Eureka Enterprises

(Fire Protection Engineers & Consultants)

WHY HAVE AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN?

During certain emergency conditions, it may be necessary to evacuate a building.

Examples of such occasions include: smoke/fire, gas leak, bomb threat. Pre-planning and
rehearsal are effective ways to ensure that building occupants recognize the evacuation
alarm and know how to respond. Practicing an evacuation during a non-emergency drill
provides training that will be valuable in an emergency situation.

EVACUATION DRILL POLICY

1. Evacuation drills shall be conducted at least once every semester at unexpected
times and under varying conditions to simulate the unusual conditions that occur
should an evacuation be necessary. These drills may be obstructed, (having various
means of exit made temporarily unavailable) in order to familiarize occupants with
secondary routes of evacuation, or unobstructed.

2. Evacuation drills should be carried out at least twice in a quarter.

3. Evacuation drills shall involve all occupants. Everyone shall leave the building
when the fire alarm sounds. Exceptions are strongly discouraged. It may be
advisable to notify anyone needing special assistance prior to plan evacuation drills.

4. In the conduct of drills, emphasis shall be placed upon orderly evacuation under
proper discipline rather than upon speed. The Evacuation Coordinator and Floor
Proctors are expected to perform their assigned duties as if in an actual emergency
situation.

Provisions should be made for timing and evaluating the orderliness of each drill.

If the need for an Evacuation is discovered:

1. Activate manual fire alarm pull station if possible.
2. If you are not in immediate danger, notify the Fire Brigade and provide:
Your Name
Fire Location (Bldg. #____, Floor #___, Room #___ )
Size and Type of Emergency
Any additional information requested by the Operator

3. If you are not in immediate danger, also notify the Evacuation Coordinator.
4. If you are trained in the proper use of portable fire extinguishers and are not in
immediate danger, you may attempt to fight the fire. Do not place yourself or
Others in unnecessary danger.
 Eureka Enterprises
(Fire Protection Engineers & Consultants)

If you are TRAPPED in the building and cannot find an escape route:
Call the fire brigade and give your exact location.

EVACUATION PROCEDURE

1. Notify the fire brigade if you have information related to the emergency. Be
ready to provide:

Your Name
Fire Location (Bldg. #___, Floor #___, Room #___ )
Type of Emergency
Any addition information requested by the Operator

2. Alert all occupants on your floor. Check remote areas such as restrooms and
storerooms and close doors if possible on your way out. Maintain orderly
evacuation of occupants.

3. Ensure that all personnel with special needs are alerted and that someone is
assisting with their evacuation.

4. If the emergency is located on your floor and you are not in immediate danger:

You may attempt to determine which smoke detector or pull station was
activated.

If you are trained in the proper use of portable fire extinguishers, you may
attempt to fight or contain a fire. Do not place yourself or others in
unnecessary danger.

5. Evacuate the building and report pertinent information to the Evacuation

Coordinator (e.g., evacuation status, location of persons with special needs, type
and location of emergency).

6. Proceed to your assigned entranceuntil further notice from the Evacuation

Coordinator. Do not allow personnel to re-enter the building until you have been
notified to do so. Emergency personnel often silence the alarm in order to
communicate with each other. Silencing the alarm is NOT a signal for personnel
to re-enter.
 Eureka Enterprises
(Fire Protection Engineers & Consultants)

Evacuation Procedures for Individuals with a Disability

Persons with a disability or medical condition may not be able to evacuate without
special assistance. Employees should inform their Floor Proctor of any special needs that
may be necessary during an emergency situation using the Emergency Evacuation
Special Needs. The Floor Proctor will communicate the special needs with the
Evacuation Coordinator and other emergency personnel as appropriate.

The Floor Proctor should ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with
assistance during an emergency situation. Never attempt to use an elevator unless
instructed to do so by emergency personnel.

Buddy System Option

Make use of a "Buddy System." Individuals with a disability should inform colleagues of
any special assistance that may be required in the event of an emergency or emergency
evacuation (i.e., hearing the alarm, guidance during the alarm, etc.).

When there has been notification of an emergency situation, the "Buddy" will make sure
of the location of the person with a disability, then go outside and inform emergency
personnel that a person in that location needs assistance in leaving the building.
Emergency personnel will then enter the building and evacuate that person.

