BUILDING EMERGENCY PLAN

II. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION:
 
LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY NUMBERS
911 from a campus telephone
911 from a public telephone
642-3333 from a cell phone
 
NON-LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY NUMBERS 

MEDICAL FACILITIES:

EMERGENCY INFORMATION:

BUILDING ALARM(S)

This building has 2 alarm sounds:

• The Evacuation/Fire Alarm consists of one "whooping sound" followed by a pre-recorded message, this sequence repeating until deactivated.
• The Elevator Alarm is a shrill, continuous bell and is not as loud.

  (When you hear the elevator alarm, call Facilities Management, 642-1909.)

NOTE: The IS&T basement area is equipped with an alarm system consisting of a continuous beeping sound signaling evacuation of their work area.

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES

When you call 911 (or any other emergency number) from a campus location to request emergency assistance, you will be connected to the University Police Dispatch. Call from a safe location and remember to:

Stay calm.
Be prepared to answer the following questions:

• Where is the emergency located?
• What is the emergency? (fire, medical, hazardous material, etc.)
• How did it happen?
• When did it happen?
• Who are you? (your name)
• Gather any other information that may be useful for the emergency responders (e.g. are there any injuries involved?).

Do not hang up until instructed to do so by the dispatcher.
 
You do not need to know all the answers to these questions, but quickly gather as much information as you can. Give a telephone number or safe location where the emergency responders can call or meet you, and wait for the responders at that safe location.

GENERAL EVACUATION PROCEDURES

When evacuating your building or work area:

• Stay calm, do not rush, and do not panic.
• Safely stop your work.
• Gather your personal belongings if it is safe to do so. (Reminder: take prescription medications out with you if at all possible; it may be hours before you are allowed back in the building.)
• If safe, close your office door and window, but do not lock them.
• Use the nearest safe stairs and proceed to the nearest exit. Do not use the elevator.
• Proceed to the designated Emergency Assembly Area (EAA) and report to your roll taker.
• Wait for any instructions from emergency responders.
• Do not re-enter the building or work area until you have been instructed to do so by the emergency responders.

EVACUATION PROCEDURES
 
A building occupant is required by law to evacuate the building when the fire alarm sounds.
 
Emergency Information

• Posted evacuation diagrams, including routes and fire alarm pull stations

  (Base of stairways, elevator landings and inside public doors)

• Maps of Emergency Assembly Area (EAA)

FIRE PROCEDURES
 
A building occupant is required by law to evacuate the building when the fire alarm sounds.

If there is a fire in your work area:

• Immediately notify the fire department by pulling the alarm station. Call 911 at a safe location to provide details of the situation.
• If trained, able and safe (with a sure and safe exit), use a portable fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire. Evacuate if one extinguisher does not put out the fire.
• Evacuate the building as soon as the alarm sounds and proceed to the designated Emergency Assembly Area (EAA) (see "General Evacuation Procedures" in Section II).
• On your way out, warn others nearby.
• Move away from fire and smoke. Close doors and windows if time permits.
• Touch closed doors. Do not open them if they are hot.
• Use stairs only; do not use elevators.
• Move well away from the building and go to your designated EAA.
• Do not re-enter the building or work area until you have been instructed to do so by the emergency responders.

If there is a fire in your building:

• Follow evacuation procedures as soon as you hear the fire alarm sound (see "General Evacuation Procedures" in Section II).

FIRE PREVENTION PROCEDURES

The Building Coordinator works with the Campus Fire Prevention Division at EH&S to ensure that there is no excess accumulation of flammable and combustible materials in this building.

Custodial Services are provided to these buildings by PP-CS (2-6515). A schedule of custodial services can be obtained by contacting the provider.

The Building Coordinator also works with Physical Plant-Campus Services to maintain fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems and fire sprinkler systems in this building and to keep them in good working condition.

POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS

To prevent fire, this building maintains a good housekeeping policy, which includes:

• Storing flammable and combustible materials (e.g. paper, cardboard, wood, etc.) in an approved manner.
• Avoiding accumulation of flammable and combustible liquids/materials in laboratories or storage cabinets.

EARTHQUAKE PROCEDURES

In case of an earthquake:

Inside The Building:

• Duck under the nearest sturdy object and hold onto it until the shaking stops. If you are not near a sturdy object, make yourself as small as possible and cover your head and neck.
• If you stand in a doorway, brace yourself against the frame and watch out for a swinging door or other people.
• Avoid windows, filing cabinets, bookcases and other heavy objects that could fall or shatter.
• Stay under cover until the shaking stops, then leave the building.
• If it is safe to do so, stabilize any laboratory procedure that could lead to further danger. (For instance, turn off Bunsen burners or electrical equipment.)

Outside The Building:

• Move away from trees, signs, buildings, electrical poles and wires.
• Protect your head with your arms from falling bricks, glass, plaster, and other debris.
• Move away from fire and smoke.
• Proceed to the Emergency Assembly Area if safe, or proceed to a pre-designated alternate assembly area. Check in with your Roll Taker(s) to let them know you are all right (see "General Evacuation Procedures" above this section).
• Stay alert for further instructions.

CIVIL DISTURBANCE/DEMONSTRATION PROCEDURES
 
Most campus demonstrations are peaceful and people not involved should attempt to carry on business as usual. Avoid provoking or obstructing demonstrators. Should a disturbance occur, call the University Police. From campus telephones or pay telephones dial 911.
 
