, hallways, and aisles must be kept clear of all obstructions
(e.g., office furniture, bicycles, compressed gas cylinders, etc.) which might
present a fire hazard and impede escape routes.
STORAGE AREAS: Areas used for storage should be kept
clean and orderly. Accumulation of
trash, rags, or debris of any type is a hazard and an unsafe condition.
EQUIPMENT:
a.
Electrical cords should be placed away from aisles or
other pedestrian walkways.
b.
Never use electrical cords that are frayed or have
exposed wiring.
c.
Do not overload electrical outlets by using multiple
extension cords, etc.
d.
Perform regular maintenance on all equipment. Promptly
remove/repair defective equipment.
e.
Understand and use all pertinent safety precautions when
using electrical appliances and equipment.
LOADING DOCKS: In many facilities, exits are located
near loading dock areas. These areas
must be kept clear of all obstructions (e.g., pallets, trash, debris, etc.)
that may present a fire hazard and impede escape routes.
The vast majority of University facilities are equipped with sprinkler systems and automated alarm devices. While extremely efficient, these systems do not ensure all emergency/fire situations will be suppressed. To ensure the safety of employees, Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS) encourages the complete evacuation of a facility during an alarm situation.
Failure to see fire or smell smoke does not mean a threat to your safety is not present. Alarm situations could be the result of:
Fire Gas leaks
Natural Disasters Hazardous Materials Incidents
Threats of Violence Etc.
In the event of an alarm/fire employees should practice
the procedures associated with the acronym “RACE”.
R Remain
calm, do not panic.
Rescue persons in immediate danger.
A Alarm…
Activate the nearest MANUAL PULL STATION and notify the fire department by
dialing 9-911 (“I want to report a fire at…”); Inform other occupants.
C Contain fire
at point of origin by closing all doors and windows.
E Evacuate the facility
using established procedures. Extinguish
fire by using a portable fire extinguisher. (Unless you have been properly trained, never attempt to use a fire
extinguisher) Report fire/pull
alarm first; extinguish after. Never
attempt to extinguish a fire unless you can do so safely.
Employees
1. Prepare and evacuate the
building by way of the nearest emergency exit. Walk; do not run. Do not use elevators.
2. Close but do not lock all
doors as you leave.
3. Before exiting through any
closed door, check for heat and the presence of fire behind the door by feeling
the door with the back of your hand. If the door feels very warm or hot to the
touch, advise everyone to proceed to another exit.
4. In the event you are unable
to exit the building:
a. Remain calm; do not panic
b. Remain low; crawl if necessary.
c. Place a cloth, wet if possible, over you
mouth to serve as a filter
d. Signal for help from a window. Use a towel, clothing, sign etc.
5. Upon exiting the building
and proceeding to the assembly area, remain at least 20 feet away from the
building walls and overhangs. Do not block any driveways, as Fire Department
personnel will need access to these areas.
Employees are requested to report to their assigned assembly areas as
defined by your Fire Monitor/Evacuation Plan.
6. The cessation of an
alarm/departure of the fire department is not an "all clear" to
re-enter the building as corrective measures may still be in progress. Stay clear of the building until your
appointed fire monitor has advised you to re-enter the building/area.
7. Assist visitors during
alarm/emergency situations. Visitors
may not be aware of exits/alternative exits and the procedures that should be
taken during alarm situations.
Employees should calmly inform
visitors of the proper actions to be taken and assist them with the evacuation.
Fire Monitor
1. Collects information or
verbal reports for occupants as to the cause of the emergency. Proceeds to the predetermined assembly area
to meet the fire department.
2. Meets the Fire Department personnel. Inform fire personnel of any known facts pertaining to the alarm
situation. If requested, assists fire department personnel with a walk-through
of the facility.
3. Informs Assistant Fire
Monitor if further measures are needed and/or other pertinent facts.
Assistant Fire Monitor
1. Notifies others of evacuation
2. Ensures the safe and orderly evacuation of the
building. If applicable, ensure handicapped evacuation plan is properly
implemented. Make quick assessments
during evacuation.
3. Knocks on any closed doors in your area after
checking for warmth or smoke; and then open the door to ensure proper
evacuation of all personnel. Check bathrooms, lunch, mail, and copy rooms last,
and advise occupant in these areas to leave immediately.
4. Notes any individuals who do not evacuate and report
them to the Fire Monitor. If a problem
arises when an area is evacuated, contact the Fire Department responders and
advise them of the situation. Evacuate
the area and hold all persons out until a representative from the Fire
Department/OEHS has given the all clear to reenter the building. (NOTE: Individuals, in teaching facilities
faculty members, should be assigned to exit areas to ensure individuals do not
reenter the facility until the appropriate officials have given the all clear
to reenter the facility. Individuals
assigned to monitor the exit areas should remain at a safe distance from the
facility.
