Fire Safety

If you discover a fire or explosion:

• Immediately activate the closest fire pull alarm.
• Only attempt to use a fire extinguisher if you are confident and it is safe to do so. (Refer to below “Using a Fire Extinguisher”)
• Urge people to stay calm and evacuate in a quick and orderly manner.
• To help contain the fire, close windows and doors that are near to you on your way out, but ONLY DO SO IF IT IS SAFE.
• Use the stairway to evacuate; do NOT use the elevators.
• Upon exiting the building, proceed directly to the designated Evacuation Assembly Area and wait for further instructions form emergency personnel.
• Call 911
  • State your name
  • Give the address where the fire is and the nearest intersection.
  • Provide information about the fire: what floor, how fast the fire is spreading, people trapped etc.
• DO NOT RE-ENTER THE BUILDING until emergency personnel have notified you that is is safe to do so.

When a fire alarm is activated:

• It MUST be treated as a real emergency.
• Follow your building emergency evacuation procedures.
• Never open a closed door without checking it for heat first.
• If the door is hot, do NOT open it. If it’s not hot, open it slowly, standing behind it to one side, and be prepared to shut it quickly if fire is present.
• Use the stairway to evacuate, do NOT use the elevators.
• Upon exiting the building, proceed directly to the designated Evacuation Assembly Area and wait for further instructions form emergency personnel.
• DO NOT RE-ENTER THE BUILDING until emergency personnel have notified you that it is safe to do so.

If trapped in a room by fire:

• Block smoke from entering the room by closing doors and placing damp cloth material around/under doors.
• Signal your location –phone 911 and give the fire department your exact location; if this not possible, be prepared to signal from a window.
• Do NOT open the window or break glass unless absolutely necessary –outside smoke may drawn inside the building.

If you are caught in smoke:

• Drop to your knees and crawl.
• Breathe shallowly through your nose, holding your breath as long as possible. Use a damp cloth over your mouth and nose to filter out smoke.
• Stay calm.
• At this point, you may have to evacuate with limited visibility.
• Know in advance exactly how many doors you will have to pass along your evacuation route before you reach the nearest exit. In heavy smoke, crouch down low and crawl to evacuate (watching the base of the wall) and count out the number of doors you pass. You will then know when you have reached the exit door (even if you can’t see that that it is the exit).

If clothing catches on fire:

Yours:

STOP where you are.

DROP to the floor.

ROLL to the floor.

Someone else’s:

Grab a blanket, rug or coat and wrap them in it to smother the flames.

Using a fire extinguisher:

Only attempt to use a fire extinguisher*:

• if you are confident and it is safe to do so.

• If the fire is small and contained.

• If you have an unobstructed exit route behind you.

*Note: On average, the sustained usage of a typical fire extinguisher will last approximately 12 – 15 seconds.

PASS:

PULL safety pin from handle

AIM at the base of flame

SQUEEZE the trigger handle

SWEEP from side to side