Evacuation Options during an Emergency

Use of the "Buddy System" along with the following evacuation options will help to
assure the prompt evacuation of any person with a disability.

Horizontal Evacuation
Move away from the area of imminent danger to a safe distance (i.e. another
wing, adjoining building, opposite end of corridor, outside to ground level).

Vertical (Stairway) Evacuation

Stairways can be used by those who are able to evacuate with or without
assistance. Persons with sight disabilities may require the assistance of a sighted
person. Persons who must use crutches or other devices as walking aids will need
to use their own discretion, especially where several flights of stairs are
concerned.
Stay in Place
Unless danger is imminent, remain in a room with an exterior window and a
telephone closing the door if possible. Dial 101 (if this hasn't been done). The
operator will give emergency personnel the location of the disabled person who
needs evacuation assistance. If phone lines fail, the disabled person can signal
from the window by waving a cloth or other visible object.

Eureka Enterprises
(Fire Protection Engineers & Consultants)
 Area of Refuge
If the person with a disability cannot get far away from the danger using the
Horizontal Evacuation, then that person should seek an area of refuge away from
danger. Such an area should have the following if possible: 1) telephone
communication, 2) a sprinkler system, 3) fire rated doors, walls, or ceilings if
available.

Disability Guidelines
Prior planning and practicing of emergency evacuation routes are important to ensure a
safe evacuation

Mobility Impaired (Wheelchair)

Persons using wheelchairs should stay in place or move to an area of refuge with
their assistant when they are notified of an emergency situation. If a building
evacuation is required, the assistant should then proceed to the evacuation
assembly point outside the building and tell emergency personnel the location of
the person with the disability. If the person with the disability is alone, the person
should dial 101 and tell the fire brigade their location and that they need
assistance. Never attempt to use an elevator unless instructed to do so by
emergency personnel.

Mobility Impaired (Non-wheelchair)

Persons with mobility impairments, who are able to walk independently, may be
able to negotiate stairs in an emergency with minor assistance. If danger is
imminent, the individual should wait until the heavy traffic has cleared before
attempting the stairs. If there is no immediate danger (detectable smoke, fire, or
unusual odor) the person with the disability may choose to stay in the building,
using the other options, until emergency personnel arrive. Never attempt to use
an elevator unless instructed to do so by emergency personnel.

Visually Impaired
Most buildings are equipped with fire horns/strobes that sound the alarm and/or
flash strobe lights. The horn is for sight-impaired persons. Most people with a
visual impairment will be familiar with their immediate surroundings and
frequently traveled routes. Since the emergency evacuation route is likely
different from the commonly traveled route, persons who are visually impaired
may need assistance in evacuating. The assistant should offer help to the
individual with visual impairment and guide him/her through the evacuation
route. Never attempt to use an elevator unless instructed to do so by emergency
personnel.

Eureka Enterprises
(Fire Protection Engineers & Consultants)

OCCUPANTS RESPONSIBILITIES
1. You are responsible for your own safety! Stay calm - avoid panic and confusion.

2. Know the locations and operation of fire extinguishers.

3. Know how to report an emergency.

When the fire alarm sounds, make sure other personnel in your immediate area are
aware of the alarm.

5. Inform visitors of pertinent information about evacuation procedures.

6. Close but DO NOT LOCK doors as you leave. Items requiring security may be
placed in a locking file cabinet or desk drawer on the way out. Turn off unnecessary
equipment, if possible.

7. Know the locations of primary and alternate exits. During an emergency, walk to
the nearest exit and evacuate the building. NOTE: Do not use the elevators during a
fire-related emergency!

8. Go to your assigned area of assembly outside the building and wait there. Do not
leave the area unless you are told to do so.
(List areas of assembly. More than one area may be needed. Areas of assembly
should be at least 200 feet from the building and clear of emergency vehicle
access.)

9. Persons needing special assistance not able to exit directly from the building are
to proceed to and remain in a stairwell vestibule. Inform evacuating occupants to
notify the Evacuation Coordinator of your location. Fire Department personnel will
evacuate occupants needing special assistance from the building.

10. Do not re-enter the building until you have been notified to do so. Emergency
personnel often silence the alarm in order to communicate with each other.
Silencing the alarm is NOT a signal for occupants to re-enter!

End