At all times, when following
any fire procedures, ensure that you are out of danger before trying to
complete any emergency tasks. Fire
monitors and building occupants are requested to put life safety before any
other goal during fire emergencies.
If a fire or other emergency
is identified:
1. Pull the nearest fire alarm
immediately
2. Move to a phone away from
any fire, smoke or emergency.
3. Call 9-911 or 4-2012
(University Operator) - advise the operator that there is a fire/emergency (of
approximate) size and location; building, floor, room #, etc.
4. Exercise the appropriate
evacuation plan
If the fire is trash can size
or smaller, contained (not spreading) and you have been properly trained in the use of a fire extinguisher:
1. Call to the nearest office
neighbor to retrieve the nearest charged fire extinguisher. Do not leave the fire unattended. If the size of the fire grows beyond
containment, follow the appropriate evacuation procedure.
2. Upon receiving the fire
extinguisher, use the procedures associated with acronym
“PASS”.
PULL pin from
extinguisher and hold extinguisher 6 to 8 feet from the fire
AIM the nozzle at the
base of the fire
SQUEEZE the trigger
SWEEP the
extinguisher hose back and forth until the spray puts the fire out completely,
with no smoke left, or until the extinguisher is emptied. (extinguisher lasts
approx. 8 seconds)
3. If the fire fails to
extinguish:
a. Exercise the appropriate
evacuation plan
b. If the fire is extinguished
notify Floor Monitor to request Fire Department and the Office of Environmental
Health and Safety to investigate the cause/extent of the situation. Remember
you must report all fires!
Fire Monitor - Additional
Responsibilities
Makes decision to call for an
evacuation of the building by activating a manual pull station alarm when an
emergency occurs and no other alarm is sounded. Requests Fire Department to respond and assess the situation if
unsure of the nature of the emergency or the need for an evacuation. Reports all incidents to the Office of
Environmental Health and Safety. (OEHS)
Coordinates appropriate
education and training programs for all employees.
Orients temporary staff to
evacuation procedures.
Ensures employees have a fire
and emergency evacuation plan accessible to them and/or a plan are posted in an
established and readily accessible area.
Establishes and notifies all
employees of assembly areas to be used during evacuations.
Maintains a current listing of
the names and contact numbers for all Fire Monitors, Assistant Fire Monitors,
etc.
Maintains updated copies of
the evacuation plan. Contacts OEHS if
there are any needed changes to the evacuation plan: building modifications,
staff, etc.
Assists OEHS with yearly
review of evacuation plan and safety inspections.
Ensures the evacuation plan is
easily accessible to all employees, reviewed annually with all employees,
reviewed annually and amended as needed, and the plan provides for evacuation
of handicapped occupants.
Informs and ensures each
instructor, for both day and evening classes, will review the exit plan at the
first meeting of every class each quarter, semester or session.
NOTE: The State Fire Marshall recommends that each facility appoint a safety director or establish a safety committee.
In the event of an emergency situation;
1.
Remain calm. Rescue persons in immediate danger.
2.
Alarm: Activate
manual pull station and call 9-911 (“I want to report a fire at …”)
3.
Contain the fire at point of origin. Close all doors and windows.
4.
Evacuate the building using the established
guidelines. Report to your designated
assembly area.
Name(s) Ph # Fax # E-Mail Address
Exits (Evacuation Routes)
Assembly
Area(s) in the Event of an evacuation:
1.
Across street from the Chemistry Building
2.
Upper parking lot of Aquatics and Fitness Center
3.
Lower parking lot of Aquatics and Fitness Center
Note: During inclement weather please assemble in the
lobby areas of Chemistry and the Aquatics & Fitness Center.
Manual
(Pull) Alarm Stations:
Employees should be
familiar with all of the “Pull Station” locations. These are normally located near exits.
Fire
Extinguisher Locations:
Approximate
# of Employees/Students:
300
Special
Need (Handicapped) Individual(s):
Name
Location
Evacuation Plan
Employees
are encouraged to address any fire safety concerns/requests with members of the
Fire Safety Team:
Gerald
Drumheller at 982-5479 Tim
Ritchey at 982-4914
Jeff Sitler at 982-4901
Using
Fire-safety@virginia.edu
will ensure each member of this group receives messages sent via E-mail.
Learn
more about the services provided by the Office of Environmental Health &
Safety by visiting our WebSite at: http://www.virginia.edu/~enhealth/
Review
Date(s)
Annual Review Date
January
Date Revised
Date Revised edition reviewed/posted for employees
January, 2000