Prepare Before a Fire
ALWAYS familiarize yourself to where you are and be sure to know how
to reach the TWO nearest EXITS.
Remember that in a fire situation, smoke is blinding and will bank down in
the rooms and hallways. This condition may force you to crouch or crawl to
escape to safety. By ALWAYS being aware of your surroundings, your
knowledge of the nearest EXITS and having a PLAN will greatly increase your
ability to deal with sudden emergencies.
If You Discover a Fire or See Smoke
If building fire alarm is not sounding, manually activate the alarm by
pulling a fire alarm pull station located near an exit.
Immediately exit the building.
Call the University Police at x66911.
The first step after discovering a fire is to evacuate the area, closing all doors behind you.
Locate the nearest manual fire alarm pull station and activate it, then contact the University
Police. Whenever possible, and without putting yourself at risk, shut down laboratory or
industrial equipment before leaving.
Steps to Safety in Fires:
Isolate the area by shutting doors when exiting.
Use stairs, never take the elevator during a fire.
Notify the University Police when you can do so safely. > Signs indicating
the Area of Gathering are posted in the lobby of each building and residence
hall. In the event of a building or area evacuation, go to the posted Area of
Gathering or as directed by emergency response officials. Meet and account
for other department members.
Never attempt to re-enter the building unless cleared to do so by the Fire
Department.
NEVER ATTEMPT TO PUT OUT A FIRE ON YOUR OWN!
(Unless the fire is very small and you have been trained to do so).
If Building Fire Alarm is Activated or Someone Informs You of a
Fire
Walk to the nearest exit. Do not use the elevators.
If able, assist people with special needs.
Notify emergency personnel if you know or suspect someone is trapped or
still inside the building.
Assemble outside at the Area of Gathering away from the building and do
not attempt to re-enter the building until authorized to do so by the
emergency responders.
If Caught in Smoke
Drop to hands and knees and crawl towards the nearest exit.
Stay low, smoke will rise to ceiling level first.
Hold your breath as much as possible; breathe through your nose and use
a filter such as a shirt, towel or handkerchief.
If Trapped in a Room
Close as many doors as possible between you and the fire.
Wet and place cloth material around or under the door to help prevent
smoke from entering the room.
If the room has an outside window, be prepared to signal to someone
outside.
Clothing on Fire (Stop, Drop and Roll)
Direct or assist a person to roll around on the floor to smother the flames.
Only drench with water if a laboratory safety shower is immediately
available.
Obtain medical attention. Call x66911.
Report incident to supervisor.
Using a Fire Extinguisher
Only use a fire extinguisher if the fire is very small and you have been trained to do so safely. If
you cannot put out the fire, leave immediately and make sure the building alarm is activated and
emergency personnel are notified.
TOTAL AND IMMEDIATE EVACUATION IS THE SAFEST.
Report ALL fires, no matter how small, to the University Police at x66911, regardless of property
damage.
Fire Emergency Procedure
PURPOSE
How you react in the event of fire depends on how well you have prepared for a fire
emergency. Therefore, departments should ensure that all employees are familiar with the
procedure to follow in the event of an emergency as outlined in the University's Emergency
Plan.
PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW
Departments that need a special fire emergency procedure to meet your operations should
contact the Fire Safety Section for assistance.
Most departments can follow the basic building evacuation procedure outlined below. The
building evacuation procedure for your department should be posted on the office bulletin
board.
BASIC PROCEDURE
1.
In the event of an alarm "RACE":
1.
R: Remove anyone from immediate danger
2.
A: Activate the building fire alarm system and call 911
3.
C: Confine the fire by closing all windows and doors
4.
E: Evacuate, leave the building
Extinguish the fire, if it can be done safely
b.How to Survive a Building Fire
1.
Crawl If There's Smoke
2.
Feel Doors Before Opening
3.
Go To The Nearest Exit
4.
Always Use An Exit Stair, Not An Elevator
5.
Close Doors
6.
Use a fire extinguisher if the fire is very small and you know how to use it
safely
7.
If you are on fire - Stop, Drop and Roll
8.
If You Get Trapped
1.
Close the door
2.
Seal cracks
3.
Open the windows if safe
4.
Signal for help and phone 911
5.
Don't jump; the fire department will reach you
b.If You are Physically Impaired
i. If you are disabled (even temporarily), you should do the following:
1.