If a disturbance seems to threaten the occupants of the building, report it immediately to the University Police and take the following actions:

• Alert all persons in the area of the situation.
• Lock all doors and windows.
• Close blinds to prevent flying glass.
• If necessary, your department may decide to cease work operations.
• If necessary to evacuate, follow directions from police.

If you are the victim of, or are involved in, any on-campus violation of the law such as assault, robbery, theft, overt sexual behavior, etc., do not take any unnecessary risk. Notify University Police as soon as possible and give them the following information:

• Nature of the incident;
• Location of the incident;
• Description of the person(s) involved;
• Description of the property involved.

A suspicious-looking box, package, object or container in or near your work area may be a bomb or explosive material. Do not handle or touch the object. Move to a safe area and call the University Police immediately at 642-6760. Use a telephone in a safe area. Do not operate any power switch, and do not activate the fire alarm.

If there is an explosion:

• Take cover under sturdy furniture, or leave the building if directed to do so by emergency responders.
• Stay away from windows.
• Do not light matches.
• Move well away from the site of the hazard to a safe location.
• Use stairs only; do not use elevators.
• From campus telephones or pay telephones dial 911.  Follow “Emergency Notification Procedures” above.

• Stay calm and keep your voice calm.
• Pay close attention to details. Talk to the caller to obtain as much information as possible.
  
• Take notes. Ask questions:
  —When will it explode?
  —Where is it right now?
  —What does it look like?
  —What kind of bomb is it?
  —Where did you leave it?
  —Did you place the bomb?
  —Who is the target?
  —Why did you plant it?
  —What is your address?
  —What is your name?
  
• Observe the caller's:
  —Speech patterns (accent, tone)
  —Emotional state (angry, agitated, calm, etc.)
  —Background noise (traffic, people talking and accents, music and type, etc.)
  —Age and gender
  
• Write down other data:
  —Date and time of call
  —How threat was received (letter, note, telephone)
  
• Call University Police and submit your notes from the telephone call or the bomb threat (letter or note) to University Police.
  
• Follow University Police’s instructions.
  
• If you are told by emergency responders to evacuate the building (see "General Evacuation Procedures" above):
  —Check your work area for unfamiliar items. Do not touch suspicious items; report them to campus authorities.
  —Take personal belongings when you leave.
  —Leave doors and windows open; do not turn light switches on or off.
  —Use stairs only; do not use elevators.
  —Move well away from the building and follow instructions from emergency responders.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PROCEDURES

If you witness a hazardous material spill, evacuate the spill site and warn others to stay away. Call 911 from a campus telephone or a public telephone, if you believe the spill may be life-threatening. If you can  determine that the spill is not life-threatening, follow the procedures outlined below.

If you are a hazardous material user (user), you should be trained by your supervisor on proper use and storage of hazardous materials. This training should include hazard information, proper procedures for preventing spills, and emergency procedures when a spill happens.

If as a user you spill a hazardous material or materials:

• Leave the area of the spill first and proceed to a safe location nearby. Then assess if you have the proper training and protective gear to clean up the spill.
• If you are able to clean up the spill, follow proper cleanup procedures and use proper personal protection. Manage the generated waste as appropriate. Consult your supervisor if necessary.
• Isolate the spill area to keep everyone away, and post signs as necessary.
• If you require assistance to clean up the spill:

  During normal business hours (8 AM-5 PM, M-F), you can call Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) directly (642-3073).

  During off-hours, call University Police (642-6760). University Police will call EH&S.

• If you suspect or witness a release of a hazardous material to the environment (air, water, ground) call University Police.

In the event of a major utility failure, notify Physical Plant-Campus Services at 642-1909.

Before 8:00 AM and after 4:30 PM or on weekends and holidays, notify the University Police at 642-6760.

Evacuate the building if the fire alarm sounds and/or upon notification by the police (see "General Evacuation Procedures" above).

A major power outage may not in itself be destructive, but a possible resulting panic or fire could endanger life and property. Panic can be partially avoided by an immediate decision on the need to cancel classes or meetings in progress or to evacuate the building (see "Evacuation Procedures" above).

In laboratory buildings, fume hoods do not operate during a power outage and most laboratories should not be used until the ventilation is properly restored (For more information, refer to the EH&S Fact sheet, "Power Failure.")

ELEVATOR FAILURE

If you are trapped in an elevator, use the emergency telephone to call for assistance.

If the elevator does not have an emergency telephone, turn on the emergency alarm (located on the control panel) to signal your need for help.

FLOODING/PLUMBING FAILURE

If flooding occurs (due to a plumbing failure or other problem):

• Cease using all electrical equipment
• Notify University Police at 642-6760. If necessary, evacuate the building (see "General Evacuation Procedures" above).

GAS LEAK

• If you smell natural gas:
• Cease all operations immediately.
• Do not switch lights on or off.
• Notify University Police: from a campus telephone, dial 911, from public telephones, 911.
• Evacuate as soon as possible (see "General Evacuation Procedures" above).

STEAM LINE FAILURE

In the event of a steam line failure:

• Notify University Police by calling 642-6760.
• Evacuate as soon as possible (see "General Evacuation Procedures" above).

VENTILATION PROBLEM

If odors come from the ventilation system:

• Immediately notify Physical Plant-Campus Services at 642-1909, and Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) at 642-3073.
• If necessary, cease all operations and evacuate area (see "General Evacuation Procedures" above).
• If smoke is present, activate the fire alarm system by pulling the pull station and call 911 from a safe location.