Learn about fire safety
2.
Plan ahead for fire emergencies
3.
Be aware of your own capabilities and limitations
ii. Look for "areas of refuge" like stair enclosures or other side of corridor fire doors.
Elevators are not safe during fires. Sometimes it may be safer to stay in your room.
Follow the advice for being trapped.
iii. If there is an immediate threat to safety, ask others near you for assistance. If no help is
available, seek refuge in a room with a window or stairway. If possible, call "911" to
report your location and receive instructions from the Emergency Operator.
UNC-CH EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Print this document.
Directions: Each Emergency Coordinator needs to fill out the information below on
the Emergency Action Plan so Environment, Health and Safety will have the necessary
information on each building to ensure the safety of occupants.
Purpose: The Emergency Action Plan is to outline a structured evacuation to ensure the
safety of UNC employees, students and visitors. The plan is intended as guidance in the
management of any unusual occurrence for your building. Occurrences could include floods,
hurricanes, explosions, tornadoes, major fires, terrorism, and any event that has the
potential for mass casualties.
Fill out the following information on the form:
1.
Date
2.
Building Name
3.
Department Name
4.
CB #
5.
Phones
6.
Fax
7.
Email
8.
Emergency Coordinator
9.
10.
Building Manager
Emergency Evacuation Procedures
When the fire alarm sounds, take the following action.
1.Evacuate immediately at the closest exit.
2.When leaving the building, close all windows and doors. This will stop the spread of
fire.
3.If you encounter smoke, drop down to the floor and stay low until you reach the
exit.
4.When evacuating the building, always use the stairs, never use the elevator,
because power could be lost, trapping you on the floor of the fire.
5.If Physically Impaired, know your places of refuge. Please list places of refuge for
Physically Impaired personnel.
6.Meet at designated assembly area, which should be at least 50 feet from building.
Please fill in designated assembly area
Shelter in Place Procedures
Sometimes "Shelter in Place" is used for emergencies for weather-related incidents
such as hurricanes and tornados. Also, if there is an emergency outside the building
such as a gas leak, remaining in place is safer.
1.In case of a weather-related incident, a basement is the best place to seek shelter.
If there is no basement, seek an interior hall or room away from windows.
2.Wait for signal from Emergency Coordinator to leave building.
3.List areas to be used for "Shelter in Place"
Fire Prevention Plan
1.Refer to Emergency Evacuation Plan.
2.Refer/create own Emergency response procedures.
3.Know where Fire extinguishers are located through-out.
4.Fire Extinguisher training.
5.Provide 3' around all electrical equipment, fire protection devices, heating
equipment including kitchen appliances.
6.Keep 44" clearances in all aisles to all exits at all times.
7.Know the Areas of Refuge and purpose.
8.Know secondary exit routes.
SAFETY PROTOCOL FOR UNC FIRE WATCH
The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) - (UNC Fire Marshal) - shall have the
authority to require standby fire personnel or an approved fire watch when potentially
hazardous conditions or a reduction in a life safety feature exist due to the type of
performance, display, exhibit, occupancy, contest or activity, an impairment to a fire
protection feature, or the number of persons present.
Qualified personnel shall be provided to serve as an on-site fire watch. The sole
duty of fire-watch personnel shall be to watch for the occurrence of fire.
A fire watch should consist of trained personnel who continuously patrol the
affected area. Ready access to fire extinguishers and the ability to promptly notify UNC
Operations/Fire Department are critical steps to fire intervention. During the patrol of the
area, the fire watch officer should not only be looking for fire, but also making sure that
the other fire protection features of the building such as egress routes and proper
lighting are available and functioning properly.
Fire watch personnel shall make 24 hour continuous walking rounds through
affected building ntil it can be put back in operation.
Fire watch personnel shall carry a functional cellular phone while on duty, and be
familiar with the emergency number for UNC Operations #962-8100.
Fire Watch personnel must check-in with either the manager or supervisor of the
UNC facility that is performing the fire watch or the construction company operating on
UNC premises where the fire watch has been determined to be necessary by the Fire
Marshal's Office. This check-in must occur at the beginning and ending of each shift.
Personnel must provide UNC Fire Marshal with final documentation which includes the
names for personnel, and all shift dates and times for duration of the required fire watch.
